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Mandaluyong: “The New Tiger City of Metro Manila”

Mandaluyong

Mandaluyong MapLying on a 2,600-hectare heart-shaped piece of land, Mandaluyong is located just seven kilometers southeast of the City of Manila and eight kilometers west of Pasig City. It is bordered to the northeast by Quezon City, to the south by Makati City and to the northwest by San Juan.

In 1300 A.D., this place used to form part of the Kingdom of Sapa of the Majapahit Empire based in East Java. In 1470, it expanded to become the Kingdom of Namayan, whose influence extended to most of the 17 cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila today. Mandaluyong was formally established by the Spanish colonists in 1841 and named as the town of San Felipe Neri in honor of the Patron Saint of Rome.

Mandaluyong ostensibly got its present name from its rolling terrain and tall cogon grasses that sway in the wind like giant waves, or ‘daluyong’ in the vernacular. When asked where they live, natives to the place often referred to their small town as “madaluyong,” which literally translates to “place of many waves.” In due time, the word was corrupted to Mandaluyong, which stuck long after the little town’s rolling terrain and tall cogon grasses gave way to a glittering glass, steel and concrete jungle of high rise office buildings, modern residential condominiums, maze of paved streets, de luxe hotels and commercial centers.

Because it lies in the middle of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Makati, Manila and Quezon City and straddles Metro Manila’s economic beltway that is EDSA, Mandaluyong underwent unprecedented growth and progress during the last decade. From a once sleepy town, it has transformed into an important industrial and residential area and was named in 2002 as the “New Tiger of Metro Manila” by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center.

What to See in Mandaluyong

The city has several man-made places that will certainly be of interest to visitors and tourists alike. These include religious structures, monuments and memorials, government institutions and ultra modern commercial centers.

Ortigas Center: This center of business and commerce is one of the most popular attractions of Mandaluyong. Major international institutions and multinational companies, de luxe hotels and modern malls can be found here, such as: the main headquarters of the Asian Development Bank; San Miguel Corporation, the biggest food and beverage company in the Far East; St. Francis Towers; EDSA Shangri-la Manila; SM Megamall, one of the largest malls in Asia; Shangri-la Plaza; EDSA Central; and, Star Mall.

Mandaluyong City Hall Complex: Within this complex can be found the City Hall, a park where citizens take their daily stroll to relax, various monuments dedicated to the country’s heroes and a museum and convention hall that houses historical collections.

San Felipe Neri Church: Located at the corner of Rev. G. Aglipay and Boni Avenues, this ancient place of worship is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Rome after which Mandaluyong was named during the Spanish period. This heritage site which was run by hostile Spanish friars was a mute witness to bloody skirmishes between Katipunan patriots and the Spanish Guardia Civil.

Where to Eat in Mandaluyong

You’ll never run out of places to eat when you are in Ortigas Center, which is frequented by professionals and executives working in the nearby high-rise offices. The following are the places that have become popular to mall habitués due to their culinary excellence, affordable prices or both.

Asian Bites: Located at the ground floor of the Robinson’s Galleria Supermarket, the counter for this food joint is very easy to find. This place has become very popular among many visitors who are looking for a cheap but filling meal, fast food style. If you want a quick hot meal, try its Asian dishes like noodles, mix vegetables, maki, sushi, tofu, gyoza and watch the cooks prepare your orders in their open-style kitchen as you sip on a glass of thirst-quenching iced tea. For only P100.00, you can enjoy a hearty meal of yakisoba and California maki.

Via Mare: This well-known restaurant that specializes in appetizing Filipino food is located at the ground floor of the Shangri-la EDSA. The cost of a decent meal is about average compared with other restaurants of its class in the vicinity.

Crustasia: Located on the third floor of The Podium along ADB Avenue, this establishment offers freshly caught crabs and seafoods. The ambiance exudes that elegant oriental air. While the menu is a bit pricey, perhaps, you’d like to try its steamed kingfish, grilled squid or crab maritess taken with a steaming platter of salted fried rice which would cost anywhere from P400.00 to P800.00.

Where to Stay in Mandaluyong

Visitors who wish to stay overnight or for a few days are assured of availability of world-class hotels.

New Horizon Hotel: A European hotel that offers high-quality accommodations, services, facilities and lodging amenities at very reasonable cost. With rates starting at USD45.00, or P1,800.00 converted at present forex rates, guests will be entitled to air conditioned rooms, cable TV, IDD/NDD telephone, in-room personal safe and valet parking.

Website: http://www.newhorizonhotel-manila.com/Horizon EDSA Hotel
778 Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City
Tel. (63+2) 532-3021 to 25

Richville Hotel: This hotel is situated within walking distance of the city’s commercial, financial and entertainment centers. With rates starting at P2,400.00, guests will enjoy large standard air conditioned rooms featuring cable TV, a huge bathroom and IDD/NDD telephone.

Website: http://www.richvillehotel.net/
286 EDSA Crossing
Mandaluyong City
Tel. No.: (+632) 533 – 7080
Cell Nos.: (+63919) 423-5455; (+63927) 886 – 1221
E-Mail: richville@philonline.com.ph

The Legend Hotel: Located within the EDSA-Pioneer business area, this 118-room hotel provides a place for business and leisure in a resort setting. With rates starting at P2,970.00, guests will enjoy an air conditioned room, queen-size bed, bedside control panel, cable TV, 2 IDD phone lines with internet access, toilet and bath and a mini bar.

Website: http://www.legendvillas.com.ph/
Pioneer St. cor. Madison St.
Mandaluyong City
Tel. Nos.: (63+2) 633-1501 to 05

How to Get to Mandaluyong

Manila to Mandaluyong and Back: The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Manila to Mandaluyong. At the MRT station in C.M. Recto Avenue, hop into a train going to Quezon City and alight at the MRT station in Cubao where you will hop into another train bound for Makati. Then get off at the MRT station in Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong. The entire trip should take less than one hour and will cost less than P50.00.

Cebu to Mandaluyong and Back: To reach Mandaluyong from Cebu, you can either fly from Cebu to the Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay or sail from Cebu to Manila. Approximate cost of a round trip plane ticket is P4,000.00 – P5,000.00 while a round trip boat fare is approximately P3,000.00 – P4,000.00. If your point of disembarkation is the Manila Domestic Airport, you can take a taxi cab or jeepney to the MRT station in Baclaran and board the train going to the Shaw Blvd. station in Mandaluyong. If your point of disembarkation is the Pier Area in Manila, you can take a jeepney or cab to the LRT-1 station in Avenida Rizal and board the train going to Baclaran in Parañaque. From there, board the MRT going to Shaw Blvd. station in Mandaluyong. The taxi fare from the Pier Area to the LRT-1 station is about P100.00-P150.00, while the jeepney fare is cheaper at P7.50 (one way). The LRT and MRT train fare is less than P50.00.

Dumaguete to Mandaluyong and Back: To reach Mandaluyong from Dumaguete, you can fly from Dumaguete to the Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay. Take a taxi cab or a jeepney to the MRT station in Baclaran and board the train going to Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong. Approximate cost of a round trip plane ticket is P4,000.00 – P5,000.00. The Taxi fare will cost about P150.00 while the train ride to Mandaluyong is less than P30.00.