Muntinglupa Travel Guide, Philippines

A Look at Muntinlupa City

Muntinlupa is located at the southernmost part of the National Capital Region. It is bordered by Las Piñas to the West, Laguna de Bay to the East, and Taguig City to the North. It is also surrounded by other popular cities like Parañaque, San Pedro Laguna and Cavite. The city is highly urbanized with more than 400,000 residents living in the area. It is coined as the Emerald City of the Philippines for its fine tourism.

The City's Name

The city was notoriously known for its New Bilibid Prison. The latter is a national insular penal colony where the country's most infamous criminals were confined. Because the city houses such terrain, the term "Munti" has become synonymous with the name of the city itself. Consequently, the term gave a negative image for the city's environment and the people residing in it as well. But despite the negative impact of the penitentiary to most people, the city was never daunted and in fact became one of the most progressive metropolises in the Philippines.

The name "Muntinlupa" has undergone several changes and versions. First, the city's name was associated with the thin topsoil in the area. Next, the name came from the Spanish invasion where the natives of the town mistakenly answered to the Spaniards and apparently called their land, "Monte sa Lupa". Lastly, the topography of the area gave name to the city. The term "Monte" means mountains and was thus expanded to "Muntinlupa".

No record can firmly establish where the name of the city came from. But many suggest that the city's name derived from these three versions.

The Exclusive Village

Muntinlupa is a home to the country's most prestigious village – the Ayala Alabang Village. It is one of the most expensive and biggest subdivisions where the rich and famous reside. Among the subdivision's well-known inhabitants are President Fidel V. Ramos, actress Charlene Gonzalez, actor Aga Muhlach, the Prince of Brunei, and many other prominent individuals in the country.

Famous Places to Visit

Muntinlupa is also a home to historical, natural and man-made landmarks. Here are a few of Muntinlupa's eye-catching places:

Historical

Historical places in the city include the Japanese Shrine where all Japanese soldiers were buried during the war. Liwasan Ng Mga Bayani is also another historical landmark as it is known as the camp to all "katipuneros" at the time of the Philippine revolution.