Imus is a city in Cavite, and the de jure capital of the province. The city is the site of Battle of Alapan, a major encounter during the Philippine Revolution on 1898. Though now part of the immense sprawl of northern Cavite from the 1980s, it still contain some sights of historic importance.
Understand
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Imus is the de jure capital of Cavite, but government offices remain at the de facto capital in Trece Martires. It is also the religious center of the province, serving as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Imus.
The city's history traces back to the Spanish era, but the origin of the name "Imus" remains obscure, and shrouded by numerous theories and urban legends. Imus is the site of the Battle of Alapan, a major encounter during the Philippine Revolution, and a giant flagpole is erected in the historical battlefield site.
The area was once dominated by rice paddies, but uncontrolled suburbanization from the 1980s converted them into the notoriously crowded sprawl it is today. Agriculture now plays a marginal role in the local economy. Newer developments, like real estate giant Ayala's Vermosa and local developer Pro-Friends' Lancaster New City further adds to the sprawl, though the former tries to incorporate new and sustainable urban design elements into their development.
The city is divided into 97 barangays that were subdivided from the original 21 as the population increased. For reasons of administration and orientation, Imus is divided into two districts with Aguinaldo Highway serving as the dividing line.
Get in
[edit]The heavily trafficked Aguinaldo Highways cuts through the city. You can take either a bus or jeepney, or drive your car to Imus.
By bus
[edit]Imus is served by city bus route 28 between Parañaque and Dasmariñas via the Aguinaldo Highway (Rte 419).
By car
[edit]Imus is 25 km (16 mi) south of Manila, and reachable by a 45-minute drive from Manila. The city is not yet served by expressways, but there are two nearby exits providing indirect access to the city:
- From Manila–Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx) - Exit Bacoor Exit, which connects Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor. Best route if coming from Manila city proper or Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
- From South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) - Take the Muntinlupa–Cavite Expressway (MCX) from Susana Heights/MCX Exit in Muntinlupa, and follow Daang Hari through southeastern Bacoor. Toll fees and travel times are twice compared to just taking CAVITEX, and prepare for traffic jams at Molino junction.
Imus lies on the route of the Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAx), and will be served by an exit connecting with Open Canal Road, but as of 2022, a section of it near the Alapan Monument is still being built.
Get around
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To get to the town center via public transport from Aguinaldo Highway, disembark at Lumina Point Mall and take a tricycle.
See
[edit]- 1 Battle of Alapan National Monument. Houses a giant flagpole with the Philippines flag. This site commemorates the Battle of Alapan, where the Philippine flag was first raised during the Philippine Revolution.
- 2 Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar (Imus Cathedral), Imus Plaza, General Castañeda Street, Poblacion III-A. Built during the Spanish era, it is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic church in Cavite and houses a venerated image of the Virgin Mary that is regarded as the most sacred in Cavite. Around the plaza are a few surviving colonial era structures such as the old municipal building and the ancestral residence of Daniel Tirona, whose fierce criticism of Andres Bonifacio during the Philippine Revolution triggered the civil war that split the Katipunan and culminated with Bonifacio's execution in 1897.
- 3 Isabel II Bridge (beside Camp Pantaleon Garcia/Cavite Provincial Police Office). One of the few surviving Spanish-era bridges in the Philippines, it was the site of one of the earliest victories of the Katipunan against the Spanish during the 1896 revolution. In the middle of the bridge is a memorial plaque designed after the façade of Imus Cathedral with benches. At the approach beside Camp Pantaleon Garcia, the headquarters of the Cavite Police, is a monument to the battle.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]- 1 The District, Aguinaldo Highway, Anabu II-D (at the junction with Daang Hari). 10AM-9PM. Neighborhood mall. Has a Metro department store and a Toys R' Us location.
- 2 Robinson's Place Imus, Aguinaldo Highway, Tanzang Luma V. 10 AM–9 PM.
- 3 Lumina Point Mall, Aguinaldo Highway corner Nueno Avenue, Tanzang Luma I (beside Imus Public Market).
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]- 1 Nox's Cafe, Bucandala 1 & 2, ☏ +63 945 839 8875, [email protected]. Daily noon-midnight.
- 2 But First, Coffee - Imus, RCJ Old Town Square Bayan Luma 1, Yengco St., Imus, Cavite (near Samson Funeral), [email protected]. 8AM-10PM.
- 3 The Coffee Bar, Gasso Gas Station, Malagasang Primero, ☏ +63 998 355 1305, [email protected]. 1PM-midnight.
- 4 Third Place Cafe, Nueno Ave, ☏ +63 9173045181. 8AM-9PM.
- 5 Felize Cafe, Casa Ladrillo, Daang Hari Road, Pasong Buaya II, ☏ +63 960 435 2611. 3PM-midnight.
- 6 Cafe Monzon, #162 General Bautista St., Poblacion II-A, ☏ +63 956 457 0978, [email protected]. always open.
- 7 Kalyehon Cafe, Medicion II-A, ☏ +63 9175556093, [email protected]. 1PM-9PM.
- 8 Kapihan ni Antonio, 112 General E. Topacio St. Brgy Poblacion IV-D, ☏ +63 966 460 1737. 2PM-midnight.
- 9 Kirk's Cafe, Buhay na Tubig Road, ☏ +63 956 541 7887, [email protected]. 1PM-10PM.
- 10 D’ Kalidad, Tahimik St. Poblacion 3B, ☏ +63 927 359 7631. 2PM-10PM.
Sleep
[edit]Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Imus |
| Manila ← Bacoor ← | N  S
|
→ Dasmariñas |