Mandaluyong

Mandaluyong
Highly-Urbanized City
City of Mandaluyong
From top left clockwise: San Felipe Neri Church, Buildings in Mandaluyong, SM Megamall, Record-breaking Zumba class, Mandaluyong City Hall, & "Bantayog ng Kabataan"
Official seal of Mandaluyong Seal
Nickname(s): Shopping Capital of the Philippines The Millennium City The Golden Heart of Metro Manila Tiger City of the Philippines
Motto: Sulong Mandaluyong! (English: Onward Mandaluyong!)
{{safesubst:#property:P242}} Location within Metro Manila
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	Philippines
Region	National Capital Region
District	Lone District of Mandaluyong City
Incorporated	March 27, 1907
Cityhood	February 9, 1994
Barangays	27
Government
• Mayor	Benjamin D.C. Abalos, Jr. (Lakas-CMD)
• Vice Mayor	Edward Bartolome (Liberal)
• Representative	Neptali M. Gonzales II (Liberal)
• Sangguniang Panlungsod	Councilors 1st District Charisse Marie Abalos Atty. Ayla Alim Ma. Gracia Antonio Louisito Espinosa Alex Santos Anthony Suva 2nd District Roehl Bacar Francisco Esteban Atty. Jesus Cruz Fernando Ocampo Cherilynn Pablo-Santos Dr. Alexander Sta. Maria ABC President Marlon Manalo SK Federation President (SK has been suspended since 2013)
Area
• Total	11.25 km2 (4.34 sq mi)
Highest elevation	67 m (220 ft)
Population ( )
• Total	{{safesubst:#property:P1,082}}
• Density	15,461/km2 (40,040/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Mandaleño
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
Zip code	1550–1556
Dialing code	(+63) 2
Website	http://{{safesubst:#property:P856}}

Mandaluyong City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Mandaluyong) is one of the Highly Urbanized Independent Cities in the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities which, along with the municipality of Pateros, make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. According to the , it has a population of {{safesubst:#property:P1082}}. Mandaluyong is the 14th most populous city in Metro Manila and the 6th smallest city in the Philippines with a land area of 11.25 km² (4.34 sq mi).

Among the many attractions in the city is the western portion of the Ortigas Center, one of the major centers of business and commerce in the metropolis (the eastern half is in Pasig City). Found within the Mandaluyong portion of the Ortigas Center is the main headquarters of the Asian Development Bank, Banco De Oro, and the headquarters of San Miguel Corporation, Southeast Asia's largest food and beverage company. One of the most prominent pharmaceutical laboratories and factories, UNILAB, is located here. The city is bordered by Manila to the northwest, San Juan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, Pasig to the southeast, and Makati to the south.

Etymology

There are different stories on the origin of the name “Mandaluyong”.

One tells of how the place was abundant with a kind of tree called luyong, now more commonly known as anahaw (Saribus rotundifolius), from which beautiful canes and furniture were made.

Another claims that the Spaniards named the place based on the report of a navigator named Acapulco, who saw the rolling hills frequently being lashed at by daluyong (“big waves from the sea”). This seems to confirm traditional pre-Hispanic stories that giant waves from the sea would meet the adjoining hills of the vast lowland, referred to as salpukan ng alon. Felix dela Huerta, a Franciscan historian, observed that the rolling topography of this land resembled giant waves of the sea. As with the etymological legends of many Philippine places, when the foreigners asked as to what the place was called, the locals answered with the description "madaluyong" ("undulating"), later transcribed by Spanish writers into "Mandaluyong" with the addition of an “n”.

Romantic residents, however, peddle the similarly formulaic legend of a Maharlika named Luyong who fell in love with Manda, the lovely daughter of a barangay chieftain. The chieftain had no personal liking for Luyong and forbade him Manda's hand. Luyong overcame this objection by winning a series of tribal contests which was the custom at the time. The couple settled thereafter in a place which was later called “Mandaluyong" by means of joining their names.

