Pasay

Pasay is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines. It is located within the National Capital Region. The city sits just south of Manila.

It serves as a vital hub for travel and commerce. Most of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is located here. The city also hosts major complexes like Newport City and the SM Central Business Park.

According to the 2024 census, the city has a population of 453,186 people.

Many different stories explain the origin of the name Pasay. One legend mentions Dayang-dayang Pasay. She was a princess of the Kingdom of Namayan. She was also the daughter of the ruler of Maynila, Rajah Sulayman. Another legend claims the name comes from a man named Pasay. He was a son of Lakantagkan, a ruler of Namayan. A romantic legend tells of a man named Jose. He cried "Paz-ay!" at the grave of his love, Paz. Some historians suggest the name comes from the medicinal plant pasaw.

Others believe it comes from Javan Pasar. This was a corruption of the Arabic word bazar, meaning marketplace.

In early history, Pasay was part of Namayan. Namayan was a confederation of barangays. This group controlled land from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.

During the Spanish colonial period, the Augustinian Order arrived. They managed an extensive agricultural estate called Hacienda de Meysapan. The parish of Pasay was originally governed from the old Namayan capital. This capital was renamed Santa Ana de Sapa. By 1727, the Augustinians took formal control of Pasay. They moved the jurisdiction from Santa Ana de Sapa to Malate. The local parish church was built in the Latin American Mexican Baroque style.

Pasay underwent several political changes during the 19th century. In 1815, the area was separated from Malate. In 1862, residents petitioned to handle their own affairs. They proposed renaming the town Pineda. They wanted to honor Don Cornelio Pineda, a Spanish horticulturist. On December 2, 1863, the town received its own municipal charter. This date is celebrated every year as the official foundation day.

During the Philippine Revolution, the area produced many heroes. The Katipunan organization had a chapter in Pineda. This group was led by figures like Andrés Bonifacio.

The American colonial period brought rapid urban growth. In 1901, Pineda was incorporated into the Province of Rizal. Later that year, the town officially reclaimed the name Pasay. In 1903, Pasay merged with the municipality of Malibay. This merger expanded the city's territory. The population grew from 8,100 in 1903 to 18,697 by 1918.

The area became a suburb for prominent families. New infrastructure like telephone lines and banks arrived. Electric tram car lines, known as Meralco tranvia, linked Pasay to other areas. Even early aviation arrived when a passenger flew off Pasay Beach in 1914.

World War II brought great hardship to the city. In 1942, Pasay was part of the City of Greater Manila.

During the Japanese occupation, food became very scarce. Many residents moved to the provinces to survive. The Battle of Manila in 1945 caused enormous damage. Many people died due to fighting or friendly fire. After the war, leaders worked on national recovery. The city eventually returned to its status as a municipality of Rizal. This allowed for the later push toward full cityhood.

Today, Pasay is a major center for modern Philippine life. It is a place of intense movement and business.

You can see large intersections like the Pasay Rotonda. The city is home to the Pasay Sports Complex.

It also features major business districts and high-rise buildings. The city connects the capital to the rest of the country through its airport and roads. It remains a vital part of the National Capital Region's economy and culture.