Pasay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pasay
Highly urbanized city
Pasay skyline Pasay City Mall and Market Pasay City Hall MOA Square (IKEA Pasay City) Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish MOA Eye Star City Newport Mall NAIA Terminal 2
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  The Travel City
Motto(s):  Aim High Pasay!
Anthem: Pasay, Mabuhay Ka! (English: "Long live Pasay!")
Map of Metro Manila with Pasay highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Pasay Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	National Capital Region
Province	none
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	December 2, 1863
Renamed	September 6, 1901 June 7, 1950
Cityhood and renamed	June 21, 1947 (as Rizal City)
Highly urbanized city	December 22, 1979
Barangays	201 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	13.97 km2 (5.39 sq mi)
Elevation	21 m (69 ft)
Highest elevation	449 m (1,473 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	440,656
• Density	31,543/km2 (81,696/sq mi)
• Households	127,629
Demonym(s)	Pasayeño
Economy
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	2.3 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 7,848 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 17,306 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 7,081 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 8,098 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Manila Electric Company (Meralco)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)2
Native languages	Tagalog
Website	www.pasay.gov.ph

Pasay, officially known as the City of Pasay, is a busy city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is a highly urbanized city. In 2020, about 440,656 people lived there.

Pasay is located just south of Manila. It grew quickly during the time when the United States governed the Philippines. Today, Pasay is famous for being home to most of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It also has large areas like Newport City and the SM Central Business Park.

What's in a Name? The Story of Pasay

There are many interesting stories about how Pasay got its name.

Legends and Historical Ideas

• One story says it was named after Dayang-dayang Pasay. She was a princess from the Kingdom of Namayan. She inherited land from her father, Rajah Sulayman, who ruled the Kingdom of Maynila. This land became the city we know today.
• Another legend suggests the city was named after Pasay, a son of Tagkan. Tagkan was another ruler of Namayan. Pasay inherited lands that included the area of the city.
• A romantic legend tells of a man named Jose. He cried "Paz-ay!" at the grave of his love, Paz. Her parents then named their large estate Paz-ay or Pasay to honor her.
• Some historians think the city is named after a plant called pasaw (Pseuderanthemum reticulatum). This plant used to grow a lot in the area.
• American historian Austin Craig believed Pasay was once called Javan Pasar. This name came from the Arabic word bazar, meaning marketplace.
• During the time of Spanish rule, Pasay was spelled "Pasai". This was after a historical kingdom in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Pasay's Journey Through Time

Let's explore the history of Pasay, from ancient times to today.

Early Beginnings

Before the Spanish arrived, Pasay was part of Namayan. This was a group of small communities called barangays. Namayan controlled land from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay. Later, it became known as Santa Ana de Sapa.

Spanish Rule and Changes

In 1571, Miguel López de Legazpi claimed the area for Spain. The Augustinian Order played a big role in Pasay. They turned the area into a large farm called Hacienda de Meysapan. Many local people gave their land to the Church.

In 1727, the Augustinians officially took over Pasay. It was then moved under the care of the Malate Church. In 1815, Pasay became separate from Malate.

In 1862, people in Pasay asked to manage their own town. They wanted to rename it "Pineda" after a kind Spanish gardener, Don Cornelio Pineda. On December 2, 1863, Pineda officially became its own town. This date is now celebrated as the city's founding day.

Fighting for Freedom

Pasay had many heroes during the Philippine Revolution. The Katipunan, a group that led the revolution, had a chapter in Pineda. Women like Marcela Marcelo also fought bravely. The execution of José Rizal in 1896 made the revolution stronger.

American Influence and Growth

In 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the independence of the First Philippine Republic. Don Catalino became Pasay's first mayor.

During the Philippine–American War, American forces took over Pineda. On September 6, 1901, the town was renamed back to Pasay. In 1903, Pasay merged with Malibay, making it bigger.

Pasay grew a lot during the American period. Farmlands became new neighborhoods. Roads were built, and transportation improved. In 1908, electric tram lines connected Pasay to other parts of Manila. In 1914, Cora Wong became the first woman in the Philippines to fly in an airplane from Pasay Beach.

By the 1930s, Pasay became a popular place for important Filipino families and Americans to live. It was a growing suburb of Manila.

World War II and Japanese Occupation

During World War II, Manila and its nearby areas, including Pasay, were declared an open city. In 1942, Pasay became part of the City of Greater Manila. Many Pasay residents fought against the Japanese.

