Pasig facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pasig
Highly urbanized city
Emerald Avenue Tanghalang Pasigueño Pasig Cathedral Plaza Rizal Pasig River Caruncho Avenue Capitol Commons
Flag Seal Wordmark
Motto(s):  Pasig: Umaagos ang Pag-asa English: "Pasig: Hope Flows!"
Anthem: Martsa ng Pasig
Pasig in    Metro Manila
OpenStreetMap
Pasig 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).]]
Established	July 2, 1573
Cityhood and HUC	January 21, 1995
Barangays	30 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	48.46 km2 (18.71 sq mi)
Elevation	9.0 m (29.5 ft)
Highest elevation	136 m (446 ft)
Lowest elevation	-1 m (−3.3 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	803,159
• Rank	9th
• Density	16,573.6/km2 (42,926/sq mi)
• Households	212,895
Demonym(s)	Pasigueño (Male) Pasigueña (Female)
Economy
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	2.20 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 13,019 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 49,341 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 10,389 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 6,609 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Manila Electric Company (Meralco)
• Water	Manila Water
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)02
Native languages	Tagalog
Major religions	Roman Catholic Church, Protestantism, Iglesia ni Cristo, Evangelicalism
Feast date	December 8
Catholic diocese	Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig
Patron saint	Immaculate Conception
Website	pasigcity.gov.ph

Pasig, officially called the City of Pasig (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pasig), is a very busy city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. In 2020, about 803,159 people lived there.

Pasig is located on the eastern side of Metro Manila, next to Rizal province. The city is named after the Pasig River, which flows nearby. Pasig used to be a quiet farming area. Now, it has many homes and factories. It is also becoming more of a business center, especially with the Ortigas Center business district in its western part. The city is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig, with its main church, Pasig Cathedral, built around 1573.

Pasig was once part of Rizal province. Later, it became part of Metro Manila, which is the capital region of the country. The government of Rizal province used to be in Pasig. In 2009, a new capitol building was opened in Antipolo, which is in Rizal province. On June 19, 2020, a law was signed that made Antipolo the official capital of Rizal.

Understanding Pasig's Name

The name Pasig comes from a Tagalog word. It means "a river that flows into the sea" or "sandy bank of a river."

The word comes from older languages like Proto-Malayic. In Malay, pasir means "sand." In Acehnese, pasi means "beach" or "sand." Many languages in this region have similar words with similar meanings.

Pasig's Past: A Journey Through Time

Early Days of Pasig

We don't have many written records about Pasig before the Spanish arrived in 1573. That's when they officially started the settlement called Ciudad-Municipal de Pasig.

However, old family records and local stories tell us about a busy community. This community was located along the Bitukang Manok River. This river is now almost gone and is known as Parian Creek. This community eventually grew into modern-day Pasig. Legends say that Rajah Lontok and Dayang Kalangitan were important leaders here. They were also related to the rulers of the Kingdom of Tondo and the Rajahnate of Maynila.

The creek was called Bitukang Manok (which means "Chicken Gut" in Tagalog). This was because of its winding, snake-like shape. Early people living there included Tagalogs, people from South China (from the Ming dynasty), and the Itneg people. The Itneg were nomads from the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The Bitukang Manok used to be a main branch of the Marikina River. The Spanish called it Rio de Pasig, but locals still used its old name.

The first part of the Bitukang Manok became known as "Pariancillo." Chinese and Malay merchants used to trade their goods with Tagalogs along its banks. This area grew into the city's main public market by the 1970s. The creek also helped Pasig's economy a lot during the Spanish colonial era. It helped water the large paddy fields and was a busy center for trade.

The Bitukang Manok, or "Parian Creek," once connected the Marikina River to Antipolo. Before the Manggahan Floodway was built in 1986, this creek was linked to other creeks. These included Sapang Bato-Buli Creek, Kasibulan Creek, Palanas Creek, and Bulaw Creek. It also connected to the Hinulugang Taktak falls in Antipolo.

Spanish Colonial Period

From the early 1600s until the time of Japanese rule, many Catholic worshipers traveled to Antipolo. They came from places like Manila, Pasay, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pateros, Taguig, and Makati. They followed the Parian Creek trail to the Pilgrimage Cathedral in the mountains of Antipolo.

People from Antipolo and nearby towns also used this creek. They traveled down to the large rice plains of lowland Pasig. Even the religious parades for the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage used this route many times.

