Muntinlupa - city of the Philippines in Metro Manila

Muntinlupa is a city in Metro Manila, Philippines. Muntinlupa features two affluent business districts, Filinvest City and Ayala Alabang, but it is easy to be overwhelmed by the noisy sprawl around and miss some other hidden attractions. Just like other similar cities around Metro Manila, Muntinlupa incorporates old and new.

Understand

Muntinlupa is a typical bedroom community within Metro Manila, and the majority of its population head for Manila to work. The city was once an agricultural municipality along the western shores of Laguna de Bay, but after the construction of the South Luzon Expressway, it suddenly grew as industries moved here and many residential subdivisions are constructed on agricultural land. The development of Filinvest City and Ayala Alabang made it another central business district of Metro Manila. Muntinlupa today forms the large urban sprawl of greater Manila, and also full of contrasts, having a gritty and a sterile side.

While Filinvest City and Ayala Alabang, two central business districts, provides a sense of modernity and prosperity for the city, the rest of Muntinlupa is an ordinary Philippine city, a concrete jungle full of congestion, noise, and poverty. National Road and Alabang–Zapote Road, the city's main thoroughfares, are perennially congested surface roads, compounded by uncontrolled growth that left Muntinlupa without a planned arterial road and public transportation network. Outside of Filinvest City and Ayala Alabang, which are planned from the start, Muntinlupa is sprawling like its neighboring cities within the metro, save for areas around the New Bilibid Prison and the southwest edge of the city. Gentrification has made inroads on Muntinlupa's low to middle-class barangays, and their effects are yet to be seen.

History

What is now Muntinlupa was once a municipality of the province of Rizal. The etymology of the name Muntinlupa is obscure, but there are numerous folk theories for the name, the most known being the Spanish transcription of Tagalog munti sa lupa.

The lands where Muntinlupa lies are from friar lands back to the days the Spanish arrived and explored the shores of Laguna de Bay. Spanish authorities took ownership in 1869, when the barrios of Alabang, Tunasan, Cupang, and Sucat were grouped together. The current city was incorporated as a municipality in 1903 and became part of Laguna, but the local government protested and in 1905, Muntinlupa returned to Rizal. In 1941, the national penitentiary, the New Bilibid Prison opened in the hilly area of the municipality. Under the Marcos administration, Muntinlupa was included in Metro Manila. Since the opening of the South Luzon Expressway in 1969, the municipality began to shift from agriculture to business and industry, and the population doubled as migrants from other parts of the Philippines moved there. On 1995, Muntinlupa has gained city status.

Get in

By bus

There are no longer provincial buses that terminate at Alabang. Buses terminate at either the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal. Both terminals have connections to local buses and jeepneys, which are detailed below.

City buses

Metro Manila's redesigned city bus network is more complex, but with PNR commuter trains in limited supply, a more faster way of reaching Muntinlupa is by bus. All routes would terminate or pass through Alabang.

• Route 14 Ayala Center-Alabang goes from Ayala Center in Makati to Alabang via SLEX (or South Superhighway), with the Alabang-bound service running clockwise. This is useful if coming from the north or from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
• Route 24 PITX-Alabang runs from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque, through the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX or Coastal Road), and Las Piñas. Also comes in handy if coming from NAIA, but is slower as it makes many stops at Las Piñas.
• Route 25 BGC-Alabang connects Bonifacio Global City with the terminal at Starmall, with stops along C-5 and exits of the South Superhighway.
• From the south, Route 15 Ayala-Biñan provides service between Biñan in Laguna and Makati through SLEX and the older National Road. It also overlaps with Route 14 so it also serves as an alternative to the said route if coming from the north.

City buses either use two of these two terminals:

• Alabang Bus Terminal, National Road, Alabang (beside Starmall Alabang), 14.4156508°, 121.0464210°. Route 25 terminates here, with transfers to jeepneys. P2P buses operated by MetroExpress Connect also use this. 2019-06-23
• South Station, Alabang—Zapote Road, Alabang (beside the New Muntinlupa Public Market), 14.42187°, 121.04466°. 2019-06-23

Airport bus

There are also Airport Loop service reaching Alabang from Ninoy Aquino International Airport; all terminate at the HM Transport terminal south of the government-owned bus terminal beside Starmall Alabang. The one-way fare is around ; Beep cards are accepted as payment, in addition to the usual cash fare.

Point-to-point (P2P) buses

Point-to-point (P2P) express buses also serve Muntinlupa. Fares are twice as the jeepney or city bus, but worth the comfort, with newer, wheelchair-accessible, low-floor buses. Beep cards are also accepted in addition to the usual cash fare.

