Having a total land area of 18.50 square kilometers, Pasay City is considered to be the 3rd smallest city in the National Capital Region and the attraction center. Bordered on the north by the City of Manila, on the south by Paranaque City, and on the northeast by Taguig and Makati City and Manila Bay on the west, Pasay was once a farming community specifically in the barrios of Malibay, San Isidro and San Roque. Fishing is another source of livelihood of Pasay residents until the Roxas Boulevard was constructed. Although considered to be relatively small in size, Pasay City houses the country’s important government offices some of which are the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Senate of the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry as well as the main office of the Philippine National Bank.
For residents of Pasay, the city’s land area does not really matter as even before Pasay was made into a city, the town was a great income earner for Metro Manila. The steady improvement and progress of Pasay resulted to an income that far exceeds the set income limit for an ordinary town. Pasay therefore became a city. The Pasay City government as well as the people has a lot to be proud of as this modest sized city is the location of the edifices that symbolizes the Philippines’ cultural heritage.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines which is directed by law to be preserve as a historical and cultural landmark, enhances and promotes the Filipinos’ national legacy, the 10,000 capacity Folk Arts theatre, the Coconut Palace that showcase the indigenous materials of the seven regions of the country, the Philippine Museum of Ethnology, the GSIS Museum and Archive, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Manila Film Center, the World Trade Center…all these are located in Pasay City. Also found in this city is the School for the Deaf and the Blind. It is also worth mentioning that residences of Claro M. Recto and President Manuel L. Quezon are in this city.

Much has been said about the places that promote the country’s and the Filipino people’s cultural heritage. Pasay City also caters to the fun loving people…old and young alike. The Cuneta Astrodome that has been the venue of many important sports competitions is situated in Pasay City. Theme Parks attraction like the Boom na Boom and Star City provides the whole family with a whole day of shopping and entertainment fun.

There are malls and malls and more malls but Pasay City has something new to offer people with unaccountable desire to shop…the SM Mall of Asia. Constructed on a 19.5 hectares of reclaimed area west of Roxas Boulevard, this gigantic mall that touts to have 150 restaurants, 600 shops, Olympic size skating ring and the very first IMAX theater in the Philippines is considered to be the 7th biggest shopping mall in the whole world. SM Mall of Asia is the venue of Lovapalooza, the Philippines’ most romantic kissing festival. Smooching couples all over the country gather in the north open lot of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City to join in the Philippines’ bid to win back the world record of the most number of simultaneously kissing couples.

At my early age I used to roam around this municipality before it turned into a city in 1994. It is the place of my Alma Mater in Kalentong which is Don Bosco Technical College. I remember well of hanging out with my classmates puffing a quick smoke of cigarrette at the market in Kalentong when I used to smoke, but not anymore since I quit smoking already. Well, I haven’t been in Mandaluyong City for quite a while but heard of an extreme improvement through former classmates and friends, in fact the present mayor of Mandaluyong City is a former colleague and a schoolmate, Benhur Abalos and a councilor of the city Noel Bernardo too. Not to leave behind is a well known actor, tv show host, master rapper, comedian and also a product of Don Bosco Mandaluyong none other than Francis Magalona, who is a former classmate since kindergarten. Mandaluyong City is culturally rich in terms of history and memories.

At present, Mandaluyong City is considered one of the top grossers in Metro Manila in terms of economy mainly due to the number of malls that now exist with the growing number of entertainment hubs that continuously pops up. Ortigas Center has tremendously grown with Shangri-La located with its resort, plaza and hotel as its home while SM Mega Mall is one of the main complex favorites of shoppers in the area. Shaw Boulevard also had extremely grown in to a full size business hub with long lines of entertainment places that includes Liberty Park and Plaza, supermarkets, sport facilities with the Robinson’s Place. Also located in Shaw Blvd. is Jose Rizal University which has been fully awarded a university status as it is once was known as Jose Rizal College and have tremendously grown even in its infrastructure of new buildings and serves more courses now to students than ever before. Boni Avenue, also boasts of new communities and business establishments along with high rise condominiums with the Mandaluyong Medical Center as its premier health facility while The National Center for Mental Health is still at Nueve de Febrero Street and has been modernized as well. ADB or The Asian Development Bank is headquartered also in Mandaluyong City.

