Biñan
Biñan is a city in Laguna. Practically, it is more of a bedroom community south of Manila, but is well recognized as the city where the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, received his first education.
Understand
Biñan is mostly recognized as a major economic center of Laguna for its industrial parks, as well as a suburb of Metro Manila. Despite local economic growth, it remains a vast bedroom community. The city is also home to growing mixed-use developments. Biñan is starting to see high-rise developments in the Southwoods Ecocentrum development in barangay San Francisco. Industrial parks are found to the southwest.
Climate
Biñan has a savanna climate, with long dry seasons and short wet seasons. Intense rainfall occurs during the monsoon period between June and September
Orientation
Biñan is divided into 24 barangays, and a city center, Poblacion, a barangay by itself. The city is traversed by the National Highway (Route 1) and South Luzon Expressway (E2/AH26), where most developments are concentrated. The interior of most barangays are largely residential, with exceptions on areas occupied by industrial parks and mixed-use developments.
Get in
By bus
Buses operated by Jam Transit and Jac Liner operates services to Biñan from Metro Manila. The Southwoods development in barangay San Francisco is regularly served by buses operated by BBL Transport bound for Pacita in nearby San Pedro. Those companies have terminals found near the downtown. Buses to and from Biñan are generally commuter services, so, expect crowding on rush hours.
By car
The South Luzon Expressway provides three exits that lead to Biñan: Southwoods, Carmona, and Greenfield City/LIIP. The National Highway (N1) runs through the east, but it is generally congested, especially in the Olivarez Plaza intersection. Traffic in Biñan is generally chaotic during the day and the evening, so, it is advisable to take the bus than to bring in a car.
By train
Philippine National Railways provide service to Biñan, but they only operate in the evening and early morning. There are two stations: Golden City I and Biñan, with the former being a stopover (halt) with no platform and personnel, and alighting requires you to jump off the train. There are ongoing plans to modernize the existing railway so Biñan will become more accessible by rail for most of the day.
Get around
Jeepneys and tricycles are the common modes of transport in the city. The former mostly ply the main thoroughfares, National Highway and General Malvar Street; a handful few enter the old city center. Tricycles serve the other nooks and crannies not served by jeepneys.
See
Just like its northern neighbor, San Pedro, Biñan has a few destinations worthy of importance, and most areas of the city are residential or industrial zones.
- 1 Alberto Mansion, A. Bonifacio Street, Poblacion (in front of San Isidro Labrador Parish). 9AM–4PM. Historic location of Jose Rizal's first formal schooling. It collapsed in 2012, and is in a state of disrepair. It remains uncertain whether the national government will restore it back to its original state.
- Biñan Old Municipal Building. The former location of the local government offices before it moved to a larger complex in barangay Zapote. It houses a museum and archives
- 2 School of Rizal Site and Museum, M. Capinpin Street. 8AM-5PM. Preserved Spanish-era schoolhouse, where Jose Rizal did his formal education between 1869 and 1871. Declared a National Historical Site, it used to be a private residence, until it was expropriated by the city government and turned into a museum.
- 3 Plaza Rizal (Binan), A. Bonifacio Street. Open 24 hours. It is near the church San Isidro Labrador Parish, The Historic Alberto Mansion (maternal house of Rizal), The Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan and more. Rizal monument believed to be a work of the National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.
- 4 Museo ng Biñan, A. Bonifacio Street. 8 AM–5 PM.
- 5 Capilla De San Jose, A. Gonzales Street. A Spanish times chapel.
- 6 Filomeno Gana Ancestral House, #230 Gen. M. Capinpin Street.
Do
- Splash Island, Southwoods Avenue, San Francisco (visible along SLEX, just south of a power line that separates it from the Southwoods complex; served by Southwoods Exit from SLEX). Prime water park with long, winding slides and an artificial wave pool. It is frequented by Manila locals, and was once a common filming location for some Filipino movies. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and you are required to buy them in-park, albeit at extortionate prices.
Festivals
- Biñan Day (Araw ng Biñan). February 2-4. A three-day festival to commemorate Biñan's cityhood, liberation from the Japanese, and its original founding.
- Puto Latik Festival. Held every May 15-23, it showcases Biñan's local delicacy, Puto Biñan (or Putong Latik)
Buy
- 1 Pavillion Mall, National Highway, San Antonio (Across from Umbria Business Center). 10AM-9PM. Managed by the retail arm of real estate giant, Ayala Corporation, it has fast food and some upmarket chain restaurants, various shops, and a Puregold supermarket.
- 2 Central Mall Biñan, Jeepneys headed for Olivarez stop/terminate here (at Olivarez junction). A three-storey mall with some fast-food chains, and a Savemore supermarket.
- 3 Biñan Public Market, J. Gonzales Street. Open 24 hours.
- 4 Southwoods Mall, Commerce Avenue. 10AM–9PM.
Eat
Biñan is well known for its Puto.
- 1 Saigon Cà Phê & Restaurant, Blk 4 lot 13 North Rd, Silmer Village. noon-9PM.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Ranchotel, National Highway, Canlalay. From ₱900.
- 2 Meaco Royal Hotel Biñan, Gen. M. Capinpin Street. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
Connect
Go next
- Santa Rosa, a developing industrial and residential city, just south via SLEX
| Routes through Biñan |
| Alabang ← San Pedro ← | N  S |
→ Santa Rosa → Calamba |
| Manila ← Muntinlupa ← | N  S |
→ Calamba → Lucena |
| Manila ← Muntinlupa ← | N  S |
→ Calamba → Lucena |
| Manila ← San Pedro ← | N   S |
→ Santa Rosa (Laguna) → Calamba |
| Alabang ← San Pedro ← | N  S |
→ Santa Rosa → Calamba |
| END ← | E  W |
→ Carmona → Dasmariñas |