Officially the City of Muntinlupa, this highly urbanized city serves as the southern gateway to the CALABARZON region from Metro Manila. Known as the 'Emerald City' due to its abundant green patches, it offers a refreshing contrast to the dense urban core. The city is home to Ayala Alabang Village, one of the Philippines' premier residential communities, and the historic New Bilibid Prison. With a population of over 550,000, it balances suburban tranquility with metropolitan connectivity, making it an ideal base for exploring the southern provinces.
🕐 Asia/Manila · 💱 PHP
Focus your stay in Ayala Alabang Village, one of the country's most prestigious residential areas. It hosts numerous international hotel chains and serviced apartments, offering high security, modern amenities, and easy access to shopping malls and dining options, ideal for both business and leisure travelers.
As the southernmost city in Metro Manila, Muntinlupa acts as the primary gateway to the southern provinces. While well-connected, traffic can be heavy during peak hours. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are readily available. Plan extra travel time when commuting to Manila proper or the airport, and consider staying within the city if your itinerary focuses on the south.
Explore the 'Emerald City' by visiting its numerous green spaces, which provide a rare respite from the concrete jungle. Visit the New Bilibid Prison for historical interest, and enjoy the upscale lifestyle at Ayala Alabang Village, known for its excellent retail and dining scene. The city offers a unique blend of natural beauty and suburban convenience.
With warm lighting, rattan chandeliers and wooden furnishings, this street-side restaurant offers a warm welcome. The chef, inspired by her mother's recipes and time working at a Chinese restaurant in Singapore, serves nuanced dishes from China, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. Seasonal specials appear often, so do ask. The cuapao ni cristina – fluffy buns with tender pork, crispy pig skin, peanuts and coriander – is a heartfelt, flavour-packed signature.
Working solo in his kitchen in the garden, the chef serves 10 diners in what was once his childhood bedroom and is now an elegant dining space with woven wall coverings, wooden floors and Tiffany-style lamps. Deeply personal dishes are rooted in regional tradition, shaped by the chef's philosophy. Think lamb dumplings in pork broth, blue marlin in fish head stock or turon with aged banana and jackfruit. Dining at this hidden gem is truly memorable.
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