DISCOVERING the rich history and heritage of one of Metro Manila's cities is closer than you think. Just 25 kilometers south of Manila, or a brief 30-minute drive via SLEx, lies the Gateway to Region 4A (Calabarzon), the City of Muntinlupa, also known as the 'Emerald City.'

Muntinlupa's roots trace back to friar lands administered by the Augustinians, primarily cultivated by farmers and fishermen around the expansive hacienda lands and Laguna de Bay. Over time, it transformed from Spanish colonial friar lands to a municipality, encompassing areas like Alabang, Tunasan, Cupang and Sucat.