• RRCG Transport operates P2P services to Ayala Malls South Park, 14.4124260°, 121.0464477°. 2019-06-23 or Alabang Town Center, 14.4241476°, 121.0316941°. 2019-06-23 from Greenbelt. one-way ( for seniors and people with disabilities).
• MetroExpress Connect has services to Starmall Alabang, 14.4166661°, 121.0458096°. 2019-06-23 from Bacoor (Vista Mall Daang Hari) and Dasmariñas (Savemore Salawag) in Cavite, via Daang Hari. one-way ( for seniors and people with disabilities).

By car

The South Luzon Expressway passes through Alabang, with three exits, Sucat, Alabang, Filinvest and Susana Heights/MCX. You may also take the Skyway, which terminates at Alabang. From Cavite, you may take the Daang Hari and/or Muntinlupa—Cavite Expressway (MCX)

By jeepney

Express services

There are a handful of express jeepney services to Muntinlupa, arriving at Alabang. These make less stops than services using surface roads and service frequency is about 30 minutes.

• Route 411 Alabang-Calamba — Runs from SM City Calamba to Alabang via SLEX, using modern, air-conditioned jeepneys.
• T419 Alabang-Balibago - Express service from Target Mall in Santa Rosa to South Station. .
• T422 Alabang-GMA via SLEX – Express service via Carmona or Susana Heights Exit.
• Alabang-Pasay Rotonda – Service from Pasay via South Luzon Expressway (South Superhighway or SSH).

By train

Philippine National Railways (PNR) operates regular commuter rail service to Alabang station, 14.419572°, 121.047675°. 2020-07-06, but the trains can get uncomfortable during midday and rush hours.

From Laguna, PNR also operates 3 trains running from IRRI in Los Baños to Alabang station.

Get around

By jeepney

You may also take a jeepney to reach Muntinlupa, but are rather slower than buses, as they have more flexible stops (when passengers request). All jeepney routes in Muntinlupa originate from the transport hub of Alabang, where jeepneys come and go.

Key destinations, usually referred by landmarks (see Philippines#By jeepney), are as follows. Boldface indicates those visible on the front signage:

• Bayanan (at National Road cor. Bautista Street)
• Summitville
• Muntinlupa City Hall, or Munisipyo (in front of Medical Center Muntinlupa)
• Poblacion, or Bayan
• Susana Heights
• SM Center Muntinlupa, or simply SM (some jeepneys terminate here)
• Tunasan (near the Tunasan People's Market at KM 30 National Road)
• RMT (just past St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish and Lyceum of Alabang)

If you board express service jeepneys using SLEX, they will exit at Filinvest City, and you will either get down at Festival Alabang (south wing) or South Station. Jeepney fares are at to any destination in the city due to its sheer size, but a trip on one plying National Road can last 30 minutes due to perennial congestion. Routes can be seen on the front and sides of the vehicle.

Filinvest City operates electric jeepneys around key destinations on Alabang.

By car

Muntinlupa's major thoroughfares are limited the National Road (Route 1) and Alabang—Zapote Road (Rouye 411), national roads, but are considered surface streets over the controlled-access and tolled SLEZ. SLEX's East and West service roads (both unnumbered) and M.L. Quezon Avenue (Route 142) serves areas north of Alabang, but are narrow and congested, making SLEX the better way around. The city's overall road network is rather poor, due to the radial growth and a lot of side streets and blind corners just worsens the plight of those four roads.

Perhaps, except in Filinvest City or Ayala Alabang, which are relatively car-dependent due to many well-to-do locals there, driving in Muntinlupa is nerve-racking, just like the rest of Metro Manila. As with the rest of Metro Manila, prepare to deal with the many aggressive driving behaviors you may find in the rest of the Philippines, such as motorcycles cutting through you. The numerous shopping malls in the city make it encouraging to drive, but expect costly parking fees (the exception is in SM Center Muntinlupa, where parking has been always free). Elsewhere, parking is scarce, and use public transport instead. Also be aware of the United Vehicle Volume Reduction Program or the "color coding" scheme when driving in Alabang.

By taxi or ride sharing

Taxis or ride-sharing are also available as another option when you want the comfort of car travel. Just find the lines or the booths outside the major malls.

By tricycle

Tricycles are generally used to access areas not served by jeepneys. Pedicabs, a foot-driven version, are used in some barangays, like in Alabang. Tricycle (or pedicab) terminals can be found in major street corners, outside subdivisions, and also at South Station (just next to the jeepneys). Tricycles, however, rarely serve the affluent areas, and they are banned from using the major highways legally, though they still use them due to a lack of alternative routes owing to the city's rather radial growth. Beware also of scams while in the terminal.

See

As most Muntinlupa is residential suburb, most of the sights are concentrated in Alabang.

