San Juan

General Info

Once a part of Rizal province, the city of San Juan is currently the smallest city in Metro Manila. It has become popular for being the location of the Greenhills Shopping Center, one of the most popular bargain hubs in the metropolis. San Juan is bordered by the following:

Quezon City – north and east

Mandaluyong City – south

Manila – west

History

San Juan was merely a small village during the pre-Spanish period until 1590, when it was turned into a small encomienda. It used to be a barrio of Santa Ana de Sapa. The town was named after St. John the Baptist, who is the area’s patron city. The town was frequented by the Dominican friars, who built a retreat house, a convent sanctuary and a church. The church, which was dedicated to the Holy Cross, was destroyed several times during the Spanish period, and was rebuilt three thrice. At present, the church still stands on its original site, and became the location of the Aquinas School and the Dominican College. In 1783, the barrio became independent of Sta. Ana.

San Juan is also known for being the resident city of four of the country’s presidents. Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo and her father Diosdado were residents of the city when they assumed office. Ferdinand Marcos was also a San Juan resident, as well as Joseph Estrada, who was the city’s mayor.

On June 16, 2007, the conversion of the municipality of San Juan a highly urbanized city was ratified under Republic Act No. 9388.

Districts and Barangays

The city of San Juan has 21 barangays.

• Addition Hills
• Balong-Bato
• Batis
• Corazon De Jesus
• Ermitaño
• Greenhills
• Halo-halo (St. Joseph)
• Isabelita
• Kabayanan
• Little Baguio
• Maytunas
• Onse
• Pasadeña
• Pedro Cruz
• Progreso
• Rivera
• Salapan
• San Perfecto
• Santa Lucia
• Tibagan
• West Crame

Schools

Here are some of the notable public and private schools in San Juan.

• The San Juan National High School
• Aquinas School
• Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication
• Dominican College
• Fountain International Academy
• Immaculate Conception Academy-Greenhills
• Philippine Chen Kuang High School
• Montessori De San Juan
• O.B. Montessori Center
• Pinaglabanan Elementary School
• St. John’s Academy
• Xavier School
• Sta. Lucia Elementary School
• San Juan Elementary School
• San Perfecto Elementary School
• Salapan Elementary School
• Nicanor Ibuna Elementary School
• Pedro Cruz Elementary School
• Kabayanan Elementary School
• St. John the Baptist Catholic School

Business and Tourism

The presence of Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan has made it a favorite destination among bargain hunters in the city. The city’s residential and commercial real estate have boomed in the past years, and is evident in the number of high-rise condominiums and commercial establishments that line the streets of San Juan.

City Officials

Mayor: Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito

Vice Mayor: Leonardo G. Celles