PASAY THE TRAVEL CITY

A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City

BOOK TEAM Overall Concept and Theme MELANDREW T. VELASCO Creative Project Manager MICHELLE CABRERA-MANUEL Editorial Consultant ALFREDO GABOT Copy Editors GIRLIE CANLAS RAMON TOMELDAN Senior Writer LUCCI CORAL Writers and Researchers FAITH DESQUITADO MARRIANNE REGINALDO Senior Layout Artist NICOLE VICTORIA Layout and Photography MEL ANDREA TERESA VELASCO KIRSTIN PEARL DELVO ARMAN CLEMENTE LITO GENILO’S SMART SHOT STUDIO Pasay City Information Office MELANIE GATBONTON HELEN ENCARNACION Production Assistants GEORGE AGCANAS ROCELLE AÑABEZA JUNEEMAE DE JESUS MARIA LINAFLOR FERNANDEZ REANNE MARCELO Publisher MEDIA TOUCHSTONE VENTURES, INC.

ABOUT THE COVER As colorful as Pasay City’s history, the cover depicts the kaleidoscope of the humble beginnings of Pasay which started as a small village on the shores of Manila Bay, once part of a royal kingdom and ruled by a princess called Pasay, into its historic transformation and evolution to a pueblo (town) in 1863 into a simple city in 1946 and to the entertainment mecca that it is now in the 21st century showing the new landmarks.

And just like a butterfly which undergoes different life stages to achieve its most beautiful form and flutter with its colorful wings, Pasay City went through various triumphs and challenges to become what it is today --- a city that is more than ready for awesome flight.

Cover concept and designs by Michelle Manuel and Nicole Victoria Photo by Meanne Velasco

A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City 150 YEARS OF PASAY CITY A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE BOOK

MELANDREW T. VELASCO Author and Publisher Foreword by: Mayor Antonino g. Calixto

PASAY: A ROYAL KINGDOM’S EVOLUTION TO TRAVEL CITY Philippine Copyright December 2013 Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owners and the publishers.

Published and exclusively distributed by: MEDIA TOUCHSTONE VENTURES, INC. (MTVi) Unit 15 K Lansbergh Place Condominium, 170 Tomas Morato, Quezon City Tel. No. (632) 373-6741 Fax No. (632) 376-9384 Website: www.mediatouchstoneventures.com email address: mediatouchstone@yahoo.com Printed in the Philippines

by Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc.

The

Contents Foreword by Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto Preface by Author/Publisher Mel Velasco

Messages

President Benigno S. Aquino III Vice President Jejomar Binay Senate President Franklin Drilon Speaker Sonny Belmonte DILG Secretary Mar Roxas DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino Cong. Emi Calixto-Rubiano 150 Years Celebration Executive Chair Dennis Acorda

At Pasay’s Helm: Mayor Antonino Calixto The Calixto Administration

vi viii

xii xiii xiv xv xvi xvii xviii xix xx

Acknowledgements xxii Introduction xxiv Dedication xxvii Pasay City Profile

Fast Facts 29 Vision/Mission 30 Pasay Hymn 31

The Story of Pasay

Heroes of Pasay The Eminent Sons and Daughters of Pasay My Memories of Pasay Timeline: Historical Milestones Tribute to Pasay Leaders

33 46 47 48 52 58

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Education and Literacy Good Governance and Leadership Healthcare and Sanitation Infrastracture and Development Livelihood and Shelter Revenue and Finance Management Social Welfare and Disaster Management Tourism and Trade Peace and Order

75 83 87 93 97 101 107 113 117

Partners in Service: Pasay City Legislators

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Sincerity in Service: Cong. Emi Calixto-Rubiano

122

Pasay @ 150 years

134

Pasay as the Travel City

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Travel City Tourist Map

176

Calendar of Activities Events and Festivals in Pasay

Arts and Culture Hotels and Casinos Meetings and Conventions Entertainment and Nightlife Sports and Recreation Government Offices Airport and Global Gateways Shopping Malls Chapels and Churches

Photo Gallery

City Administrator - Atty. Dennis Bernard N. Acorda Department Heads / Officers-in-Charge Department Offices

136 140

144 148 152 155 158 161 166 169 172

179 180 182

Directory 191

Local Government Directory

Travel City

Postscript by Jonathan Malaya 194 About the Author 196 References 198 Index 202

M ay or Antonino C alixto

Foreword This Pasay City commemorative book comes as a special gift and a lasting legacy that will outlive all of us for future generations to read, treasure and appreciate.

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“What is it like to be 150 years old?”

If I were to talk to Pasay City as if it were a living person, I would venture to ask her this question to know how I could better take care of her. Perhaps over a cup of coffee, we could chat about the whispers that its walls have heard, about how she witnessed different moments in history and her views about it.

This commemorative book on Pasay City’s 150th founding anniversary entitled Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City reveals some of her answers. The author of this book and his creative team gathered stories from books, records, oral accounts, and they also looked into the revived beauty of Pasay City to take the reader into a journey around our beloved city.

I wish my father, Eduardo “Duay” Calixto, could have lived longer to witness this historic moment. You see, even if his stint as OIC-Mayor of Pasay City was short-lived, he never stopped loving its people. It’s as if he’s married to it and has pledged his devotion until the day he died in March 2011. My family and I witnessed how even in his frail moments, my Tatay Duay would automatically regain his strength whenever the people would need him. Without bias, he was genuine and sincere in his love and service for Pasayeños.

I grew up with this understanding and principle of public service. I may not be half the age of Pasay City but I have been a living witness to some of its stories. I have to admit that being in this office was not my original dream but somehow, the Lord placed me here. And the moment that I started in politics as a councilor, I understood where my father was coming from.

I have to admit that working for the positive changes in Pasay City as Mayor in the last three and half years has not been a walk in the park.

There are detractors as there are many challenges that we all face as a city and as a people. But together with our constituents and other stakeholders, we were able to make it happen.

Having been blessed with a second term last May, I am comforted with the thought that the goals, plans and projects we have set to accomplish for our beloved city have become realities.

I am happy to report that with efficient tax collection, sound fiscal management, pro-people policies, hard work and clean governance, Pasay City is clearly one of the most financially stable cities not only in Metro Manila but in the entire country.

Likewise, in rebranding Pasay as a Travel City, I earnestly appealed for support from every resident of Pasay who should be a tourist guide, a law enforcer, and a roving ambassador of the city. Let us continue spreading the good news that our city has arrived. Let us continue to make sure that our guests have a grand time so that that they will keep coming back to Pasay City.

This Travel City campaign “where the fun begins in Pasay” has surely caught fire attuned to the national government’s tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

Amidst all our modest accomplishments, I never cease to think about the city and love it more everyday.

Being the Mayor of Pasay City is like forever courting your wife and endlessly expressing your love—only this time, it requires the convincing of hundreds of thousands of people.

With progress and development come both challenges and opportunities. With your continued help and support, we are confident that Pasay City will be able to respond to all of the challenges while embracing all the opportunities of the years ahead.

With this commemorative book, I wish all Pasayenos to remember that we were once a part of a royal kingdom and we are descendants of a beautiful princess named Pasay. After many generations, royal blood still runs through our veins.

I am very grateful to the book team comprising of my Overall Chairman of the 150th Pasay City Celebration Atty. Dennis Bernard Acorda, Pasay City PR Manager and Spokesman Jonathan Malaya, the principal author and publisher Melandrew T. Velasco and the whole creative team of Media Touchstone Ventures Inc., the Pasay Public Information Office and all those who have made the publication of this book possible.

This Pasay City commemorative book comes as a special gift and a lasting legacy that will outlive all of us for future generations to read, treasure and appreciate.

To you dear reader, thank you for picking up this commemorative book and for taking time to read this foreword.

Enjoy your trip around its pages and I am looking forward to seeing you here in our beloved Pasay, The Travel City.

Amidst all our modest accomplishments, I never cease to think about the city and love it more everyday.

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Preface M

melandrew t. velasco

“

Preface

y affinity with Pasay City is rooted on my family’s annual Christmas holiday at Sofitel Philippine Plaza over the last eight years.

So how would someone not fall in love with Sofitel Philippine Plaza? For one, it is an iconic hotel that provides its guests with breathtaking views of the famous Manila or Pasay Bay sunset. It is a luxury resort hotel close to the largest convention center, theaters, museums, government offices and the Mall of Asia.

Thus, staying at Sofitel on Christmas day has become a yearly ritual and tradition with my wife Tess and our four children – Angel, Andrew, Magi and Meanne, and, just recently, with my granddaughters Ghylian and Nicole and two sons-in-law Bryan James Soriano and Bryan Carvajal.

The yearly Christmas sojourn in Pasay City started in 2005 instead of the usual celebration at our ancestral house in Dagupan City. It was on the same year that I lost my dearest Mommy

Marcy from a lingering heart ailment. Being away from our house was a good respite and escape from our collective mourning over the loss of a dear mother who was a permanent fixture, the heart and light of all Christmas celebrations at home since I was born.

Over the years, Christmas holidays spent at Hotel Sofitel in Pasay always evoked memories of love, kinship and fond moments. It involved hearing mass at St. Francis Church, dining at the Spiral, picture taking with the iconic Santa Claus, listening and watching live band at Siete Pecados, swimming at the hotel pool, shopping and watching Pinoy film festival movies at the Mall of Asia, enjoying the rides at Star City, watching Christmas fireworks at the bay, fun visits at Boom na Boom and occasional bay cruise.

But more than the fun activities and spending Christmas holiday in Pasay, it’s the priceless family bonding that has counted and mattered the most through the years.

It is our collective wish that the people of Pasay City, both present and future generations, and other ardent lovers of Philippine history will appreciate this commemorative book.

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The author with former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and Rotary International Past District 3780 Governor Rufino Policarpio III at the Golden Wheel Book Launch last April 2013.

Incidentally it was also in December 2005 when I was partly involved as PR consultant in the first World Pyro Olympics held in The Esplanade at the back of the then unfinished SM Mall of Asia from December 26 to 30.

The event host was good friend Ricardo Crisostomo of the Philippine’s La Mancha Group that organized it until 2008. In 2009, SM Mall of Asia took over and renamed the event as the Philippine International Pyro Musical Competition.

Aside from the yearly Christmas stay at Hotel Sofitel, my family has found Resorts World and the adjoining Remington Hotel as the place to be for special occasions. Of course, the four airports in Pasay City have been part of our lives whether getting out of Metro Manila or returning from an air travel.

I am one of the millions of people who have always been fascinated by Pasay City. But in all candor and honesty, I never thought of writing a book on Pasay City until the opportunity came along this year.

Shortly after I published and launched “The Golden Wheel: Inspiring Stories of Rotarians in District 3780” last April 20 this year with no less than former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos as special guest, I was personally approached by then RI District 3780 Gov. Rufino “Penny” L. Policarpio III who asked me whether I was willing to do a coffee table book on Pasay City. I was told that Pasay is observing its 150th founding anniversary this year. I politely told DG Penny whose law partner, Atty. Dennis Bernard Acorda, is the Pasay City administrator, that I would seriously consider the project after the May 2013 elections. I requested DG Penny to arrange a business meeting with CA Dennis Acorda.

One morning in August, I received a call from DG Penny inviting me to a meeting at Annabel’s Restaurant along Tomas Morato, Quezon City with Pasay City CA Dennis Acorda. It was my first meeting with Atty.

Acorda who readily expressed his desire to publish a Pasay City 150th anniversary commemorative book. CA Dennis told me that City Information Chief Jonathan Malaya would touch base with me to further discuss the project.

My first business meeting with Jonathan Malaya, himself a respected book author and PR specialist, was at my favorite Hotel Sofitel on the first week of September. This was followed by a series of brainstorming meetings with Jonathan, CA Dennis and Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. staff, this time at Midas Hotel, to discuss the book project. The green light to proceed with the Pasay book project was given on September 20.

In effect, there was basically only 100 working days to put together the commemorative book until its purported launching on December 1, 2013 for the city’s Gala Night as part of the major highlights of the 150th Pasay City founding anniversary.

Having authored, published and launched more than 12 coffee table books with the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) in the last 12 years, my book team was not only guided by the “Kaya Natin Ito” mantra of FVR. We were likewise equally challenged by the novelty, concept and timetable of producing a commemorative book on Pasay City in record time.

CHOOSE YOUR WATERS. Take a dip into Sofitel’s five-star pool or simply bask in the sea’s natural breeze. Photo courtesy of Sofitel Philippine Plaza

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THE URBAN SKYLINE. Pasay City’s picturesque urban panorama when viewed from the sea. Photo by Meanne V. Velasco

In the course of making this book, the author and his creative team worked on the theme of establishing Pasay as once part of a royal kingdom called Namayan and its name derived from Dayangdayang (Princess) Pasay.

In weaving this deliberate positioning of Pasay before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the mid 1500s, the book team also pored on the writings of Fr. Felix de Huertas, a Franciscan scholar and missionary to the Philippines, who authored histories of Catholic parishes and now the essential tool tracing local histories of Philippine municipalities.

In addition, two major reference materials came from Luis C. Dery, author of “The History of the Inarticulate: Local

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History, Prostitution and Other Views from the Bottom” and Manuel Duldulao who authored “Pasay City: Gateway to the Philippines” published in 1998. Local historian Ben Bal Oro was also on hand to collaborate Pasay City’s contemporary history.

Thus came about the book title, “Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City” that intrinsically chronicles Pasay’s colorful journey into what it is today, the Philippines’ one and only Travel City.

I wish to thank the collective efforts of the book team comprising of Creative and Overall Project Manager Michelle Cabrera Manuel, senior writer Lucci Coral, Graphic and Layout Artist Nicole Victoria, Head Photographer and Layout Artist Meanne V. Velasco and Kirstin Pearl Delvo, researchers Marrianne Reginaldo, Faith Desquitado, Junee Mae de Jesus and Reanne Marcelo and copy editors Alfredo Gabot and Girlie Canlas who helped me put this wonderful commemorative book.

Together with the book team, it is our collective wish that the people of Pasay City, both present and future generations, and other ardent lovers of Philippine history will appreciate this commemorative book.

My sincerest appreciation to Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto, City Administrator Dennis Bernard Acorda, and CIO/PR Manager Jonathan Malaya for this opportunity and privilege to produce this legacy book.

Indeed, it was one exciting journey to be part of Pasay City’s history.

With deep gratitude, I thank the Father Almighty for giving us all the blessings, inspiration, energy and grace to complete this book, done in accordance to His Divine will.

T

The Travel City THE FUN BEGINS HERE

Message 15 0 years of pasay city: a special commemorative book

HON. Benigno s. Aquino III

Message

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

My warmest greetings to the citizens of Pasay City as you commemorate your 150th Founding Anniversary.

Pasay’s history stretches far beyond its establishment as a city, and alongside Manila, it has evolved its distinct milieu and identity. Your heritage and continuing dynamism and resilience of your people are facets of Pasay worth upholding in this time of national renewal.

As the city celebrates this significant milestone in Pasay’s history, I also want to congratulate Mayor Antonino Calixto and his entire team in coming up with Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City that features the history of the city since its existence. The book chronicles the progression of Pasay from a small community on the shores of Manila Bay to a transformed and one of the most notable cities in the country today.

The success of this celebration is anchored on every Pasayeño’s dynamic participation to the City Government. My utmost appreciation to the people who have closely worked with in organizing the founding anniversary celebration. I hope that this inspires more leaders and officers of various institutions to make sure that their people are properly guided and served.

Let this occasion affirm your pride of place and inspire you to enforce your solidarity with your government as we bring peace, stability and prosperity in Pasay City and the rest of our country.

May this celebration strengthen your patriotism and commitment to revitalization as you move Pasay City forward in this time daylight.

Message

pasay: a royal kingdom’s evolution to travel city

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

It is my honor to extend my felicitations to the people and local government officials of Pasay on the occasion of the city’s 150th Founding Anniversary.

The commemoration of a community’s founding is truly a cause for revelry and serves as a perfect opportunity for the expression of gratitude to the Divine Provider.

In line with your celebration, let me also commend the City Government for the publication of Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City that focuses on the growth and advancement of Pasay from its early roots to the significant achievements it has presently including premiere hotels and world-class entertainment, theme parks and malls offering recreation and enjoyment for the entire family and international convention and trade exhibition venues.

The celebration of 150th founding anniversary of Pasay City is an excellent occasion to celebrate the gains of the community, as well as foster camaraderie and unity needed in working on future endeavors for the city.

I am certain that in the years to come, the City of Pasay will realize further innovations as well as positive changes in governance and public service. Through the cooperation of the city government, the private sector and the citizens, Pasay is assured of a bright future.

Congratulations and more power!

Mabuhay kayong lahat!

HON. JEJOMAR C. BINAY

Message

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Message 15 0 years of pasay city: a special commemorative book

HON. FRANKLIN M. DRILON

Message

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SENATE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

I extend my warmest greetings to the people of Pasay City on the occasion of its 150th Foundation Anniversary in 2013.

This milestone gives us the opportunity to reminisce and reflect on how the last century and a half has seen remarkable growth and development for this city. We have lived through the trials and challenges faced by its city officials as they struggled to combat economic, social and moral issues to ensure a better life for their constituents. We have witnessed the diligence, tenacity, commitment and dedication of its people as they joined forces to attract investments, realize significant breakthroughs, and create the Pasay City that we know today.

For all these achievements, I give my heartfelt congratulations to the past and present leaders of Pasay City for their ability to respond to changes as they endeavored to represent the best interest of their people. I truly admire their vision and wisdom as they saw the bright prospects for the city even during the darkest times in its history.

As you celebrate and unite as one, I wish to assure you of my steadfast support to your future undertakings that demonstrate your determination to succeed and attain progress for Pasay City.

It is my hope that your city will continue to enjoy the fruits of a more dynamic business environment and sustainable growth and development in years to come.

Message

pasay: a royal kingdom’s evolution to travel city

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest and most heartfelt congratulations to the City of Pasay as it celebrates its sesquicentennial or the 150th anniversary of the founding of this great and historic city.

Aside from being one of the most developed cities in Metro Manila, Pasay City is also one of the most strategic. It enjoys a splendid view of the Manila Bay sunset. It is home to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Senate of the Philippines, two important offices of the national government. The Civil Aeronautics Administration is also located here, which includes the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the headquarters of our Air Force, Villamor Airbase. And Pasay City is also home to one of the biggest shopping malls not just in the Philippines, but in Asia. It was also fortunate enough to be the host city of the first NBA basketball game played on Philippine shores.

As a former Chief Executive of another populous metropolis, I commend the mayor of Pasay City, the Honorable Antonino Calixto, for his excellent work and leadership in the administration of the city.

Governing a city is never an easy task; it is a collective effort shared by all constituents and civil servants alike, but it requires a strong leader at the helm to lead them as one.

I wish more power to the City of Pasay, and we all look forward to greater progress and development in the coming years. Mabuhay!

HON. FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.

Message

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Message 15 0 years of pasay city: a special commemorative book

HON. manuel a. roxas ii

Message

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Pasay City has good reason to pride itself not only as gateway to the country but also a major tourism center. It is not only home to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport; it is also where we find the Cultural Center of the Philippines, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center, Mall of Asia and Resorts World. Seldom has a city boasted of such concentration of notable destinations to visit, both old and new.

With its rich and nuanced history, the city certainly deserves to reinvent itself and meet the challenges of rapid urbanization. The challenge to its political business and civic leaders is to sustain the city’s growth and transform it into a celebrated, breathing oasis of urban renewal – and a gleaming world-class tourism destination.

Not surprisingly, on its countdown to its 150th anniversary, Pasay officials have declared the city to be a destination in itself – an entertainment mecca, a convention hub and a high-impact sports center altogether.

One way this can be done is to continue working with the national government where cooperation can make its greatest impact on the building of new public infrastructure and accelerated delivery of social services to our people.

The city has all the ingredients for renewal and change. I wish you all joyous and meaningful anniversary celebration!

Message

pasay: a royal kingdom’s evolution to travel city

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

The Department of Tourism (DOT) sends it warmest greetings and congratulations to the officials and people of Pasay City on the occasion of their 150th anniversary celebration and the launch of this 200-page commemorative book.

This year’s historic event commemorating the 150 years of its foundation is an excellent occasion to celebrate the strategic role of Pasay City in line with the Department of Tourism’s It’s more fun in the Philippines campaign.

From its origin as a bustling trading town in the eleventh century, Pasay has grown to be the cultural, entertainment, and tourism hub that it is today. Pasay, currently positioned and promoted by its city government as the Travel City, shows the potential to become a more vibrant, more competitive destination for all, both tourists and nontourists.

Tourism is all about optimism, confidence, and momentum. More importantly, tourism is the people’s business. We hope to engage every Filipino to become tourism ambassadors who will ensure that our foreign guests will always have a positive, memorable, and fun experience.

In the end, my scorecard with the President is not the number of tourists that arrived, but the number of lives we have improved. Cooperation and commitment is key, and we hope to have your continued support as we work towards our tourism goals and ensuring that each citizen becomes part of the success. Rest assured that your DOT will tirelessly endeavor to make the world see that the Philippines is not just a place to see, but truly a place to be.

Thank you, and Mabuhay!

HON. RAMON R. JIMENEZ, JR.

Message

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Message 15 0 years of pasay city: a special commemorative book

HON. FRANCIS N. TOLENTINO

Message

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OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Warmest greetings to the city officials, employees and residents of Pasay City on your beloved city’s 150th Founding Anniversary.

This landmark occasion not only merits solemn commemoration, but calls for collective celebration of the most joyous kind.

The city has come a long way from the quiet settlement of nipa huts of many centuries ago to the urban bustle and cosmopolitan glow it shiningly displays today.

Because it is one of the original four cities of Metro Manila and the site of key infrastructure, business establishments and entertainment centers, the progress of Pasay City has an important bearing on the overall development of the National Capital Region.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is proud to have collaborated with the city government in several successful programs, particularly the ‘Pasay Ko, Love Ko’ project, which aims to mobilize the citizenry in maintaining clean surroundings and protecting the environment.

The city government deserves support and commendation for its unflagging efforts to enhance Pasay’ prospects and realize its full potential towards a better and brighter future.

Congratulations. Mabuhay ang Lungsod ng Pasay!

Message

pasay: a royal kingdom’s evolution to travel city

OFFICE OF THE LONE DISTRICT OF PASAY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

My warmest greetings to all my fellow citizens of Pasay City as we commemorate our 150th Founding Anniversary.

From its storied origin as a one of the original four cities of Metro Manila in the early years, Pasay has grown into an entertainment and tourism center that it is today. Dubbed as the “Philippines’ gateway to the world, and the world’s gateway to the Philippines,” it is now an emerging must-visit destination. It is our new Travel City.

As the city, led by my brother, Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto, celebrates this significant milestone, let us take pride in the overall transformation of Pasay from just a neighboring city of the more famous City of Manila to today’s center of urban tourism. Today, it has evolved and emerged more than just a transit point for travellers. Combining its old familiar attractions with newer attractions, Pasay City is the new melting pot that has all the ingredients – where the fun never stops and where the fun begins!

