San Juan

San Juan is the smallest city in Metro Manila by land area (5.9 km²) but one of the most densely populated. It lies at the heart of the metropolis, bordered by Manila, Quezon City, and Mandaluyong. San Juan is best known for two things: the Pinaglabanan Shrine, site of the first battle of the 1896 Philippine Revolution, and the Greenhills Shopping Center, a legendary bargain-hunter's paradise. The city also serves as a major transport junction due to its location along the EDSA–Greenhills corridor.

San Juan is accessible via MRT-3 (Santolan, Annapolis stations) and jeepneys from Manila, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City. By car, EDSA, Ortigas Avenue, and N. Domingo Street are the main routes.

Tricycles and jeepneys ply the city's interior streets. The MRT stations at Santolan and Annapolis provide links to Makati, Cubao, and Manila.

• Pinaglabanan Shrine — A park and memorial on the site of the 1896 Battle of San Juan del Monte. The Museo ng Katipunan covers the history of the Katipunan revolutionary society. Free entry. Open Tue–Sun 9AM–5PM.

• Greenhills Shopping Center — A sprawling complex of interconnected shopping pavilions with hundreds of stalls selling electronics, gadgets, clothing, jewellery, pearls, and souvenirs.

• San Juan Cathedral (Church of the Holy Cross) — The city's main Catholic church, rebuilt after WWII.

• Wack Wack Golf and Country Club — An exclusive 18-hole golf course with a historic clubhouse. Membership or guest pass required.

• Bargain-hunt at Greenhills — Negotiate for gadgets, second-hand electronics, pearls, and brand-name shoes. Aim for 30–50% off the first quoted price.

• Walking tour of the Pinaglabanan Shrine — The 2.5-hectare park contains memorial markers and the Museo ng Katipunan.

• Gotti's (Greenhills) — American-Filipino comfort food: burgers, ribs. Main courses ₱300–600.
• Eat Fresh, Eat Local (N. Domingo Street) — Affordable Filipino meals. ₱150–250 per main.
• Greenhills Food Court — Dozens of stalls serving Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean food.

• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Greenhills) — Standard coffee chain with outdoor seating.
• Happy Lemon (Greenhills) — Popular milk-tea chain.

• Budget: Go Hotels (Wilson Street, Greenhills, rooms from ₱1,500).
• Mid-range: Microtel by Wyndham (Greenhills, rooms from ₱2,500).
• Upscale: Wack Wack Golf & Country Club suites (by reservation only).

• Greenhills Shopping Center — Open daily 10AM–9PM. Key sections: Virgo (electronics and gadgets), East Wing (pearls and jewellery), Tiangge (clothing and accessories).
• San Juan Public Market (N. Domingo Street) — Traditional wet-and-dry market.

• Mandaluyong (10 min by jeepney) — SM Megamall.
• Quezon City (15 min via MRT) — Quezon Memorial Circle and Maginhawa.
• Manila (20 min via jeepney) — Intramuros and Binondo.