Mandaluyong City has definitely grown to a city of a once quiet municipality of traditional pre war era of houses to a mighty economy of businesses and shopping place. It also became the sister city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Mandaluyong now provides greater opportunities for its constituents in terms of jobs, health care, education and technology due to its expansion through the years and with businesses continued growth seen in the years to come.

With all these improvements in Mandaluyong City, a perfectly nice friendly chatting with an afternoon sunshine at the banks of the Pasig River in Hulo, Mandaluyong City is a common relaxation for its residents.

Makati City…the name of the Philippines oftenly associated with New York’s Wall Street came from the word Kati or kumakati which means tide and ebbing tide respectively. Presently, a globe trotter will associate Makati’s appearance with downtown Hongkong or Manhattan (one of the five boroughs of New York) because of its cluster of towering skyscrapers.
During the pre-Spanish era, this swampy and cogon grass covered area that overlooks the serpentine curl of the Pasig River was ruled by the native chieftain Lakan Tagkan and his wifeBouan. It was said that when Don Miguel de Legazpi, the first Governor General of the Philippines and the known founder of Manila first set foot in this area, he asked what the place is called. The natives misunderstanding the question due to the language barrier answered “makati, kumakati na” meaning the water in the Pasig River is already receding.

Makati City is considered to be the finance and economic core not only of Metro Manila but of the entire Philippines. Located in its central district are embassies of different nations and head offices of the country’s biggest banks and largest corporations. Aside from being a prime location for businesses, Makati City is also the hub of the Metropolis’ entertainment and recreation. The Ayala Center, the Glorietta, the Makati Cinema Square and the Greenbelt Square are at par with any other shopping and entertainment centers in the world. The finest department stores offers varied local and imported goods, exclusive fashion boutiques, jewelry shops, bookstores and quaint antique shops can be found in these establishments as well.
Forbes Park, Dasmarinas Village and San Lorenzo Village are the city’s most exclusive residential area, housing foreign dignitaries, politicians, people from the entertainment and fashion world and prime businessmen of the country. Heavily guarded mansions are the residence of the country’s richest and most influential families. Although considered to be the country’s economic center, Makati is a quiet and peaceful place. Schools located in the area are mostly privately managed except for public schools. International School and Don Bosco Makati are 2 examples. The Makati Medical Center houses the finest medical practitioners of the country and the Makati Art Center is also located on a prime building along Paseo de Roxas. For the tourists and local citizens, Makati City has more to offer such as The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial located in Fort Bonifacio, delights visitors with its carefully manicured green lawns and perpetually blooming flowers. Outside of the USA, this is considered to be the biggest American cemetery. Located in Fort Bonifacio too is the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Otherwise known as the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers, this serves as the burial ground of soldiers killed during World War II, just like the Arlington Cemetary in Arlington, Virginia.

For people who are fascinated with old architecture the Guadalupe Ruins or Nuestra Senora de Gracia in Bernardo Street, Guadalupe Viejo and the Saints Peter and Paul Church that was built in 1620 are both a must-see. The Guadalupe Ruins that was built in 1629 still stands today.

The City of Pasig was founded on July 1573. The original Pasig was a vast territory of mountainous and grass field trek extending as it did from Montalban 20 kilometers to the North (being in olden times a barrio of San Mateo) and as far south as Bai more than 50 kms. as the crow flies. The early known settlers when the Spaniards came to Pasig were called – Remontados. The name was derived from the Spanish verb “remontar,” meaning, “to flee from the hills,” ”to frighten away,” or “go back to the mountains.” This indigenous peoples are said to be the descendants of lowlanders who opted to live in the mountains to avoid subjugation and persecution by the occupying Spaniards.

