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Cities and municipalities
of the Philippines
"Map of the Philippines showing its cities and municipalities"
  Highly urbanized cities
  Independent component cities
  Component cities
  Municipalities
See also
world cities
world urban areas
Signage in Los Baños showing its nickname

This partial list of city and municipality nicknames in the Philippines compiles the aliases, sobriquets, and slogans that cities and municipalities in the Philippines are known by (or have been known historically by), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders, or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce.

List

City/Municipality Region Nickname(s) Notes
Amadeo Calabarzon Coffee Capital of the Philippines After the town's coffee growing industry. [1]
Angeles Central Luzon City of Angels After the city's etymology. [2] [3]
Angono Calabarzon Art Capital of the Philippines Due to the town being able to produce two National Artists despite its small population; namely, Botong Francisco for painting and Lucio San Pedro for music. The nickname is unofficial in the sense that there is no legal document conferring the title although the designation has been used to promote tourism in the town. [4]
Apalit Central Luzon Blacksmith Capital of Pampanga Due to being the hometown of a Spanish-era blacksmith named Pande Pira who is said to be the first cannon maker in the Philippines. He is said to be the progenitor of the town's metal crafts industry. Among the town's known metal-derived products include bolos, machetes, and knives. [5]
Bacolod Western Visayas City of Smiles Came from introduction of the MassKara Festival, which is known as a "festival of smiles", in 1980 as a response to a socioeconomic crisis in that period. [6]
Bacoor Calabarzon Marching Band Capital of the Philippines As per Proclamation No. 939 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020. A recognition to Bacoor being the birthplace of the country's oldest marching bands and continued tradition of producing music troupes such as community marching bands, and school-based drum and lyre corps. [7]
Balanga Central Luzon Banga Capital of the Philippines It is said that the name “Balanga” was derived from a kind of pot used for cooking or fetching water. This cooking pot is made of special clay and it is locally known as “ banga” or “balanga”. During the Spanish occupation people of this community often use this pot for fetching water and the Spaniards would ask what they call it, and they would answer, “ Banga”. The Spaniards would repeat the word until they adopt the name of the community. From then on this place was called Balanga. [8]
Baguio Cordillera Administrative Region Summer Capital of the Philippines During the American period, Baguio became a chartered city and was declared the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The Mansion became the official residence of the Governor-General in the city. [9] Nowadays, the nickname is a reference to the city's relatively cool weather, which is comparable to areas which have a temperate climate. [10]
City of Pines Baguio is known for its pine trees. [11]
Barotac Nuevo Western Visayas Football Capital of the Philippines Due to the popularity of association football in the town compared to other parts of the country, where basketball has a better reception.

The town is known for producing several players for the Philippines men's national team, including Ian and Mariano Araneta, Elmer Bedia, Jovin Bedic, Chieffy Caligdong, Antonio Piao, and Roel Gener. [12] [13]

Bocaue Central Luzon Fireworks Capital of the Philippines After the town's firecrackers and fireworks industry. [14]
Cabanatuan Central Luzon Tricycle Capital of the Philippines After the prominence of motorized tricycles in the city. [15] [16]
Cadiz Western Visayas City of Whales The nickname was adopted in reference to a 1967 event which saw several humpback whales get beached on the shores of Cadiz. [17]
Cagayan de Oro Northern Mindanao City of Golden Friendship Due to the warm welcoming smiles and the utmost hospitality of the locals. [18]
Calamba Calabarzon Hot Spring Capital of the Philippines Due to the proliferation of hot spring resorts in the city. [19]
Carles Western Visayas Alaska of the Philippines The Carles and Estancia towns share the nickname "Alaska of the Philippines" after its bountiful marine resources. [20]
Carmona Calabarzon The Smart City Used since 2021 before Carmona's cityhood. A spherical landmark was built, officially named Smart City Landmark, in honor of this nickname.