Alabang

• Insular Life Corporate Center, Corporate Avenue (Just outside Festival Alabang), 14.41901°, 121.03854°. Office complex with glass-covered twin towers. Has a viewing area on the 34th floor. 2018-11-14

Outside Alabang

• Jamboree Lake, Insular Prison Road, Poblacion (Reachable by jeepney), 14.38587°, 121.03538°. Philippines' smallest lake, with a small viewing point. 2018-11-14
• Diocesan Shrine of St. Peregrine Laziosi (St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish), KM 30 National Road, Tunasan (beside Lyceum of Alabang), 14.37349°, 121.04733°. 1980s era church devoted to St. Peregrine Laziosi. 2018-11-14
• Bayanan Baywalk, Bautista Street, Bayanan (Reachable by tricycle from National Road), 14.41098°, 121.05232°. Part of city lakeside development with an elementary school, park and boulevard. Provides a view of Laguna de Bay, but is blocked by kangkong (water spinach) plantations. 2018-11-14
• Museo ng Muntinlupa, Centennial Avenue, Laguerta, Tunasan (Behind Muntinlupa City Police Station). A city-owned museum dedicated to Muntinlupa's history, from its founding to its cityhood. The museum's exterior is eye-catching, being shaped like a traditional fish trap. 2020-07-05

Do

Buy

Alabang

• Ayala Malls South Park (South Park Mall), National Road (about a half-kilometer from Starmall Alabang), 14.41154°, 121.04695°. 10AM-9PM. Redeveloped from former Nestle warehouses, it is part of the South Park District development, which includes condominium towers and a call center building. Opened in December 2016, it has fast-food restaurants, a food court, and various shops. Has a Robinsons supermarket and department store. 2018-11-14
• Festival Alabang (Festival Mall), Filinvest City, Alabang, 14.41709°, 121.04089°. 10AM-9PM daily. Mall constructed as part of the Filinvest City redevelopment. Festival Alabang houses department stores, two supermarkets, two indoor amusement parks, and a variety of restaurants and shops. An expansion area includes a Landmark department store, various restaurants and cafes, and a park along the Alabang River, which bisects the new buildings. 2018-08-17
• New Muntinlupa Public Market (Alabang Public Market), Montillano Street (beside South Station), 14.42020°, 121.04458°. Alabang's farmers' and flea market, with tiangges selling dry goods such as clothes and houseware. 2018-11-14
• Starmall Alabang (Metropolis Star Alabang), National Road, Alabang, 14.4168°, 121.0467°. Closed since January 2022 due to fire damage. Since 2019, its major anchor stores are a Finds department store and an All Day supermarket, replacing those operated by Robinsons. Inside it are a Wellcome supermarket, tiangges, a resort, and numerous fast-food restaurants. The mall includes also a public terminal for various city and provincial buses, jeepneys, and UV Express vans. The mall is also shrouded by ghost mysteries because it lies above a former cemetery. 2019-12-15
• Westgate Alabang, Commerce Avenue, Alabang (past Filinvest Avenue approaching Ayala Alabang), +63 2 846-0278. Features mid to high-end shops and restaurants. 2018-10-11

Ayala Alabang

• Alabang Town Center, Alabang-Zapote Road, Ayala Alabang, 14.4235°, 121.0299°. Built over where the Boom na Boom amusement park once stood, it is the core of the Ayala Alabang development, with more high-end retailers and restaurants. This mall a Spanish-inspired central park, mostly lined with fine dining restaurants and some shops. Its major anchor stores are a Rustan's and a Metro Gaisano department store. 2018-08-17

Outside Alabang

• SM Center Muntinlupa (formerly SM Supercenter Muntinlupa), KM 30 National Road, Tunasan (can be reached by jeepney or bus from Alabang), 14.37728°, 121.04512°. 10AM-9PM. Small community mall with fast-food restaurants, cinemas, and a few shops. Has a SM Hypermarket and Ace Hardware. Parking is free, and expect the parking lots to be full, especially on weekend sales. 2018-11-14

Eat

Alabang

• Molito Lifestyle Center, Madrigal Ave, Ayala Alabang, +63 2 808-6405, shiela.cervan@molito.com.ph. Molito is a luxury lifestyle center that features 5-star restaurants. They have a park-like center area with a small fountain for customers to sit and walk around. 2018-10-11

