Las Pinas City…the bamboo organ is what made this city famous. Construction and installation of the bamboo organ was initiated by Fr. Diego Cera in 1832. Hundreds of bamboo pipes were buried for a year in salt water to be preserved and treated. The organ has mesmerized countless people for years but in 1882, the Saint Joseph Church along with the bamboo organ was destroyed by a strong earthquake. Through the years, natural calamities took their toll and the organ was not restored for so many years only partial restorations were attempted but it was only in 1973 that complete restoration was made in Germany. On March 1975, a completely restored bamboo organ was installed in the newly refurbished Saint Joseph Church to delight not only the people of the Philippines but also foreign visitors who have wanted to hear the unique sound of this organ that is considered to be one of the country’s treasures. A very unique point of interest is the nature church. The Mary Immaculate church is a 4,000 square meter area that consist of a mango orchard, school buildings, counseling centers and a well maintained picturesque gardens and park. As the name suggests, the church is an open pavilion. The roof that is in the form of a big salakot (native hat) is supported by hardwood posts. The altar is made of drift wood and instead of pews visitors and worshippers would be delighted by tree stumps. On the altar, you would see the wooden sculpture of the Madonna and Child and the wooden image of Jesus Christ set amid lush greenery.

The Sarao Jeepney factory that was noted for making the Pope Mobile way back in 1981 and 1985 is located in Las Pinas City. Production of the jeepneys have grown and with more colorful styles and are also available for private uses that were once public utility vehicles. Las Pinas City is known also for its salt beds where salt is produced the old fashioned way. Salt making was once a flourishing business in Las Pinas but the locals way of living were converted into manufacturing sites and commercial establishments. Through the efforts of government officials spearheaded by Congresswoman Villar and Senator Manny Villar, the salt making industry was revived and is now providing the people with a steady source of livelihood. Manny Villar also introduced the affordable housing in the area where he started Camella Homes and grown full blast in the real estate business, hence followed by other investors. The construction of the South Super Highway paved the way for this city’s growth and development. Its proximity to Metro Manila is a major advantage as developers and investors were attracted and the once quiet coastal town was turned into a booming area with the area development enhanced in the 1980’s when the coastal road that links Metro Manila to Cavite was constructed. Las Pinas is now tagged as the gateway to the CALABARZON areas.

The most famous festival in Las Pinas is the week long bamboo organ festival. Series of cultural events would highlight the one of a kind bamboo organ. Another attraction is the street dancing and merry making that characterize the water lily festival. The water lily festival is said to be the residents’ way of thanking Mother Nature for providing them with the water lilies that would augment their income. The local government of Las Pinas has solved the problem of water lilies that clogged the waterways. The over abundance of these water plants have provided residents with livelihood. Stalks of water lilies are made into export quality baskets.
Visit Las Pinas and see for yourself the world famous bamboo organ, the salt beds and join the merry making in the water lily festival.