Lakas. Talino. Buhay.

Lakas Gallery.

Progress. To improve the livelihood of Muntinlupeños, Muntinlupa was opened to industrialization in the 1960s through the establishment of different factories and businesses for commercial products. The development of Muntinlupa was furthered by the construction of South Super Highway (now, South Luzon Expressway), which improved the delivery of products to markets and stimulated the urbanization of the area with establishment of communities and business districts.

After the 1986 People Power President Corazon Aquino appointed Ignacio R. Bunyi to temporarily govern the municipality of Muntinlupa, Bunyi was elected and governed as Mayor from 1988 until 1998 and improved the administration of the municipality. Through his efforts, Muntinlupa was soon declared as a highly urbanized city on 1 March 1995 through the promulgation of Republic Act 7926 by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

The legacy of good governance was continued under the mantle of Muntinlupa City's present executive, Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi.

Conveyor Belt

The belt consists of different products from companies that emerged in Muntinlupa during the construction of a single-lane dirt road that connected Alabang to Highway. Some of these factories have moved to other locations over the years but many have remained such as Pepsi.

City Seal

The values and what the Muntinlupeños strive for can be seen in this city seal. It is designed by Manuel Amorsolo, son of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. Each elements of the seal have a different meaning:

9 stars: 9 Barangays of Muntinlupa

1917 and 1995: Muntinlupa became an independent town in 1917, and became a city in 1995.

Lakas, Buhay, Talino: These are values guiding the city in reaching the vision.

Bamboo: Symbolizes the resiliency and adaptability of Muntinlupeños in time of trials.

Philippine Eagle: The vision of the city to soar high and progress as a premiere city of the nation.

Philippine Flag: Symbolizes the importance of the city as part of Republic of the Philippines.

Projection Map

This table shows the landscape of Muntinlupa in its present times. This will show the 9 Barangays and its square area with the total population in each area, along with the disaster-prone areas.

Growth. The proximity of Muntinlupa to Manila made it an ideal location for important government institutions that could no longer be accommodated in the already crowded and populated urban centers of Manila. These institutions and industries: Alabang Stock Farm, Alabang Serum and Vaccine Laboratory, farmlands owned by influential families, and the New Bilibid Prison, would play indispensable roles in Philippine history in the decades to come.

Talino Gallery.

Along with the construction of the South Super Highway, these institutions paved the way for Muntinlupa's development from farmlands to an urbanized center in the South.

FB Harrison

The end of the Philippine-American War began upon the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in March 1901. Since then, the American Colonial authorities have been able to turn their attention to the governance of their new colony.

From 1901 to 1905, the administration of Muntinlupa shifted from the provinces of Morong, to Laguna, and then finally, to Rizal. On 19 December 1917, Governor General Francis Burton Harrison signed Executive Order 108 that effectively made Muntinlupa an independent municipality.

Alabang Stock Market

Established on 30 December 1906, the 240-hectare Alabang Stock Farm was founded during the American period to improve the animal husbandry and agricultural practices in the country.

As a stock farm, native stallions, cattle, goats, poultry, and swine were cross-bred with imported breeds. The resulting livestock was usually more resistant to diseases and thus, more profitable for farmers and breeders. Along with the breeding program, there were also research initiatives about farming techniques.

The scientific breakthroughs made in Alabang Stock Farm were later disseminated to farmers and agriculturalists across the country.

Alabang Serum and Vaccine Laboratory

Throughout Philippine history, illnesses such as cholera and dysentery threatened the lives of Filipinos. In the late 1800s, Spanish officials began developing vaccines and antisera. Their efforts were continued by the American Colonial Government's Serum and Vaccine Unit, originally located in Manila, under the Bureau of Science.

In 1918, a smallpox outbreak drove up demand for vaccines urging the need for a larger production facility. A few years later, the Serum and Vaccine Unit was transferred to Muntinlupa and renamed as the Alabang Serum and Vaccine Laboratory (ASVL).

The mission of ASVL to fight infectious and tropical diseases was assumed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine currently located in Alabang. Today, RITM produces the Purified Cobra Antivenin (PCAV), the only known effective antidote for snakebites, specifically those caused by Philippine Cobra (Naja Philippinensis). The snake can put an end to one's life even with just a single bite.

RITM is the only cobra snake antivenom producer and distributor in the Philippines since 1980s.

New Bilibid Prison

On 15 November 1940, the insular penitentiary known as Bilibid Prison was transferred from Manila to Muntinlupa, Rizal. Now renamed New Bilibid Prison (NBP), the facility was situated within a government reservation. The remote location, fresh air, and extensive arable land available made it an ideal setting for inmate rehabilitation.

