Pasay City Information

Brief History

Records show that Pasay City originated way back during the reign of Rajah Soliman who married a Sumatran princess who bore him two heirs, namely Princess Pasay and Prince Sowaboy. Even before his death, he distributed his realm to his two children. Princess Pasay got a portion of that realm, hence the name Pasay.

In 1727, Pasay was formerly attached to Sta. Ana and annexed to Malate. IN 1863, prominent people of Pasay petitioned civil and ecclesiastical authorities that they be granted the opportunity to govern themselves. Said petition was granted through the recommendation of Archbishop Gregorio Meliton, thus making Pasay independent.

As timed changed, the population increased and so did the industries. Farming was once an important livelihood in the barrios of San Isidro, San Roque and Malibay, but later gave way to the manufacturing business. Fishing too, was a livelihood not until Roxas Boulevard was constructed. Roxas Boulevard was formerly named Dewey Boulevard.

The economic life of the town steadily improved until its income exceeded the limit for an ordinary town, so it became a city on August 16, 1947 and named after our national hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal. By virtue of Republic Act 183 in June 7, 1950, it was changed to Pasay City. A fast becoming progressive city and its nearness to Manila, business firms and factories are among the reasons why many people from all walks of life have settled and built beautiful residences in it. The city has modern conveniences and cheap forms of transportation.

Geography

Pasay City is the third smallest political subdivision in the National Capital Region. Adjacent to the city of Manila and bounded to the south by Paranaque, norhtwest by Makati City and Taguig to the west. The city has a total land area of 19 square kilometers of which 5.5 square kilometers is the city proper. The Air Transportation Office (formerly CAA) occupies 9.5 square kilometers which inclides the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Villamor Air Base, and the reclamation area, Pasay City has the greatest area devoted to utilities covering 61% of its total land area of 11.7 square kilometers.

The city is known for its entertainment business, particularly located along Roxas Boulevard facing the Manila Bay, known as Manila’s "tourist belt." Commercial and residential areas are merged in a zone.

Political Subdivision

Pasay is composed of seven (7) districts, divided into twenty (20) zones, with a total of 200 barangays. Zone 19, covering barangays 178 to 91 is the largest among the zones with an area of 5.10 square kilometers. Zone 1, on the other hand, is the smallest covering barangays 1 to 14 and 14 to 17 with an area of 100,000 square meters (0.1 sq. km.)

Population

In 1990, Pasay City’s population was 366, 702 (NCSO census). The population change is attributed almost equally to migration.

Zone 20 has the highest growth rate, which is due to the proliferation of squatters in the area Zone 6, a blighted area, registers to have the second highest growth rate, Zone 3, a commercial area, had the lowest growth rate. These indicate the continuing influx of migrants into low-income areas.

The average population density of Pasay is more that 19,301 per square kilometer. This points to congestion, one of the city’s serious problems.

The most congested parts of Pasay are Zones 1, 8, 13, 12, 17, 19, 2 7 and 11. Only Zone 20 has a population density less than the regional average.

Being one of the oldest local government units of the metropolis, concentration of commercial establishments account for the extremely high density of the City. People from the provinces who have found employment in Pasay’s commercial establishments, eventually settle in the area.

At the rate its population grows, Pasay will have a density of 29,157 by 1995 and 33,638 by the year 2000. The figures are way above tolerable limits. A key policy issue would be in control of immigrants and decongestion of specific zones.

Historical Tourist Attractions

Sta. Clara Parish Church - the oldest church in Pasay.

Houses of prominent people in national government:

• Claro M. Recto - Libertad Street (maintained by Recto Foundation)

• Pres. Manuel L. Quezon - Roberts Street (maintained by Quezon Foundation)

• Lopez Home - houses the antiques of the family

The School for the Deaf and Blind

Padre Burgos Elementary School

City Hall

Cultural Tourist Attractions

Nayong Pilipino. The theme park where one can breeze through an enticing country of 7,107 islands enlivened by the astonishing diversity of 111 linguistic, cultural and racial groups. Found in this 46-hectare parkland are replicas of six major regions in the archipelago. The Nayong Pilipino also features ethnological projects at the Philippine Museum of Ethnology. Other attractions in the village are the Museum of Philippine and International Dolls, the Nayong Pilipino

How to get there: Located at MIA Road near the old Manila International Airport and the Philippine Village Hotel, one can take any of the airport-bould buses from EDSA or passenger jeepney from the NAIA-bound jeepney terminal from Rizal Park, Taft Avenue, it is about 30-45 minutes by Tramo/Baclaran-bound jeepney.

Philippine Museum of Ethnology. One of Nayong Pilipino’s several museums, The Philippine Museum of Ethnology exhibits the different cultural attractions in the country. It showcases ethnological objects and artifacts, which form part of the Philippines’ rich and diverse cultural heritage.

How to get there: Located at MIA Road near the old Manila International Airport and the Philippine Village Hotel, one can take any of the airport-bound buses from EDSA or passenger airport- bound buses from the NAIA-bound jeepney terminal at Airport Road near Domestic Airport Terminal and get off near the entrance of Nayong Pilipino. Travel time is 15-20 minutes. To Airport Road jeepney terminal from Rizal Park, Taft Avenue, it is about 30-45 minutes by Tramo/Baclaran-bound jeepney.

Cultural Center of the Philippines. Built to symbolize the country’s national cultural development, the CCP is an institution mandated by Philippine laws to preserve, promote and enhance the Filipino people’s cultural heritage. Built on reclaimed land in Manila Bay, the CCP was designed by leading Filipino architect Leandro Locsin. It houses a main theater, little theater and museum with ethnographic exhibits and a changing exhibit of Philippine art or ethnography.

How to get there: Take any of the orange-colored shuttle jeepneys stationed at Vito Cruz corner Taft Avenue (10-minute ride). From Rizal Park, the Cultural Center of the Philippines is about 15 to 20-minute jeepney-ride away.

Telephone Nos.: 831-2137, 831-1890, 831-2201 to 16.

Folk Arts Theater. Not far from the Cultural Center of the Philippines stands the Folk Arts Theater. Still the work of Architect Leandro Locsin, the 10,000-capacity theater is used for popular performances, which anticipate extensive audiences. It was inaugurated in July 1974 after a record construction of 77 days.

How to get there: Take any of the orange-colored shuttle jeepneys stationed at Vito Cruz corner Taft Avenue (10-minute ride); from Rizal Park, the Folk Arts Theater is about 15 to 20-minute-jeepney-ride away.

Telephone No. 832-1125.

Coconut Palace. Situated in the 21-hectare CCP Complex, the Coconut Palace showcases Filipino artistry in the use of coconut tree. Over 70% of the structure are made from different parts of the coconut tree. The Palace consists of seven suites with each unit depicting a different region in its use of materials indigenous to that region.

How to get there: Take any of the orange shuttle jeepneys stationed at Vito Cruz corner Taft Avenue (10-minute ride). From Rizal Park, the Coconut Palace is about 15 to 20-minute jeepney ride away.

Source: Department of Tourism, Philippines