Cebu City Central Visayas Queen City of the South Due to an economic boom of the city in the mid to late 1900s. The title was originally claimed by Iloilo City only. [21]
Dagupan Ilocos Region Bangus Capital of the Philippines After Dagupan's local milkfish (bangus) industry. [22] In 2002, the city government organized the first Bangus Festival as part of a "bid to gain the title" [23] [24]
Davao City Davao Region King City of the South [25]
Crown Jewel of Mindanao [26]
Durian Capital of the Philippines The durian fruit is among the major produce of the city. [27]
Chocolate Capital of the Philippines As per Republic Act No. 11547 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. [28] Davao City hosts majority of the 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres) of cacao farms in the Davao Region, including Malagos Chocolate which produced chocolate products that have garnered international recognition. [29]
Donsol Bicol Region Whale Shark Capital of the World After Donsol's ecotourism with the town touted as a good place for tourists to view whale sharks. [30] [31]
General Luna Caraga Surfing Capital of the Philippines Inherited from the nickname of Siargao Island, which is promoted as a surfing destination. [32]
Iloilo City Western Visayas Most Loyal and Noble City In the late 1800s, Iloilo City was known and was given the title "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo" by the then Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain, which means "The Most Loyal and Noble City of Iloilo". This is an inscription in the coat of arms from the royal decree of 1896 in recognition of the local people's loyalty to the Spanish crown. Since then, the title has always been engraved in the city's official seal. [33] [34]
Queen City of the South Due to the economic boom of the city during the 18th and 19th centuries, the then Queen Regent of Spain raised the status of the town to the Royal City of the South on October 5, 1889. This honorific made Iloilo the first "Queen City of the South" where the city government was established. The title is also now claimed by Cebu City. As of 2013, there were efforts to "reclaim" the title from Cebu. [35] [21]
City of Love Ilonggos are known for having a certain way of speaking that is very soothing to the ears. [36]
Imus Calabarzon Flag Capital of the Philippines Imus is said to be the site where Philippine flag was unfurled for the first time during the Battle of Alapan of the Philippine Revolution. [37]
Kidapawan Soccsksargen City of Fruits After the city's fruit industry. Kidapawan is known for the Timpupo festival, a harvest festival showcasing locally grown fruits. [38]
La Trinidad Cordillera Administrative Region Strawberry Capital of the Philippines After the town's strawberry cultivation industry. [39]
Salad Bowl of the Philippines After the town's vegetable cultivation industry. [39] Nickname also applies to the Benguet province. [40]
Liliw Calabarzon Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines https://www.manilashopper.com/2012/04/footwear-shopping-at-liliw-laguna.html?m=1
Los Baños Calabarzon Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines As per Proclamation Order No. 349 issued by President Joseph Estrada on August 7, 2000. The issuances cited the city's recognition as a "national and international center of learning in the various fields of human knowledge such as the arts, humanities, ecology, socio-economics and mostly notably science in its basic, natural and applied forms" and the motivation of Los Baños' residents to pursue a "higher status while preserving the ecology" for their city. [41]
Makati Metro Manila Business Capital of the Philippines Due to the city being the host of numerous corporate and office buildings, particularly its central business district. [42] [43]
Mandaluyong Metro Manila Tiger City The nickname comes from the classification of Mandaluyong as a "Tiger City" under the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2002 report of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center due to the city's increase in generated income from 1986. [44] [45]
Manila Metro Manila Pearl of the Orient See also: Nicknames of Manila
Marawi Bangsamoro Islamic City Due to its Muslim-majority population and historic roots with Islam. Marawi was declared as an "Islamic City" by the city council in 1980. [46] [47]
Marikina Metro Manila Shoe Capital of the Philippines After the city's shoemaking industry. [48]
Muntinlupa Metro Manila Emerald City After the city's urban biodiversity. [49] [50]
Naga Bicol Region The Queen City of Bicol [51] [52]
Navotas Metro Manila Fishing Capital of the Philippines After the city's fishing industry which is a major part of Navotas' economy. The status of the city as the "Fishing Capital of the Philippines" is represented on its city seal by a fish. [53]
Paete Calabarzon Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines As per Proclamation No. 809 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005 [54]
Parañaque Metro Manila Bay City The nickname was adopted in 2015 by the city government as part of a tourism campaign. Bay City is a reference to the city bordering two bodies of water; Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay. [55]
Passi Western Visayas Sweet City at The Heart of Panay Due to its vast pineapple plantations and annual output in fruit production, and because the city lies in the bosom of Panay. [56]