I also want to congratulate the local government for the production of the commemorative book Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City. The book is designed to feature various developments and achievements in Pasay to further market it as a Travel City including the SM Mall of Asia, the Newport Performing Arts Center and the reclaimed Bay City.

I personally attribute the city’s unstoppable march to progress and development to the collective efforts of the local officials, stakeholders and the Pasayeños who have collectively turned around “our beloved city to become the premier Travel City – the country’s center of tourism.”

Mabuhay ang ating Pasay!

HON. imelda calixto-rubiano

Message

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Message 15 0 years of pasay city: a special commemorative book

ATTY. DENNIS bernard N. ACORDA

Message

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, PASAY 150TH YEAR CELEBRATION

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OFFICE OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR CITY OF PASAY

Let me express my sincere greetings to the people and local government of Pasay City, on the year-long celebration of our City’s 150thFounding Anniversary.

Undoubtedly, Pasay is the country’s Travel City with most exciting integrated tourist destinations by the bay with its huge malls, five-star hotels, cultural houses, and international convention venues. Today, it is not just the gateway to the Philippines but a compleat tourist destination in itself.

As the city celebrates this major milestone in Pasay’s history, allow me to congratulate and thank our local government led by our tireless Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto for our collective efforts to preserve Pasay’s very rich and colorful heritage, amidst keeping up with modern-day advancements. The city’s successful commemoration of this historic event is the result of unity and teamwork demonstrated by Pasayeños and our leaders.

Let me also commend the City Government and our partner Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. led by its President and Managing Director Melandrew T. Velasco, himself a seasoned publisher and author, for the production of Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City. This book shall serve as a living proof to Pasay’s historic journey from a royal kingdom by the bay to the present time as a world-class and No. 1 Travel City today.

Again, congratulations to all of Pasayeños and my fellow co-workers and organizers in mounting this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

May we all continue to contribute our efforts in making our city a real Travel City for all.

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Acknowledgments “PASAY: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City” is a product of the collective efforts of individuals, groups and institutions. The timely completion of this commemorative book would not have been possible without teamwork, unity and cooperation by everyone involved in this noble undertaking for the people of Pasay City.

For their efforts and contributions, big or small, which have greatly pushed the project into its fruition, Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. wishes to extend its sincerest gratitude to the following: To Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” G. Calixto, Pasay City Representative Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Vice Mayor Marlon Pesebre and the Honorable Members of the Pasay City Council for their support and cooperation in the making of this book.

To City Administrator Atty. Dennis Bernard Acorda and Pasay City Information Officer and PR Manager Jonathan Malaya for their wholehearted support, guidance and professionalism in the production of this legacy book.

To Rotary International District 3780 Immediate Past District Gov. Rufino “Penny” L. Policarpio III for his invaluable endorsement to the Pasay City Government for MTVI to produce and publish the city’s 150th commemorative book.

To local historian Ben Bal’Oro for sharing his insights and recollections on the contemporary history of Pasay City.

To all City Officials who shared their time and inputs highlighting the key results of the Calixto administration namely: Atty. Bernard N. Acorda (City Administrator), Atty. Paul S. Vega (Urban Development and Housing Department), Dr. Cesar F. Encinares (City Health Office) and Dr. Jaime R. Sy (Chief of Hospital – Pasay City General Hospital), Mr. George H.Tiopes (City Tourism and Cultural Affairs), Engr. Salvador Villarin III (City Engineering Office), Dr. Estrelita V. Puti-an (Education Department) and Ms. Rosalinda A. Orobia (Pasay City Social Welfare and Development).

To the City Library staff for providing important data, records and files for research.

To Mrs. Teresita Calixto Robles and the Calixto Clan for opening their ancestral home and for sharing their remembrances and some precious photos of their father Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto.

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Our wholehearted appreciation to The Pasay Book Team for their collective efforts and commitment to this endeavour: To our Project Coordinator and Creative Manager Michelle Cabrera-Manuel for excellently managing the coordination, research, photography and leading the creative team in barely 100 Days to complete the book and for dedicating her efforts into making the Pasay book a masterpiece to treasure and behold.

To Senior Layout Artist Nicole Victoria for her overall creative contribution in the creative works and layout of the book and for making it a treasure and sight to behold and enriching to the heart.

To Senior writer Lucci M. Coral for her precious contribution in helping the editorial content and research.

To our editorial consultant Alfredo G. Gabot for his historical and editorial inputs including writing his “My Memories of Pasay,” to enliven the city’s rich history and a nostalgic trip back in the late ‘60s to ‘80s.

To MTVi staff writers and researchers Faith Desquitado, Marrianne Reginaldo, Juneemae De Jesus and Reanne Marcelo for their excellent research and contributions in the editorial and photo contents of the book.

To our copy editors Ramon S. Tomeldan and Girlie Canlas for their meticulous efforts in ensuring that the book’s editorial contents are polished to perfection.

To my youngest daughter Mel Andrea “Meanne” V. Velasco for leading the Photography Team comprising of Kirstin Pearl L. Delvo and Arman Clemente for their excellent and artistic photographs capturing the sights and soul of Pasay as a Travel City.

To SmartShots, particularly my SVD seminary classmate and now award winning international photographer Lito Genilo, for lending their expertise and for the excellent individual photos of the Pasay City officials.

To Melanie L. Gatbonton and Helen M. Encarnacio of the Public Information Office of Pasay City for helping in the overall coordination and providing much-needed data and information. The same goes to PIO photographers Ariel T. Gatchalian, William T. Roxas and Neil Abesamis for the historical and additional individual photos of city officials.

To Rocelle Añabeza and Linaflor Fernandez for serving as secretariat of the book team.

To MTVi Publishing production managers Precy Guerrero, George Agcanas and the staff for their help in the publishing phase of the book.

Most importantly, we offer our sincerest gratitude and praise to God Almighty for the inspiration, wisdom, guidance and energy in the making of this book.

This book is lovingly dedicated to Him in grateful appreciation for the countless blessings and opportunities that we have received and yet to come our way. To God be the glory!

xxiii

Introduction

“

W

If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.

and gallant local heroes; ruled by true and discerning leaders; and, witnessed a whirlwind of transformations.

Change has always been time’s inevitable companion and so with history. Oftentimes, it has been said that the most important of all lessons that history has to teach is the repeated sin of omission by men and women not learning from the lessons of history.

In this commemorative book, we attempt not to rewrite the history of Pasay but to learn and experience anew its glorious past, its triumph and struggles and its enviable status today as a vibrant, robust and worldclass city in the Philippines.

It may be likened to San Francisco, California as The City by the Bay, but a century and a half ago, Pasay was but a pueblo (Spanish equivalent to a town). Today it prides itself as the Philippines’ foremost Travel City or simply Pasay City, Pearl of the Orient’s City By the Bay.

” INtroduction

- Michael Crichton

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riting and producing this commemorative book on Pasay City offers a new chapter in appreciation of Philippine history and lets one come to the realization that the past is beautiful because one relives memories, emotions and experiences of people through the epochs of time.

Then, as one painstakingly captures the past, one comes again to another realization that “the best moments in reading and writing are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you,” to paraphrase British author Alan Bennett.

As one recaptures the historic journey of Pasay, one is enthralled by its colorful past through centuries of history. Pasay went through several journeys and experiences: the glory of its royal past and its pertinent hardships and struggles; invaded by colonial visitors; saved by its vanguard

Not everyone knows that Pasay City was once a royal kingdom that was ruled by a beautiful and just princess named Pasay. Its people had simple lives in tune with its natural slopes and landscapes.

When the Spanish conquistadores set foot on its shores, new rules were imposed in the guise of evangelization.

From owners of their land, the residents were made mere tenants. The new scheme of things triggered discontent among the people leading to rebellion against the Spanish rule. After the defeat of the Spanish fleet by Commodore George Dewey, the Americans took over and developed the city to be one of the cleanest and most advanced towns in the era. Then the Second World War broke out and Pasay was one of the most devastated and ravaged cities in the whole country. Out of the rubbles of war, Pasay recovered.

By the time Philippine Independence was granted in 1946, the city underwent significant developments. Today, the road to development and advancements continue and appear to be endless.

Yes, this city by the bay has risen as a noteworthy travel city.

Get Ready for an Exciting Metamorphosis The next pages of this book go beyond telling Pasay’s history. As a commemorative book that celebrates the city’s 150th founding anniversary, Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City is both a trip back in time and a tour around the current city pulsating with life and progress.

Indeed, it is moving backward in order to move forward.

This book walks you through the city’s varied attractions that could please every traveler. It also showcases its evident transformation under the able leadership of Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto in the fields of education, health and sanitation, peace and order, infrastructure, good governance, tourism, and other sectors affecting the society.

Unlike the usual coffee table books, Pasay: A Royal Kingdom’s Evolution to Travel City goes beyond commemorating the city’s anniversary milestones. More than marking a fleeting year, this book is created to become a permanent reminder of the undying efforts of its people for

progress and excellence as shown in their milestone achievements, strategic plans and programs over the years, especially its present leadership.

One hundred fifty years is a long journey milestone for Pasay, the majestic city by the bay. Celebrating this milestone is also a milestone for Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto who has always placed the welfare of his people on top of his administration.

The positive metamorphosis under his administration is evident. The Pasay skyline now brims with world-class promise, its people have retained confidence and trust in their leader, and all together, the city has accelerated its upward trajectory through an impressive teamwork of leaders, people, and investors.

The success of Pasay City today is truly a magnificent chapter in its history that will long be remembered. The dynamic and exciting changes that have taken place and are going on are clear indications that for the next 150 years, Pasay City shall soar to greater heights.

Indeed, just like a butterfly which undergoes different life stages to achieve its most beautiful form and flutter with its colorful wings, Pasay City went through various triumphs and challenges to become what it is today --- a city that is more than ready for awesome flight.

The dynamic and exciting changes that have taken place and are going on are clear indications that for the next 150 years, Pasay City shall soar to greater heights.

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D

DEDICATION To Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto, To Pasay Lone District Representative Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, and To the gallant, hard working and Illustrious sons and daughters of Princess Pasay, may they continue to strive harder and be united in the pursuit of their collective dreams and aspiration to make their place as the one and only Travel City in the Philippines

Dedication at par with the world's best.

From Royal Kingdom, Now a Travel City Bordered in the north by Manila, in the east by Makati and Taguig, in the south by Paranaque, and the west by the historic Manila Bay, Pasay City has morphed from a swampy and cogon area into a highly urbanized and cosmopolitan city today.

It has a legendary and colorful history having been once part of a royal kingdom called Namayan and ruled by a dayangdayang called Princess Pasay.

Positioned right beside the bay, Pasay City offers a priceless sea breeze and spectacular sunsets to all its residents and visitors. It’s now the premier City by the Bay. Pasay City has both God-given and man-made resources gifted with a rich heritage, resilient and forward-looking people.

It has been home to many art masters.

With its airports, it’s the premier gateway of the Philippines to the world.

Its land has been cultivated with world-class structures that have made its skyline a fantastic view to behold.

Today, Pasay City holds the promise of bright and prosperous future.

It’s now a robust and world-class Travel City ready to welcome and embrace every traveler and visitor.

Pasay City 28

QUICK FACTS L OCAT I O N Latitude 14º 32’ Longitude 121º 00’

CITY PROFILE

BOUN DAR I E S North - City of Manila East - City of Makati & Taguig South - City of Parañaque West - Manila Bay T OTA L L A N D A RE A 18.50 square kilometers

U RBA N A RE A 5.505 square kilometres

RE CL A I M E D A RE A 4.00 square kilometres

C A A com p lex 9.5 square kilometres

LONE DISTRICT 201 BARANGAYS TIME ZONE: PST (UTC+8) 392,869 POPULATION ZIP CODE: 1300–1309 Source: National Statistics Office

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Vision A

scenic premier city thriving with business and economic opportunities guided by dynamic and efficient local leadership and home to self-reliant, healthy and morally upright people.

30

Development ThrustS • • • • • • • •

Maximize Tourism Potentials Enhance The City‘s Image Promote Multi-Sectoral Partnership Upgrade Infrastructure and Utility System Support Business and Commercial Activities Promote Welfare of City‘s Residents Raise the Level of LGU Services And Increase the LGU Revenue

The

Pasay HYMN PASAY MABUHAY KA!

I Mabuhay Lungsod ng Pasay Perlas ng kamaynilaan Hangad ay kaunlaran Sa lahat ng larangan

II Mabuhay, Lungsod ng Pasay Dungawan ng sandaigdigan Ugaling mapagtanggap Ng tunay na mamamayan

Chorus: Pasay, mahal kong bayan Sa puso’y nag-iisa Pasay, dakilang bayan Pasay, mabuhay ka!

III Ang lahat ay Makadiyos, Makabansa, Makatao, Masinop at mapagmahal Ang tunay na PasayeĂąo Repeat Chorus (2x)

Travel City 31

History of Pa

History of P 32

asay The Story of Pasay L

et’s all go back in time.

For a short while, let’s forget about the giant concrete buildings of the Pasay City that we know today. Let’s remove the bustling reclamation area and let’s give it back to the sea.

For now, let’s go back to an era when legends lived—a time when Pasay was still a vast land of forests and plains—and let’s allow them to explain how Pasay got its name.

Folklore says that Pasay got its name from a tragic love affair. According to the story, a beautiful maiden named Paz shared a forbidden love with a lowly man named Jose. Paz’s parents ordered Jose to stay away from their daughter and the unbearable misery caused Paz’s death.

Pasay

Just like his lover, Jose could not find a reason to live if he would be separated from her. He dug a tunnel beside her grave to lie beside her. And underneath the ground, his anguished cries of “Pazay!” were heard all over the town. Since then, Paz’s parents named their hacienda, Pasay.

Some historians believe in another story that Pasay was named after a pasaw plant, which was abundant in the place.

Many consider the story of Princess Pasay as the one closest to how the city got its name.

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History of Pa A Prin ces s n am ed Pa sAY

Let’s now imagine a vast and prosperous kingdom that extends from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay. It was called the Kingdom of Namayan, the ancient name of Sta. Ana de Sapa.

Based on some historical accounts, around 1175, Pasay was part of the Kingdom of Namayan together with small separate villages.

How the area became known points to the name of a maiden, a Dayangdayang or a princess named Pasay who was bequeathed with a vast tract of land that now comprised the present territories of Culiculi, Bangkal, Malibay, Pasay and Baclaran.

THE FACE OF A PRINCESS. Illustration of a Tagalog royalty Photo courtesy of Indiana University Archives

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There are two versions as to the parentage of Princess Pasay --- but they could be one and only the same persons --- from the lineage of Lakan Tagkan (also called Lakan Araw who once ruled the lands north of Tondo) or from Rajah Soliman (who ruled the kingdom of Manila) but both closely rooted to the same royal kingdom of Namayan.

The legendary version of Lakan Tagkan traces its story to the early 1300s when a certain Lady Sasaban of the Kingdom of Namayan was married to Prince Soledan, heir to the Madjapahit Empire.

When Emperor Soledan ascended to the throne, Empress Sasaban sat by his side as he ruled over a vast archipelago now known as Indonesia.

In 1335, Prince Balagtas, son of the Imperial Soledan couple, arrived in Namayan. He got a local bride named Lady Banginoan, daughter of Lord Lontok and his wife Princess Kalangitan of the State of Pasig.

King Balagtas envisioned and tried to fuse his kingdom and the superbarangays governed by his Pampango relatives into one empire but failed to firm up the social coalition due to the reservations of his royal kin.

With King Balagtas at the helm, the Tagalog–Pampango dynasties were born notably the Soliman, Gatdula, Gatbonton, Gatchalian, Gatmaitan and the Lakandola families.

The Story of Pasay

asay

Based on some historical accounts, around 1175, Pasay was included in the Kingdom of Namayan that bound small separate villages into a vast dominion that stretched from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay. In 1470, Lakan Tagkan was chosen to succeed King Balagtas. Lakan Tagkan had five children by his wife Buwan (also called Maynilak) and a child named Pasay by a woman slave from Borneo.

Sometime in the mid 1500, Dayangdayang Pasay wed the handsome warrior Maytubig, and chose an idyllic setting called Balite for their residence. The royal couple had one daughter Dominga Custodio, who was later converted to the Catholic faith and eventually donated her inheritance to the Spaniards on her sickbed.

That Princess Pasay was the daughter of the legendary Rajah Soliman and the daughter of the sultan of Sumatra was more acceptable historical account.

Soliman’s love conquest of his wife was also legendary. Sometime in the second half of 16th century, a power struggle ensued between the Sultan of Sumatra and the cruel chieftain of Borneo. In the process, the Sumatra ruler announced that he would give his beautiful daughter in marriage to whoever would bring to him the head of the sultan of Borneo to end the latter’s cruel rule.

Rajah Soliman, then the ruler of the Kingdom of Manila, joined the fray and succeeded. With his prized reward in tow, the Sumatran Princess, Rajah Soliman returned to his Manila kingdom and the royal couple brought forth two offspring: Princess Pasay and Prince Suwaboy.

Rajah Soliman gave a larger part of his territory to his only daughter, Dayangdayang Pasay or Princess Pasay. The area was the southwestern part of Namayan and its present territories comprise of Culiculi, Bangkal, Malibay, Pasay, and Baclaran.

Oral history states that Princess Pasay inherited the divine beauty of her mother, a lovely Sumatran princess.

Her people were also happy with her just rule that they immortalized her name by calling their town “Pasay.”

Just like in the previous account of Princess Pasay’s family, she married Prince Maytubig and gave birth to Dominga Custodio, endearingly called Ingga. She, too, was loved by her people well that they named the river port after her nickname, Pasong Ingga.

Today, it is called Balite Street and the street where her house once stood is called Dominga Street.

The birth of a new generation marked the end of their family’s rule. Spanish conquistadors had discovered the bounty of the country and they were on their way to Manila’s shores.

35

History of Pa T he Span iards Saw, Ca m e , an d Co nquered

The Spanish vessels came and its men offered friendship. Martin de Goiti and Rajah Soliman sealed an agreement of peace through a blood compact. However, soon enough, they discovered that the Spaniards’ true intention was sovereign conquest of the Philippines Islands.

Soliman’s true blood remained thicker and foreign friendship was not enough to defy his people. Together with Lakan Dula, then chieftain of the Kingdom of Tondo, they gathered reinforcements from Macabebe, Pampanga and Hagonoy, Bulacan to fight against the conquistadores.

Aturio ea debis ad quamus eaqui doluptas desequa epudipsam, sit occulparunt omnimust etur as minvell

THE VALIANT RAJAH. A Rendition of Rajah Soliman on a commemorative stamp issued on November 30, 1962.

Photo courtesy of vincemd.blogspot

Forty large vessels filled with Filipino warriors sailed on the northern shores Manila Bay, charged towards the Spanish fleet led by Goiti.

The battle that ensured was called The First Battle of Manila Bay. Soliman and his men lost in this battle.

The swords and firearms of Goiti’s soldiers triumphed over the courage of Soliman’s troops. The Kingdoms of Namayan and Tondo was officially conquered and suddenly, the Spaniards were in control.

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O f e n com ie n d a s, t r ib ut e s, a n d d on ation s

Peace and justice, which once reigned in Pasay, were left to memory. The towering Spaniards took over their lands and ordered that they have the authority to give parcels of it as encomiendas (rewards for those who have served the Crown of Spain).

The transfer of lands from the natives to the Spaniards was also a cunning story.

Oral accounts say that according to the Spaniards, donating their lands to the church would reward them with rooms in heaven.

Some accounts also stated that when Dominga Custodio was on her deathbed, she asked the nuns of Colegio de Santa Clara to light a candle for her everyday and to celebrate mass every feast day of the saint. In order to pay for these expenses, the church could charge her tenants with five cuartos (equivalent to 25 centavos today). However, as time passed, this fee grew until it reached the amount equivalent to five pesos per 1/10 of a hectare.

The Story of Pasay

asay

Pasay was transformed into a vast agricultural land called Hacienda de Meysapan. It had some of the most advance sugarcane warehouses, boilers and mills and it was famous for its oranges or suha.

The Spaniards continued to charge unreasonable fees and tributes to landowners. And when they could not pay anymore, they were forced to sell their land or they were ejected out of their properties.

Gradually, the land of Pasay fell into the hands of the Spaniards, mostly to Augustinian friars. By 1700, the Augustinian order owned almost all of Pasay.

Due to this, Pasay was transformed into a vast agricultural land. The estate of the Augustinians was then called Hacienda de Meysapan. It had some of the most advanced sugarcane warehouses, boilers and mills, and was famous for its oranges or suha. Pasay was also famous for its betel nut; when it comes to this produce, “ikmongPasay” was always the top choice.

Then developed as a picturesque countryside, Pasay became the place of rest and recovery of ailing friars. And during this time, it also had famous visitors and residents such as Don Fernando Valenzuela (a man with musical and literary talent unmatched in the whole of Spain), Marquis de San Bartolome de los Pinales, and de Villasierra (King Carlos’ First Minister).

However, even if Pasay became famous for its scenic countryside and agricultural produce, the natives were resentful.

Together with the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tondo, the inhabitants of Hacienda Meysapan launched the agrarian rebellion in 1745. The Spaniards tried to appease the situation by promising reforms and by assuring the rebels amnesty.

Despite the rebellion, the landowners continued their maltreatment of the natives.

Who wouldn’t cry out for justice?

The rebellion turned into banditry and the situation worsened. Bandits caused havoc in Pasay, which sowed fear among the people.

From being landowners, the residents of Pasay became native laborers who needed to pay large fees and rents. They became mere inhabitant’s or tenants. There was an intense discontent among the people and they knew they had to do something about it.

To give them security, Don Cornelio Pineda—a Spaniard from the town of Singalong— intervened and requested the government to provide local policemen, village watchmen, and guards which eventually drove the bandits away.

Rebellio n s an d Ba nditry

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History of Pa As a gratitude to their savior, the villagers named their town to Pineda. On June 11, 1901, Pasay (then Pineda) was annexed to the province of Rizal by virtue of Republic Act No. 137. On August 4, 1901, by virtue of Com. Civil Law # 227 passed by the Municipal Board, the name Pineda was reverted back to Pasay in honor of Princess Pasay.

Nipa huts were the native houses of the indigenous people of the Philippines before the Spaniards arrived. They are still used today, especially in rural areas. Photo courtesy of Pasay City PIO

In this time of momentary peace and progress as banditry was quelled, Pasay was made as a pueblo (Spanish equivalent of town) on December 2, 1863 upon the recommendation of then Archbishop Gregorio Martinez of Sta. Cruz. December 2 is celebrated today as Pasay Day. However, the rest of the Philippines was itching for complete freedom from the Spanish conquistadores.

GENERALA. Dona Marcela Marcelo Lugo is a celebrated warrior of the Philippine Revolution.