The prison compound measured nine hectares and was originally built to accommodate 3,000 prisoners. Today the New Bilibid Prison continues its mission of inmate rehabilitation through spiritual activities, sports, as well as education and vocational training.

The Construction of the new Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa began in 1936, began with 23 able-bodied prisoners as the first workers. Together with Public Works employees, they cleared and built the 900-meter road leading to reservation from the Muntinlupa highway on 15 January 1936.

Buhay Gallery.

Lifeways. As an archipelago, the Philippines is home to a diverse group of people living within 7,641 islands. Traditionally, they settled around water sources such as rivers and lakes. The water served as highways for trade and provided fresh catch for the community. An example of this is the Laguna de Bay and the communities around.

Muntinlupa rests on the shore of Laguna de Bay, the largest freshwater lake in the country. The shores of the lake abound in fertile soil for the cultivation of rice and other root crops. Our ancestors living by the lake caught fish, clams, and other aquatic creatures for food. Due to the wealth of natural resources in Laguna de Bay, the early Filipinos residing in the area established communities with independent government and unique cultures.

Fishing Equipment

Laguna de Bay has been a major fishing ground since ancient times. Different types of watercraft were used by fishermen in the lake such as outriggers, rafts, and sailboats. To increase their catch of fish, shrimps, krill, and shellfish, they used fish corrals, levered nets, fishnets, push nets, fish pots, and cover pot trap. These are traditional fishing tools also used by fishermen.

Hanging Map

This map is composed of different communities around Laguna de Bay which grew to become provinces namely: Manila, Morong (now Rizal), Cavite, Laguna. Because of the richness of the lake, you can also find some of the oldest communities in the Philippines around Laguna de Bay, as evidenced by artifacts found by archaeologists.

Muntinlupa and its neighbors were part of an ancient social group called "Tagalos". The 16th century Tagalos are depicted in the Boxer Codex as the Tagalog- speaking people of Southern Luzon, Mindoro, and Central Luzon, including Manila and the settlements around the Laguna Lake. Their social structure includes the Maginoo (ruling class), Timaua (freemen), and Alipin (servants). Their ancient script is called baybayin.

Asyenda Panel

Spain saw the richness and economic potential of the archipelago in 1521, and King Philip II of Spain ordered expeditions to colonize the islands. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi succeeded and established the Spanish city of Manila in 1571. Soon after most areas in the archipelago were under control of Spain and many early Filipinos were converted to Christianity with the help of of the friars of different Religious Orders.

To run the new colony, the encomienda system was enforced. These were land grants given as a payment to officials and friars for their service to the King. Through land donations, inheritances, and payment of tributes (taxes), haciendas under the administration of the Religious Orders formed.

Meysapan, a fertile vast area of land in the south of Manila, was a land grant given to the Augustinian friars in 1571. This included the land that would become Muntinlupa.

In 1680, the Augustinians established the hacienda of Muntinlupa comprising of Girense, Bule, Copang, Alabang, Malosac, Italon, and Muntinlupa. They planted it with sugar cane and established a sugar mill. Many of Muntinlupa's inhabitants worked in these haciendas.

Muntinlupa's fertile land was suitable for crops such as rice, corn, cotton, coconut, mung, beans, and sweet potatoes. The grassy hills provided good pasture for cattle.

Colonial and KKK

Philippine Revolution - Following a long period of Spanish oppression, the Katipunan led the fighting when the Philippine Revolution broke out in August 1896. Tomas Montillano, who was the leader of the town from 1892 until 1894, served as the president of its local chapter in Muntinlupa.

The location of Muntinlupa was strategic because it is sandwiched between Cavite and Morong, and is situated along the shores of Laguna de Bay. Because of this, Spanish forces established a station in Muntinlupa, which was attacked by the revolutionary forces in January 1897.

The revolution lasted for two years. The success of the Filipino revolutionary forces led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo ended with the declaration of Independence in Kawit, Cavite on 12 June 1898.

Philippine-American War - After the defeat of Spanish forces during the 1898 Spanish-American War, Spain surrendered the Philippines to the United States. Filipinos realized the scheme of the American forces to colonize the Philippines, driving the Filipino forces to fight bravely against the new invaders.

An encounter between Filipinos and Americans occurred in Muntinlupa, known as one of the victories of the Filipino revolutionaries. On the morning of 10 June 1899, Gen. Agapito Zialcita led the 2,000 soldiers stationed in Sucat. Despite the lack of weapons, his soldiers defeated 2,750 American soldiers led by Gen. Wheaton.

The war ended with the capture of Aguinaldo, and the Philippines was yielded to American colonial power.

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