History

14th century

Residents of Mandaluyong have always been known for their industry. Men did the laundry to the amusement of non-residents until shortly after the war, while the women ironed the clothes.

These industrious people trace their roots to Emperor Soledan (also known as “Anka Widyaya” of the Great Madjapahit Empire) and Empress Sasaban of the Kingdom of Sapa whose son Prince Balagtas ruled as sovereign of the kingdom in about the year 1300.

More than a century later, in about the year 1470, it expanded and was called the “Kingdom of Namayan” with “Lakan Takhan” as sovereign. The vast Kingdom comprised what are now Quiapo, San Miguel, Sta, Mesa, Paco, Pandacan, Malate, Malate and Sta. Ana in Manila, and Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Pasay, Pateros, Taguig, Parañaque, and portions of Pasig and Quezon City up to Diliman that were then part of Mandaluyong.

19th century

Mandaluyong was first known as a barrio of Sta. Ana de Sapa which was part of the District of Paco, Province of Tondo. Named San Felipe Neri by the Spaniards in honor of the Patron Saint of Rome, it was separated civilly from Sta. Ana de Sapa in 1841.

On September 15, 1863 San Felipe Neri established its own parish and under the administration of the Congregation “Dulcisimo Nombre de Jesus”, it constructed its own church, convent and school.

The Parish of San Felipe Neri played a significant role as a relay station for propagating the Katipunan during the 1896-1898 Revolution.

Mandaluyong shows significance in the historic Philippine Revolution of 1896 as the baluarte (territory) of Katipunan or "Makabuhay" group with seventeen (17) branches.

On August 29, 1896, Andres Bonifacio, together with Emilio Jacinto and other members of the Katipunan went into the house of Romualdo Vicencio at Sitio Balakbak (now Villa San Miguel) to prepare for the upcoming revolution against Spanish authority. In this site, Bonifacio read the last manifestation of the Katipunan before they transferred in Hagdan Bato, in the house of Felix Sanchez. This event is also known as the "29 De Agosto" and "Pinagtipunan" in which it is already named in two streets near the historic Barangay Hagdan Bato Itaas. It was in Barangay Hagdang Bato on August 28, 1896 where Andres Bonifacion issued a proclamation setting Saturday, August 29, 1896 as the date of the attack on Manila.

On August 30, 1896, after the successfully revolution in San Felipe Neri, the katipuneros went to San Juan del Monte and attacked the El Polvorin (gunpowder depot) in order to amass more weapons to use against the Spaniards. This event is popularly known as the Battle of San Juan del Monte.

It was also in this town that the revolutionary paper, “La Republika”, was established on September 15, 1896.

20th century

During the American Occupation, San Felipe Neri was raised to a first class municipality with five (5) barrios, namely: Poblacion, Barangka, Hagdang Bato, Namayan and Hulo. Under Presidential Act No. 942, it was consolidated with the municipality of San Juan del Monte and became the seat of government. For several months in 1904, San Felipe Neri became the capital of the province of Rizal.

San Felipe Neri was separated from San Juan and became an independent municipality on March 27, 1907. It was renamed the Municipality of Mandaluyong by virtue of House Bill No. 3836 which was authored and sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Magsalin, then the Representative of the District of Rizal. Many government infrastructures are established during the American Period including the Correctional Institute for Women, Welfareville Compound, The Boy's Town, and the National Center for Mental Health.

During World War II, Mandaluyong lost many of her people, among them were Catholic priests and civilians. Destruction was felt all over, but with the timely arrival of the American Liberation Forces on February 9, 1945, the municipality was saved from further damages. That day became a red calendar day for Mandaluyong marking its liberation from the Japanese Imperial forces by the Americans.

After World War II, Mandaluyong began to become progressive and dramatically increase the economy. Many infrastructures, companies, and other businesses were developed in 1950s-1960s and as the result, Mandaluyong recognized as the most developed municipality in the Province of Rizal.