In the 1600s, a friar named Fray Joaqin Martinez de Zuñiga counted the people in Pasig. He found about 3000 families. Half were native Filipinos, and half were Chinese Filipinos. Mexican soldiers patrolled the Pasig River from Fort Santiago. Some of these soldiers settled in Pasig after their service. They wanted to be close to the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in nearby Antipolo. Indian Filipinos who settled in Cainta, Rizal also visited Pasig on their way to the capital.

The creek was also used during the British Occupation of Manila from 1762 to 1764. The British army used it to move their troops upriver. They wanted to take over nearby villages like Cainta and Taytay. They even attacked the main plaza in front of the Pasig Cathedral. They turned the church into their military base. The church's bell tower was used as a lookout.

The Sepoys, who were soldiers from India brought by the British, later joined forces with the Spanish. They also joined local farmers, fishers, and Chinese traders. After the British left, many Sepoys stayed and married Filipina women. This is why some people in Pasig, especially in Cainta and Taytay, have features that look like they are from India.

In 1742, an Augustinian friar named Fray Domingo Diaz and wealthy Chinese Mestizos built a marble bridge. It was built over the creek in the style of an oriental pagoda. It was first called "Puente del Pariancillo." Later, it was renamed "Puente de Fray Felix Trillo."

On May 2, 1896, over 300 Katipuneros (Filipino revolutionaries) secretly used this creek. They traveled in seventeen canoes to a house in Barangay San Nicolas. There, they held a large meeting called the "Asamblea Magna."

Three months later, on August 29, nearly 2,000 Pasigueños joined the Katipunan. They were working-class people, along with Chinese laborers. They attacked the local Spanish government office and military base in Pasig. This event was called the "Nagsabado sa Pasig" (the Saturday Uprising on Pasig). It was the Katipunan's first successful rebellion. After winning, the Katipuneros moved to San Juan. There, they launched another attack to fight against unfair Spanish officials. This battle is remembered as the Battle of San Juan del Monte.

American Rule and World War II

On June 11, 1901, during the Philippine–American War, the province of Rizal was created. Pasig became part of Rizal province and was chosen as its capital.

In 1939, a part of Pasig called Ogong (Ugong Norte) was separated. This area, including Libis, became part of the new Quezon City.

After World War II, the Bitukang Manok creek started to become polluted. People were not careful with it. By the late 1960s, the waterway was completely cut off from the Marikina River. It was turned into an open sewage ditch. Its water flow was even reversed to make way for new buildings.

Modern Pasig: Growth and Challenges

The Martial Law Era

Pasig was home to many people who spoke up for human rights during the time of Ferdinand Marcos. One was Augusto "Bobbit" Sanchez, a lawyer and publisher. His newspaper, "The Weekly Post," was so strong that politicians in Pasig called it the "Weekly Pest." Another important person was Jovito Salonga, a Pasig native. He was elected as a representative in 1961 and was an early critic of Marcos.

When Marcos's economic plans led to problems in the early 1970s, many Pasigueños joined protests. These protests are known as the First Quarter Storm. Brothers Eman Lacaba and Pete Lacaba, who studied at Pasig Catholic College, were part of these protests.

When Marcos declared Martial Law in September 1972, students could not gather easily. In Pasig, a house called Bahay na Tisa in Barangay San Jose became a safe place for them to meet. This house was also used by Marcos supporters, so it was known as Pasig's "Freedom House." The National Museum of the Philippines has since declared it an Important Cultural Property.

The Benpres Building in Pasig was also affected by Martial Law. It was closed down by the police when Marcos shut down all media outlets on September 23, 1972.

After the Marcos government ended, one of the first properties returned to the government was the "Payanig sa Pasig" land. This land was held by a businessman for Ferdinand Marcos. It was later taken by the government as part of the investigation into the Unexplained wealth of the Marcos family.

Becoming Part of Metro Manila

On November 7, 1975, Pasig was separated from Rizal province. It became part of Metro Manila when the Metro Manila Commission was created.

Pasig Becomes a City

In July 1994, Pasig became a highly urbanized city through a law called Republic Act 7829. In December 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos signed this law. The people of Pasig approved it in a vote on January 21, 1995.

Recent Events

On February 4, 2006, a sad event happened at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. This was the ULTRA Stampede, where 71 people died. It happened during a celebration for a TV show called Wowowee.

Pasig was also hit hard by Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) on September 26, 2009. This typhoon caused very high floods in areas like Ortigas Avenue. It was one of the most damaging floods in Philippine history. Pasig is connected to the Pasig River, which carries water from the Marikina River and the Manggahan Floodway to Laguna de Bay.