Food became scarce, and many people moved away. In 1944, Pasay returned to being a town in Rizal province. In 1945, Pasay suffered a lot of damage during the Battle of Manila.

Becoming a City and Modern Times

After the war, Pasay became a city. On June 21, 1947, it was named Rizal City after José Rizal. However, people still called it Pasay. So, on June 7, 1950, its name was officially changed back to Pasay City.

In the 1950s, Pasay became the aviation center of the country. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport opened in 1948. In 1955, Pablo Cuneta became the city's first elected mayor.

In the 1960s and 70s, First Lady Imelda Marcos helped build many important buildings in Pasay. These included the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater, Manila Film Center, and the Philippine International Convention Center. Later, Star City was also built.

In 1974, Pasay hosted the Miss Universe 1974 pageant. This brought international attention to the city. In 1979, Pasay officially became a highly urbanized city.

In 1981, the LRT Line 1 opened its stations in Pasay. This brought back fast train travel to the city.

After the People Power Revolution in 1986, Pasay continued to grow. The MRT Line 3's southern end was built here. The Pasay City General Hospital and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 also opened.

In 2006, the SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping centers in the country, opened. This area became a major business hub. The Mall of Asia Arena also opened, hosting big sports events. In 2008, NAIA Terminal 3 opened. The NAIA Expressway was built in 2016, making travel easier.

In 2021, Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano announced plans for a new hospital. This shows the city's ongoing growth and development.

Pasay's Location and Layout

Zones and barangays of Pasay

Pasay is one of the smallest cities in Metro Manila. It covers about 18.64 square kilometers. It shares borders with Manila to the north, Parañaque to the south, Makati and Taguig to the east. To the west, it meets Manila Bay.

The city has three main parts:

• The main urban area.
• The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) complex, which includes Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Villamor Airbase.
• Land that has been reclaimed from Manila Bay.

New land reclamation projects are planned. These will add even more land to Pasay.

Pasay is divided into two districts. These districts have 20 zones and 201 barangays. The barangays are just numbered, not named.

Well-known areas in Pasay

Pasay's Weather and Climate

Pasay has a tropical savanna climate. This means it is generally hot all year round. It has a wet season and a dry season.

Who Lives in Pasay?

In 2020, Pasay had 440,656 people living there. It is the 11th largest city in Metro Manila by population. There are 127,629 households in the city. The city is quite crowded, with many people living in a small area.

Most people in Pasay speak Filipino (which is based on Tagalog) and English. Some also speak other languages and dialects from the Philippines.

The main religion in Pasay is Roman Catholicism. There are also many members of Iglesia ni Cristo and other Protestant churches. Some residents also practice Islam.

Pasay's Economy and Businesses

Headquarters of Philippine Airlines

Pasay is a hub for many important businesses. Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has its main office here. Other airlines like Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, PAL Express, and Philippines AirAsia also have their headquarters in Pasay, near Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Oishi, a popular snack company, is also based in Pasay. Many national government offices are located here too. These include the Senate of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The main office of the Philippine National Bank is also in the city.

LBC Express, a well-known courier service, has its headquarters in Pasay.

How Pasay is Governed

Pasay City Hall

Pasay is run by its local government. This includes the city mayor, the vice mayor, and the city councilors. The mayor is the main leader of the city. The city councilors make the laws for the city. The vice mayor helps the mayor and leads the city council meetings.

The city council has 12 regular members, with 6 from each district. There are also representatives from the barangays and the youth council.

City Leaders (2025–2028)

Sports and Recreation

Pasay Sports Complex

Pasay has many sports venues. These include the Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, and Pasay Sports Complex. The SM Mall of Asia Arena hosted some games for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Pasay was also a host city for the Southeast Asian Games in 1981, 2005, and 2019.

Many barangays in Pasay have basketball courts and gymnasiums. You can also find badminton courts and billiard halls.

Pasay used to be home to the Manila Polo Club. This club moved to Makati in 1949.

The city has a professional basketball team called the Pasay Voyagers. They play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Unity Run Event

In 2012, a huge running event called "Kahit Isang Araw Lang: Unity Run" took place in Pasay. A record 209,000 people participated. It started and ended at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. This run broke a world record for the number of participants.

Getting Around Pasay: Transportation

Pasay is a major transportation hub.

Air Travel

Most of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is located in Pasay. Terminals 2, 3, and 4 are within the city. Terminal 1 is in nearby Parañaque. Pasay is also home to the Philippine Air Force's main base, Villamor Airbase.