Ayala Alabang

Outside Alabang and Ayala Alabang

• Amber Golden Spoon, National Road, Putatan (take the jeepneys via National Road, then get down near Amber Machine Shop or Summitville), 14.40550°, 121.04723°. 2018-11-14
• Ho Chai Lai, National Road, Tunasan (get off the jeepney near Camella Homes 3), 14.3819170°, 121.0446708°. Authentic Chinese cuisine, including dim sum, noodles, and congee. 2018-11-16
• PRLAN Cafe (Paris - Rome - London - Amsterdam Cafe), 686 National Road, Poblacion (near commercial building on corner with Pedro Diaz Street), 14.3903657°, 121.0444072°. Despite its name, it features various Filipino recipes, with an offer for a meal two dishes and one rice. Also has a general store, and three kiosks. Meal starting at . 2018-11-16
• Taiyaki, National Road, Poblacion (Near Caltex.), 14.3881483°, 121.0453302°. 07:00-17:00. Japanese fish-shaped cakes, with a choice of mung bean or custard filling 2018-11-14
• Wing Bites, Edna Duran Building, 163-A National Road, Tunasan (Near Susana Heights Exit), 14.3869814°, 121.0454977°. 11:00-22:00. Offers unlimited chicken wings. There are no spoons or forks available, so you can enjoy either eating by hand using plastic gloves or with your bare hands. 2018-12-03

Drink

Alabang

Alabang has many classy night bars and restaurants.

Outside Alabang

• Picked, KM 30 National Road, Tunasan (outside St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish), 14.3740253°, 121.0480428°. 2018-11-16

Sleep

Alabang

• The Bellevue Manila, North Bridgeway, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City, 14.42404°, 121.03984°, +63 2-771-8181. The Bellevue is the only deluxe hotel in the south of Manila, as classified by the Philippine Department of Tourism. From US$95
• Parque Espana Residence Hotel, 5309 East Asia Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, 14.41852°, 121.03511°, +63 2-850-5847. Designed for residential living. From US$60
• Acacia Hotel Manila, 5400 East Asia Drive corner Commerce Avenue, 14.42051°, 121.03547°, +63 2 720 2000. A/C guestrooms and suites equipped with 40-inch LCD TV, wi-fi access, shower and bathtub. Some of its facilities and services are swimming pool, poolside bar, gym, Wi-Fi in public areas & LAN, restaurant and car park. From US$138
• Azumi Botique Hotel, 14.42733°, 121.02753°. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Luxury hotel not far from the business district, popular among business travelers. 2018-02-20
• B Hotel Alabang, 2107 Prime St, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, 14.42834°, 121.02668°, +63 2 828 8181. 2018-02-20
• Vivere Hotel, 5102 Bridgeway Avenue, Filinvest City, Alabang, +63 2 771 7777, info@viverehotel.com.ph. In the middle of Alabang, it is accessible to nearby malls like Festival Mall and Alabang Town Center. It has 200 rooms and suites. The hotel also provides business facilities. One of its main attractions is The Nest, a luxury dining area located at the 31st floor of the hotel. 2018-10-11

Outside Alabang

• Hotel Sogo Alabang, National Road, Alabang (Just a walk from Starmall Alabang), 14.4185547°, 121.0458713°. Part of two-star motel chain, often having a reputation as haven for extramarital sex, but can be a cheap option in town. Has air-conditioned rooms with cable TV. a day 2018-12-03
• El Rancho Inn, 678 National Road, Tunasan (On top of commercial building near Mercury Drug), 14.3767123°, 121.0473452°, +63 2 861 3123. Rooms only have air-conditioning and cable TV. There is no hot shower or WiFi available. Slightly as twice the price of Hotel Sogo in Alabang. 2018-12-03

Stay safe

While not as infamous as the other crowded corners of the metro such as Divisoria, Quiapo, and Baclaran, Alabang is notorious for petty crime, not only with pickpockets and bag snatchers, but also with various criminals, including hold-up robbers, who will rob you at gunpoint, and scammers. Beware also of touts in taxis and tricycles, where they may not only rip you off, but in some cases, they may bring you elsewhere. The business districts of Filinvest City and Ayala Alabang may not look as safe as it may seem, so use common sense when bringing valuables, like cell phones, money, and cameras, as they can attract opportunistic thieves.

While not very obvious, most populated areas in Muntinlupa straddle the West Valley Fault, a major fault that can potentially cause a destructive magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Places where the fault runs are spray-painted with orange markers, and earthquake drills, in addition to fire drills, are regularly held in the city.

Cope

Muntinlupa is the first city in the Philippines to pass a local law banning single-use plastics since 2011, and that means you must bring at least a reusable bag when shopping in the city. In restaurants, food packaging must be made of recyclable material, but utensils, like spoons, forks, knives and straws are still permitted to be made of plastic. Businesses however are encouraged to use utensils made of reusable and recyclable material. The plastic ban does not cover plastic bags used to handle wet goods, and plastics are still permitted as packaging for wet products.

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