Separation of Mandaluyong from the Province of Rizal

On November 7, 1975, Mandaluyong was formally included in newly established Metropolitan Manila by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 824 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.

By virture of the 1987 Constitution Mandaluyong and the then municipality of San Juan are represented in congress by a single Congressman.

Cityhood of the Municipality of Mandaluyong

Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, the incumbent congressional representative of this legislative district, sponsored a House Bill which eventually became Republic Act № 7675 otherwise known as "An Act Converting the Municipality of Mandaluyong into a Highly Urbanized City to be known as the City of Mandaluyong." President Fidel V. Ramos signed R.A. No. 7675 into law on February 9, 1994, which was ratified through a plebiscite on April 10, 1994 making Mandaluyong the 5th city in Metro Manila. Mandaluyong became a lone district with its own Representative in Congress. Prior to the enactment of the assailed statute, the municipalities of Mandaluyong and San Juan belonged to only one legislative district.

21st century

Mandaluyong today is composed of 27 barangays divided into two political districts mainly by Boni Avenue and G. Aglipay Street. As of January 9, 2002, it has 1,238 voting precincts and a total of 166,037 registered voters.

In 2003, Mandaluyong was recognized as "The Tiger City of the Philippines" because of dramatic improvement in the city's economy.

Evolution of local barrios

According to Pedro Patricio in his book (Mandaluyong: 1837-1975), Mandaluyong had five (5) original barrios (Poblacion, Barangka, Hagdang Bato, Namayan, & Hulo) as per the first recorded census in 1903.

From these five (5) evolved 22 sub-barrios which, like the original barrios, then became independent barangays.

Poblacion

This place used to be called “Buhangin” (sand) before it was named Poblacion because the whole stretch of the area, from F. Blumentritt corner of New Panaderos Extension up until the Catholic Church and the cemetery, was topped with sandy soil of about 2-3 inches thick.

Namayan

The first settlers of this place were Muslim Filipinos. They were later driven away by the Spanish colonizers who came to the place. Still unnamed till then, the inhabitants called it “Namayan” in memory of the original settlers of the place.

Hulo (San Pedrillo)

Hulo means “outer part” or “external” location of a barrio or town. When Barangka was still a sloping forest, Hulo was already a sitio with a few inhabitants. Early inhabitants of Mandaluyong used to call the place as such because of its remoteness of location. This place continued to be called as such until the name was officially adopted when it eventually became a barrio.

Buayang Bato

Located at the southeast shoreline of Mandaluyong is a small barangay called Buayang Bato. Its legend tells of an old Chinese man long time ago who, despite conversion to Christianity of his fellow Chinese nationals residing in this place, ridicules the religion.

One day, while the old man was on a boat crossing the Pasig River, the Devil decided to take him to hell. Transforming into a crocodile, the Devil swam towards the boat. The old man, who had never seen such a huge crocodile, was terribly shaken. Realizing that the god he worships is too far away in China, he began to call on Saint Nicholas, whose statue he saw in Guadalupe Church across the Pasig River, to save him.

Miraculously, the creature turned into a stone. Shortly after, the old man embraced Christianity. And the stone crocodile, it is said, could be found during low tide at the bank of the river near the Tawiran (ferry station). The place came to be known because of this stone crocodile, “buayang bato” in Filipino.

Barangka

Alongside Brgy. Buayang Bato is Barangka, then a single barangay but later divided into four (4) during the time of Municipal Mayor Bonifacio Javier: Barangka Ilaya (Uptown), Barangka Itaas (Upper) Barangka Ibaba (Lower), and Barangka Drive.

It was said that at the time when the Philippines was under the Spanish Regime, there lived an old woman named Barang who had a young daughter. The daughter was in the rice fields when she was attacked by a man. As she was calling her mother for help “Ka Barang, Ka Barang!” the surrounding hills echoed her cry which was heard by the Spaniards. And as the story goes, the place came to be called Barangka.

Hagdang Bato

This place is located on the uplands where steps are carved in its rocky hills and used as stairways. However, this place is more popular for its historical significance because of the role it played during the Spanish occupation.

