Imus

Understand

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. In the 1970s, Imus was declared the official capital of Cavite, replacing Trece Martires, but since then, the physical transfer of power has never been carried out on the ground. 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. It is home to about 482,000 people (census, 1 July 2024)

Getting there

The heavily trafficked Aguinaldo Highways cuts through the city. You can take either a bus or jeepney, or drive your car to Imus. A less frequent baby bus/jeepney service also connects Binakayan in Kawit with Imus.

By bus Imus is served by city bus route 28 between Parañaque and Dasmariñas via the Aguinaldo Highway (Route 419).

By car 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) - Take 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 2026, a section of it near the Alapan Monument is still being built.

Getting around

To get to the town center via public transport from Aguinaldo Highway, disembark at Lumina Point Mall and take a tricycle.

See

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. (updated Dec 2018) 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. (updated Feb 2026) 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. (updated Feb 2026)

Buy

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. (updated Feb 2026) 2 Robinson's Place Imus, Aguinaldo Highway, Tanzang Luma V. 10 AM–9 PM. (updated Feb 2026) 3 Lumina Point Mall, Aguinaldo Highway corner Nueno Avenue, Tanzang Luma I (beside Imus Public Market). (updated Feb 2026) 4 Imus Public Market, Imus Market Road corner Nueno Avenue, Tanzang Luma I. (updated Apr 2026)

Drink & nightlife

1 Nox's Cafe, Bucandala 1 & 2, ☏ +63 945 839 8875, [email protected]. Daily noon-midnight. (updated Mar 2024) 2 But First, Coffee - Imus, RCJ Old Town Square Bayan Luma 1, Yengco St., Imus, Cavite (near Samson Funeral), [email protected]. 8AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024) 3 The Coffee Bar, Gasso Gas Station, Malagasang Primero, ☏ +63 998 355 1305, [email protected]. 1PM-midnight. (updated Mar 2024) 4 Third Place Cafe, Nueno Ave, ☏ +63 9173045181. 8AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2024) 5 Felize Cafe, Casa Ladrillo, Daang Hari Road, Pasong Buaya II, ☏ +63 960 435 2611. 3PM-midnight. (updated Mar 2024) 6 Cafe Monzon, #162 General Bautista St., Poblacion II-A, ☏ +63 956 457 0978, [email protected]. always open. (updated Mar 2024) 7 Kalyehon Cafe, Medicion Street, Medicion II-A, ☏ +63 9175556093, [email protected]. 1PM-9PM. (updated Apr 2026) 8 Kapihan ni Antonio, 112 General E. Topacio St. Brgy Poblacion IV-D, ☏ +63 966 460 1737. 2PM-midnight. (updated Mar 2024) 9 Kirk's Cafe, Buhay na Tubig Road, ☏ +63 956 541 7887, [email protected]. 1PM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024) 10 D’ Kalidad, Tahimik St. Poblacion 3B, ☏ +63 927 359 7631. 2PM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024)

Sleep

1 Villabong Resort, 0862 Cattleya Street, Plaridel Subdivision, Bayan Luma VII, ☏ +63 917 180 0913, [email protected]. (updated May 2026) 2 EJ Play and Campground, Malagasang Road, Malagasang I-A, ☏ +63 939 991 3468. (updated May 2026)