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PASAY CITY

The City of Pasay (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pasay) is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.

Pasay City was one of the original four cities of Metro Manila. Due to its proximity to Manila, it quickly became an urban town during the American Period.

Derivation and Early History

There are many conjectures as to the origin of the name Pasay.

In one version, the name of the municipality came from the wail of a brokenhearted swain. Jose and Paz were in love with each other and were intent on a life together, but Jose's father was a mere tenant of the hacienda of Paz's father. For this reason, their love was forbidden and Jose was ordered to stay away from Paz. Unable to bear her misfortune, Paz died.

At her funeral, the elite came to mourn and pray as Jose watched from a distance. As soon as everyone left, Jose dug a tunnel into the earth to be with Paz. Once joined, he let out a sharp and anguished cry "Paz-ay!" In sorrow and regret, the parents of Paz named their hacienda Paz-ay. In time, the town came to be known simply as Pasay.

Historians have another explanation for the origin of the name of the city. It is said that back in the day, Pasay was thick with pasaw, a plant with an exotic aroma. It was said that a Spanish botanist, Antonio Pineda, frequented a place called Basal in the vicinity of San Rafael to gather pasaw.

Pasay may also have come from the name of an ethnic group called Pasai in Malaysia.

The version deemed to be most credible is that Pasay was named after a princess of the Namayan Kingdom, Dayang-dayang Pasay. The Namayan Kingdom was a confederation of barangays that began to peak in 1175 and extended from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay. Dayang-dayang Pasay inherited the lands now comprising the territories of Culi-culi, Pasay and Baclaran. The royal capital of the kingdom was built in Sapa, known today as Santa Ana.

The natives brought their products to the capital of Namayan. Trading flourished during the 12th to the 14th centuries. Merchants from China, Moluccas, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, India, Siam, and Cambodia came to trade with the natives.

Pasay's name may also have originated from the Spanish Paso hay meaning there is a pass. This referred to the paths cleared among the grass leading to the southern portions from Manila.

Location

In terms of area, Pasay City is the third smallest political subdivision in the National Capital Region. It is adjacent to the City of Manila and is bounded to the south by Parañaque, to the northeast by Makati and Taguig and to the west by Manila Bay. The city is located at latitude 14° 32' and longitude 121° 00'.

The City has a total land area of 18.50 square kilometers of which 5.5050 square kilometer is the City proper, 9.5 square kilometers is being occupied by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) complex, which include the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Villamor Air Base and the rest of the reclamation area with 4.00 square kilometers. Thus, among the local government in the region, Pasay has the greater area devoted to utilities covering 51.35% of its total land area or 9.50 square kilometers. The City is known for its entertainment - business-restaurants, coffee shops, and clubs, particularly those located along Roxas Boulevard, facing Manila Bay.