It was in this place, where, on August 28, 1896, Andres Bonifacio issued a proclamation setting Saturday, August 29, as the date of the attack on Manila. At 7:00 o’clock on Saturday evening, Supremo Andres Bonifacio held a meeting which was attended by more or less 1000 “Katipuneros”. Weapons were distributed during this meeting and the revolution began as church bells tolled.

Zaniga

Lying on the lowlands adjoining Hagdang Bato is Saniga which used to be a marshland teeming with various fruit-bearing and hardwood trees. The place was home to many local heroes who gallantly fought during the Spanish, American and Japanese occupations. Thus, some of its streets are named after them like Capt. Magtoto St., Capt. Gabriel St., and Pvt. E. Reyes St.

During the 1960s and 1970s, progress gave way to concrete roads and houses sprouted in neighboring areas. This neighborhood was called New Zaniga Subdivision, while the original Saniga was renamed Old Zaniga.

Plainview

As the name implies, this place is a vast plain used to be planted with rice and corn. The place abounded with trees and was popular to bird hunters. Once it was a private property developed by its owner, Ortigas, Madrigal and Company, into a subdivision providing a site for the municipal center. Afterwards, it was made a separate barangay through a Presidential Decree. Its original name, Plainview, was retained and at present, it hosts the Mandaluyong City Hall and other public institutions.

Wack-Wack

At the northern part of the city is Barangay Wack-Wack, known internationally for the Golf and Country Club it hosts. Stories tell that many years ago, the place was a vast grassland which was home to numerous large glossy black birds called “uwak” (crow). It was from this “uwak” that the name “Wack-Wack” was derived.

Geography

Mandaluyong lies on a heart-shaped 11.25 square kilometres (4.34 sq mi) land, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) southeast of Manila and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of Pasig. To the south lies Makati, to the northwest, San Juan, and to the northeast, Quezon City. Thus Mandaluyong is located at the center of Metro Manila.

A popular landmark of Mandaluyong is the EDSA Shrine. Located along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA, the shrine serves as a monument to the Virgin Mary, considered to be the protector of those who participated in the People Power Revolution of 1986, the country’s first peaceful and bloodless revolution, which led to the downfall of the corrupt regime under President Ferdinand Marcos.

Barangays

Map of Mandalyong

Mandaluyong is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.

District	Barangay	Brgy. Chairman	Land Area (has.)	Population (2007)	Population (2010)
1	Addition Hills	Rodolfo M. Posadas	162.00	81,221	86,731
1	Bagong Silang	Marc Anthony I. Dominguez	14.26	3,747	4,652
2	Barangka Drive	Darwin A. Fernandez	24.54	12,134	12,227
2	Barangka Ibaba	Faustino O. Cruz, Jr.	16.92	9,372	9,241
2	Barangka Ilaya	Joselito C. Pangilinan	47.45	4,185	5,049
2	Barangka Itaas	Dannie DJ. Ocampo	17.21	11,212	11,061
2	Buayang Bato	Reynaldo De Josep Nobela	7.26	999	1,340
1	Burol	Ernesto F. Santos, Jr.	2.78	2,322	2,606
1	Daang Bakal	Richard B. Bassig	17.34	2,980	3,931
1	Hagdan Bato Itaas	Edmon B. Espiritu	18.36	9,431	10,102
1	Hagdan Bato Libis	Brando P. Dominguez	15.48	6,241	6,716
1	Harapin Ang Bukas	Federico Ogbac	4.89	4,069	4,073
1	Highway Hills	Rolando A. Rugay	105.12	18,682	22,684
2	Hulo	Bernardino C. Maglaque	29.30	20,850	21,107
2	Mabini-J. Rizal	Angelina O. Tablan	11.88	4,826	6,773
2	Malamig	Marlon R. Manalo	29.52	6,898	7,007
1	Mauway	Denny Jayne S. Calimlim	19.25	21,700	25,129
2	Namayan	Leonardo C. Santiago	30.60	4,846	5,706
1	New Zañiga	Edwin E. Cruz	21.96	5,413	6,354
2	Old Zañiga	Victorio M. Carolino	42.48	6,674	7,712
1	Pag-Asa	Tracy Rhoy R. Domingo	12.60	3,112	3,688
2	Plainview	Michael C. Garcia	115.92	24,706	24,396
1	Pleasant Hills	Tagani M. Evangelista	20.33	6,495	5,648
1	Poblacion	Godofredo A. Tolentino	24.12	14,778	15,191
2	San José	Roniel Tuazon	3.80	7,629	7,041
2	Vergara	Ernesto C. Mendiola	15.12	4,928	4,645
1	Wack-Wack Greenhills	Manuel P. Syquia	294.48	6,126	7,889