Pasig City will be celebrating its 435th Anniversary this coming July. There are varieties of fun activities in store for everyone, both for locals and visitors. There will also be Kasalang Bayan (Mass Wedding), Drum and Lyre Competition, Little Ms. and Mr. Pasig, Battle of the Bands, Ganda Lola Poging Lolo (a pageant for the oldies as beautiful grandpa and grandma), Serenata, Grand Parade, Kusina Pasigueno (Cooking Show), Search for the Model Barangay, Bangkarera (Boat Race in the Pasig River), a Job Fair for Pasiguenos and a lot more surprises that is awaiting everyone who wishes to attend the celebration!

The City of Pasig was founded on July 1573. The original Pasig was a vast territory of mountainous and grass field trek extending as it did from Montalban 20 kilometers to the North (being in olden times a barrio of San Mateo) and as far south as Bai more than 50 kms. as the crow flies. The early known settlers when the Spaniards came to Pasig were called – Remontados. The name was derived from the Spanish verb “remontar,” meaning, “to flee from the hills,” ”to frighten away,” or “go back to the mountains.” This indigenous peoples are said to be the descendants of lowlanders who opted to live in the mountains to avoid subjugation and persecution by the occupying Spaniards.

Pasig City is considered as one of the most outstanding, safe and environmental friendly City of Metro Manila. Ortigas Center is considered as the business district of the city, a fast growing district of Pasig growing like Makati in terms of economy and infrastructure. With thousands of companies and business establishments, it is a good place to invest and build a business. Also located in Ortigas Center are numerous selections of recreational facility centers and nightlife spots. Surely, you will never get bored with Pasig City.
This city aims to provide a better education to the youth and giving them the best quality education that they will ever need. The city helps those who cannot afford their education by providing free school supplies to every student and a scholarship grant to those who deserves it with a free graduation fee also given to the graduates of public schools of the city. The present City Mayor Bobby Eusebio has a lot of projects for the beautification of Pasig - environmental programs, health care, education, safety, youth and elders, occupations and more. The Mayor, his staff and the public officials of the city would like to make sure that Pasig City is a great place to live in.

Visit the wonderful City of Pasig and feel at home !

The late President Manuel Luis Quezon’s dream of having a place where common people can live and exist with pride and self respect materialized when he purchased 1,529 hectares of land, a part of the huge Diliman Estate owned by the Tuazon Clan. On October 12, 1939, Quezon City was officially born through the signing of the Commonwealth Act bill (Charter of Quezon City). The City Charter was revised on June 16, 1950 by Republic Act No 537 extending the land area of the city from the original 1,539 hectares to the current area of 15,359 hectares, making it the second biggest city in the Philippines, Davao City being the largest.

Quezon City’s development and growth in the field of business, culture and lifestyle continued as evidenced by the fact that this city that was conceived from M.L. Quezon’s dream is now given the title “The City of New Horizons”. In spite of being a relatively new, Quezon City is the site of many events that formed the country’s history. Quezon City was included in the “Freedom Trail” of the Filipino people’s struggle for freedom. The present generation may have learned about the Cry of Pugad Lawin in historical books but this present generation has witnessed the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the two decades of dictatorship under the Marcos Regime.

The state owned University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City is considered to be the finest in higher education in the Far East. Likewise, Quezon City houses two of the country’s most important military headquarters, Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. These two military camps have figured prominently in the world renowned four day peaceful revolution-the 1986 EDSA People Power.

Araneta Coliseum in Cubao District which was dubbed as the world’s largest covered dome in the 1960s was the venue of important boxing events, beauty pageants, concerts and sports tournaments. The egg shaped building of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute is also found in Quezon City. This research center that focuses on atomic energy experiments is touted to be the most advanced research center in Asia.
Naturally, Quezon City has more attractions to offer the discerning taste of local and foreign visitors other than what was mentioned. The huge number of tourists gives rise to the creation of the city’s own tourist belt. The once quiet and laid back areas of Tomas Morato and Timog Avenue are now occupied by restaurants for fine dining, disco houses, sauna clinics and other shops that cater to the needs of tourists. Nobody can beat the taste of La Loma’s native lechon along A. Bonifacio.