Roads and Highways

View of Roxas Boulevard from the Libertad overpass

"Pasay Rotonda", the intersection of EDSA and Taft Avenue

Pasay has many important roads. These include Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Gil Puyat Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, and Taft Avenue. Other important roads are Andrews Avenue, Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, and Macapagal Boulevard.

There are also several expressways that serve Pasay. The Skyway is an elevated road. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) runs below it. The NAIA Expressway connects to the airport terminals. The CAVITEX–C-5 Link connects to other parts of Metro Manila.

Public Transportation Options

A bus plying Gil Puyat Avenue in Pasay

• Jeepneys: These colorful vehicles travel on the city's main roads. They connect different areas of Pasay and nearby cities.
• Buses: Buses offer rides within the city and to other provinces. Many bus terminals are located near the Gil Puyat LRT Station and along EDSA.
• Trains: Pasay is served by two train lines. The LRT Line 1 has four stations in Pasay. The MRT Line 3 has one station, Taft Avenue, which connects to LRT Line 1.
• Other Transport: You can also find tricycles and pedicabs for short trips within barangays. Multicabs and vans (like UV Express) also provide transport services.

Learning in Pasay: Education

City University of Pasay

STI College - Pasay

Pasay City has many schools. The Schools Division Office (SDO) manages 18 public elementary schools and 8 high schools. There are also special schools for students with hearing or visual impairments. Many private schools, including Catholic schools, also operate in the city.

Colleges and Universities

High Schools

• Pasay City North High School – M. Dela Cruz Campus
• Pasay City South High School
• Pasay City East High School
• Pasay City West High School
• Pasay City National High School
• Pasay City National Science High School
• Kalayaan National High School
• President Corazon "Cory" C. Aquino National High School

International Connections

Some countries have their embassies or diplomatic offices in Pasay. These include:

•  Japan
•  Latvia

Sister Cities

Pasay has special connections with other cities, both locally and internationally.

Local Sister Cities

• Las Piñas
• Parañaque
• Tacloban

International Sister Cities

• Union City, California, United States
• Sacramento, California, United States
• Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
• Tainan, Taiwan

Famous People from Pasay

Many notable people have come from Pasay.

• Marcela Marcelo, a brave General during the Philippine Revolution
• Francisco Coching, a National Artist known for his comic books
• Juan Salcedo, Jr., a National Scientist in Nutrition and Public Health
• Ramon Jacinto, a businessman and musician
• Darwin Ramos, a young man recognized for his holiness
• Alejandro D. Aclan, a Catholic bishop
• Eli Soriano, a Filipino preacher
• Maricel Soriano, a famous actress
• Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, a business leader
• Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, a prima ballerina
• Anita Linda, a film actress
• Sharon Cuneta, a popular singer, actress, and TV host
• Pablo Cuneta, a long-serving former mayor of Pasay and Sharon Cuneta's father
• John Lloyd Cruz, a well-known actor
• Bernard Palanca, an actor
• Josephine Roberto, a pop singer
• Carl Guevara, an actor and model
• Chariz Solomon, an actress and TV personality
• Nina Girado, a pop/R&B singer
• Maricel Laxa, a comedian and actress
• Vhong Navarro, a comedian and dancer
• Wacky Kiray, a stand-up comedian and TV host
• Diego Llorico, an actor
• Junna Tsukii, a Filipino-Japanese karate athlete
• King Girado, a singer and musician
• Michael DiGregorio, a basketball player
• Mike Cortez, a basketball player
• Rodney Brondial, a basketball player
• Ryan Araña, a basketball player
• Yousef Taha, a basketball player
• Silvia Celeste Cortesi, a model and Miss Universe Philippines 2022
• Bong Tolentino, a politician
• Fernando Lopez, a former Vice President of the Philippines
• Jose Feria, a former Justice of the Supreme Court
• Johnny Monteiro, an actor
• Gil de Leon, an actor
• Cesar Ramirez, an actor

Images for kids

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  Pasay City General Hospital

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  Pasay City Cockpit

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  Sta. Clara Parish School (Pasay City)

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  The Heritage Hotel - Pasay

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  Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

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  Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life

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  Bun Su Temple (文殊寺)

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  Chong Fu Temple (巴西巿包王府)

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  Pao Ong Kong Temple Pasay City (巴西巿包王府)

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  Manuel Colayco monument in Derham Park

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  Roman Catholic Cemetery

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  Libertad Sewage Treatment Plant

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  Metropolitan Park

See also

In Spanish: Pásay para niños

• Cuneta Astrodome
• Bay City, Metro Manila
• Baclaran