Photo courtesy of Pasay City PIO

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In 1892, the Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangan Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan was formed under the leadership of Gat. Andres Bonifacio and its Pasay chapter called Balangay Kaliwanagan ng Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan was organized by Pasayeños Pascual Villanueva, Jacinto Ignacio, and Valentin Esguerra.

The revolution broke out in 1896. The Filipinos fought the Spaniards and pursued their destiny.

One notable hero-daughter of Pasay was Dona Marcela Marcelo Lugo—a brave soul who led revolucionarios in different battles but unfortunately died in 1897 during the Battle of Pasong Santol. In Some Minutes of the Revolution of 189697, Carlos V. Ronquillo, secretary of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo wrote:

“One of our platoons was led by a woman of great courage: a middle aged married woman who had a child, a woman from Pasay (if we were not mistaken), who was always in the heat of the battle, with no weapons but a bolo. She died a heroine when the Spanish trenches were taken in Pasong Santol. This action so frightened the Spaniards that they ran and was driven by the infantry and Tagalog volunteers... Because of this the enemy was expected to retaliate.”

Many Pasayeño rebels also joined Manilans in surrounding the Walled City of Intramuros.

The Story of Pasay

asay

T he c o m i ng of the whi te s k in n e d “heroes” One fateful day in April 1898, after centuries of Spanish rule, the inhabitants of Pasay and the rest of Manila stood witness to the historic Battle of Manila Bay. Ammunitions were fired from two large fleets and the deafening noise of this foreign clash was like a victory chant for the natives. Soon, they would be free.

Commodore George Dewey’s American troops were more than ready for this war as they easily defeated Admiral Patricio Montojo’s Spanish fleet. Even if the Spanish fleet positioned in front of its cannons in Intramuros, the Americans had more advanced power and ammunition.

After their success, the American troops landed on the shores between Pasay and Parañaque and encamped there. The first American base in the Philippines was named Camp Dewey and it was located in Pasay.

As they conquered more and more Spanish territories in Manila, Dewey and the American troops retained their headquarters at Camp Dewey. Even when the Filipino-American war broke out

in 1899 after a misfired gun incident, Americans retained their position in Camp Dewey.

By November 1899, more than 70,000 American troops were encamped in Pasay. Their military base extended up to the present location of the Philippine General Hospital.

Despite the hostilities of war, the Americans started to develop Pasay. The area between the present Taft Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, which was once a part of the sea, was reclaimed as new land (Old Reclamation Area). New and wider roads were made and residential subdivisions were opened.

As the Philippine-American war ended in 1902, Pasay became one of the cleanest and healthiest towns in the country. By 1904, the Americans passed the Friar Lands Act, which directed the Augustinians to sell their land. The American Warner Barnes and Company bought many of these lands and sold it back to the natives or for military use for as low as P2.00 per square meter.

Further progress happened during the American years in Pasay. In 1905, Manila’s most important street, Calle Real was extended to Pasay and this street is presently called F.B. Harrison. An advanced transportation model back then—the tranvia— connected Pasay to Manila and its surrounding towns.

(FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) VICTORY POSE. A photo during the thanksgiving dinner of Coy D, 30th Vol Inf Regt, held in Pasay on Nov 24 1899; AMERICA TO THE RESCUE. The 14th Infantry entrenched in Pasay, Feb 5 1899.

Photos courtesy of Pasay City PIO

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History of Pa Polo aficionados also came to Pasay as they formed the Manila Polo Club in 1909 through the efforts of Governor General Cameron William Forbes who donated the vast track of land which included the present site of the Cuneta Astrodome.

When a big fire burnt the Manila Polo Club, it was transferred to its present home in Forbes Park in Makati.

During this era of American influence, a highly notable Filipino lived in Pasay— Philippine Commonwealth President Don Manuel Luis Quezon Antonio y Molina.

President Quezon was an educated man who despite his favored circumstances joined the revolution against Spain, under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. He also fought the Americans but, seeing Aguinaldo in captivity, made him accept his defeat.

Despite his anger with the United States, he later met some good Americans who proved that they were not like the Spaniards. He recalibrated his life, continued his studies, joined politics, and later emerged as the country’s first commonwealth president who implemented impressive policies, including making Tagalog as the basis of the Philippine’s national language.

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In 1909, Manuel L. Quezon, the rising politician, became a Resident Commissioner that made him a member of the U.S. Congress but without voting privilege. He served for eight years.

In 1913, upon the lobbying of Quezon in the United States, Congressman Francis Burton Harrison of New York became Governor-General of the Philippine Islands. Governor General F.B. Harrison turned out to be the most benevolent of all men sent to the Philippine Islands.

Eventually, Filipinos were given the majority in the upper Chamber of the Philippine Congress.

In 1916, the U.S. Congress passed the Jones Act that eventually gave the country an autonomous government and the Philippine legislature, the Senate and House of Representatives, all composed of Filipinos.

Quezon returned home to Pasay with the Jones Act as his trophy. He ran for the first truly national election in the same year and won as Senator and eventually became Senate President while Sergio Osmena became Speaker of the House.

In 1918, Quezon built a home on a 3,750 square lot on No. 235 Robert Street in Pasay where he lived with his wife Aurora Aragon and their four children.

The Story of Pasay

(FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) 1. The vast grounds of the original Manila Polo Club in Pasay; President Quezon’s residence at No. 235 Robert Street Photos courtesy of Eugenio Lopez Museum; Malibay Barrio School in 1907.

Photo courtesy of Pasay City PIO

asay

In March 1934, the Tydings-Mcduffie Act was passed and made the Philippines a Commonwealth with National Independence promised by 1946.

On September 17, 1935, Quezon and Osmena were elected President and Vice President, respectively. On November 15 that same year, Quezon was sworn in as President of Commonwealth of the Philippines by Chief Justice Ramon Avancena witnessed by thousands of Filipinos including then Pasay Mayor Moises San Juan.

As President, Quezon tapped Gen. McArthur as his military advisor. In an article published on 1939 in Inside Asia, John Gunther wrote: “He got General Douglas McArthur to come to Manila as his military adviser and superintendent of the military establishment of the islands in five minutes of talk. He said to MacArthur, ‘I want your answer to just one question: Are the islands defensible?’ MacArthur said, ‘Yes,’ and Quezon offered him the job.”

SCENES FROM WORLD WAR II. (ABOVE) Wrecked P-35s at Nichols Field and street clashes in Pasay. (BELOW) Filipino and American soldiers united in courage and sacrifices to battle the Japanese forces. Photos courtesy of Pasay City PIO

In the 1930s, the Nichols Field (now Villamor Airbase) of the Americans was built and the Philippines experienced the age of aviation.

But just as history tells us, whenever there is an American military base, the business of prostitution and the red light commerce would follow suit. Some of the first American businesses included dancing cabarets and lodging houses in the areas of Ermita and Pasay. From tending to agricultural crops, some inhabitants of Pasay then tended to the weary and lonely souls of the American soldiers.

Al l ie s f or W or l d War s The 20th century was a time of great wars and the Philippines was automatically a U.S. ally.

Fifteen thousand Filipino soldiers were trained at Nichols Field purportedly to be sent to Europe to fight during World War I. Fortunately, the war ended before their deployment.

During World War II when the Japanese soldiers raided all American territories, Pasay City was a direct hit.

On December 8, 1941, Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Two days later, President Quezon called a Council of State Meeting at his other residence in Marikina. On December 26, Gen. Douglas MacArthur declared Manila and its surrounding districts an “Open City” to save them from further destruction.

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History of Pa According to World War II accounts, Filipinos retaliated against the Japanese forces and heroes were born. Residents of Pasay formed the Straughn’s Fil-Am Pasay South Guerilla unit. A young man from Barrio San Roque named Carlos Malonzo formed a broadcasting station together with 14 companions and they called it The Voice of Juan dela Cruz.

The Voice of Juan dela Cruz aired the Philippine and American National Anthems. They reported on the developments of war and they delivered inspiring messages to the fighters. Carlos was captured and executed by the Japanese at the age of 18.

Pasay, being a favorite location of both foreigners and natives, became the home of General Tomoyuki Yamashita when he stayed in the Philippines.

The town witnessed some of the most horrifying punishments for captive soldiers, including The Cut, wherein Filipino and American prisoners of war were asked to hand-dig an entire hill in Nichols Field to create the longest runway in the Pacific. And as they toiled, the workers were deliberately starved.

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The worst moments of the war were experienced by Pasay between February-March 1945. After Gen. McArthur, Sergio Osmena, and other American troops landed on the Leyte Gulf, they made their way through Manila, liberating it area by area.

When the Japanese learned of this, they devastated all lives and properties that came their way. Pasay, together with Manila, suffered the worst. In these two months, they raped, mutilated, and bayonetted Filipinos that they meet. Some survivors of this holocaust were found without their breasts, nipples, and some of the dead women had bayonet wounds on their genital areas. They ransacked homes and buildings to oppress the people in it in every possible way before burning or bombing the property.

Pasay City experienced a taste of hell as the war came near its end. And this is how General McArthur described what he saw after the war: “For me, it was a soul-wrenching moment.

[Manila] was a city ravaged beyond measure. As I passed through the streets with burned-out piles of rubble the air still filled with the decay of the unburied dead. The tall stately trees that had been the mark of a gracious city were nothing but ugly grubs pointing broken fingers at the sky.

Once famous buildings were now shells. The street signs and familiar landmarks were gone.”

After the Second World War, it was time for the people of Pasay to come back up and recover from the ruins.

Nichols Field was a U.S. military airfield located south of Manila in Pasay City and Parañaque City. During the World War II era, it was the location of the Far East Air Force’s U.S. 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regiment. Nichols Field later became the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force.

First named Nichols Air Base, it is now named Villamor Air Base. The base shares its site with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport..

Photos courtesy of Pasay City PIO

The Story of Pasay

asay

On ce again , Pa say wa s F r e e The post-war era was a time of healing and continuous resilience for the residents of Pasay. Freedom came with a price but it also came with hope. President Sergio Osmeña led the country into a fruitful recovery and he appointed Adolfo Santos, the pre-war vice mayor, to take care of Pasay.

The Americans and other illustrado residents assisted monetarily for revival while the government and its people worked together to piece their lives together.

And to push the development further, Pasay was declared a city on June 21, 1947. The bill was lobbied by then Rizal province 1st District Congressman Ignacio Diaz. Pasay was called “Rizal City” after the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

A TIME OF REBUILDING. (ABOVE) The Cartimar Shopping Complex thrives with booming commerce in 1961;

Aside from having a strong government, the people of Pasay were also granted with places of worship to heal their wounded souls. These include the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Libreria de San Pablo Catholic Women’s League, Caritas, the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Parish of San Isidro Labrador and the Parish of San Rafael.

The post-war era was a time of healing and continuous resilience for the residents of Pasay. Freedom came with a price but it also came with hope.

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History of Pa In 1950, the name “Pasay” was given back to the city. It is also during this year that the New Reclamation Area (from Roxas Blvd. to the current bay) and the Airport Area were developed.

And five years after, the people of Pasay gained their right to elect their leader and they placed Pablo Cuneta on the mayoralty seat. Cuneta may have lost once to Jovito Claudio in 1967, but since he regained Pasay’s driving seat in 1971, he never left it until 1997, making him the longest serving mayor of the city.

In the 1960s, Pasay regained its old glory. Local historian Ben Bal’Oro delightfully recounted his memories of Pasay as a young lad—going to the wide plaza they called Glorietta and listening to serenatas, shopping for awesome produce and great finds in the beautiful Pasay Public Market, and riding the caretelas that were once the main source of transportation in Pasay. He also mentioned the presence of a racetrack in the area of Leveriza.

According to him, the reason why many streets of Pasay lead to dead ends is because it once led to a vast horse racetrack.

Pasay’s development did not stop. During the reign of Pablo Cuneta, Pasay’s skyline was dramatically changed when then First Lady Imelda Marcos made Pasay City her artistic garden. Among the significant structures Mrs. Marcos built were the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater, the Film Center, the Philippine International Convention Center, and the Coconut Palace.

As a result, Pasay became a center of international arts and tourism.

Former Pasay City Mayor Jovito Claudio at work in 1970.

Photos courtesy of Pasay City PIO

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As these man-made structures stood tall and solid on its foundations, many Filipinos trembled with fear and anger over the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

PASAY CITY IN THE NEW SOCIETY. (TOP) Former Pasay City Mayor Pablo Cuneta was the longest-serving mayor of the city. (BOTTOM) During Martial Law, important structures were built in Pasay, including the PICC. Photos courtesy of Pasay City PIO

History of Pasay

asay

p e op l e power and tatay duay The people of Pasay joined in fighting for true democracy. Bal’Oro mentioned of multitudes of Pasayeños walking from Pasay to the camps in San Juan—gathering and encouraging everyone they meet to join them. They also created propaganda materials. And leading these brave souls was a man of great courage and honor—Eduardo “Duay” Calixto. That was the historic EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. President Marcos was eventually ousted, and President Corazon Aquino took over.

President Corazon Aquino appointed Eduardo “Duay” Calixto as OIC-Mayor of Pasay City and though he only had 22 months to care for the city, his exploits as a public servant were remarkable.

His projects included the acquisition of the 52 Hectares Reclamation Area, the cleaning up of Taft avenue and Libertad Street, the legalization of tricycles, payment of teacher’s COLA, 10 percent salary increase of city hall employees, drug abuse rehabilitation center, improvement of city streets, Pasay Manpower Development Center, and the creation of the City Committee on Good Government. He was also known as an honest Godfearing man who followed the law and fought those who go against it.

In 1989, Pablo Cuneta regained the mayoralty seat. And in the early 90’s, important structures were built such as the World Trade Center and the Star City Amusement Park.

In 1998, Pasay City voted a new mayor in the person of Dr. Jovito Claudio and by the turn of the millennium, Pasay elected a new mayor named Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad, a lawyer.

In 2010, Pasay elected the son of Mayor Duay, Antonino “Tony” Calixto as city mayor and due to good track record, he continues to gain his people’s trust up to the present after he was reelected to a second term in 2013.

The old Pasay City Hall before being gutted by fire in 1972.

Through centuries of change and challenges, Pasay is perched in a pedestal of glory and invariably an envy to other cities. From a thriving kingdom, to a relaxing countryside, to an American military base — Pasay City today is a world-class Travel City that welcomes all with a positive atmosphere that could fill every visitor with fun and excitement.

As for Pasay’s people, their persistence and success prove that the blood of their valiant ancestors runs through their veins. And they do not rest on their laurels. They continue to work together for the unceasing success of their city that will always be fit for the descendants of a royalty.

Hail Pasay City! The city of royalty, a city enveloped with a colorful history, a city of heroes, a city of achievements, a city of gaiety and dreams, a gateway to fun and progress, arts and culture renaissance. Your city, my city, our city!

Pasay City today is a world-class Travel City that welcomes all with a positive atmosphere that could fill every visitor with fun and excitement

The new Pasay City Hall located at F.B. Harrison St.

The present Pasay City Hall--renovated to a more colorful rendition

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My Memo

l o c a l HEROES , EMINEN T SONS , D A UGH T ERS A ND RESIDEN T S OF P A S A Y

P

asay is a land of heroes like its neighboring areas. During the Spanish colonization, sons and daughters of Pasay were among those who joined the Katipunan and checked the abuses of the colonizers and eventually fought the Spaniards during the revolution.

It is the spirit of heroism of its brave and illustrious sons and daughters that made the once sleepy settlement a city and a force to reckon with in the country today.

Every time you touch down by plane today, one can see the Villamor Air Base, the former Nichols Air Field, which evokes the bravery and courage of a Filipino pilot during the war.

Although only three former Philippine Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña and Elpidio Quirino - made Pasay their home, the other Presidents simply could not miss Pasay as they go on foreign and even domestic trips with the airport in the city as their jump off point.

Having produced two Philippine Senators – Eddie Ilarde and Freddie Webb – Pasay is now home of the Philippine Senate where history is made.

local HEROES OF PASAY Cornelio Pineda (1700’s)

An influential Spaniard from Singalong (then a part of Pasay), Don Cornelio Pineda intervened for the people of Pasay to secure their safety against the rising banditry. He asked the Spanish government to place Cuadrilleros (local policemen), Tanoria (village watchmen), and Guardia Civiles (Spanish force that maintains peace and order) around the town of Pasay.

Because of this assistance, the people of Pasay changed the name of their town into “Pineda.”

Pascual Villanueva, Jacinto Ignacio and Valentin Esguerra (1896 Revolution) These three heroes formed a Katipunan council in Tabing-ilog (now San Roque), which they called Balangay Kaliwanagan ng Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan.

Pascual Villanueva was an agente especial (secret agent) while Esguerra and Ignacio were part of the supreme council in KKK Kalookan DoÑa Marcela Marcelo (1896 Revolution) Born in Malibay, Pasay in 1869, Marcela Marcelo was one of the leaders of the revolution. She was also called “Selang Bagsik” (Ferocious Sela) or Generala Sela (General Sela). Even if she was just armed with a bolo, her bravery made the enemies fear her.

Dona Marcela Marcelo died in the Battle of Pasong Santol, Cavite in 1897. She led this siege and the platoon succeeded in acquiring the enemies’ trenches. A certain Martin F. Vinago wrote in 1928 that she was killed by a bullet fired on her head while she was giving orders to her platoon.

Maximo Gregorio (1896 Revolution)

Pasay continues to write history as it attracts prominent personalities from various parts of the country and around the world through the skyscrapers, hotels, entertainment facilities and other tourism centers that have mushroomed in the city.

Some of the country’s wealthiest Filipinos have made their mark in Pasay City like Lucio Tan of the Philippine National Bank, Henry Sy Sr. of SM Mall of Asia, Andrew Tan of Resorts World and New Port City, Ramon Ang of Philippine Airlines and John Gokongwei of Cebu Pacific.

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They reported on the developments of war and they delivered inspiring messages to the fighters. Carlos was captured and executed by the Japanese at the age of 18 years old.

Other Pasayenos who suffered the same fate as Malonzo were Dr. Geronimo Llamas, Dr. Remigio Bautista, Venancio Aznar, Feliz Collantes, Franco Vera Reyes, Marcelo Protacio, and Marcos Protacio ( a member of the municipal council) who were all killed on suspicion that they were involved in the guerilla movement.

Manuel C. Colayco (World War II)

Despite his success as a lawyer and academician—a professor in the University of Santo Tomas and head of the Philippine delegation to the International Eucharistic Congress that was convened in Budapest— Manuel C. Colayco enlisted in the Philippine Army on the onset of the Pacific War. He fought in the historic battle in Bataan, survived the Death March and outlived the concentration camps of Tarlac.

After being released by the Japanese in Tarlac, he reestablished the Allied Intelligence Bureau in October 1942, and was chief of its 7th Manila Unit. He also formed an underground newspaper called Freedom.

When Manila was liberated in 1945, he volunteered to lead a group of American and Filipino soldiers out of a heavily guarded University of Santo Tomas. However, during this escape, a bomb exploded, causing his death.

Jose P. Maibag, Florentino V. Gonzales, and Candido Castro (World War II) Born and raised in Pasay, Jose P. Maibag, USAFFE soldier Florentino V. Gonzales, and Philippine Scout Candido Castro formed the Straughn’s Fil-Am Pasay South Guerilla Unit. Jose P. Maibag also spreaheaded the formation of an underground network for the resistance.

Francisco “Frank” Cedula (World War II)

Born on November 18, 1856 in Pasay, Morong, Maximo Gregorio was drafted into the Spanish colonial army at a young age. He was sent to Mindanao to fight the Muslim rebels.

Frank was born in Pasay on January 7, 1923. On December 26, 1941, Frank fought the Battle of Piis—a battle that bought time for Gen. McArthur and his comrades to assemble in Bataan—and he was the lone survivor.

Later, he would help liberate American soldiers during the war.

But when he returned to Manila, he joined the Katipunan in 1892.

He organized two chapters of the Katipunan in Cavite namely Balangay No. 1 named Marikit (Bright) in Barrio San Antonio, and Balangay No. 2 called Lintik (Lightning) in Barrio San Rafael.

Frank was the Filipino Veterans Legion National Commander for almost three decades where he helped his fellow war veterans receive their promised benefits.

Carlos Malonzo (World War II) A young man from Barrio San Roque named Carlos Malonzo formed a broadcasting station together with 14 companions and they called it The Voice of Juan dela Cruz. The Voice of Juan dela Cruz aired the Philippine and American National Anthems.

Lt. Col. Juan S. Salcedo (World War II) Lt. Col. Juan S. Salcedo, born in Pasay in 1904, landed with Gen. Douglas MacArthur and President Sergio Osmena on the shores of Leyte on October 20, 1944. Salcedo would later distinguish himself as a national scientist.

ories of Pasay DIS T INGUISHED RESIDEN T S OF P A S A Y

P

asay has been a home to the country’s wealthiest and national leaders. The once fashionable Roberts Street with President Quezon as premier resident was also home to Lopa and Oppen families.

The house of J.P. Heilbronn, founder of the leading paper company and the Philippine Amercian Drug Company still exists until today. Other prominent residents at Roberts Street included realtor and insurance magnate Vicente Arias, Andres Soriano of San Miguel Brewery, Dee C. Chuan of Chinabank.

Other prominent businessmen who resided in Pasay were Equitable Banking Corporation’s Go Kim Pah, Meralco’s James C. Rockwell, finance wizard Placido Mapa, Philippines’ first architect and founder of Mapua Institute of Technology Tomas Mapua, and sugar tycoons and brothers Juan and Julio Ledesma.

Manuel L. Quezon

Sergio S. Osmeña

The President of the Philippine Commonwealth (1935 to 1944) chose a beachside property in Pasay to be his home.

During the PhilippineAmerican War, he joined the resistance and fought for the Philippines. Quezon is known as the “Father of Filipino Language” for establishing Filipino as a national language. During his presidency, he also tackled issues of landless countryside peasants, the reorganization of the government, reorganization of the country’s military defense, and development of Mindanao. Aside from his milestone achievements, Quezon is also known as an incorruptible leader who strongly opposed nepotism in the government.

Elpidio R. Quirino

Taking over the presidency after the untimely death of President Manuel Roxas and winning the next election, Elpidio Quirino served as the Philippine President from 1948-1953. His presidency was disturbed by the insurgence of the Hukbalahaps but he continued on making remarkable policies on land, economy, and social reforms that were aimed at alleviating the lives of the unfortunate masses.

Sergio Osmena is a Chinese-Filipino politician businessman who served as the 4th Philippine President (1944-1946). He was the dependable Vice President of Manuel L. Quezon and he assumed presidency after the former’s death in 1944.

Among his impressive policies during his presidency was the reinstatement of the Philippine Commonwealth, reorganizing the government into different Cabinets to face the various struggles of the nation, creating the office of Foreign Relations, participation of the Philippines in the United Nations and International Banking, and the Bell Trade Act.