Climate

Mandaluyong's climate is classified as tropical. In winter, there is much less rainfall in Mandaluyong than in summer. This climate is considered to be Aw according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The temperature here averages 27.2 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 2093 mm. Precipitation is the lowest in February, with an average of 8 mm. With an average of 448 mm, the most precipitation falls in August. At an average temperature of 29.2 °C, May is the hottest month of the year. January has the lowest average temperature of the year. It is 25.5 °C. Between the driest and wettest months, the difference in precipitation is 440 mm. During the year, the average temperatures vary by 3.7 °C.

Climate data for Mandaluyong
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	29.7 (85.5)	30.5 (86.9)	32.1 (89.8)	33.7 (92.7)	33.8 (92.8)	32.3 (90.1)	31.1 (88)	30.6 (87.1)	30.7 (87.3)	30.9 (87.6)	30.4 (86.7)	29.7 (85.5)	31.29 (88.33)
Daily mean °C (°F)	25.5 (77.9)	25.9 (78.6)	27.2 (81)	28.7 (83.7)	29.2 (84.6)	28.4 (83.1)	27.6 (81.7)	27.3 (81.1)	27.2 (81)	27.2 (81)	26.7 (80.1)	25.9 (78.6)	27.23 (81.03)
Average low °C (°F)	21.3 (70.3)	21.4 (70.5)	22.4 (72.3)	23.8 (74.8)	24.7 (76.5)	24.5 (76.1)	24.1 (75.4)	24.0 (75.2)	23.8 (74.8)	23.5 (74.3)	23.0 (73.4)	22.1 (71.8)	23.22 (73.78)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	13.5 (0.531)	7.3 (0.287)	21.4 (0.843)	18.7 (0.736)	138.6 (5.457)	283.8 (11.173)	364.1 (14.335)	476.3 (18.752)	334.1 (13.154)	200.5 (7.894)	111.4 (4.386)	56.0 (2.205)	2,025.7 (79.753)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.10 mm)	4	2	3	3	10	16	22	22	20	18	14	9	143
Average relative humidity (%)	72	73	66	64	68	76	80	83	81	78	76	75	74.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours	176.7	197.8	225.8	258.0	222.7	162.0	132.8	132.8	132.0	157.6	153.0	151.9	2,103.1
Percent possible sunshine	51	61	61	70	57	42	34	34	36	44	45	44	48
Source #1: Climate-Data.org (Temperature)
Source #2: Climatemps.com (Sunshine)

Demographics

Population Census of Mandaluyong
Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1960 71,619 —     1970 149,407 +7.62% 1975 182,265 +4.07% 1980 205,366 +2.41% 1990 248,143 +1.91%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1995 286,870 +2.75% 2000 278,474 −0.63% 2007 305,576 +1.29% 2010 328,699 +2.69%
Source: National Statistics Office

Economy

Shaw Boulevard one of the major business hubs in Mandaluyong

Intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard

The city is home to a number of shopping centers, entertainment hubs, commercial establishments, high-rise offices, residential condominiums and hotels. The city is one of the important business and financial areas in the metropolis.

