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What's in a name? The Origins of the LRT 2 Stations' Names

Taking the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT 2) is already part of the Filipino's daily commute. If you ride the train everyday, chances are you have wondered how each station's name came to be. If you are curious to know the stories behind the name of each station, read on! From Recto to Santolan, CARMUDI PHILIPPINES has you covered!

  • Recto Station: the first station that connects the LRT (Doroteo Jose) to the LRT 2 line, was named after the author of the 1935 Philippine Constitution, Claro M. Recto. Prior to being called as Recto, the area was previously known as Calle Azcarraga. A staunch supporter of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, Recto later became one of his biggest critics.
  • Legarda Station: Named after one of the commissioners of the Philippines to the United States, Benito Legarda, back in 1907-1912. Legarda, a Filipino lawmaker, started his career as a member of the Malolos Congress.
  • Pureza Station: Coined after the Spanish word meaning "purity." The name Pureza reportedly came as part of the scheme to name the streets of Sampaloc, Manila after virtues.
  • V. Mapa Station: Stands for Victorino Mapa, the second chief magistrate of the land succeeding Cayetano Arellano. Before being the chief justice, he served as a Filipino commissioner to the United States, just like Benito Legarda of the Legarda Station.
  • J. Ruiz Station: Named after a member of the Katipunan, Juan Ruiz, who was one of the 171 casualties of the First Battle of Katipunan in Pinaglaban in San Juan City.
  • Gilmore Station: Named after Eugene Allen Gilmore, the vice governor-general of the Philippines from 1922 to 1930 during the American occupation of the country. Gilmore also served as the acting governor-general in 1927 and 1929.
  • Betty Go-Belmonte Station: From the founder of broadsheets The Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Prior to her passing in 1994, Go-Belmonte was married to former House Speaker Rep. Sonny Belmonte.
  • Araneta Center-Cubao Station: Named after its location, the Araneta commercial center in Cubao.  The Araneta Center was established by J. Amado Araneta who, just like the Ayalas in Makati, dreamt of making the area a leading commercial hub.
  • Anonas Station: Named after the fruit anonas, custard apple in English, which once grew aplenty in the area.
  • Katipunan Station: From a revolutionary society founded by Filipinos who opposed the Spanish colonist rule over the country, the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK).
  • Santolan Station: Simply named after the adjacent barangay to it.
So next time you ride the LRT 2, you’ll know the story behind the names of its stations.

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