In August 2012, heavy monsoon rains caused more floods. This affected Pasig and other parts of National Capital Region and Luzon. The continuous rain, made stronger by Typhoon Gener, caused the Marikina River to overflow. It damaged the same areas that were flooded by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.

On June 19, 2020, a new law was signed. It officially moved the capital of Rizal province from Pasig to Antipolo. This law took effect on July 7, 2020.

Pasig's Location and Communities

Pasig is surrounded by several other cities and towns. To its west are Quezon City and Mandaluyong. To the north is Marikina. To the south are Pateros and Taguig. To the east are the towns of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal province. Pasig was also next to Makati until 2023.

The Pasig River flows through the city. It forms the southwestern and southeastern borders with Taguig. The Marikina River forms the western border with Quezon City. The Manggahan Floodway, built in 1986, starts where the Marikina River meets the Pasig River in the northeast.

Barangays: Pasig's Neighborhoods

Pasig is divided into 30 smaller areas called barangays. These barangays are grouped into two districts for city council elections. The first district covers the southern and western parts of the city. The second district covers the northern and eastern parts. Most of the barangays (27) are on the northern side of the Pasig River. Only 3 (Buting, San Joaquin, and Kalawaan) are on the southern side.

Barangays	District	Population	Area (ha)	Density (/ha)
Bagong Ilog	1st	20,344	124.95	124
Bagong Katipunan	1st	879	4.78	248
Bambang	1st	20,801	38.41	501
Buting	1st	10,348	20.33	446
Caniogan	1st	28,084	167.94	130
Dela Paz	2nd	19,804	199.79	65
Kalawaan	1st	32,145	209.91	112
Kapasigan	1st	4,774	21.15	311
Kapitolyo	1st	9,203	95.24	215
Malinao	1st	4,817	28.02	213
Manggahan	2nd	88,078	327.03	227
Maybunga	2nd	45,555	177.37	201
Oranbo	1st	3,267	43.61	101
Palatiw	1st	27,499	24.24	698
Pinagbuhatan	2nd	163,598	152.35	692
Pineda	1st	19,499	79.85	188
Rosario	2nd	73,979	414.54	122
Sagad	1st	6,036	12.00	574
San Antonio	1st	11,727	82.07	142
San Joaquin	1st	13,823	45.07	277
San Jose	1st	1,817	9.33	252
San Miguel	2nd	40,199	80.05	376
San Nicolas	1st	2,602	30.38	51
Santa Cruz	1st	5,610	7.28	600
Santa Lucia	2nd	43,749	178.31	227
Santa Rosa	1st	1,015	12.06	126
Santo Tomas	1st	12,904	10.43	611
Santolan	2nd	57,933	199.25	217
Sumilang	1st	4,334	17.18	314
Ugong	1st	28,737	375.38	59
Notes Excludes 7,296 persons residing in the area disputed by Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal. Includes population separately enumerated in the 2007 Census as Barangay Napico. Its creation was annulled by the Supreme Court on September 10, 1999. Excludes 3,784 persons in the area disputed by Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal.

Pasig's Climate and Weather

The dry season in Pasig is from November to April. The wet season starts in May and lasts until November. The most rain falls in August. Usually, the most rain happens from June to September.

The average yearly rainfall is about 2,014.8 millimeters (79.3 inches). July gets the most rain, with about 420.0 millimeters (16.5 inches). April gets the least, with only 26.9 millimeters (1.1 inches). The hottest months are April and May, with temperatures around 34°C (93°F). The coolest months are January and February, with temperatures around 24°C (75°F).

The Philippines is in a "typhoon belt," so it often gets hit by typhoons. Typhoon season usually runs from June to November. However, typhoons can happen at any time of the year because they are unpredictable.

Pasig's People and Population Growth

The number of people living in Pasig has grown faster than the average for Metro Manila. This means Pasig's share of Metro Manila's total population has increased. It grew from less than 3% in 1960 to almost 6% in 2015. Experts think Pasig's population might reach one million people between 2025 and 2030.

Religion in Pasig

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig was created in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. The Immaculate Conception Parish (Pasig Cathedral) is its main church.

Pasig is also the main office for the Presbyterian Church of the Philippines.

Pasig's Economy and Business

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Past Economy

In the past, Pasig was a farming town. It grew crops like rice, fruit, and sugarcane.