SONS A ND D A UGH T ERS OF P A S A Y Anita Linda

Dominga Custodio The Christianized daughter of Princess Pasay and Prince Maytubig, Doña Dominga “Ingga” Custodio is known as the original landowner of Pasay. Some oral accounts say that she donated her lands to the Augustinian Friars while some say that as a devotee of Sta. Clara, she requested for the nuns of Sta. Clara to light a candle for her everyday, hold a mass every feast day in exchange for five cuartos (equivalent to 25 centavos today) from each of her tenants.

Sharon Cuneta Daughter of Pasay Mayor Pablo Cuneta, Sharon Cuneta is a timeless figure in Philippine Entertainment. Also known as the MegaStar, Sharon Cuneta started her career in singing at the age of 12 with the hit song Mr. DJ. She later on starred in 53 movies, 10 TV shows and released 10 recording albums. Aside from her chart-topping songs, Sharon’s movies were also blockbuster hits.

Eliseo Soriano More popularly known as Brother Eli, Eliseo Soriano is a television evangelist who is also the Presiding Minister of the Members Church of God International (Ang Dating Daan).

Born in 1924, Alice Lake (Screen name: Anita Linda) is an awardwinning film actress. In her younger years, Anita played female lead roles for romantic films and she continues to grace both TV and the big screen in various elderly roles.

Mina Gabor She served as Secretary of the Department of Tourism from 1996– 1998. She successfully marketed the Philippines as a destination, thereby achieving record tourist arrivals of more than two (2) million for the first time in 1996 and surpassing the target of 2.2 million tourism arrivals in 1997.

Ms. Gabor is a writer, designer, broadcast journalist, painter, lecturer, tough negotiator, product merchandiser, everyone’s mother and best of all she is a Filipina.

Eddie Ilarde Pasay was once called Rizal City and one of its councilors, Edgar or Eddie Ilarde, became congressman of the town and nearby towns of Rizal province belonging to the first district.

From councilor and congressman, Eddie Ilarde, then a popular radio-television personality, was catapulted to the Philippine Senate and served for one term and as an Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa.

Freddie Webb Freddie N. Webb is a former senator, former congressman, former basketball player coach and councilor of Pasay.

Records of the Pasay City Council noted that Webb was the most productive alderman during his time having authored several ordinances and resolutions.He is currently involved in television, movies and radio.

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My Memo A LFRED G . G A BO T

My Memories of Pasay

(A former President of the National Press Club, the writer lived in Pasay for many years and saw the city’s transformation to what it is today. He covered Pasay City as a young suburban reporter and learned the ropes in journalism from newsmen from Pasay like Pat Gonzales, Lito Catapusan, Sonny Patinio and Nap Dineros, among others).

I

magine many children, boys and girls, wading in the sea, taunting each other as the blue waves slap the shore.

Nearby, their parents start to grill the barbecue and fish, some of them just freshly caught in the waters.

And there are newly-picked Manila clams and shells to add up to the breakfast.

In other spots, some teeners and adults spread their “banig” and sit or lie down, exchange stories, play “sungka” or other games and watch the swimmers or the oncoming boats with colorful sail as the sun starts to rise.

In another big flat bed of the shore, some boys play softball – the popular game during those times - in an improvised diamond field. Overhead, planes coming from the Pasay airport and the Nichols Air Base fly by, fascinating further the young and innocent children.

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No, that’s not Boracay or El Nido beach.

That’s the Pasay and Manila waters that we knew and used to love, especially on weekends, as a youth growing up in the city. Along Roxas Boulevard, from the boundary of Manila to the boundary of Paranaque, it was all water, still clean up to the ‘60s, and the favorite spot for swimmers and beach picnic was the spot where the Cultural Center of the Philippines up to Philtrade area are now standing.

I lived for a couple of years in my uncle’s house on Humildad Street and in my aunt’s house on Maginhawa Street near the Pasay-Manila boundary and since we are walking distance to the Pasay-Manila beach, after studies and practicing with my aunt’s Underwood or my cousin’s Remington typewriters, we take a dip in the beach and relax or we peep at

the games at the nearby Rizal Baseball Stadium. Those days, Vito Cruz Street (now Pablo Ocampo Street) was an Embassy row and the imposing edifices that housed the Russian, Vietnam and China embassies, among others, were architectural gems. In front of the embassies and the Rizal Track and Field Stadium, though was a vast tract of land of cogon grasses and a few trees.

Walking along the Pasay beach towards the south, one can easily see a towering obelisk, maybe 30-meters high, at the boundary with Paranaque. It was an imposing welcome sign, especially to those coming from the Pasay airport, foreign and domestic tourists. It was also a veritable sign of how Pasay had sharply progressed over the years – and as a gateway to the Philippines.

ories of Pasay At that time, it was a very useful guide for incoming boats and ships and for people who lost their way around the city. Unknown to many, especially me during my youth, that unique towering landmark was a work of Juan Nakpil who also designed the quake-free building of the National Press Club which I headed later as president in 1998. Since Nakpil later became the country’s National Artist in architecture, the obelisk should have been preserved as a historical heritage.

On Taft Avenue, which is parallel to Roxas boulevard, another landmark for which Pasay would always be remembered is the Pasay Rotunda.

People riding the cute Ace jeeps (the fare was 5 to 10 centavos only then), the small version of today’s outsized passenger jeepneys, and the ubiquitous red wooden JD and MD buses, would always gaze at the sparkling fountain in the middle of the rotunda which, to a boy like me, seemed to spout and sprinkle water endlessly.

On the other side of the Pasay waters along Roxas Boulevard are lined up some old houses, at least three of them were residences of Philippine Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmena and Elpidio Quirino, and the residential compound for Americans stationed in Manila. There were medium-rise buildings and nightclubs like old Roman-style Romulos.

Up to the ‘70s, this side of the boulevard was the major point for high living and decent entertainment where the high and mighty in Philippine politics, business and society converge for fun and relaxation.

Here, they drink, eat and dance the cha-cha, rumba and tango with the accompaniment of live full bands and singers.

A favorite entertainer whom I saw and who always performed there then was the voluptuous singer-actress Carmen Soriano, Carmen Patena and Diomedes Maturan. The area was also the beehive of showbiz people. Every time top stars romped off with awards or hit the box office, their producers treated them, with the showbiz reporters and columnists in tow. They were treated in Romulos and other places there.

Walking along the Pasay beach towards the south, one can easily see a towering obelisk, maybe 30-meters high, at the boundary with Paranaque. It was a veritable sign of how Pasay had sharply progressed over the years – and as a gateway to the Philippines.

GLIMPSES OF PASAY’S PAST. (ABOVE) The 30-meter obelisk designed by Nationalk Artist Juan Nakpil is a monument of Pasay’s progress. (LEFT) An advertisement from JD Transit, showing its different routes

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My Memo So well loved was Cuneta by the residents that he served as mayor for more than 40 years, quitting only when he was bed-ridden. How could they not love this man who was very approachable, went to his office regularly and went out of his way to see the different areas if necessary.

On several occasions when I was just starting as a reporter, I was able to join Fernando Poe Jr., Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor, and Vilma Santos, among others, in their parties there. Later, I covered Estrada when he became mayor of San Juan. One thing I would never forget in those parties with cinema icons was the occasion when I asked Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, then unassuming but already popular, for a dance. It was a sweet dance, and they both obliged one after the other. I remember that on at least three occasions, I was able to dance with the two stars. Fellow reporter Joseph Lariosa, who is a better dancer, also did score on the dance floor with the two top actresses.

Looking back at those happy memories, Roxas Boulevard in Pasay was, indeed, a city of gaiety and entertainment by itself. And clean fun.

DIFFERENT PRESIDENTS, ONE MAYOR. (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) A snapshot of former Mayor Pablo Cuneta with President Ramon Magsaysay; (BOTTOM) President Quirino signs former Mayor Cuneta’s appointment papers

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As I progressed in my coverage of Pasay, I came face to face with the man whose name has become synonymous to Pasay – Pablo Cuneta, the “kutsero” or rig driver who fascinated his passengers as they cruise the narrow streets of Pasay and who eventually catapulted him to the mayorship of the town. So well loved was Cuneta by the residents that he served as mayor for more than 40 years, quitting only when he was bed-ridden. How could they not love this man who was very approachable, went to his office regularly and went out of his way to see the different areas if necessary.

Mayor Cuneta was still holding office at the old Pasay City Hall when I first met him. In the same two-storey building was the City Fiscal’s Office then headed by Jose Flaminiano, a top criminal lawyer, with two clerks who eventually became city fiscals and another as Deputy Ombudsman.

The Pasay City Police Department was housed in an imposing building near Baclaran at that time and Paquito Villa, who later became City Fiscal, was the chief of police.

ories of Pasay Of course, the City Council was also housed in the old City Hall from whose records I learned that Pasay was once called Rizal City and one of its councilors, Edgar or Eddie Ilarde, became congressman of the town and nearby towns of Rizal province belonging to the first district. From councilor and congressman, Eddie Ilarde, then a popular radiotelevision personality, was catapulted to the Philippine Senate and served for one term.

Another former Pasay councilor, Freddie Webb, whom I covered in the City Council, also became Senator and congressman.

Records of the City Council would bear me when I state that Councilor Webb was the most productive alderman during his time having authored several ordinances and resolutions. Still another councilor of consequence was the soft-spoken Eduardo Calixto, the father of the incumbent mayor, who rose to become Vice Mayor and then Mayor himself of Pasay.

When Cuneta and other city officials realized that the old City Hall was already small for its burgeoning business, the mayor constructed its imposing new City Hall and the nearby Cuneta Astrodome for sports and big events of the city.

The old City Hall then was converted into what is now known as the Pasay City General Hospital. I am not sure if it was

Mayor Cuneta who started the conversion of old city or town halls into hospitals or maybe the old Dr. Filemon Aguilar, also a long-time mayor of Las Piñas, who was followed by Dr. Florencio Bernabe, both of whom I also covered in flesh when many parts of their towns were still saltbeds, farmlands and cogon lands.

I was still a suburban reporter when Mayor Cuneta moved to the new Pasay City Hall. I think it was also the time when he moved from his old house on Cuneta Avenue to a more modern house in Dasmariñas Village.

Even while he had moved to a bigger mansion in the exclusive village, this new home was still open to his friends in media, especially when there is something to celebrate. On various occasions, Elaine Cuneta was there to entertain us and the growing child who eventually rose to become a megastar and top singer Sharon Cuneta.

Mayor Pablo Cuneta in a posperity photo on July 21, 1950.

As early as in my boyhood, Pasay beckoned with its waters, which was then our big swimming pool and fishing ground. And some “calesas” which were still plying minor streets just like in the rough roads of my hometown.

To this day, Pasay continues to enchant us as it grows by leaps and bounds and position itself as the Travel City of the Philippines under Mayor Antonino Calixto. But for us who know its colorful history, the tales about Pasay and its people will never end.

Carratela de Pasay. An oil painting of the carratela which is a horsedown carriage used as a mode of transportation in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Eugenio Lopez Museum.

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Timeline 1470 Lakan Tagkan was chosen to succeed King Balagtas.

1175 Pasay was part of the Kingdom of Namayan that bound small separate villages into a vast dominion that stretched from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.

1300 Lady Sasaban of the Kingdom of Namayan was married to Prince Soledan, heir to the Madjapahit Empire. When Emperor Soledan ascended the throne, Empress Sasaban sat by his side as he ruled over a vast archipelago now known as Indonesia

Precolonial period 1335 Prince Balagtas, son of the Imperial Soledan couple, arrived in Namayan. He got a local bride named Lady Banginoan, daughter of Lord Lontok and his wife Princess Kalangitan of the State of Pasig • King Balagtas envisioned and tried to fuse his kingdom and the super-barangays governed by his the Pampango relations into one empire but failed to firm up the social coalition due to the reservations of his royal kin.

• With King Balagtas at the helm, the Tagalog– Pampango dynasties were born notably the Soliman, Gatdula, Gatbonton, Gatchalian, Gatmaitan and the Lakandola families.

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• Lakan Tagkan had five children by his wife Buwan and a child named Pasay by a woman slave from Borneo to whom he left all the land within the present sites of Bangkal, Malibay, Pasay and Baclaran.

EARLY 1500s Rajah Soliman went to Sumatra and married a Sumatran Princess after the former’s successful conquest of the Sultan of Borneo.

• Rajah Soliman and the Sumatran Princess had two children: Princess Pasay and Prince Duwaboy.

• Raja Soliman bequeathed his daughter Princess Pasay with vast tract of lands.

1175-1500

Late 1500s The Spaniards enacted a law that allowed them to give lands to deserving Spaniards as encomiendas (rewards) for serving the crown of Spain • Spaniards charge tenant fees to the inhabitants of Pasay • Pasay inhabitants start selling their lands to pay for the fees • Dominga Custodio, daughter of Dayangdayang (Princess) Pasay and Prince Maytubig, turned over her vast estate to the Augustinians on her deathbed. She was converted to Catholic faith and nicknamed “Ingga” and lived in Barrio Balite, now called Dominga Street.

Spanish occupation

MID 1500s Dayangdayang Pasay wed the handsome warrior Maytubig, and chose an idyllic setting called Balite for their residence.

• Dominga Custodio, the Christianized daughter of Princess Pasay and Prince Maytubig, was born

1600–1700

1617 The first recorded sale of land in Pasay made by Don Agustin Sungab of Dongalo (then a part of Pasay).

1727 The Augustinians took over Pasay and placed it under the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios parish of Malate.

1571 Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came to Manila 1574 Limahong invaded Manila through landing on the beaches of Pasay and Paranaque

1700 The Spaniards/ Augustinian Order owned almost all lands of Pasay

1677 Don Fernando de Valenzuela, Marquiz de San Bartolome de Pinales, and de Villaseirra (First Minister of King Carlos) visited the Augustinian country house in Pasay and lived there for a decade.

Timeline

1745 Agrarian rebellion 1750 Banditry started to spread in Pasay

1863 (December 2) Pasay City was officially recognized as a pueblo (a Spanish equivalent of a town) upon the recommendation of then Archbishop Gregorio Martinez of Sta. Cruz.

1897 (March) Revolutionary leader Dona Marcela Marcelo—a resident of Pasay—was killed in battle.

Spanish occupation

1898 Pasay residents sent a petition to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, requesting the cancellation of annual fees that they pay to the Augustinians.

1898 (September 29) Pasay residents sent a petition to Don Augustin Montilla (Augustinian estate administrator), claiming that a native named Dona Ingga owned the hacienda.

1700–1898

American period

1899 (February 4) The onset of the Filipino-American War. 1899 (November) Camp Dewey was expanded (reaching to the current location of the Philippine General Hospital)

1898–1940

Historical Milestones Historical Milestones 1865 Pasay’s name was changed to Pineda in honor of Don Cornelio Pineda

1900 The Old Reclamation Area (land area between Roxas Blvd. and Taft Ave.) started to be populated.

1901 The town’s name was changed from “Pineda” to “Pasay.” From being under Manila, it was incorporated into the province of Rizal.

1762 The British attacked Manila through landing on the beaches of Pasay and Paranaque

1892 Pascual Villanueva, Jacinto Ignacio, and Valentin Esguerra formed a Katipunan Council in Tabing-Ilog (now San Roque), which was called Balangay Kaliwanagan ng Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan 1896 The 1896 Revolution broke out.

1898 (April) The Americans won over the Spaniards in the Battle of Manila Bay. The Americans encamped in Pasay and called it Camp Dewey

1898 (June 12) The Philippines declared its independence under the leadership of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo

1902 The first documented Cenaculo performance in Malibay, Pasay

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Timeline 1909 (November 27) The Manila Polo Club, owned by Governor General William Cameron Forbes, was established in Calle Real in Pasay.

1903 The Roosevelt administration bought back from Vatican four hundred ten thousand acres of land with approximately sixty thousand tenants for US$7,239,000.

• Manuel L. Quezon, the rising politician, became a Resident Commissioner (a vote less delegate in the U.S. Congress) where he served for eight years.

American period 1904 Americans passed the Friar Lands Act and the Augustinian Order sold their lands in Pasay to the American Warner Barnes and Company.

This company sold the lands back to Filipinos for as low as P2.00/sqm.

1916 U.S. Congress passed the Jones Act thet eventually provided the country with autonomous government and the Philippine legislature, the Senate and House, totally native.

• Manuel L. Quezon returned home to Pasay with the Jones Act as his trophy. He ran for the first truly national election in the same year and won as Senator and eventually became Senate President while Sergio Osmena became Speaker of the House.

1930’s The Nichol’s Airfield (now Villamor Airbase) was built.

1900–1940

1910 Pasay became known as “a town of beautiful and clean surroundings.”

1934 (March) The Tydings-Mcduffie Act was passed and made the Philippines as a commonwealth of autonomous nature with National Independence promised in 1946.

1935 (September 17) Quezon and Osmena were elected President and Vice President respectively.

1908 Pasay was linked to Intramuros, Escolta, San Miguel, San Sebastian and San Juan through the tranvia of the Manila Electric Railroad Company

1905 Calle Real (now M.H. del Pilar) was extended to Pasay (Pasay’s side now called F.B. Harrison)

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1920 The First Barrio School in Pasay was opened

1913 Francis Burton Harrison of New York became Governor-General • Governor General F.B. Harrison turned out to be the most benevolent of all men sent to the Philippine Islands. Eventually, Filipinos were given the majority in the Upper Chamber.

1914 Pasay entered the aviation age with Cora Wong, a nurse at the Chinese General Hospital, becoming the first woman passenger on a flight with Tom Gunn in a Curtiss seaplane off Pasay Beach.

1918 Manuel L. Quezon built a home on a 3,750 square lot on No. 235 Robert Street in Pasay where he lived with wife Aurora Aragon and their four children.

1935 (November 15) Quezon was sworn in as President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines administered by Chief Justice Ramon Avancena witnessed by thousands of Filipinos, including Pasay Mayor Moises San Juan.

Timeline

1941 (December 8) Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor (December 10) President Quezon called for Council of State Meeting at his other residence in Marikina.

(December 26) Gen. Douglas MacArthur declared Manila and its surrounding districts an “Open City” to save them from further destruction.

1945 (February-March) The Japanese destroyed properties and took many lives of Pasay residents

1944 (October 20) The Americans returned and landed on Leyte shores.

Wa rtime

• Manuel Colayco, a native born Pasayeno, was killed in a rescue operations for Filipino American prisoners at the compound of the University of Santo Tomas.

He earlier organized the Allied Intelligence Bureau in October 1942, became Chief of its 7th Manila Unit and also published an underground paper, Freedom.

1940–1945

1946 (April 23) Manuel A. Roxas was elected President of the Republic of the Philippines defeating President Sergio Osmena.

1950 Start of the development of the Airport Area

(July 4) The Philippines was granted independence by the Americans.

Third Republic

1955 Pablo Cuneta was elected as Mayor of Pasay

1945–1955

Historical Milestones 1950 (May 3) President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 437 renaming Rizal City into its original name “Pasay City” authored by Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez Sr.

1942 (January 2) The Japanese forces occupied Manila

• Jose P. Maibag of Pasay, USAFFE soldier Florentino V. Gonzales, and Candido Castro of the Philippine Scouts formed the Straughns’s FilAm Pasay South Guerilla Unit • Carlos Malonzo of Barrio San Roque and 14 others formed a mobile broadcasting station called The Voice of Juan dela Cruz

1945 (February 27) Gen. Douglas MacArthur turned over the reins of Government to Sergio Osmena who landed with the American general on the shores of Leyte on October 20, 1944 along with Lt. Col. Juan S. Salcedo, born in Pasay in 1904, and who would later distinguish himself as a national scientist.

1946 Rufino Mateo was appointed as mayor of Pasay

1947 (June 21) President Manuel Roxas signed a law that declared and renamed Pasay as “Rizal City” authored by Congressman Ignacio Santos Diaz.

1950 Start of the development of the New Coastal Reclamation Area (from Roxas Boulevard to present Manila Bay coast)

Historical Milestones

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Timeline 1967 Jovito Claudio was elected as Mayor of Pasay

Third Republic

1972 (September 21) President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law all over the Philippines.

1967-1971

1969 The Cultural Center of the Philippines was constructed

1986 (February 7) President Ferdinand E. Marcos is pitted against Ninoy Aquino’s widow Corazon C. Aquino in snap presidential elections.

New Society

1974 The Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas (Folk Arts Theater) was inaugurated. On the same year, the Miss Universe Pageant was staged there.

1983 (August 21) Opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. was gunned down at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.

1972-1986

1986 (February 25) Corazon Aquino was installed as President of the Philippines.

1981 The Coconut Palace was constructed to host the visit of Pope John Paul II on the same year.

1986 Eduardo “Duay” Calixto was appointed as Officerin-Charge (OIC) Mayor of Pasay City

After People Power

1989 Pablo Cuneta was again elected Mayor of Pasay City

M Timeline

1986 (February 22-25) EDSA People Power Revolution led by Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos.

1971 Pablo Cuneta won again as Mayor of Pasay

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1982 Construction of the Manila Film Center was finished. The First Manila International Film Festival was held there on the same year.

1992 Fidel V. Ramos was elected Philippine President while Mayor Cuneta was re-elected in 1992 and 1995 elections.

• Mayor Cuneta was re-elected in 1992 and 1995 elections.

REvolution

2001 President Joseph Ejercito Estrada stepped down as President.

2000 Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad was elected Mayor of Pasay • Mayor Pablo Cuneta, the longest serving city mayor, passed away at the age of 90

• Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took over as President following a Second People Power Revolution in Janaury 2001.

2004 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won over Philippine movie king Fernando Poe Jr. in a fraud-marred presidential elections.

• Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad was re-elected Mayor of Pasay

1986-2000

2010 President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III was elected Philippine President in the first-ever automated elections in the Philippines.

• Antonino “Tony” Calixto was elected Mayor of Pasay

Present

2011 Former OIC Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto passed away

2000-2013

Historical Milestones Historical Milestones 2008 The NAIA 3 Airport was opened

1990 The World Trade Center was constructed

1998 NAIA Terminal 2 was completed. It was nicknamed the Centennial Terminal as its completion coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain.

2002 The Aliw Theater was inaugurated

2006 The SM Mall of Asia was opened

2009 Resorts World Manila was inaugurated

• Joseph Ejercito Estrada was elected as 13th Philippine President • Jovito Claudio was elected Mayor of Pasay

1991 The Star City theme park was constructed

2007 The SMX Convention Center was opened

• Former Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino passed away

2013 Antonino “Tony” Calixto was re-elected as Mayor of Pasay • Pasay City celebrates 150 years

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History of Pa Tribute to Pasay Mayors H

istory is replete with the stories of great leaders whose lives become an intrinsinc link to the present generation. All together, these leaders served in accordance to the call of the times and they left their own niche or brand of leadership to serve as building blocks for their beloved place, be it a nation, province, city or town.