Commercial activities

Like other cities in Metro Manila, Mandaluyong has its own share of commercial strips and a central business district. The former commercial area, consisting mostly of banks, offices and service establishments, stretch along public transport routes thereby serving both local consumers and passers-by from the neighboring localities. Major commercial strips of the city include the stretch of Boni Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Libertad-Sierra Madre area, Kalentong, San Francisco, part of Martinez, Sgt. Bumatay towards Barangka Drive and Pinatubo towards EDSA. Mandaluyong's central business district is concentrated on the EDSA-Shaw-Pioneer area.

Industrial activities

Industrial activities are mostly concentrated within the Shaw Boulevard-Pioneer area and along the Pasig River. Although prominent in the manufacture of foods, medicines and laboratory equipment, these industries are gradually declining in number, opting to relocate in newly developed industrial zones outside Metropolitan Manila. In the Pasig River area, particularly in Barangays Namayan and Mabini J. Rizal, areas formerly industrial are now the sites for residential subdivisions and townhouses. In the EDSA-Shaw-Pioneer area, the transformation is toward a more economically profitable and globally competitive commercial activity. And, since 2013, Mandaluyong is the home of one of the largest television networks in the country, TV5.

Major Shopping centers

These super-regional supermalls each have over a hundred local and international stores and are anchored by at least one department store and supermarket or hypermarket. They are also the largest malls in Metro Manila which feature not just stores but also attractions: movie theaters, rides, skating rinks, bowling alleys and other recreational facilities. Each provides thousands of automobile parking spaces and are located mostly near rail stations and established business districts within the metropolis. These malls serve not only the Metro Manila and Greater Manila Area residents, but also local and foreign tourists.

Name	Image	Location	Developer	Retail Space (m2)	Year opened
Shangri-La Plaza		EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong	Shang Properties	175,000	1991
SM Megamall	200px	EDSA corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong	SM Prime Holdings	500,000	1991

Local government

2013 Philippine local election results:

Position	Candidate	Party	Total Votes
Representative Lone Legislative District	Neptali M. Gonzales II	Liberal	92,950
City Mayor	Benjamin Abalos, Jr.	Lakas-CMD	77,183
City Vice Mayor	Edward G. Bartolome	Liberal Party	72,345
City Councilors
	1st Sanggunian District
	Charisse Abalos	Lakas-CMD	49,144
	Antonio D. Suva	Lakas-CMD	45,177
	Ayla V. Alim	Liberal	37,335
	Luisito E. Espinosa	Nationalist Peoples Coalition	32,443
	Grace Antonio	United Nationalist Alliance	37,818
	Alex I. Santos	Liberal Party	32,584
	2nd Sanggunian District
	Cherry Lynn Pablo-Santos	Nationalist Peoples Coalition	37,048
	Fernando S. Ocampo	Lakas-CMD	21,807
	Roehl B. Bacar	Independent	21,047
	Jesus C.Cruz	Liberal Party	25,136
	Alexander C. Sta. Maria	Liberal Party	26,835
	Francisco O. Esteban	Lakas-CMD	22,989

Mayors of Mandaluyong

Listed below are persons who have served as mayors of Mandaluyong from the 20th century to the new millennium.

Name	Term
Buenaventrura Domingo	1901
Antonio Fernando	1902
Juanario Coronado	1902; 1909; 1912
Miguel Vergara	1902
Pantaleon Blas	1903
Claro Castañeda	1905
Apolinar Coronado	1907; 1909
Marcelo Lerma	1912 - 1916
Mariano Castañeda	1916 - 1922
Gregorio Pedro	1923 - 1926
Clemente Fernando	1926 - 1934
Isaac Lopez	1935 - 1939
Ponciano Enriquez	1940
Pedro Cruz	1941; 1945; 1956 - 1959
Primo Guzman	1945
Bonifacio Javier	1946; 1947 - 1955; 1960 - 1962
Amado T. Reyes	1963
Filemon Javier	1964 - 1971
Melchor Arcangel	1963
Macario Trinidad	1963
Renato Lopez	1972 - 1980
Ernesto Domingo	1980 - 1986
Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr.(OIC)	1986 - 1987
Roman delos Santos(OIC)	1987 - 1988
Benjamin S. Abalos, Sr.	1988 - 1997
Neptali M. Gonzales II	2004 - 2007
Benjamin S. Abalos, Jr.	1997 - 2004; 2007–present