Pasig's Economy Today

Most of Pasig's business and money-making activities are in the western part of the city. This area has many factories, warehouses, and shops. They are mainly found in Ortigas Center, Pasig proper, and along E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5) and Ortigas Avenue (R-5 Road). New buildings and businesses are also growing along Mercedes Avenue. The eastern part of Pasig used to be mostly homes. Now, many new businesses are also opening along Marcos Highway.

Ortigas Center is one of the most important business areas in the Philippines. It has many tall office buildings, apartment buildings, shops, schools, and malls. The University of Asia and the Pacific is also located here. The main office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines is in this district. The former main office of the Philippine Stock Exchange is on ADB Avenue. San Miguel Corporation, a big beer producer in Asia, also has its main office here. Crowne Plaza, a fancy hotel, is near Robinsons Galleria on Ortigas Avenue. Next to Ortigas Center is Capitol Commons. This is a new area with different types of buildings, built where the old Rizal Provincial Capitol used to be.

Other important developments along E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5) include Arcovia City, The Grove by Rockwell, and Ortigas East. Ortigas East is home to the Tiendesitas market. El-Pueblo, a shopping area with an old colonial style, has new cafes, restaurants, and bars. Metrowalk (formerly Payanig) is a business area along Ortigas Avenue and Meralco Avenue. It opened in 2005 and has shops, warehouses, and restaurants. Bridgetowne Destination Estates is a large area being developed by Robinsons Land. It has the Victor Monument and a bridge connecting Pasig and Quezon City. Parklinks, a large urban area, is partly built in Pasig near C-5.

Sports in Pasig

The PhilSports Complex, also known as the Philippine Institute of Sports Complex, is a famous sports center. It is near Meralco Avenue. The offices of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee are located here. Its main building is the PhilSports Arena, which used to be called ULTRA. This arena has hosted games for the Philippine Basketball Association and other leagues.

A new sports venue, possibly called Home of the UAAP, will be built in Bridgetowne. It is a partnership with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Construction will start in 2025 and it should open in 2027. Other sports places in the city include the Ynares Sports Arena and the Pasig Sports Center.

As of 2024, Pasig does not have any professional sports teams. The last team to represent the city was Pasig City MCW Sports. They played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in 2023. Before that, the Pasig Pirates played in the Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998 to 2000.

Getting Around Pasig: Transportation

Roads in Pasig

You can get to Pasig using these main roads:

• Ortigas Avenue (R-5)
• E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5)
• Pasig Boulevard
• Julia Vargas Avenue
• Shaw Boulevard
• Meralco Avenue
• Pioneer Street
• Marcos Highway (Marikina-Infanta Highway)
• Amang Rodriguez Avenue
• ADB Avenue
• San Miguel Avenue

Water Travel

The Pasig River is located at the eastern end of Pasig. You can travel on it using the Pasig River Ferry Service. There are 7 stations in Pasig, named after the barangays along the river:

• Pineda
• San Joaquin
• Bambang
• Kalawaan
• Pinagbuhatan
• Maybunga
• Nagpayong

Bridges in Pasig

Pasig has eleven bridges that cross the Pasig River and the Marikina River:

Train Travel

The city is served by the Santolan and Marikina–Pasig Stations of LRT Line 2. These stations are actually in Marikina, near the Pasig–Marikina border. The train line's depot is in Barangay Santolan, Pasig.

The Metro Manila Subway is currently being built and will have two stations in Ortigas Center: Ortigas North and Ortigas South. The MRT Line 4 has also been approved for construction.

Long before the modern train lines, steam trains used to serve Pasig before World War II. In Marikina, there's a street called "Daangbakal," which means "railroad" in Tagalog. There's also a similar "Daangbakal" in San Mateo and Montalban. These streets were once part of a single railway line. The two parts of "Daangbakal" were connected by a bridge. However, the railway was abandoned after the Japanese occupation. The tracks were removed in the 1960s and turned into roads.

The Montalban Line was finished in 1906 and ran until 1936. The Imperial Japanese Army used this railway during World War II. Today, people in Pasig mostly use tricycles, jeepneys, taxis, UV Express vans, and buses. These vehicles often cause heavy traffic in Metro Manila.

Another old railway line, the Antipolo Line, also used to run through Pasig. It went from Santa Mesa to Antipolo. There's also a "Daangbakal" street in Antipolo where this railway once existed. It stopped running in 1917.

Learning in Pasig: Education

The Schools Division Office (SDO) of Pasig City manages 44 public schools. These include 28 elementary schools, 14 high schools, one senior high school (Buting Senior High School), and the Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries (RESPSCI). These schools are divided into ten groups.