Pateros Metro Manila Balut Capital of the Philippines After the town's balut industry. [57] [58]
Puerto Galera Mimaropa Poor Man's Boracay Comparison to the resort island of Boracay. Reportedly it cost less to visit Puerto Galera as a tourist. [59]
Puerto Princesa Mimaropa Eco-Tourism Capital of the Philippines As per the Puerto Princesa Board. After the city's ecotourism industry. [60]
Quezon City Metro Manila The City of Stars Due to the city being the hub of several television broadcasters, including GMA and ABS-CBN. [61]
Roxas Western Visayas Seafood Capital of the Philippines Due to its abundance in marine life from prawns to crabs, marlins to catfish, and mussels to angel wings (diwal). [62]
San Fernando Central Luzon Christmas Capital of the Philippines After the local parol or Christmas lantern-making industry of the city and the Giant Lantern Festival. [63] [64]
San Juan Metro Manila Tiangge Capital of the Philippines The city is known for its tiangge or flea markets. The Greenhills Shopping Center is a major host of tiangge. [65]
San Mateo Cagayan Valley Munggo Capital of the Philippines [66]
Santo Tomas Central Luzon Coffin Capital of Central Luzon After the coffin-making industry of the town, which is concentrated in Barangay San Vicente. [67]
Sitangkai Bangsamoro Venice of the South In comparison with the Italian city of Venice due to the town having canals and waterways as its main thoroughfare instead of roads. [68]
Taal Calabarzon Heritage Town After the Taal Heritage Town, a tourist attraction known for its ancestral houses and centuries-old churches. For this reason, the town is known also known as the Vigan of the South a reference to the town Vigan in Ilocos Sur. [69] [70]
Vigan of the South
Tacloban Eastern Visayas Home of the Happiest People in the World After a tourism campaign adopted by the city government in 2018. [71] The moniker came from the tagline "Happiest people in the world", which in turn represents the optimistic aspirations of the city after it was devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013. [72]
Tagum Davao Region Music Capital of the South The city is known for its Musikahan sa Tagum music festival. [73]
Tuguegarao Cagayan Valley Premier Ibanag City of the North The nickname or "tagline" highlights the Ibanag ethnolinguistic group. [74]
Zamboanga City Zamboanga Peninsula Asia's Latin City Due to the city being known as the origin of the Spanish-based creole, Chavacano. [75] This is the result of the Spanish long presence in the city, particularly in Fort Pilar. [76] The nickname was adopted by the city government in 2006 under Mayor Celso Lobregat during the 15th Mindanao Business Conference. [77]
City of Flowers After the etymology of "Zamboanga". Zamboanga was derived from the Malay word "Jambangan" which means "land of flowers". [78] [79]
Convention Capital of the Philippines [80]
Sardines Capital of the Philippines Due to Zamboanga City being a major hub of sardine canning factories in the Philippines. [80]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Have a fixed date for 'Pahimis' fest: DOT to LGU". pna.gov.ph. February 23, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  2. ^ City of Angels Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Accessed August 24, 2013
  3. ^ In the City of Angels, they use condoms Archived May 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Accessed August 24, 2013
  4. ^ Marcial, Elida Bianca (September 6, 2017). "Art Capital of the Philippines and 1st Asean Culture Capital". Angono Municipal Government. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Mawis-Aliston, Ar Vittoria (August 8, 2020). "Pampanga's role in Philippine architecture". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  6. ^ "The history behind Bacolod's 'smile'". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
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  10. ^ "Climate of the Philippines". PAGASA. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
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  12. ^ Dannug, Jonash (August 6, 2020). "No Refs, No Socks: Chieffy Caligdong shares what football in Barotac is". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Burgos, Nestor Jr. (June 13, 2014). "PH football capital in Iloilo gears up for World Cup". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  14. ^ Balbin, Manny. "Bulacan fireworks sales pick up". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  15. ^ "Magna Carta for Tricycle Drivers and Operators pushed". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  16. ^ "Cabanatuan as tricycle city". Tempo. February 23, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Alcantara, Jojie (January 28, 2020). "Cadiz City: Dinagsa Festival (Part I)". Sunstar. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  18. ^ ""The City of Golden Friendship", full of smiles and hospita". cebu-sakura.com (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  19. ^ Jago-on, Karen; Siringan, Fernando; Balangue-Tarriela, Rosana; Taniguchi, Makoto; Reyes, Yvette Kirsten; Lloren, Ronald; Peña, Maria Angelica; Bagalihog, Elenito (December 21, 2015). "Hot spring resort development in Laguna Province, Philippines: Challenges in water use regulation". Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies. 11: 96–106. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.11.020.