To paraphrase one historian, whatever good things we build end up building us. Simply put, the leaders’ past was their present and their respective tenure of service served as important building blocks, constructed during their time, to prepare the next and future leaders.

Here in Pasay City, about 88 leaders have invariably served as chief executive from 1811 during the Spanish regime up to the present time under incumbent Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto.

The first recorded Alcalde, or mayor, of Pasay was Juan de Jesus. Imported straight from Spain and Mexico, alcaldes were appointed by the government of Spain to serve judicial and administrative functions. Pasay changed its alcaldes every year from 1811-1826.

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In 1827, Pasay had its first Filipino Gobernadorcillo (little governor) named Dionisio Fernandez. Under this new form of government, the gobernadorcillo was elected by his fellow Cabeza de Barangays (native nobility or former datus) to rule a confederation of barangays that comprise a town or municipality.

The rule of gobernadorcillos was given back to the Spanish Alcaldes in 1851. Manuel Fernando was the alcalde in 1863 when Pasay was pronounced officially as a pueblo (Spanish of town).

In 1893, in an effort to make the pueblo government more effective and autonomous, the Maura Law gave the municipal rule back to the natives, calling their leaders Capitan Municipal.

After Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence in 1898, the leaders of Pasay were transformed from being subjects of the Spanish colonization to being true public servants for their people. Pascual Villanueva, one of Pasay’s revolutionary heroes, served as its first Municipal President in 1900. During the demoralizing Japanese occupation, Enrique Manaloto served as the appointed district chief.

After liberation in 1946, Pasay City had its Municipal Mayors who were appointed by the Philippine government. And in 1956, in the spirit of true democracy, the people of Pasay were allowed to vote for their leader and they chose to keep the services of then acting mayor Pablo Cuneta who would go down in history as the longest serving mayor in Pasay City.

Other than Cuneta, over the last 67 years since Pasay became a city and 57 years when it had its direct elections, only four other leaders suceeded in being directly elected nanely Jovito Claudio in 1967 and in 1998, Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad in 2001, 2004 and 2007 and the incumbent Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto who won in 2010 and reelected to a second term in 2013.

Three mayors served invariably as Officers-inCharge namely Eduardo “Duay” Calixto in 19861987 and Norman Urbina in 1987-1988, and incumbent Councilor Allan T. Panaligan in 2006 to 2007.

This chapter pays tribute to the leaders of Pasay City who have served and sacrificed their quiet personal lives in order to hold Pasay’s wheel and steer it towards the actualization of their respective visions.

asay Miguel R. Cornejo

Enrique Manaloto

Primitivo Lovina Sr.

Moises San Juan

Adolfo Santos

Pablo Cuneta

Pasay Mayors (1811-2013) Rufino Mateo

Carlos Revilla

Eduardo Calixto

Alcalde 1811 Juan de Jesus 1812 Marcelo Celeridad 1813 Gavino Vergel 1814 Domingo Cifra 1815 Bernardo de Jesus 1816 Enrique Cuneta 1817 Gavino Vergel 1818 Marcelo Celeridad 1819 Froilan Fernando 1820 Miguel Tolentino 1821 Joaquin Protacio 1822Marcos Cabrera 1823 Angel Isidro 1824 Miguel Tolentino 1825 Tomas Inocencio 1826 Andres Aragon Gobernadorcillo 1827 Dionisio Fernando 1828 Damaso Sanchez 1829 Protacio de Jesus 1830 Idefonso Sanchez 1831 Juan Vergel 1832Juan Antonio 1833 Joaquin Protacio 1834 Marcos Cabrera 1835 Dionisio Fernando 1836 Andres Aragon 1837 Flaviano Protacio 1838 Serapio Celeridad 1839 Santiago Raymundo l840 Genaro Cabrera 1841 Juan Vergel Cruz 1842 Gregorio Manapat 1843 Santiago Raymundo 1844 lgmidio Cabrera 1845 Aleiandro Ignacio 1846 Eurtropio Marrapat l847 Eutropio Manapat 1848 Gregorio Vergel Cruz 1849 Juan Escobal 1850 Francisco del Rosario

Alcalde 1851 Flaviano Protacio 1852 Tomas Aragon 1853 Teofilo Protacio 1854 Faustino Celeridad 1855 Santiago Raymundo 1856 Tomas Aragon 1857 Fortunato Vergel Cruz 1858 Telesforo Apelo Cruz 1859 Fortunato Santos 1860 Rufino Cabrera 1861 Benedicto Decena 1862 Buenaventura Cabrera 1863 Manuel Fernando 1864-65 Pedro Vergel Cruz 1866-67 Faustino Celeridad 1868-69 Abito Vergel Cruz 1870-77 Hermogenes Vito Cruz 1872-73 Fortunato Vergel Cruz 1874-75 Teodoro Aragon 1876-77 Macario Vergel 1878-79 Pedro Aragon 1880-81 Macario Vergel Cruz 1882-83 Marcelino Tolentino 1884-85 Lorenzo Protacio 1886-87 Isaac Tolentino 1888-89 Rufino Cabrera 1890 Leocadio Villa Real 1891-92 Catalino Taylo 1893 Maimo de Jesus Capitan municipal 1894 Marcelino Tolentino 1895-97 Marino Reyes 1898-99 Catalino Taylo Presidente municipal 1900-05 Pascual Villanueva 1906-08 Gregorio Villanueva 1908-10 Mauro Reyes 1910-12 Eugenio Villa-Real 1912-19 Pascual Villanueva 1919-22 Miguel R. Cornejo 1931-34 Moises San Juan

Alcalde 1934-37 Moises San Juan 1937-40 Rufino Mateo 1940-42 Moises San Juan 1942 Adolfo Santos District Chief (Appointed) 1942-45 Enrique Manaloto 1945 Alipio Pestañas Nocanor Santos Adolfo Santos appointed City Mayor 1946-50 Rufino Mateo 1950-51 Carlos Revilla 1952-54 Primitivo Lovina Sr. 1954-55 Adolfo Santos and Enrique Manaloto 1955-56 Jose Milan City Mayor 1950-53 Pablo Cuneta (acting) 1953-55 Pablo Cuneta elected city Mayor 1956-59 Pablo Cuneta 1960-63 Pablo Cuneta 1968-71 Jovito Claudio 1972-80 Pablo Cunera 1981-86 Pablo Cuneta 1986-87 Eduardo Calixto (OIC) 1987-88 Norma Urbina (OIC) 1989-91 Pablo Cuneta 1992-95 Pablo Cuneta 1995-98 Pablo Cuneta 1998-April 2000 Jovito O.Claudio 2000-01 Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad 2001-04 Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad 2004-06 Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad 2006-07 Allan T. Panaligan (OIC) 2007-10 Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad 2010-13 Antonino “Tony” Calixto 2013-16 Antonino “Tony” Calixto

source: pasay city pio

Jovito O.Claudio

Wenceslao Trinidad

Antonino Calixto

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My Memo Rufino Mateo (1946-1950)

Carlos Rivilla (1950) Carlos Rivilla was appointed mayor of Pasay by President Elpidio Quirino in 1946. Rivilla was the boss of the famous Pablo Cuneta who was the vice mayor that time.

He served as the first elected Municipal Mayor of Pasay after the turnover of the reins of the Philippine government by Gen. Douglas McArthur to then President Sergio S. Osmena.

On August 16, 1947, Mateo was inaugurated as Mayor of Rizal City.

The city was then inhabited by some 88, 738 residents.

Primitivo Lovina was also briefly

During Mateo’s leadership, the country as a whole did not start out on a bright note but there was the presence of the promised democracy. Aside from Mateo, then Pasay First District Congressman Ignacio Santos Diaz was steering the wheel for Pasay.

In 1950 or three years after, a bill was approved returning the city’s original name Pasay. President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 437 renaming Rizal City into its original name “Pasay City” authored

by Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez Sr.

He was Quirino’s close aide who

Diaz passed a bill in Congress that was signed into law (Republic Act 183) converting the town into a city named after Rizal.

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Primitivo Lovina (1950) appointed as mayor of Pasay by President Quirino.

was a native of Pasay.

His

appointment

was

later

recalled by the President and was the

appointed sensitive

Commission.

to Import

oversee Control

Prior to becoming mayor, he was the governor of the Rehabilitation Finance Corporation, today’s equivalent to the Development Bank of the Philippines. He also owned a sugar plantation and milling company in Ormoc and Negros.

The President knew that while Rivilla resided in Pasay, he was still a native of Bacolod and would have a hard time reaching out to his constituents.

Barely a year in office, Rivilla resigned.

ories of Pasay JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED FOR PASAY Jovito Claudio (1968-1971, 1998-2000)

F

rom 1967 to 1971, Dr. Jovito O. Claudio served as the eight city mayor of Pasay since it became a city on June 21, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed Republic Act No. 183 that declared and renamed Pasay as “Rizal City” authored by Congressman Ignacio Santos Diaz.

The first Rizal (Pasay) city mayor was Rufino Mateo who was inaugurated on August 16, 1947, an important date now celebrated as “Araw ng Pasay.”

It was during the incumbency of Mayor Claudio when the City of Pasay first celebrated its 21st foundation day as a city on August 16, 1968.

In statement released on August 14, 1968, Mayor Claudio said, “the celebration will be simple but commemorative of the city’s 21 years of striving to suppress the existence of vice and criminality, which branded her the name “sin city.”

President Ferdinand Marcos declared every 16th of August as “Araw ng Pasay” as a holiday to give residents an opportunity to celebrate their foundation day.

A medical doctor by profession, Claudio is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, Class 1954 and passed the medical board on the same year. He was born on June 15, 1927 in Pasay City. He was married to the former Norma Santos and the couple had a son named Joven.

Dr. Claudio first entered politics in 1959 and topped the elections among the councilors elected. Four years later, he was elected Vice Mayor of Pasay with a landslide victory.

Mayor Jovito Claudio takes his oath of office in 1967 witnessed by family members.

As vice mayor, Claudio figured in a fighting incident with alderman Dr. Nicanor Santos, an ally of Mayor Cuneta, while in session in February 1964. After a heated argument over the case of Police Lt. Arturo Magsakay who was under suspension, Claudio banged hard his gavel, which split into two with its head landing near Santos. In return, Councilor Santos allegedly grabbed a chair and hurled it to Claudio who was rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital to treat the wound on his forehead that required eight stiches.

In January 1967, Claudio defeated incumbent Mayor Pablo Cuneta in one of the most hotly contested mayoralty elections in Pasay City.

As Pasay City mayor in the late 60s, Claudio accomplished the following: beautification of Pasay districts, particularly Derham Park on Harrison and Roxas Boulevards; construction of high school buildings; cementing and asphalting of roads; settlement of city debts amounting to P13-million inherited from the previous administration; establishment of the first Social Welfare Administration branch in the city; a city library; establishment of health centers in each of the eight districts of Pasay; improvement of peace and order; and the promotion of cultural, social and sports events in the city.

One of his poignant letters to the people of Pasay came out on June 15, 1969 on the occasion of his 42nd birthday and his third year in office.

“I give thanks to the people of Pasay City for their abiding faith, their confidence and their aspiration. Faith can move mountains, it is said. Faith can move anything on this earth, I say. I take this occasion to ask you again for your understanding, wholehearted cooperation and support, patience and above all, your faith in the future of this City.

It is our city and no one else should be expected to keep it the kind of place we want our children to grow up in, except ourselves.”

In early 1971, Mayor Claudio initially contemplated not to seek reelection when he publicly announced his decision due to personal and political reasons. However, the Nacionalista Party where he belonged rejected his decision not to seek reelection on account of his performance and integrity as a public servant. He eventually lost to comebacking Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

After 27 years, Mayor Claudio returned to the city hall and served only for two years due to failing health whose post was taken over by then Vice Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad in a recall election.

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LONGEST SERVING CITY MAYOR P a b l o C u n e ta ( 1 9 5 0 - 1 9 9 8 )

K

nown as the longest-serving mayor in Philippine history who served Pasay City for 41 years, Pablo Cuneta started his political career when he served as deputy governor of Rizal from 1947 to 1949.

Prior to becoming Mayor, Cuneta was a barber and a rig driver. During his younger years, he was also a basketball and softball player.

In 1951, he was appointed as Pasay City Mayor and in 1955 Cuneta ran against one-time Mayor Adolfo Santos and became the city’s first elected mayor.

He ran again for mayoral post and was elected in 1959 and 1963 elections.

However, in 1967 he was defeated by Dr. Jovito Claudio. He bounced back in the Pasay political arena in the 1971 elections, and was re-elected as mayor in 1980.

During the Martial Law era, Cuneta created 487 barangays in Pasay which were eventually trimmed down to 200 barangays.

He stepped down when the revolutionary government of President Corazon C. Aquino was swept into power in the 1986 People Power EDSA Revolution. In 1988, Cuneta used his own brand of “People Power in Pasay” and regained his old seat in the local elections. He got himself re-elected in two successions, in the 1992 and 1995 elections.

He is the only mayor in the history to have served under seven different Philippine Presidents from Elpidio Quirino to Fidel V. Ramos.

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Cuneta’s administration was largely credited for the construction of the new Pasay City Hall at F.B. Harrison Street, the Maricaban Settlement, the Pasay City General Hospital, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay, the Hall of Justice, health centers, parks, police stations, schools and the Cuneta Astrodome named in honor of his grandfather Enrique who was Pasay’s presidente municipal in 1816.

The Astrodome is an indoor sporting arena and is better known during the 90s as the home of the Philippine Basketball Association. It was the venue of several basketball leagues and political and evangelical gatherings.

It was also during his long tenure as city mayor that saw the cultural and building renaissance in Pasay ably helped by former First Lady Imelda Marcos who was instrumental in the construction of landmark buildings such as the Philippine International Convention Center, Coconut Palace, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, to name a few.

Mayor Cuneta signs his oath of office on December 31, 1995.

Mayor Cuneta with President Carlos P. Garcia, greets U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower on his arrival in 1951.

Mayor Cuneta takes his oath before President Elpidio Quirino.

Endearingly called “Tatay” by many Pasayenos, Pablo Cuneta considered his becoming “mayor” as a sense of mission and calling from the Almighty. He did so for 41 years and 11 times he was appointed and elected as Pasay City Mayor.

Because of his failing health, Cuneta died after a cardiac arrest due to complications in 2000 at the age of 90.

Mayor Cuneta celebrates his victory at the polls with friends, including Sergio Osmeña, Jr. and Ignacio Santos Diaz.

Mayor Cuneta greets Flash Elorde on the champion’s arrival at the Manila International Airport

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My Memo A LAWYER-MAYOR FOR A DECADE Wenceslao B. Trinidad ( May 2 0 0 0 - J u ly 2 0 1 0 )

A

tty. Wenceslao B. Trinidad, or “Peewee” to most Pasayeños, completed his college education at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1957. He became a member of the Philippine Bar the following year.

He was an all-around athlete − a basketball player, a soccer player, and a swimmer. He was also a licensed student pilot.

He first entered local politics in 1964 when he won as Councilor. He was elected three times for the same post in Pasay City.

After serving the city council, he became the City Vice Mayor and served for three consecutive terms in 1980 to 1986, 1992-1995, and 1995 to 1998.

As a local legislator, he authored noteworthy ordinances among them were: an ordinance creating the Pasay Housing Board; an ordinance creating the Disaster Coordinating Council of the Pasay City Government and the Pasay City Traffic Code.

In the middle of 1997, Trinidad took over the reins of government from an ailing Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

In 1998, Dr. Jovito O. Claudio assumed office as Pasay City’s Chief. In April 2000, due also to the failing health of Claudio, a recall election was staged in the city that paved the way for Trinidad’s assumption to the mayoral post.

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As City Mayor, Peewee instituted reforms and instilled professionalism among city employees that led to people’s trust and confidence in his leadership.

During Trinidad’s administration, he revitalized the Pasay City General Hospital (PCGH), from a simple two-storey building on P. Burgos Street into a new building. With the aid of the Pasayeña Foundation, Inc. headed by Mayor Trinidad’s wife, the PCGH gained leverage in solving previous years’ complaints and grievances including the provision of various medical equipment donated by various organizations and personalities.

He was awarded by the Consumers’ Union of the Philippines as City Mayor for years 2000 and 2001 and was proclaimed a “Hall of Famer” after receiving the same award for five consecutive years.

The independent group of Regional Trial Courts’ Judges in Pasay City also cited him as Local Chief Executive Par Excellence.

ories of Pasay A VISION A R Y LE A DER CREDI T ED FOR P A S A Y ’ S GROW T H

E d u a r d o “ D u ay ” Ca l i x t o ( 1 9 8 6 - 1 9 8 7 )

“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?

– Robert Kennedy

T

he tremendous growth being experienced by Pasay City today is greatly attributed to the visionary and bold move of OIC Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto when the city government acquired for P2-billion the 52-hectare reclaimed land owned by Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines (CDCP) in 1987.

Looking back, it’s the single biggest achievement of Mayor Duay Calixto who envisioned converting the reclaimed area into one of the finest and largest commercial areas in Metro Manila.

He emphatically stated that the acquisition project pulled off by his administration then “will have a multiplier effect once completed.

It would create employment for the people of Pasay and additional revenue will be generated from taxes paid by businessmen.”

Bay City is the name for the reclamation area located west of Roxas Boulevard on Manila Bay in Metro Manila. The area is split between the cities of Pasay on the north side and Parañaque on the south side.

OIC Mayor Eduardo Calixto.

The plan was to reclaim 3,000 hectares of land in Manila Bay. The project was begun

by Imelda Marcos in 1977, with the creation of the Public Estates Authority to manage the project. By the end of the Marcos rule in 1986, 660 hectares had been reclaimed.

Today, one could just marvel at the great transformation of the reclaimed area now well-known as the home of the SM Mall of Asia, billed as the second largest mall in the Philippines and Entertainment City with casinos in Las Vegas-style, shopping malls, amusement parks, theaters, hotels, business offices, residential buildings and resorts.

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My Memo

The late Mayor Duay Calixto must be smiling up there as his bold move to acquire the reclaimed area during his incumbency proved advantageous. The very successful Pasay City acquisition project of the 54 hectares reclaimed area in 1987 by Mayor Duay must be the same fire, reason and inspiration that drives his son, incumbent Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto to venture into a new reclamation project, this time involving 300 hectares worth P54.5 billion.

restoration of Philippine democracy. Local historian Ben Bal’Oro mentioned of multitudes of Pasayenos walking from Pasay to the camps in San Juan— gathering and encouraging everyone they meet to join them. They also created propaganda materials. And leading these brave souls was a man of great courage and honor—Eduardo “Duay” Calixto.

In 1986, the historic EDSA People Power happened.

President Marcos was ousted, and President Corazon Aquino took over the position after having been elected by the people.

Shortly after the EDSA People Power Revolution, President Corazon C. Aquino appointed Eduardo “Duay” Calixto as Pasay City OIC Mayor. Mayor Duay Calixto embarked on a massive development and image enhancement program for Pasay from a “Sin City,” to a progressive and dynamic city.

PASAY’S CHAMP. Eduardo “Duay” Calixto was appointed as Pasay City OIC Mayor by President Corazon Aquino

EDSA 1986 HERO Back in the early 80s, Pasay City was the favorite playground of First Lady Imelda Marcos who was instrumental in developing Pasay as center of international arts and tourism during the long reign of Mayor Pablo Cuneta, Among the significant structures were the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater, the Film Center, and the Convention Center.

However, with the cold-blooded assasination of Opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at the Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983, Filipinos were awakened from a more than a decade long dictaroship under President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

While many Filipinos were trembling with fear and anger over the Marcos dictatorship, the people of Pasay joined in fighting for freedom truth, justice and

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THE PUBLIC SERVANT He was born on October 13, 1923, to parents Juan and Geralda Calixto in Pasay. He was a successful businessman, married to the former Leonora Escribe Gallardo. They were blessed with five children namely: Leticia, Yolanda, Teresita C. Robles, Antonino (now incumbent Pasay City mayor) and Imelda C. Rubiano, now serving as Pasay City Representative.

His third daughter, Teresita C. Robles had vivid memory of her father. “As young kids, the Calixto siblings already witnessed how hard-working, helpful and well-loved was our father Duay to the people of barrio San Juan who eventually elected him as barrio capitan.”

“I saw how genuine our father was in serving the people. He even reprimanded us whenever we refuse to wake him up when someone comes to the house to ask for help,” recalls Pasay City Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

(Clockwise) Mayor Duay with his wife, daughter Emi, and his grandchildren; At campaign sorties for freedom constitution in 1987.

When he assumed as OIC Mayor in 1986, Duay Calixto had 26 years of wealth of wisdom and experience as a public servant. Mayor Duay had been long associated with city politics starting as barrio captain, then later on, as twice elected councilor and once as vice mayor.

Despite his short stint as the city mayor of Pasay, his achievements in a year under the Aquino government earned him the distinction of being called one of the outstanding city mayors of Metro Manila.

Local historian Ben Bal Oro described Mayor Duay as soft-spoken, unassuming, and someone who belonged to a rare breed of leaders. Despite his power and influence, Mayor Duay’s heart was closely attached to the people whom he considered as the source of real power in a democratic society.

When he was city mayor, he pointed out “when a leader loses his touch with reality – the people he governs, he is sure to lose that power as what happened to the Marcos regime.”

ories of Pasay He quoted a line from a book “Political Theories” by Max Weber, that “men who are catapulted to power because of politics must strive in serving the masses – their welfare and their interest.”

As city executive, he adopted a “holistic program” aimed at uplifting the welfare of the people irrespective of their individual party affiliation and religious persuasion.

HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Although he only had 22 months to care for the city, his exploits as a public servant were remarkable. His projects included the acquisition of the 52 Hectare Reclamation Area, the cleaning up of Taft avenue and Libertad Street, the legalization of tricycles, payment of teacher’s COLA, 10 percent salary increase, drug abuse rehabilitation center, improvement of city streets, Pasay Manpower Development Center, and the creation of the City Committee on Good Government.

He was also known as an honest God-fearing man who followed the law and fought those who go against it.

Mayor Calixto was responsible in working for the issuance of 50 land titles and 500 certificates of lot awards to residents living at the Maricaban, Sto. Niño, F. Victor and Tramo Street. Some 400 government lots at Karangalan Village had been acquired by the city government for distribution to indigent families in addition 131 private lots transferred to the city government.

The city executive worked for the expansion of both the Pasay City Catholic and public cemeteries.

He created the Pag-asa Employment Center, which assisted some 2000 jobseekers. A manpower development center offering free vocational courses was formed during his administration.

The city mayor, strong advocate of honesty, sincerity and loyalty in the public service, formed a committee on good government composed of Pasay professionals.

The group was empowered by Mayor Duay Calixto to conduct probes on graft and corruption involving officials and employees of the city government. He also issued an order banning the hiring of his relatives at city hall, except his daughter, who served as his confidential and private secretary.

To give incentive to city employees to render better service to the public, the mayor granted a two-step salary increases retroactive to July 1986.