The national office of Parents for Education Foundation, Inc. is on C. Raymundo Avenue. This group runs schools like PAREF Southridge School, PAREF Woodrose School, and PAREF Northfield School.

In the heart of the city, you'll find Colegio del Buen Consejo (CBC). It is one of the oldest schools in Pasig. It is also one of the schools supported by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig.

High Schools in Pasig

Pasig Catholic College (PCC) is a private Catholic school in Pasig. It started in 1913 as a small school. It is considered the main Catholic school in the city.

St. Paul College Pasig is near the Philippine Institute of Sports Complex (ULTRA). It was founded in 1970.

Pasig City Science High School (PCSHS) is the second science high school in Pasig. It is for bright students and is recognized by the Department of Education. It is located near the Rainforest Park.

Rizal High School (RHS) is in Pasig. It is named after the Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is one of the world's largest high schools based on the number of students. It used to be in the Guinness World Records for having the most enrolled students.

Colleges and Universities

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig is a local university in Kapasigan. It offers college courses for smart students from Pasig who need financial help. It was started in 1999.

University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in Ortigas Center began as a research center in 1967. Its spiritual guidance comes from Opus Dei.

Rizal Technological University (RTU) is a state university with its main campus in Mandaluyong. It has a branch campus in Pasig City, behind the Rainforest Park. RTU Pasig campus opened in 1994. It offers courses in engineering, education, astronomy, and business.

Arellano University, a private university from Manila, also has its Andres Bonifacio Campus in Barangay Caniogan, Pasig. This campus opened in 1946.

Technical and Vocational Training

MFI Foundation Inc. (formerly Meralco Foundation Institute) is near the Ortigas Center. It was started in 1983 to train people for technical jobs. It works with the Philippine government's Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Philippines) (TESDA). It offers programs for young people and skilled workers.

International Schools

Domuschola International School (DIS) is in Barangay Ugong. It offers the International Baccalaureate PYP program for elementary students. It started in 2000 as a pre-school. It has grown to include primary and secondary education.

Saint Gabriel International School on Sandoval Avenue is connected to the Chinese-based Manila Xiamen International School. It teaches Mandarin Chinese and English as a Second Language (ESL) to local and foreign students.

Another international school in Barangay Ugong is Reedley International School. It was established in 1999. This school serves students from kindergarten to senior high school. It uses a mix of Singaporean, Filipino, and American teaching styles.

Famous People from Pasig

• Lope K. Santos, a writer and former senator
• Jovito Salonga, the 14th President of the Senate of the Philippines
• Rene Saguisag, a former Senator (1987-1992)
• Francisco Coching, a National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts
• Ramon Santos, a National Artist of the Philippines for Music
• Susan Fernandez, a singer, activist, and teacher
• Mariano Melendres, the 5th Governor of Rizal
• Vico Sotto, a politician and the current mayor of Pasig
• Donya Tesoro, a politician and the current municipal mayor of San Manuel, Tarlac
• Roderick Macutay, a visual artist
• JC Jacinto, a visual artist
• Atoy Co, an actor, basketball player, and former city councilor
• Marlou Aquino, a basketball player
• Doug Kramer, a basketball player
• Rome dela Rosa, a basketball player
• Alberto Reynoso, a basketball player
• Coney Reyes, a famous actress and model
• John Lloyd Cruz, an actor
• Ping Medina, an actor
• Sam Milby, an actor, singer, and model
• Hero Angeles, an actor
• Edgar Allan Guzman, an actor
• Jerome Ponce, an actor
• Arjo Atayde, an actor
• Connie Sison, a journalist and news anchor
• Aljo Bendijo, a broadcast journalist
• Dion Ignacio, an actor
• Xian Lim, a Filipino-Chinese actor, model, and singer
• Ely Buendia, the lead singer for The Eraserheads
• Raymond "Abra" Abracosa, a hip hop artist and singer
• Rachelle Ann Go, a singer and famous stage play theater actress
• Belle Mariano, an actress and model
• Laarni Lozada, a singer
• Kean Cipriano, a singer, actor, and musician
• RJ Jimenez, an acoustic singer
• Ricardo Penson, a social activist
• Angelu de Leon, an actress and current Pasig councilor

Cities Pasig is Connected To

Local

• Marikina, Metro Manila

International

• Marugame, Kagawa, Japan
• South San Francisco, California, United States

International Relations

•  Paraguay (Consulate)

See also

In Spanish: Pásig para niños