  20. ^ ""Alaska of the Philippines" is back in business". National Economic and Development Authority. November 25, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
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  26. ^ Remo, Amy R. (April 6, 2019). "At the Peak of Davao City's great adventures". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
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  28. ^ Aguilar, Krissy (May 27, 2021). "Davao City is now PH chocolate capital; Davao Region is cacao capital". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  29. ^ Ramos, Christia (March 8, 2021). "Senate OKs bill declaring Davao City as chocolate capital, Davao Region as cacao capital". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
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  32. ^ "Siargao's surfing town to impose 5-day movement restriction". Philippine News Agency. September 17, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
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  38. ^ Fernandez, Edwin (August 7, 2008). "Kidapawan City all set for fruit harvest festival". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Benguet rep calls for preservation of La Trinidad strawberry farms". Philippine News Agency. March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
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  49. ^ "A new gem sparkles at 'Emerald City'". The Philippine Star. May 21, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
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  54. ^ "Proclamation No. 809, s. 2005". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. March 15, 2005.
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  56. ^ "The Sweet City in the Heart of Panay | Passi City Government". Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  57. ^ Charm, Neil (April 4, 2019). "Pateros revives balut industry, promotes food tourism". Retrieved March 15, 2021.
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  59. ^ Broke in Puerto Galera: it isn't called the poor man's Boracay for nothing! Accessed August 22, 2013
  60. ^ "Puerto Princesa: The Country's Ecotourism Capital". Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
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  69. ^ Cabico, Gaea Katreena (January 30, 2020). "Recovery of ash-blanketed Taal Heritage Town may take at least a month – tourism officer". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  70. ^ "Historical Commission turns over restored Taal Basilica". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 1, 2021. Taal in Batangas is also called "Taal Heritage Town" as it embodies the province's rich cultural history.
  71. ^ Reyes, Ronald O. (April 20, 2018). "'Tacloban City: Home of the happiest people in the world' goes viral". SunStar. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
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  73. ^ "Tagum City's Musikahan festival fills troubled Mindanao with the sounds of music". Inquirer Lifestyle. March 10, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  74. ^ Baccay, Oliver (August 13, 2019). "Tuguegarao City mayor wants new mega-bridge to be named 'Ibanag-Itawit' bridge". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  75. ^ Tejano, Ivy (December 31, 2018). "Experience Asia's Latin City". Sunstar. Retrieved November 1, 2021. Zamboanga is dubbed as "Asia's Latin City," for its Latin-originated dialect. Chavacano or Philippine Creole Spanish is the language of the Zamboangueños.
  76. ^ "Zamboanga Tragedy: A Pivot Point in the Mindanao Peace Process". The Asia Foundation. October 10, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  77. ^ Jacinto, Al (September 25, 2006). "Philippines' Southern Gateway Wants to Be Known as 'Asia's Latin City'". Arab News. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  78. ^ Arnaldo, Maria Stella (November 13, 2017). "DOT allots P2M to Zamboanga City for reblooming project". BusinessMirror. Retrieved November 1, 2021. Zamboanga derives its name from "Jambangan," a Malay word that means "City of Flowers."
  79. ^ Wee, Darwin Wally (October 3, 2017). "DOT to launch beautification drive in Zambo". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  80. ^ a b Jacinto, Al (September 25, 2006). "Philippines' Southern Gateway Wants to Be Known as 'Asia's Latin City'". Arab News. Retrieved November 1, 2021. "Zamboanga City has been variably called the 'Convention Capital of the Country' or the 'Sardines Capital,' because canning factories here provides about 70 percent of all sardines sold and consumed in the country today," he said.
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