Transportation

Shaw Boulevard, one of the major thoroughfares in the city

The city is provided with good access roads to and from adjacent cities in the metropolis. The city is served by one of Metro Manila's main roads such as the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Ortigas Avenue and Shaw Boulevard.

Airport

The city is 36 minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Land

Mandaluyong is served by the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Metro Manila's main thoroughfare. Considered as the heart of the metropolis, main roads such as the Ortigas Avenue and Shaw Boulevard provide inter-city linkages, while Boni Avenue and Martinez Street (C-3 Road) serve as alternate routes in the city. Other major roads in Mandaluyong include Boni-Pioneer Underpass, a 280-meter long tunnel underneath EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) connecting Boni Avenue on its western-end and Pioneer Street on the east. and Julia Vargas Avenue. Jeepneys are one of the most popular mode of public transportation for commuters in the city. Aside from jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs are also one of the important modes of public transportation in Mandaluyong, especially on alleys around the city.

Water

The presence of the Pasig River stretching along the south border of Mandaluyong provides an alternative route and mode of public transportation mainly for cargo freight of industries along the river, and for commuters seeking for a faster and more direct route to and from the cities of Pasig and Manila. The Pasig River Ferry Service has one station in the city.

Railway

The city is also served by rail via the Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3. The line is located along the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. The city is served by three MRT-3 stations:

• Ortigas MRT Station
• Shaw Boulevard MRT Station
• Boni MRT Station

Bridges

Mandaluyong is accessed by Pasig River and San Juan River:

Crossing	Carries	Image	Location	Built	Coordinates
Pasig River Makati – Mandaluyong
Makati–Mandaluyong Bridge	Makati Avenue to Coronado Street		Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Hulo
Estrella–Pantaleon Bridge Rockwell Bridge	Estrella Street to Pantaleon Street	70px	Brgy. Poblacion and Brgy. Hulo	2011
Guadalupe Bridge	C-4 Epifanio de los Santos Avenue		Brgys. Guadalupe Nuevo/Viejo and Brgy. Barangka Ilaya
MRT Bridge	25px Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3 (MRT-3)		Brgys. Guadalupe Nuevo/Viejo and Brgy. Barangka Ilaya
San Juan River Manila – Mandaluyong
Sevilla Bridge	Shaw Boulevard to P. Sanchez Street		Santa Mesa District and Brgy. Daang Bakal
San Juan – Mandaluyong
Kalentong Bridge	Gen. Kalentong Street to F. Blumentritt Street		Brgy. Kabayanan and Brgy. Daang Bakal

Health

See also: List of hospitals in Metro Manila

Mandaluyong has several private and public hospitals & health center, namely the privately owned Dr. Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center along EDSA and Unciano General Hospital, and the government hospital Mandaluyong City Medical Center. The city is also home to the National Center for Mental Health. Many residents, specifically the middle-to-upper class medical clientele, visit the nearby The Medical City in Ortigas Center.

The Dr. Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center is a tertiary care hospital that has a 189-bed capacity within its 10-storey hospital building.

In 2007, the Mandaluyong City government, together with non-governmental organization Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children (REACH) Foundation, established a community-based rehabilitation program called Project Therapy, Education, and Assimilation of Children with Handicap (TEACH), that caters to children with special needs coming from indigent families. Services given by Project TEACH include free occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and special education classes.

Education

St. Benilde Gymnasium in La Salle Green Hills

Four well-known educational institutions in the city are the Arellano University, Mandaluyong (Plaridel Campus), Don Bosco Technical College, Jose Rizal University and Rizal Technological University.