Mayor Duay takes his oath of office with then DILG Secretary Joey Lina.

To provide economic opportunities to his constituents, the mayor ordered the dismantling of illegally constructed and other structures at Taft Avenue and Libertad Street and transferred the stall owners to two flea markets at Philtrade compound and along Roxas Boulevard.

He also conducted a census of squatters for the purpose of determining their problems and providing them livelihood opportunities.

He also increased city revenues through intensive campaign in collection of market fees and other taxes, including massive drive in collecting taxes from delinquent taxpayers, especially owners of big real estate.

Vice Mayor Duay and Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

In his memoirs, Mayor Duay Calixto wrote: “For a life that is not dedicated to a worthy goal is a worthless one. My long time in public service dictated that there is no alternative but to accept call of duty at whatever cost by serving my beloved people of Pasay City. As we sail to the sea of the future, building a peaceful and prosperous city, let us all pray for Divine guidance that the years ahead will be better year for us all.”

He passed away on March 8, 2011 at the ripe age of 87 , less than a year after he held the bible as his beloved son, Antonino “Tony” Calixto took his oath as new Mayor of Pasay City.

Mayor Duay as the mayoralty candidate of the Laban party during the 1988 national and local elections.

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Citations an

d Aw

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ards • 1st Place as Literacy Progra“Most Outstanding Implem the Highly Ur ms” under the Local Go enter of National Department of banized City Category-NCRvernment Unit in • 2nd Place Education-Literacy Coordina” given by the Most OutstandNationwide next to Davao ting Council.

Highly Urbani ing Implementers of LiteracyCity in the “2012 Education. zed City Category given by Programs” in the the Departmen • Anti-Red Ta t of 88.75% rating pe Compliant Award for 20 on 12 by posting the Anti-Red Ta The Award wa pe Act Re Government. s given by the Department of port Card Survey.

In terior and Loca •“Most Outsta l of the Philippnding and Naturalist Local Go in ve Awards for Pu es” of the Miguel Mal rnment Official Citizens’ Crimeblic Service and Nationalisvar Achievement Watch. m given by th • City of Pasa e Readiness Read y as 2nd Place during th in Risk Reduction ess Month given by the e 3rd Disaster • Level 1 Asse Management Council (NDRNational Disaster for 2012 by thessment for the Seal of Disa RMC).

• Ranked by th Department of Interior and ster Preparedness cities nationw e Department of Finance asLocal Government.

Makati City. ide in local tax collection No. 2 among all efficiency next •Champion for to (GP) Award 20 the NCR during the “Garan tisadong Pamba 12” given by th e Department of ta Health

The Calixto

At Pa s ay ’ s H e l m

Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto SE I Z I N G T H E D A Y T O C H A N G E P A S A Y F O R T H E B ETTE R “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still.

Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

—Harry S. Truman

A

close look at Pasay City’s collection of leaders exhibits many forms of leadership traits and character. There were those who loudly soared with might and pride while there were those who quietly led the people into progressive action.

This fiery zeal may not be heard through a politician’s usual flamboyant words or fervent demeanor, but his collection of accomplishments is like a megaphone that speaks clearly and directly to the hearts and minds of Pasayeños.

Peter Drucker once said that “effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”

Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto is one visionary leader and creative innovator, someone who has been successfully expanding his people’s mindscapes in order to enlarge Pasay City’s landscape.

As Pasay City celebrates its 150th founding anniversary, at its helm is a homegrown leader who enacts his vision with immeasurable passion.

He rightly fits what John Maxwell describes as “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

In just three and a half years of being Pasay City mayor, his administration’s achievements across all areas of concern have been addressed through a combination of simple, innovative and groundbreaking solutions.

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In most of his electoral fights, he has consistently won by a landslide margin - a clear message of the people’s trust and confidence on a leader who does what must be done.

“What must be done” has always been a favorite discussion among different circles in the society—may they be groups of politicians, businessmen, or even members of the workforce. However, holding the power to spearhead positive change is a different story.

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I am happy that as all stakeholders of Pasay City work together, we’re able to accelerate the progress of our city

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Fathering millions of people with different concerns in life and looking at it in both macro and micro scales are tasks that can only be done by a sound and strong leader.

The road t owards hi s des t iny Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto did not initially plan to join politics—but destiny brought him to the highest seat of Pasay City.

Mayor Tony was born and raised in Pasay.

Born on May 10, 1954, he lived with his family in a house located in San Juan Street near F.B. Harrison.

“Before, many of the alleys of Pasay were not developed. Some were just laid with asphalt while some were not even cemented.

The streets of Pasay then were just enough for the number of people and vehicles,” recalls Mayor Tony.

It was through these streets that Mayor Tony passed on his way to Malate Catholic School, where he finished his elementary and High School education. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, Major in Marketing at the San Sebastian College in Manila, Mayor Tony took over their family business as Vice President and General Manager.

Even if he was already busy with the family business, Mayor Tony was drawn to the idea of serving the people. While he was growing up, he and his siblings witnessed the passion and commitment of their father, former Pasay City OIC Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto, in public service.

“I saw how genuine our father was in serving the people. He even reprimanded us whenever we refuse to wake him up when someone comes to the house to ask for help,” recalls Pasay City Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

Just as a good tree bears good fruits, Mayor Tony has been implementing his homegrown authenticity as a public servant.

Th e po l i t ic s of a princip l e d man The blood of being a politician naturally runs through the veins of the Calixto family.

In 1995, he heeded the call of public service and was elected with the highest votes as a Councilor of the 1st District of Pasay City.

Due to his exemplary performance, he was re-elected for his second term—again, emerging on top among other candidates.

His peers also chose him as the majority floor leader and served as chairman to the different committees.

The people’s high trust and approval on Mayor Tony could not be denied. In 2001, he ran for Vice Mayor and won by a landslide victory. This pattern went on, as he was re-elected for two more terms as Vice Mayor.

As City Vice Mayor, he served as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

In most of his electoral fights, he has consistently won by a landslide margin - a clear message of the people’s trust and confidence on a leader who does what must be done.

He was the designated action man of Pasay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) and once held the position of vice chairman of the Association of Metro Manila AntiDrug Abuse Council (AMMADAC).

He was the former PRO and member of the board of directors of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, National Capital Region.

After his consistent impressive performance, he was elected as Pasay City Mayor in the 2010 mayoralty elections.

Progress depends a lot on the government and I want to be healthy to serve at my best and produce the best outcome for this city

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From the moment he endeavored in public service, Mayor Tony’s advocacy has always been to improve the health and education of his constituents.

“When the people are physically healthy, they would also have a sound mind. They would act properly as citizens of Pasay and the city as a whole would be fine. Education, for me, is a long-term investment. You would feel its positive effect after 10 or 15 years but it’s worth it. Instead of being liabilities, they become assets of the city; and for sure, the city would prosper,” explains Mayor Tony.

And to tackle the challenges of every sector of the society, which includes infrastructure, finance, health, education, good governance, livelihood, peace and order, social welfare, and tourism, Mayor Tony has put equal priority and attention on the city’s basic services.

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Since he became mayor, the city’s economy has dramatically prospered.

Playing a big part in this success was the prosperity brought by the reclamation area in Manila Bay. Pasay added the SM Mall of Asia, SMX Convention Center, MOA Arena, Resorts World Manila and Sofitel Philippine Plaza to its portfolio of significant structures.

“The public income from the businesses in the reclamation area boosted our budget, which helped greatly in executing projects that are directed to help the people. Budget was really a problem during my father’s term and I am happy that as all stakeholders of Pasay City work together, we’re able to accelerate the progress of our city,” says Mayor Tony.

His father started cultivating the development of the reclamation area and Mayor Tony continues to play a big part in harvesting for his people and sowing more seeds of progress.

As Pasay City celebrates its 150th Founding Anniversary, Mayor Tony has written beautiful chapters in Pasay’s history. And he doesn’t plan to stop.

Today, the city government’s plans of creating another 300 hectares of reclaimed land are expected to bear more produce for the people of Pasay.

As Pasay City celebrates its 150th Founding Anniversary, Mayor Tony has written beautiful chapters in Pasay’s history. And he doesn’t plan to stop.

According to Mayor Tony, if you rate his leadership in a scale of 1-10, he’s always at 8-9. All he wishes for are cooperation from the different stakeholders and for the people to pray for his good health.

“I hope that the people of Pasay would pray for my health because good health affects sound and correct decisions. Progress depends a lot on the government and I want to

be healthy to serve at my best and produce the best outcome for this city,” says Mayor Tony.

The following pages shall discuss the impressive fruition—so far—of Mayor Tony’s incredible plans and vision for Pasay City.

From being a gateway to the rest of Metro Manila, he has been transforming the city into an outstanding Travel City—a city of world-class attractions, of infinite potentials, and of a hopeful people.

Indeed, he is one such leader who has the capacity to translate his vision into reality.

n the R

the MOA o Signing of

or program

Urban Po eaching the

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Mor e E x c e l l e n t and l if e - changing in P a s a y

Education and Literacy

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s intense as every parent’s desire to secure a brighter future for their children, Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto equally aspires to provide every Pasayeño with quality education.

Believing that education has the power to effect change in one’s life, Mayor Calixto wants to ensure that every citizen is equipped with the necessary skills and training for them to be able to positively contribute to the growth of Pasay City.

Education has always been one of the top priorities of Mayor Tony since he assumed office in 2010. It has been one of his most passionate advocacies along with the health sector.

“Education is a long-term investment. It is a mirror of every city’s progress and development. The more we invest in education, the more the city becomes prosperous through its citizens,” stresses Mayor Calixto.

Guided by his motto that “every Pasayeño can learn, succeed and lead,” Mayor Tony has implemented numerous projects and programs aimed at increasing the city’s literacy rate and providing quality education to the future generations of Pasay.

Calixto’s major thrust is to offer functional literacy to its residents in line with his vision of an educated and informed citizenry who will lead in the social and moral transformation of the city.

Improving their lives certainly translates to enabling them to live and work, developing their own potentials, making critical and informed decisions, and functioning effectively in society within the context of their environment and that of a wider community.

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Life-Changing Program s, Long-Term Inv es t me n ts One of Mayor Tony’s continuing projects is the Alternative Learning System (ALS) which aims to steadily increase the literacy rate of Pasay. The city government encourages out-of-school youths (OSY) to take classes under the ALS which prepares them to successfully pass TESDA accreditation tests and be able to either go back to regular schools or join the workforce.

Mayor Tony

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encourages th e youth to excellence in pursue education

The project targets the 29.09% of 13-17 years old who are out of school. Since the implementation of ALS, there is a continuing decrease in the number of OSY. What the Calixto administration envisions is not just to decrease the number of OSY but to completely put all school-aged children in learning institutions.

With this grand vision in mind, and through the help of local government officials and public teachers, the ALS yielded positive results. The number of ALS completers increased from 1,918 in 2010 to 2,567 in 2011. Similarly, the number of ALS Accreditation & Equivalency Test passers increased from 29.26 % in 2006 to 41.52% in 2011. In 2011, 12.46% of the learners returned to school while 4.40% entered work.

Another project of Mayor Tony is the Remedial Reading Program, which has been given the distinction of being “The First City-Subsidized Reading Program in NCR.” This pioneering project seeks to make a significant improvement in the reading competencies of 320 learners in all grade levels every year who are diagnosed as slow or non-readers. Working hand-in-hand with the local officials are the teacher-volunteers who are chosen among the city’s regular teachers.

Education is the foundation of an excellent and progressive Pasay City.

This is the reason why we strive to continue working towards an excellent and globally-competitive Pasayeño youth.

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To support the project, the city government allocates P2.5 Million every year for the honorarium of reading teachers and the procurement of reading materials. The Remedial Reading Program resulted in the improvement in the reading ability of learners and an increase in the number of independent readers.

Certainly, all these are laudable feats for a leader who is just more than three years into his two terms.

Under Mayor Tony’s administration, there was also an increase in the Mean Percentile Score (MPS) of learners in the National Achievement Test (NAT). In NAT Grade 3, there was an increase from 44.37% in 2012 to 47.91% in 2013.

In NAT Grade 6, there was a jump from 59.84% in 2012 to 63.24% in 2013.

There was a similar increasing trend in the MPS of the secondary level which was 41.98% in 2012 and became 54.11%, just a year after. At present, Pasay elementary schools rank 4th among the 16 divisions of NCR while secondary schools

“

rank 5th, a big improvement over the years. Overall, Pasay ranks 4th in NCR for the 2013 National Achievement Test.

Another pioneering project of Mayor Tony is the E-Learning Program which aims to boost the development of information technology and the enhancement of skills in the prescribed curriculum for public academic institutions. This program involves the installation of E-Learning Laboratories in all 19 public elementary schools and six public secondary schools in the city.

To make the program more responsive to the demands of the modern world, Mayor Tony hired 25 computer teachers, through the Local School Board, who were assigned to teach basic computing for all children in the city’s public elementary schools. Tagged as the first of its kind in NCR’s Public Elementary Schools, this city-based initiative made Pasay the only city in NCR offering computer classes for elementary students.

ga Emi durin n a m o w s s e h and Congr asay City East Hig o t x i l a C P y Mayor Ton ing ceremony at the n of DepEd Pasay. k -a groundbrea Supt. Estrelita Puti h School wit

Education is ... a mirror of every city’s progress and development. The more we invest in education, the more the city becomes prosperous through its citizens.

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C i t y U ni v e r s i t y of P a s a y

CR E ATING A B RI G H T E R F U TU RE N

o less than Pasay Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto subscribes to Disraeli’s concept of a “university” whose main task is the creation of a brighter future for its constituents anchored on providing scholarships and a conducive environment “where those who hate ignorance may strive to know, where those who perceive truth may strive to make others see.”

“We are counting on the University of Pasay to produce and provide our City Government with keen and dedicated public servants who will move us towards positive change and progress. At present, we have City Government officials and employees who have either graduated or are taking studies at the City University of Pasay.”

Formerly known as the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay (PLP), the City University of Pasay (CUP) started holding evening classes at the Pasay City West High School with only 384 students and 11 faculty members.

On May 26, 1994, the City University of Pasay (CUP) or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay was established by virtue of a city ordinance under the able leadership of then Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

It’s creation was an answer to the demands of providing quality education at minimal cost to the less privileged but deserving students of Pasay City.

In fact, the Division of City Schools played a significant role in the development of CUP by providing not only the consultative services but also personnel services including the use of school facilities such as buildings, classrooms, desks, boards and to some extent supplies and other materials and equipment for instructional purposes.

Today, CUP has gone a long way from its humble beginnings. The university now offers degree programs in the areas of teacher education, law, business administration, nursing, health education, hotel and restaurant management, and computer education.

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The future leaders of Pasay City

“A University should be a place of light, of liberty, and of learning.”

– Benjamin Disraeli

City Un

It also offers graduate degree programs in education management and public governance.

In 2012, CUP recorded a sprawling student population of 12,134. They also need not use the buildings and materials of another school as they now have their own.

Under the Calixto administration, the Pasay City government has allocated some P3.7 million for scholarships. Guided by Mayor Tony’s noble program of ensuring that education is given utmost priority, the university continues to provide its students with affordable and quality education.

Strictly complying with the policy of the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) requirements, the University Administration enforces that all CUP professors are Masteral degree holders, while Graduate School professors hold their respective Doctoral degrees.

A case in point, The School of Graduate Studies, being piloted by highly-qualified academicians gives graduate degree programs in education management and public governance. Currently, the CUP has three professors enrolled in Doctoral programs and two professors who are candidates for dissertation.

Another major indicator of vast improvements at CUP was the organizational transformations in several offices like the Office of the Student Affairs which became the now Office of Student Affairs and Community Service. The Guidance Office bore

out another office, the Admission and Testing Center. New offices have also been included into the University Organizational Chart to be responsive to the growing needs of the studentry. These are the Office of Research and Publication, the Office of Alumni Relations, The Career and Placement Office, the Office of the Central Student Council and the Discipline and Security Service under the Student Services Office.

Meanwhile, once dilapidated segments of the University have been renovated and structures were built to accommodate offices for efficiency and freedom of learning. The offices of the University Clinic, The Personnel Services and the Engineering and Civil Works were new additions to the CUP. Further, the CUP’s College of Law, its own curriculum currently being improved to be more BAR exam-oriented, went through a comprehensive physical renovation itself. It includes the Office of the Dean of the College of Law, including the construction of a small faculty room. This is not to mention the repair and renovation of the offices and classrooms of the College of Arts and Letters.

The City University of Pasay takes pride over many things. The CUP gained 59.78% passing rate of the 2011 Nursing Board which is above the National Average Passing Percentage of 48% as the College of Nursing became the Grand Prize Winner of the Association of Deans of Philippine College of Nursing, Inc. The CUP Pep-Squad also brought home the bacon for Pasay by winning several national cheering competitions.

Despite these strings of achievements, Mayor Tony vows to never stop his advocacy of making education more accessible and affordable to every Pasayeño.

“The City University of Pasay will continue to provide education to the less-privileged yet deserving students of the City. That is the main purpose why the University was created in the first place. We will continue to give opportunity to poor but deserving high school graduates to go on to higher education,” Calixto said.

For her part, Professor Iris Lenore Ostrea, President of the City University of Pasay said that “we want the University to be more conducive to both practical and wholistic academics and learning.”

She also said that ongoing renovations and physical construction are made possible through the support of the city government led by Mayor Calixto whose primordial concern is to uphold education as the lifeblood of a progressive and dynamic Pasay City.

“With the full support and quality investments being provided by the City Mayor to the University, we are willing to work harder so we can give back to Pasay City what it deserves: an outstanding City University worthy of national and global recognition in the academics, youth development and in professional excellence” she emphasized.

niversity of Pasay

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Alternative Learning System (ALS) Targ e t s 13- 17 years old Out-of -schoo l y ou th s

2,567

als completers in 2011

nu mbe r of ALS A ccredi tation & E qui vale ncy Test pa ssers increased fro m

29.26% in 2006 to 41.52% in 2011 in 2011, entered 12.46% returned 4.4% to school work E-Learning Program in s tallat ion of E-Learning Laboratories in

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public elementary schools

6

public secondary schools

National Achievement Test incr e as e in t he Mean Perc entile Scor e ( fro m 2012 t o 2 0 1 3 )

NAT Grade 6

SEcondary level

59.84% to 63.24% 41.98% to 54.11%

The creation of additional high schools is the city’s immediate response to the increasing population of secondary school learners. To address the looming problem of congestion in public schools, Mayor Tony’s administration recently built a number of secondary schools, some of which are the Pasay North High School Annex and the Corazon Aquino Memorial High School, which would be fully-functional come June 2014. With these additional learning facilities, the local government seeks an increase in enrolment without sacrificing the quality of education that the children receive. For Mayor Tony, the goal is to decrease the size of secondary school classes, so that the teachers will have proper supervision and can efficiently monitor every student’s progress.

Aside from building additional structures, the city government also procured additional teaching-learning materials such as workbooks, reading books, science laboratory materials, and preschool

materials. The city government seeks to provide the students with these resources because these improve the delivery of instruction in all schools, without the additional financial burden on every family.

Because of this, Pasay has accomplished the target of 1:1 learner-book ratio, an achievement that only a few local government units in the Philippines have achieved.

Mayor Tony’s thrust with regard to the education sector is not only limited to addressing the needs of elementary and secondary schools. He also makes sure that the students are able to complete tertiary education to further increase their skills and competitiveness. As a response to the national challenge of increasing the number of students who enter college, the city government continues to provide affordable tertiary educational services to the people of Pasay, through the City University of Pasay (CUP) or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay. For 2012, the city focused on the recruitment and hiring of additional regular faculty members and staff, construction of different college laboratories, and conducting career orientation and job fair for graduates.

5% 94% Education and Literacy

ca s e de t e ct ion rat e of TB

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To ensure holistic learning, Mayor Tony does not only invest in literacy programs but also makes sure that the educational facilities and the resource materials sustain the upward trend of education in Pasay.

lower than M o r e E x ce l l e nt a nd li fe -ch angi ng i n Pasay 2011 rate

Pneumonia incid ence rate in 2012

The thrust of the Calixto administration is to offer functional literacy to its residents in line with its vision of an educated and informed citizenry who will lead in the social and moral transformation of the city.

“The City University of Pasay will continue to provide education to the less-privileged yet deserving students of the City. That is the main purpose why the University was created in the first place. We will continue to give opportunity to poor but deserving high school graduates to go on to higher education,” Mayor Tony said.

On top of all these awards, Pasay has received the National Literacy Awards twice in a row in 2010 and 2012. Under Mayor Tony’s term, Pasay City has consistently placed as the Most Outstanding Highly Urbanized LGU, second only to the Hall-of-Famer Davao City.

E x c e l l e nce Recognized

It is the continuing goal of Pasay officials to show their efforts in working towards an increasing trend in education in the coming years.

With all these projects and the subsequent improvement in the education sector, it is inevitable that the students will also stand out in different fields.

Mayor Tony promises to adhere to his advocacy of ensuring that every Pasayeño is given quality and affordable education.

To date, students from Pasay have won in several national competitions such as the National Schools Press Conference, Palarong Pambansa, MTAP-National Math Challenge, STEP Skills Competition, and the National Science Fair.

In the words of Mayor Tony, “Education is the foundation of an excellent and progressive Pasay City. This is the reason why we strive to continue working towards an excellent and globallycompetitive Pasayeño youth.”

S Ambassador U er rm fo d an to Mayor Tony Calix ting the school building as part in Harry Thomas repa a wel of the Brigada Esk

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Good Governanc

Mor e Tran s par e nc y and A ccoun t abi l i t y in P a s a y

Good Governance and Leadership “P

ublic office is a public trust.”

Section 1, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution underscores public accountability among government officials and employees.

Good governance plays a significant role in making public servants accountable to the people. Proper implementation of programs and good decision-making can steer any government towards progress and development. On the other hand, bad governance can suppress growth and sustainability of a community if public servants don’t perform their jobs to the detriment of public interests.

The Pasay City government continuously works toward contributing positively to the national economy by implementing best practices and good governance.

City Administrator Atty. Dennis Bernard Acorda credits the leadership qualities of Mayor Antonino Calixto, who like his father Eduardo Calixto who once served as OIC Mayor and councilor, embraces the values of honesty, integrity and transparency in public office.

Under Acorda’s office, the Pasay City government institutionalizes processes and mechanism that are deemed necessary to accomplish the goals of development. It is through the Administrator’s office that the city government develops plans and strategies with regard to the management, administration, and implementation of these programs.

ce and Leadership

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The Pasay City government regularly posts financial statements online, through the city website

Alongside with Pasy City’s best practices, Mayor Tony also adheres to the standards set by the national government, through the Department of Interior and Local Government.