A good number of city officials of Mandaluyong are alumni of Don Bosco, including incumbent City Mayor, Hon. Benjamin Abalos, Jr. (HS '79); former Vice Mayor, Hon. Renato Sta. Maria (HS '65); City Councilors Edward Bartolome (HS '96), Noel Bernardo (HS '79), and Jonathan Abalos (HS '85). Other notable alumni include "King of Pinoy Rap," Francis Magalona (HS '81); and actor Ricky Davao (HS '78). Meanwhile, the alumni of JRU that includes President Ramon Magsaysay, Roderick Paulate, and Secretary Armand V. Fabella; and Mike Tan as RTU alumnus.

Other colleges in the city include the Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges (specializing in Medicine and Nursing), STI and AMA (both specializing in Computer Technology education, both located on Shaw Boulevard), NAMEI Polytechnic Institute (specializing in Marine Sciences), and the International Baptist College.

The city is also home to Lourdes School of Mandaluyong (est. 1959), a Franciscan-Marian all-boys school, located in the Ortigas Center district managed by the OFM Capuchins; La Salle Green Hills (est. 1959), a private all-boys high school, managed by the De La Salle Brothers, located along Ortigas Avenue; and Saint Pedro Poveda College (est. 1960), another famous all-girls institution, offering pre-school, grade school, high school, and college education. Although the official school address is Quezon City, part of the lot Poveda's campus stands on is under Mandaluyong City.

Mandaluyong High School (est. 1977) is the oldest public high school in the city. City of Mandaluyong Science High School (est. 1996), a public science high school on E. Pantaleon St. The city has 18 public schools, including primary and secondary schools as prioritize by the city government.

Zumba class world record

Mandaluyong City broke a Guinness World record on Sunday, July 19, 2015 for the largest Zumba class held in a single venue. Zumba is a dance fitness activity created by a Colombian dancer in the 1990s, involving aerobic exercises and dance choreography.

A total of 12,975 participants in yellow T-shirts gathered on the streets of Mandaluyong as they danced continuously to high tempo music for 30 minutes. Dozens of instructors kept the participants engaged and encouraged them to keep dancing.

Guinness officials stood nearby and observed the program to make sure every participant was dancing on their feet during the 30 minute session. Guinness World Records Adjudicator Alan Pixley confirmed the record had been achieved. "The largest Zumba class, the current record to beat was 8,232. I can tell you today that the city of Mandaluyong got 12,975, which means they are the new Guinness World record title holder," he said. The previous record was achieved in 2014 by a fitness group in Cebu with 8,232 participants, the Guinness World Record website said.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos said the new record would help promote the local government's campaign for a healthy lifestyle. "This is a double whammy for us. We have a United Nations Award and now we have a Guinness World Record for a healthy lifestyle," he said, mentioning a recent U.N. Public Service award the local government received for its initiative on helping underprivileged children with special needs. The local government has organized fitness events for the past four years, with regular exercise programs being held during the weekends.

In March, thousands of participants held a similar massive dance exercise to campaign for women's health.

International relations

Diplomatic missions

Countries that have set up permanent missions or embassies in the city include:

• Malta
• Peru
• Slovenia
• Sudan
• Tanzania

Twin/Sister cities

Mandaluyong's sister city is Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

International cities
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Local cities
Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines Tagum City, Davao, Philippines

Zip codes

Below is the list of Zip Codes of Mandaluyong:

Area	Zip Code
Mandaluyong Central Post Office	1550
Vergara	1551
Shaw Boulevard	1552
National Center for Mental Health	1553
East EDSA	1554
Wack Wack	1555
Greenhills South	1556
Barangay Plainview	1550

Official March

The Official March of Mandaluyong is entitled "Martsa ng Mandaluyong" which was composed by former Councilor Delfin Asistio during the incumbency of former Mayor Benjamin Abalos.

See also

• List of renamed cities and municipalities of the Philippines

External links

• Mandaluyong – Official city website.
• Geographic data related to Mandaluyong at OpenStreetMap