One of these standards is the Full-Disclosure Policy (FDP), wherein local government units are required to make public certain financial transactions in order to keep their constituents informed of how their budget is being utilized and allocated. Pasay City is proud to claim that under Mayor Tony’s watch, the local government maintains and adheres to ensuring transparency and keeping an informed citizenry.

In compliance with the FDP, the Pasay City government regularly posts financial statements online, through the city website.

Aside from that, the transactions are also posted in bulletin boards in conspicuous places around the area so that every Pasayeño can easily ascertain and check how the public officers allocate the city’s resources.

This is also to ensure that every centavo that the citizens pay is properly used in genuine service of the community.

One of the noticeable developments is the “no noon break” policy of units in the Pasay City Hall.

Aside from FDP, the Calixto administration also strictly abides by Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA). The law

M o r e T r a ns pa r e ncy a nd Acco untabi li ty i n Pasay

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Good Governance

is made in response to the unnecessarily burdensome and slow processing of government documents. By religiously complying with ARTA, Pasay City seeks to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service by reducing bureaucratic red tape.

One of the noticeable developments with regard to ARTA is the “no noon break” policy of units in the Pasay City Hall. Mayor Tony wants to provide his constituents with efficient and fast service in order to quickly respond to their immediate needs.

On account of such innovative and effective transparency program by the Calixto administration, Pasay City was given an 88.75% rating in the Anti-Red Tape Compliant Award 2012 of the Department of Interior and Local Government. This clearly stresses that the transparency and reforms that the City have been pushing are gaining ground.

In connection with the Calixto administration’s thrust of prioritizing the education sector, Pasay City is proud to have been given the National Literacy Award as one of the most highly urbanized cities. The Department of Education bestows this award

to LGUs which made remarkable inroads in bringing literacy to more communities and their constituents.

Likewise, the Department of Health named Pasay City as the Champion of the Garantisadong Pambata (GP) Award 2012, beating all other LGUs in the National Capitol Region. This shows that the concerted efforts to provide Paseyeños with relevant and responsive health services has been recognized and appreciated by the National Government.

To top it all and in cognizance to the brand of leadership of Mayor Calixto, he received the General Miguel Malvar Achievement Awards for Public Service and Nationalism

To top it all and in cognizance to the brand of leadership of Mayor Calixto, he received the General Miguel Malvar Achievement Awards for Public Service and Nationalism as the “Most Outstanding and Naturalists Local Government Official of the Philippines” from the Citizens’ Crime Watch.

The Calixto administration remains true to its adherence to good governance, characterized by embracing public accountability and proper implementation of various programs and social services. Mayor Tony believes that transparency and good governance play a vital role in building the foundation of a responsible local government system.

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Health S

Mor e A cc e s s ib l e and A ffordab l e in P a s a y

Health services T

he physical well-being of the 400,000-strong population of one of the most successful cities in the Philippines has always been given utmost importance

by Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto with a big help from his sister, Congresswoman Imelda “Emi” CalixtoRubiano.

Through this noble project, the local government provides health services to the financiallyneedy by making these more accessible to them. Qualified residents are given free medical assistance that includes free medicines and hospitalization.

The Calixto brother-sister tandem has put health as one of their top priorities as public servants ever since they were given the mandate of the people to represent their best interests. To the Calixto siblings, it is a longterm investment that will result in a more efficient and productive people.

The project specifically aims to benefit indigent patients who do not have the means to afford health services. Aside from the indigent patients, the city employees as well as the teaching and non-teaching personnel of public schools are covered by the TCIC Green Card. With this health card, the beneficiaries are entitled to avail up to P25,000 in hospital and medical services rendered by accredited hospitals.

In the last three and half years, the Calixto administration implemented numerous projects addressing the medical necessities of his constituents. Probably one of the legacies that he will leave Pasay and one of the projects he will always be remembered for would be his “Take Care, I Care” (TCIC) program.

Services

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Mayor Tony a Scan equipm nd Pasay City’s new CT en tries out the t. Councilor Ian Vend ivel new equipm ent

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“I want our people to be able to access immediate medical attention through our City’s prime hospitals at the time they need it most,” Mayor Tony explains.

More than anything, genuine service to the people goes beyond personal interests. It means extending both arms to embrace the realities of everyday life - hospital and medical attention is one of them.

To help in expanding the reach of the TCIC program, the Calixto administration has given top priority to the health sector in terms of budgetary allocation. With this constant and steady increase in health funds came more health centers and state of the art medical equipment.

One of the major infrastructure projects that the Pasay City local government is most proud of is the San Roque Health Center, a sprawling four-storey health facility. The SRHC is manned by skilled medical practitioners who are on hand to address the health needs of Pasayeños. There are also numerous on-going constructions of other health centers such as the San Isidro Health Center, Malibay Health Center and also the Doña Nena Multi-Purpose facility which also houses other agencies of the local government such as the disaster and emergency rescue teams and the DSWD, among others. Mayor Tony’s goal in building all these physical structures is to provide its people adequate and affordable basic services most especially in the health sector.

With the additional medical facilities in place in Pasay City, it is inevitable that there will also a greater demand for increase in human resources. To this end, Mayor Tony’s administration has made sure that there is enough manpower to fully serve the needs of every Pasayeño. Not only did they employ more physicians, more midwives, nurses, sanitary inspectors, and other complementary employees were also hired and added to the roster to complement the city’s overall health care delivery system.

M o r e A cce s s i b l e and Affo r d able i n Pasay

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Health service

Another laudable effort of the Calixto administration is the continued support and efficient management of the Pasay General Hospital to fulfill its mandate as an affordable medical health provider. The primordial goal of Mayor Tony is to provide the financially-needy with state-of-the-art medical technology in order to give them quality health service without paying much.

To this end, his administration has worked to upgrade the hospital’s medical instruments and equipment, most noteworthy of which is the high-end CT Scan equipment purchased just this year. Along with this came an improvement in the CT Scan services that Pasay General Hospital provides. Mayor Tony also made sure that there were adequate funds for an enhanced dialysis unit that is very important for patients with renal diseases.

These new facilities and the boost in manpower contribute to an increasing trend for efficient and affordable public health, in line with Pasay’s programs geared towards preventive and promotive health care program.

To provide free and accessible health care to all Pasayeños, Mayor Tony facilitated the enrolment of 6,267 families to the locally sponsored Philhealth coverage.

In December 2012, the Philhealth Mobile Orientation, Validation and Enrolment Scheme (MOVE) was launched, along with distribution of Philhealth IDs to beneficiaries.

This initiative was done in order for people to avail the benefits of the health care insurance. By availing of such program, their hospital bills and the medical services they receive will be shouldered by the government.

In line with this, an intensive campaign is being done at the health facility level so that most of these beneficiaries may use the outpatient package which is always available for them at the health centers.

Because Mayor Tony believes in the longterm effects of investing on people, he wants the local government to make sure that every mother and every child born in the city is given proper medical assistance.

With the problem of the ever-increasing infant and maternal mortality rate in the Philippines, Pasay City seeks to address this through projects geared toward reducinng deaths among babies and mothers. As a result of the local government’s continuous efforts, 9989 or 75% of the pregnant women were provided with basic pre-natal and follow up care in 2012, which included at least four visits to the doctor.

ay

ment for Pas New medical equipo General Hospital

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Philhealth Mobile Orientation, Validation and Enrolment Scheme [MOVE]

6,267 5 0.02%

decrease from in 2005 to

families enrolled in locally spon sored Phi lhealth co v erag e

number of chi l dren 0 -5 y ears o l d w ho di ed

0.01%

in 2008

Nutrition Education, Ligtas sa Tigdas ang Pasay, Integrated Management of Child Immunization

5% 94%

ca s e de t e ct ion rat e of TB

lower than 2011 rate

On the other hand, 68% were also given post-partum care and follow up within the first post-partal week. Most of the mothers were provided with complete iron and Vitamin A supplement within one month after delivery.

Mayor Tony’s program on health also extends to ensuring that children are given proper protection against diseases. This vision is realized through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) that provides vaccines against communicable diseases.

As a result, there was a dramatic improvement in the health of these young people. The number of children 0-5 years old who died decreased from 0.02% in 2005 to 0.01% in 2008, and is consistently at this level ever since. Aiming for a zero mortality rate among children, the local government spearheads programs like Nutrition Education, Ligtas sa Tigdas ang Pasay, Integrated Management of Child Immunization, and Capacity Building for Health Personnel.

These health programs have an immediate effect and provided a significant change in the physical well-being of PasayeĂąos. In 2012, the Pneumonia incidence rate was 64/100, 5% lower than the 2011 rate. Of the 3535 Pneumonia cases, less than 1% was severe. To further sustain these gains, there is a continuous effort from health center staff and barangay health workers to conduct pre and post-consultation lectures and barangay meetings among their constituents.

Another top killer disease in the country is Tuberculosis, but for Pasay City, there is an incessant effort to handle this disease. As a result, the case detection rate of TB in Pasay is pegged at 94%, nine percentage points better than the target which is 85%.

All TB cases have also been put to therapy.

To further ensure less probability of TB in Pasay, the local government partnered with organizations in training and organizing eleven TB task forces, who will be in charge of actively looking for cases in the barangays.

They will also aid the health units in monitoring treatment of cases and investigation.

Pneumonia incid ence rate in 2012

More Accessible and Affordable in Pasay

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Health service

Aside from pneumonia and TB, diarrhea cases were effectively managed and controlled by the city government. Due to the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, local health units expect diarrhea cases to further decrease or maintained at its low incidence.

One of the most laudable projects of Mayor Calixto was the weekly distribution of 300 containers of purified water to Pasay City’s residents in 201 Barangays.

Every Barangay receives 300 containers of purified water thru Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto’s Patubig Project.

“Clean and safe drinking water is critical to the residents of the City, especially where clean water is scarce. This not only ensures prevention from diseases that are water-borne such as typhoid and cholera, it also brings the barangay members together every Saturday morning” Mayor Calixto said.

It came as a surprise even to Mayor Calixto himself to learn that his effort in safe water distribution in Pasay City could almost fill a standard Olympic-sized swimming pool measuring 50 meters long, 25 meters wide with a minimum of 2m in depth containing 660,430 gallons of water.

With all these positive trends in the health sector in Pasay, Mayor Tony remains true to his vision of a healthier and more progressive Pasay.

“More than anything else, genuine service to the people goes beyond personal interests. It means extending both arms to embrace the realities of everyday life − hospital and medical attention is one of them,” he concludes.

I want our people to be able to access immediate medical attention through our City’s prime hospitals at the time they need it.

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Mor e R obu s t, Enduring and R e s pon s i v e in Pa s ay

Infrastructure DEVELOPMENT W

ith looming buildings, paved roads, improved drainage systems, and other infrastructure projects, Pasay City is truly living up to its new brand name as The Travel City of the Philippines and the fastest-rising city in Metro Manila.

Mayor Calixto considers the P279 million in 2011 and P150-Million in 2012 worth of public works projects, notably drainage system improvement and pavement and concreting of streets as among his tangible accomplishments during his first term as city mayor.

Magnificent structures and elegant buildings such as the SM Mall of Asia, SMX Convention Center, Resorts World Manila, and many others, can be found in Pasay.

It is also the home to three major airports, thereby serving as the gateway to the Philippines.

Among the infra projects completed by the Calixto Administration are as follows: Airline street from NAIA Avenue to Bridge Paranaque Boundary; Porvinir street from F.B Harisson to dead end; Jokian street from Fortuna to Estrella streets; Suerte street from F.B Harisson to dead end; Aurora street from Protacio to Tolentino street; J.Luna street from Aurora street to Tramo street; P. Burgos street from Libertad to Buendia Ave.; Menlo street from Leveriza to Taft Ave.; Apollo street from Sun Valley to Airline street; Progreso street from F.B Harisson to dead end; Jupiter street from

The Calixto administration has continued to maintain and improve public infrastructures such as roads, bridges, drainage and other related projects to complement and match the grandeur of business establishments located in Pasay City.

93

er with n Emi togethg the a m o w s es gr and Con no durin Mayor Tonyirman Francis Tolentiasay.

MMDA Cha n of a footbridge in P Inauguratio

Apollo street to dead end; Ascano street (Branches road of Ascano street and Installation of RCCP with Restoration of Concrete Breaking at Pag-asa street); Balagtas street from F.B Harisson to Leveriza street; Narra street from Sgt. Mariano St.to Sto. Nino, Sto. Nino District; 16th street from 5th street to 17th street Villamor Airbase; Loring street from EDSA to Park Avenue; St. James street Ext. and Interior Barangay 179 Zone 19, Maricaban; Barangay 186 Interior of Chest Clinic Compound, Barangay 186 Maricaban; Colayco Street from Libertad to F. Rosario street; Waling Waling street from Vito Cruz to dead end; Isidro street from Dominga street to dead end; P. Lopez street from Vergel to L. Francisco street; Venus street from Mercury street to Creek; Virata street from Aurora Blvd. to dead end; Pasay City Jail from Pasadena street to dead end with three unit septic vault.

One of the important infrastructure projects undertaken

by Mayor Tony is the improvement of the drainage system in Pasay City. Being mostly reclaimed land, Pasay City is most prone to flooding. To address this concern, the local government constructed more efficient water pathways. In 2012, about P180 million pesos was spent in the improvement of drainage systems and concrete pavement. The resultant effect of these infra projects were most noticeable as floodwaters now subside faster as compared to the previous years.

For the local government, better roads are critical to both people and vehicles, as the construction of these pavements result in faster and easier travel time. Better roads ensure the faster movement of goods and people.

Groundbreaki ng National Hig of Corazon C. Aquino hschool with DepEd officia ls.

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Several city-owned establishments have undergone major renovations under Mayor Tony.

In 2011, the Cuneta Astrodome’s roofing and storm drainage system were repaired. The Calixto administration continues to implement projects to further improve the Cuneta Astrodome so that it will continue to attract more people, sporting events and other activities to generate more revenues for the city.

Mayor Tony also paved the way for the improvement in the electrical works of the Pasay City Mall and Public Market. The Pasay City Public Cemetery also saw an installation of a second crematorium and of the chapel extension.

In 2012, the improvement of Police Community Precincts started with almost P60 million pesos allocation. The City Hall, being home to the local government officials, has also undergone major improvements under the Calixto administration.

As part of Mayor Tony’s thrust of giving utmost importance to the health and education sector, numerous learning and medical infrastructures were renovated and improved. Part of the 2012 budget went to the construction and repair of the Nursing Laboratory in the Pasay General Hospital. The different laboratories in the City University of Pasay had undergone major renovations.

Mo r e R o b u s t, E nd uring and Responsive in Pasay

infrastructure

“I want my fellow Pasayeños to feel, in concrete and tangible terms, that this leadership is serious in providing responsive infrastructure projects that address the daily needs of its people.

Aside from all these construction projects, the local government likewise initiated beautification projects to make Pasay City more attractive to visitors. In 2012, about P40-million was spent for the city’s Beautification and Cleanliness Project.

Also under construction is the Doña Nena Risk Reduction and Preparedness Management Control Center. The building will serve as a multi-purpose complex which houses several rescue units and also the DSWD. In vigorously pushing for the project, Mayor Tony wants to provide Pasayeños with a prompt and efficient program to respond to calamities and disasters.

To make Pasay much brighter and safer place to live in, major streetlights were also installed in different areas.

No doubt that these streetlights help deters accidents and crimes while also serving as a décor around sidewalks and pathways. Among the areas that benefited from street lighting project include the MIA Road, Roxas Boulevard Flyover at corner EDSA and corner Buendia.

The local government also continues to encourage private construction projects. These significantly contribute to the revenue and income of the city, which then translates to social services for Pasayeños. In 2011 alone, the Office of the City Engineer reported that 5373 building permits amounting to 17 million pesos were issued by the local government. In addition, there were also 193 occupancy permits issued which amounted to 11 million pesos.

Mayor Tony an groundbreaking d Cong. Emi spearheading the in Pasay City of New 4-storey school buildin Edwin Javaluy East High School with City En g as. gr.

“I want my fellow Pasayeños to feel, in concrete and tangible terms, that this leadership is serious in providing responsive infrastructure projects that address the daily needs of its people. All these accomplished and on-going projects were made possible through the synergy of efficient tax collection, sound financial management, administrative efficiency, transparency and good governance,” asserts Mayor Tony.

“It is my mission to give back to my constituents what they rightfully deserve, that is, infrastructure done on the basis of transparency and accountability. Through improved roads, covered courts, drainage systems, school buildings and other infrastructure projects, we are making taxes work for our people,” concludes Mayor Calixto.

There are other on-going major flagship projects under the Calixto administration such as the improvement of the San Roque Health Center, envisioned to accommodate more people and to house more advanced equipment and facilities.

Development

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Livelihoo

Mor e Engaging and D e c e n t in P a s a y

Livelihood and shelter O

ne of the most important material possessions that a family can have is a home that they can call their own. It doesn’t matter how small or big it is as long as they are together under one roof.

Given the importance we give to having a shelter, what happens if this same house which provides for the family stands in the way of a priority project of the local government? What will prevail? A family’s right to a home or a government’s concern to provide its constituents with quality service?

of their trust in the Calixto administration that there will be just compensation for their loss. With the healthy relationship that Mayor Tony has established over the years with the residents of Pasay, they readily give way to the best interests of their fellow Pasayeños.

One example of this cordial atmosphere is the relocation of families whose houses will be affected by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway Phase 2 Project. They will be provided with their own homes in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martires, Cavite City. This is in accordance with Mayor Tony’s implementation of the city’s housing program where informal settler families affected by government projects or living in danger zones will be relocated to off-city or in-city relocation sites.

od and Shelter This has been a question for decades now. It has spawned the most violent of demolitions due to an extreme clash in interests. Thankfully for Pasay City, there is a consistently peaceful relocation of informal settlers, primarily because

97

Livelihoo

“We can report to the President that the City Government of Pasay is doing its part in facilitating the right of way of this flagship program of his administration while at the same time providing decent and affordable housing to our constituents,” says Mayor Tony.

that they will be relocated earlier and they have already agreed and signed the papers without any objection. The secret to a successful road right of way clearing is a healthy dialogue and trust among the parties – which is what characterizes Mayor Tony’s partnership with his constituents.

The city government also provided financial assistance to affected families, in order to help them adjust to their new homes and locations. Likewise, the informal settler families who refused to avail of the city’s housing program were provided P25,000 each.

The city government does not only provide shelter but also makes sure that the residents will also be secure in the lot where their houses stand on. With this, Mayor Tony commenced the Awarding of Lots and Tagging which gave emphasis to the importance of decent living for every family.

The project, which was assisted by the Pasay City Housing Development Board likewise took note of the importance of tagging or labeling the houses, the data of which can be useful information to government agencies.

A case in point was when the local government relocated 14 families whose houses would be affected by the construction of the new Corazon C. Aquino National High School. Giving priority to education while not forgetting the needs of the informal settlers, Mayor Tony also facilitated their transfer to the National Housing Authority (NHA) housing project in the same site in Cavite.

All these relocation of informal settlers were done peacefully, as the residents were all cooperative. They were property informed

All of these projects and programs were implemented with the goal of ensuring a decent living among Pasay residents

Mayor Tony w i Pasay Public th the locals at Market

M o r e E nga gi ng and De ce nt i n Pasay

98

livelihood and

od and Shelter Aside from providing every family with a decent home, Pasay City also makes sure that every family has a sustainable source of income. To make this viable, several programs which provide livelihood trainings have been implemented.

and compatible savings-based financial intermediation system among the urban poor in Pasay and provide access to efficient financial services and training on livelihood and social development issues, thus involving the urban poor in the economic and social development of the community.

One of the units mandated to do this task is the Public Employment Services office (PESO). They have been conducting livelihood trainings and seminars, life skills training which include world class animation training. It has also been holding weekly job fairs in the city hall. PESO has already organized hundreds of special job fairs, resulting in thousands of previously unemployed people to finally have jobs of their own.

Both PESO and the Bayanihan Banking Program targets the 18.4% of Pasay’s slum dwellers. The city government, under Mayor Tony, wants to rally the poor around a common vision and mobilize them for local development.

Another noteworthy project is the Bayanihan Banking Program. This is the city’s pooled savings and cooperative development program for the urban poor, depressed barangays, women and their families. The program aims to establish a uniform

shelter

There are other projects that are targeted to a narrower group of people. One of which is the Libreng Security Guard Training. It is a project of Mayor Tony and Congresswoman Emi in cooperation with E and J Security Academy, Inc. This aims to professionalize city establishments’ security guards through quality training and education under competent instructor and accredited assessors. Through this, the local government hits two birds with one stone – by providing jobs and at the same time, addressing the security needs of public schools, hospitals and offices.

Other livelihood programs which the Pasay government undertook in coordination with other organizations is the Pangkabuhayan Mo, Sisimulan Ko! It involves livelihood training programs like carpentry, wellness and beauty, food processing, choco candy making and others. These programs are implemented with assistance from the Technical Livelihood and Resource center and various non-governmental organizations. Those who take part in the programs are being given free starter kits and financial assistance by the city government.

All of these projects and programs are being implemented with the goal of ensuring a decent living among Pasay residents – not only by giving them the structure they call home but also proper training so that through their skills, family members may be ale to sustain and support everyone’s needs.

It is the continuing mission of Mayor Tony that its residents contribute to the development and progress of Pasay City, especially with all the efforts to ensure a more efficient and productive citizenry.

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Revenue and

More Efficient Colle ction and S tab le Incom e in Pa say

REvenue and Finance Management O

ne of the most important considerations in managing a local government unit or a business entity is the financial stability and efficient resource allocation to support basic administrative, operational and social services.

Both the national and local governments make sure that the yearly general appropriations are enough to fund every project that they intend to carry out to implement for the fiscal year.

Pasay City is no exception as Mayor Tony Calixto has consistently endeavored to make sure that every peso that the city government collects from taxpayers’ money

is properly allocated and spent judiciously to effectively respond and serve the public’s general welfare.

Im prov ed Re v e nue Co l l e c tion Taxes indeed are the lifeblood of the local government.

In 2011 alone, the Pasay City Government posted a 14% increase in revenue collected compared to the previous year based on the City’s Statement of Income and Expenses.

That same year, the City Accounting Office reported that the City had a revenue collection of P2,552,330,947.60 for calendar year of 2011 compared to the P2,235,413,995.61 collection in 2010.

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“

We will make use of our City’s money by investing in the right places that develop not just as our City but our people as well in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, our employees,” Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto lauded the concerted effort of all revenuegenerating departments of the city for the steady increase and improved revenue generation that naturally translate into more projects and programs for the people of Pasay.

“I am very pleased with the concerted efforts of our line department in strengthening the City’s revenue and income collections. That is the reason why we are, indeed, moving towards progressive change and a change that can be felt by all Pasayeños,” said Mayor Calixto.

“We will make use of our City’s money by investing in the right places that develop not just as our City but our people as well in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, our employees,” he added.

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For his part, City Treasurer Emmanuel Leycano said: “we are working hard and coming up with creative ideas to meet our targets.”

“In fact we use positive means of collecting business taxes such as Mayor Calixto’s Towards Change Tax Incentives Project where tax payers who pay on time can win cash and other valuable prizes, including trips abroad and even tax credits”, he added.

The General Income Accounts, likewise posted significant increases from P879 million in 2010 to P920 million in 2011. The GIA is composed of the following items: Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), Permits and Licenses, Service Income, Business Income and other Incomes.

The City’s IRA increased from P513, 303, 631 in 2010 to P542, 209, 277 in 2011, effectively signifying a proportional increase in tax collection within the locality. The IRA is equivalent to 20% of the city or municipality’s share in the tax collection while 80% accrues to the National Government as Mandated by the Local Government Code.

REvenue and

For the first quarter of 2013, Pasay City’s tax revenue amounted to almost 700 million pesos, more than half of which came from taxes on businesses. This also included the amusement taxes and franchise taxes. The remaining 200 million pesos were generated from real property tax from the previous year and the current year.

Non-tax revenues amounted to almost 140 million pesos. These include Regulatory Fees from Permits and Licenses, Service Income, Business Income. The city government projects more revenues in the coming years owing to the number of businesses mushrooming in Pasay. Because of this continuous spur in growth and development, Pasayeños are assured of more quality services from the Calixto administration.

In budget planning, prioritization is the key in resource allocation. In order to ensure financial stability of the city, the Calixto administration always makes sure that the revenue generated can sustain the projects to be implemented. In undertaking these programs, Mayor Tony prioritizes different sectors each year in order to further develop and enhance the focused areas of services.

For the last three years, the Calixto administration gave utmost importance to

health and education – the resulting effects of which are now easily seen and felt in the city.

For Fiscal Year 2013, the Pasay General Hospital (Pasay Gen) was given P350million in the city’s annual budget. Mayor Tony wants to ensure that every Pasayeño, regardless of income and social status, has access to basic health care.

The Pasay City Health Office was also given P190-million for its 2013 budget. In 2012, the overall budget allocated by the city government for health amounted to almost P460-million.

One of the flagship programs of the Calixto administration is the Take Care, I Care (TCIC) program. With this project, the local government provides qualified beneficiaries with 25,000 a month as financial assistance. TCIC mostly caters to indigent patients, city employees and public school teachers.

The city government also allocated P45million as financial assistance to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. There is also the Mayor’s Hospitalization Program amounting to P40-million allocated to fund the said project.

In 2011 alone, the Pasay City Government posted a 14% increase in revenue collected compared to the previous year based on the City’s Statement of Income and Expenses.

More Efficient Collection and Stable Income in Pasay

Finance Management

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With efficient tax collection, sound fiscal management, pro-people policies, hard work and clean governance, Pasay City is clearly one of the most financial stable cities not only in Metro Manila but in the entire country For 2012, more than P700-million was allocated to the Special Education Fund (SEF), in addition to the P120-million allocated to the education, culture and sports sector from the general fund.

In sum, the education sector received almost 800 million pesos which is truly reflective of the importance Mayor Tony gives to education.

In 2013, he allocated five million pesos as scholarship for deserving students and children of barangay officials.

Another P7.2-million was allocated as financial assistance to students at Pasay City Science High School wherein they were given P1,000 each.

ciaries of fi e n e b t s o e the forem scal management. r a s t n e d Stu s sound fi ’ y n o T r o May

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The Calixto administration also allocated P70-million to the City University of Pasay (CUP), an institution for higher education that provides affordable and quality learning for tertiary students.

Mayor Tony allocated additional three million pesos as financial assistance to the graduation expenses of CUP students.

One of the noticeable improvements during Mayor Tony’s term is in the area of beautification and sanitation. For 2013, almost P300-million had been allocated for a more efficient garbage collection and disposal system.

A total of P200-million was also alloted by the Calixto administration for Flood Control and City Streets Improvement projects. The effect is dramatic improvement in flood control management.

Of course, all of these projects will not be realized and implemented without revenues efficiently collected by the city government. A bulk of these comes from efficient tax collection and effective resource allocation for various projects by the city government.

REvenue and

The Mayor said that “with efficient tax collection, sound fiscal management, pro-people policies, hard work and clean governance, Pasay City is clearly one of the most financially stable cities not only in Metro Manila but in the entire country.”

For the following years, Mayor Calixto plans to give more focus on housing in order to provide every Pasayeño with a decent home.

All of these come under the meticulous planning of the city government. Because of the boom in establishments in Pasay, the estimated revenue will be higher, therefore, there will be more projects to be implemented.

With all the issues surrounding government funds and money, how does the city ensure transparency? With this, the city government is proud to lead the way as it fully adheres to the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) full-disclosure policy.

Financial statements are posted online in the DILG website and Pasay website. The Public Information Office also makes sure that these are posted in bulletin boards scattered around the city hall so that every Pasayeño can see what their government is doing and what the administration has accomplished.

By ensuring full transparency in Pasay City government, Mayor Tony adheres to the mandate given to him by the people, that is to be their servant and to represent their best interests.

No less than the Department of FinanceBureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF) reported that Pasay is 2nd nationwide in local revenue collection efficiency. The recognition from the DOF goes to show how effective and efficient the City Government is in generating its own income. Pasay is not dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment or on the national government. It can effectively serve the people using its own resources.

Php

920M

General Income Accounts in 2011

The G I A i s co m po s e d of I n t e rna l R e ve nue A l l o t m e n t, P e r m i t s and Lic e n s e s , S e r vice I nco m e , B u s in e s s I nco m e and o t h e r I nco m e s

Php

542.2M

Interal revenue allotment in 2011

s ignif y ing a proport ional incr e a s e in ta x co l l e c t ion w i t hin t h e l oca l i t y

Php

140M

Non-tax revenues

inc l ude R e gul at ory F e e s fro m P e r m i t s and Lic e n s e s , S e r vice I nco m e , B u s in e s s I nco m e

Allocations

php 5M php 800M php 300M

s cholars hip for de s e rv ing s t ude nt s and chi ldre n of barangay officials (2013)

Financial statements are posted online in the DILG website and Pasay website.

Sp e cia l Educat ion Fund (2012) more e ffici e nt garbage co lle ct ion and dis pos al s y s t e m (2013)

More Efficient Collection and Stable Income in Pasay

Finance Management

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Social Welfare

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Mor e Engaging and C aring in P a s a y

Social Welfare and Disaster Management R

ecently, the National Statistical Coordination Board released its latest report on the state of poverty in the country. Based on data from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey conducted by the National Statistics Office last July 2012, poverty incidence or the proportion of people below the poverty line to the total population was at 22.3%, a figure which remained unchanged since 2006.

The big challenge for our national and local governments is how to deal with this perennial problem so that the majority of the people will be emancipated from poverty.

It is precisely this challenge that Mayor Antonino “Tony�

Calixto seeks to deal with this poverty problem head on. His administration has constantly devised programs and projects that seek to address the social welfare of PasayeĂąos.

The mandate of the Pasay City Social Welfare Department (PSWD) is to ensure the social well-being of children, youth, women, families and communities, special groups and the elderly.

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an Mayor Tony and Congresswom Emi handing out sacks of rice

A demonstr at Risk Manag ion of Pasay’s Disaster ement progr am

One of the sectors that Mayor Tony’s administration has always given top priority is the youth sector, consistent with his personal belief that it’s always best to invest on them. He wants to ensure a brighter future for the children by making sure that their needs are well taken care of. He subscribes to the wise words of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, that “the youth is the hope of the nation.”

Incidentally, Pasay was once named after the national hero only to be reverted back to its present name.

“Ang Tubig ay Buhay”Program

Under Pasay’s Early Childhood Education Programs, Mayor Tony’s administration has sent 10,468 students to day care centers just for one school year. About 15,188 preschool children were also given free sets of workbooks. In partnership with SM Foundation’s “Donate a Book Program,” the local government was able to provide 111 Day Care Centers with the necessary materials for a more effective learning.

With regard to infrastructure projects, five new Day Care Centers were built, two of

Mayor Tony helps in handing out books

which were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Japan, while three were finished through the initiatives of the barangay officials in coordination with PSWD. Nine Day Care Centers have also undergone repair, renovation and improvement to enhance the learning environment as well as to ensure the safety of the children.

With the help of Congresswoman Emi Calixto-Rubiano, four computer units with monitors and printers were turned over at Villamor Unit for the early computer education of Day Care learners.

M o r e E ngagi ng and Car i ng i n Pasay

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Social Welfare and

With the continuing vision of providing better lives to each of his constituents, Mayor Tony can only hope for nothing but the best for Pasay’s residents.

There were also programs that respond to Children in Need of Special Protection.

These activities were carefully evaluated by the city’s Social Workers for proper intervention and valuable solutions.

Various activities offered and rendered to them range from referrals to respective partner agencies and organizations, to counseling of children which addresses their situation.

Pasay also has two institutions which cater to all types of street children and children in conflict with the law (CICL).

These are the Social Development Center and the Pasay Youth Home. These institutions ensure the well-being of these children by engaging them in sociocultural activities like flower making and beads making. Through these activities, the number of CICL remains steady at 50 since 2011.

Through the initiatives of Mayor Tony, the local government, through PSWD, conducted programs which also engaged the Out of School Youth (OSY). They were trained on driving, commercial cooking, computer hardware, housekeeping, welding, massage therapy, automotive, bartending and other livelihood programs. Some members of the youth were referred for educational assistance and conducted outreach programs. All of these skills training and activities were geared towards the goal of integrating OSY in the social fabric by making them more productive citizens in their own ways.

There were also projects which directly benefited families and communities. They were given the following services upon their expressed needs and problems: financial assistance, Balik Probinsya Program, burial assistance and livelihood opportunity. The local government also extended educational assistance to some members of the families.

Assistance to TODA Members

Disaster Management

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In times of disaster, Mayor Tony mobilizes units within Pasay City to effectively respond to these emergencies. Pasay City government makes sure that they do not let their people down.

In times of disaster, Mayor Tony’s administration mobilizes units within Pasay City to effectively respond to these emergencies. It is during these times of distress that the people most need help.

Pasay City government makes sure that its officials do not let their people down.

The PSWD leads the efforts in extending assistance to victims of calamities.

When a fire struck one barangay, each of the 429 families who lived there received three thousand pesos each, through the Office of Mayor Tony and Congresswoman Emi. Vice Mayor Marlon Pesebre also gave additional financial assistance to the victims.

sswoman Emi together Mayor Tony and Congre Roxas during a Disaster with DILG Secretary Mar ar Risk Management semin

Together with other volunteer groups, the local government also initiated massive rescue operations. In Pasay alone, there were 647 incidences where there were rescue operations. Outside Pasay, there were 542 operations. There were also a total of 1,047 street adults rescued, as well as 122 street children and 20 senior citizens.

M o r e E ngagi ng and Car i ng i n Pasay

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Social Welfare and

Mayor Antonino Calixto constantly devises programs and projects that seek to address the social welfare of Pasayeños.

In line with this, the city government has constructed the Doña Nena Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Management Control Center. The goal is to provide a place where the residents could possibly seek refuge in times of disasters.

This project also purports to educate and provide proper training to the city’s people on what to do in case of emergencies.

Another sector which Mayor Tony’s administration focused on was the elderly. He initiated the Liaison Services for Senior Citizens. These are programs for the elderly which involve some livelihood and special education and trainings. These programs assist them in sustaining their productivity in order to help their families and communities. The number of senior citizens in the city is pegged at around 14,0000, and the city assists them so that they will be productive notwithstanding their age.

To add to his growing list of achievements is the Supplemental Feeding Program which was launched in December 2010.

Through the efforts of Mayor Tony and Congresswoman Emi, around 900 undernourished children are provided with food by the city government. This is a proactive initiative to combat extreme hunger, a response to one of the Millennium Development Goals which is to eradicate hunger and poverty.

All of these programs and activities seek to do one thing – to improve the standard of living of every Pasayeño. With the continuing vision of providing better lives to each of his constituents, Mayor Tony can only hope for the best for Pasay residents.

Supplemental Feeding Program

900

undernourished children pro vid e d w i t h food b y t h e cit y gove rn m e n t

Early Childhood Education Programs

10,468 preschool children 15,188 students

s e n t t o day car e c e n t e r s for one s choo l y e ar

gi ve n fre e s e t s of w orkboo ks

massive rescue operations

647

Disaster Management

rescue operations

1,047 122 20

s t r e e t adu lt s r e s cu e d s t r e e t chi l dr e n r e s cu e d s e nior cit ize n s r e s cu e d

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Mor e Who l i s t ic , F un and C onduci v e in P a s a y

Tourism and Trade B

eautiful. Ebullient. Full of life.

This is how Pasayeños want visitors to see, feel and appreciate their beloved Pasay every time they step into the city.

Its enviable position in Metro Manila is very vital especially with the country’s tourism because it is the location of three terminals, including NAIA-2, NAIA-3 and NAIA-4 where international and domestic flights land.

Pasay City serves as the gateway to the Philippines.

With such a fortunate place, Pasay City surely has vast opportunity to showcase its beauty and grandeur to include the Philippines. Being the first place that any foreign eyes see and feet would land on, Pasay should be seen as interesting and attractive enough to entice visitors to stay and explore more.

Under the leadership of Mayor Tony, there was a major improvement with regard to the tourism strategies of the city. Most notable of which was the rebranding of Pasay as the Philippines’ “Travel City.” This new identity is due to the number and volume of people who journey through Pasay. When one arrives by plane, he or she lands in Pasay. When one travels through buses or the train, he or she passes through Pasay.

Rebranding Pasay as “The Travel City” is the brainchild of Mayor Tony to utilize more efficiently the very strategic geographical position of Pasay in order to boost tourism not only in the city but in the whole country as well.

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Under the leadership of Mayor Tony, there was a major improvement with regard to the tourism strategies of the city. Most notable of which was the rebranding of Pasay as the “Travel City”.

Further working towards creating a distinct identity for Pasay, the city government propped up Welcome Landmarks to determine the boundaries of Pasay with adjacent cities like Makati and Paranaque.

Before, travelers, who do not frequent the South, have a hard time distinguishing which city is which. But through this initiative of the Calixto administration, Pasay has created its own identity and brand, one-upping other progressive cities in Metro Manila.

Another pioneering project under the Calixto administration is the publication of the EZ Map. This handy and efficient tool features tourism destinations in the city. It also introduces Pasay’s history, along with tourism-related establishments, landmarks, and attractions. It also provides the reader with the map of Pasay City, so that any firsttime visitor will always find his or her way around the bustling community.The EZ Map is currently displayed in key spots around the city and in National Bookstore outlets so that it will reach a wider network and be available to an expansive audience.

Realizing that the first thing that every visitor landing in Pasay will notice would not necessarily be the tourist destinations only but also the cleanliness of the place, the local government launched “Pasay Ko, Love Ko.” This project is being implemented in cooperation with the Solid Waste Management Office. It aims to provide knowledge and information on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in all barangays. With the help of the city’s street sweepers, barangay officials and community residents, clean-up operations are being done.

Aside from cleanliness and beautification projects, the local government also beefs up its security not only for the residents but for the tourists as well. As such, tourist policemen were deployed and spread around Pasay in order to assist visitors. They also make sure that everyone who visits Pasay are safe, secure and free from impending danger or harm from opportunists.

The City Tourism and Cultural Development Office is the main agency tasked to implement programs related to tourism in the city. The CTCDO promotes and formulates a comprehensive effective plan for Pasay City Tourism Development including encouraging people’s participation and cooperation from the private sector and appropriating funds for such projects.

M o r e W h o l i s t i c, F u n and Co nd uci v e i n Pasay

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Tourism and Trade

They also forge cooperation among the government, private sector, the NGOs and local communities in the development and promotion of Pasay City as a prime city of tourist destination.

has a land area of 42 hectares and a floor area of 400,000 square meters. With such massive space, it pulls in some 200,000 shoppers, both foreign and local, to its grandeur.

By initiating pioneering projects, the Calixto administration was able to generate revenue from tourism-related activities for Pasay City.

Undoubtedly, the tourism industry in Pasay, especially the big establishments, largely contributes to the healthy income of the city.

Not only does Pasay have the biggest Convention Center and mall, it is also home to the biggest sports complex – the MOA Arena. Because of this, the city government continues its efforts to promote sports to its residents. Mayor Tony extends his full support to the projects by conducting free sports clinic for children. Participants to this training of future athletes in the city are being facilitated by top coaches and sports men and women in the country.

For one, it is home to the SMX Convention Center, the biggest in the country. It is able to hold at least 10,000 delegates at a time, further reinforcing Pasay’s position as the “convention and events city” of the Philippines.

The development of Newport City, an integrated world-class recreation hub, also raised the bar in entertainment and hotel industry. It is a 25-hectare haven for everyone, which is composed of Resorts World Manila, the Newport Performing Arts Theater, and other high-end hotels.

Pasay is also proud of SM Mall of Asia (MOA).

Ranked as the third largest shopping mall in Asia and the fourth in the world according to Forbes Magazine which reinforces the country’s claim as a retail shopping haven in the world. SM MOA

There is a continuous influx of tourists and visitors backed up by a more arduous and effective promotion of the city’s various cultural, sports and big event activities with the help of the private sector. Naturally, an effective tourism program boosts the economy and helps in making Pasay a more progressive city.

There are also efforts by the Calixto administration to improve the Malibay Sports and Cultural Center to give a bigger space for spectacular performances such as senakulo, barangay beauty pageants, and fund-raising activities. Through the years, the community theater has served as an alternative venue for holding special events, aside from the Cuneta Astrodome and Pasay City Sports Complex.

This whoslitic approach to tourism development bannered by rebranding Pasay as “The Travel City” have already reaped immense benefits for Pasay City.

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Mor e t han j u s t a P o l ic e D u t y , I t ’ s E v e r y on e ’ s B u s in e s s

Peace and Order

“E

very Pasayeño should be a tourist guide, a law enforcer, and a roving ambassador of the city. We are proud to have all the amenities our guests need. Let’s make Pasay a true Travel City. Let the fun begin here!”

Thus declared Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto as he congratulated the newly-organized Pasay City Tourist Police, while emphasizing that “your job is very, very important for you ensure the safety and security of both domestic and foreign tourists.”

The reminder came as a fatherly advice from Calixto at the launching of Pasay Tourist Police Unit together with Pasay Travel City Website at the GSIS Museum on September 24, 2012.

“With about 35 new tourist policemen and some 40 auxiliaries, we start directly addressing the tourism security situation on the ground,” said Mayor Calixto.

He underscored that the City’s entire police force should be responsive and its enforcement of safety and security must be world-class.

“That’s how we can make our visitors truly welcome. That’s how we ensure that they keep coming back. That’s how we truly became a Travel City,” he stressed.

Every year, tourist arrivals are ever increasing boosted further by the very catchy tourism slogan – It’s More Fun in the Philippines!

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Our facilities should be modern and up to date, our entire police force – not only the tourist police – should be responsive, our enforcement of safety and security should be world-class.

Compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors; however the Philippines gets only a small chunk of international tourism traffic. Malaysia gets 10 million foreign visitors yearly – Thailand, even more than that. Even newcomer Vietnam now gets more tourist traffic than us.

Last year, the Philippines welcomed only 3.9 million foreign visitors through Pasay City where premier international airports are located.

According to Mayor Calixto, there is this image and perception that security in Metro Manila is lax and very relaxed.

f firetru

Turn-over o

l Officials

Nationa cks to BFP

“Rightly or wrongly, people think that the crime rate is high, that our streets are unsafe for tourists. We may be a very

hospitable people, one of the friendliest in the world even, but sometimes the negative image abroad affect the perception of prospective visitors,” underscored Mayor Calixto.

He said that the launching of the Pasay City Tourist Police is a positive step to combat the negative perception, and a real solution to remedy a situation on the ground so to speak.

Being a Tourist Police involves special skills and training. He or she must be proficient and have these attributes: know every tourist attraction in Pasay; must be knowledgeable to help in pointing the right direction to the mall, hotel or museum; and, must know how to speak Basic English.

More th a n j u s t a P o l i ce D u t y, It’ s Ev e ryo ne ’ s Busi ne ss

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Peace and Order

“Tourism is all about enjoying the visit, having the time of your life, and making you feel coming back again and again. Let’s all work together to make our visitors feel that way,” said Mayor Calixto.

He stressed that for the rest of Pasayeños, from the City Government down to the ordinary citizen, it is their collective duty to make their visitors happy.

Inauguratio n of with Pasay Police Community P r COP Rudol fo Llorca an ecinct No. 10 Csupt. Jose d SPD Director Erwin Villa corte

“This means that our facilities should be modern and up to date, our entire police force – not only the tourist police – should be responsive, our enforcement of safety and security should be world-class. That’s how we can make our visitors truly welcome. That’s how we ensure that they keep coming back.

That’s how we truly become a Travel City,” concludes Mayor Calixto.

From the City Government down the ordinary citizen, it is our collective duty to make our visitors happy.

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Partners in S

PA R T N E R S I N S E R V I C E

Pasay City LEGISLATORS Mayor Antonino Calixto Vice Mayor Marlon Pesebre Congresswoman Imelda Calixto-Rubiano

Service

Councilors 1st District Grace Santos Jenny Roxas Richard Advincula Abet Alvina Eduardo Advincula Lex Ibay

Councilors 2nd District Allan Panaligan Aileen Padua Ian Vendivel Arnel Regino Arceo Reynaldo Padua Arvin Tolentino

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Emi

Sincerity in Service Hon. Imelda Calixto Rubiano

W

omen of influence are often categorized either as “compassionate, soft-hearted and gentle individuals” like Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Princess Diana or as “powerful, intelligent and strongwilled” like Hillary Clinton and Margaret Thatcher.

“

Amazingly, Pasay City’s lone district Representative Imelda “Emi” Calixto Rubiano, endearingly called Cong. Emi, belongs to a privileged class of women leaders who invariably possess both traits.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

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– Maya Angelou (Author/Poet)

At first glance, Cong. Emi can be easily perceived as a sweet and smart woman.

Her demeanor matches the elegance of Coco Chanel, her heart for the people is much like Eleanor Roosevelt’s, and her leadership qualities are like that of Germany’s Prime Minister Angela Merkel.

To put icing on the cake, this remarkable woman is omnipresent in the lives of her constituents in Pasay City.

Her campaign slogan “nakikita ninyo, nakakausap ninyo, nakakasama ninyo” (you see her, you talk to her and you’re with her) is definitely not just a sweet talk or a political gimmick.

Her time management skills is outstanding—almost miraculous—that aside from attending the daily session at the House of Representatives, Cong. Emi attends about 11-23 meetings everyday, answers around 200 text messages, and in the wee hours of the morning, sympathizes with those who have lost their loved ones.

Amidst all these tasks while serving as the city’s lone representative, Cong. Emi remains to be a loving and doting mother to her children. In fact, she was recognized and was awarded with the Ulirang Ina Award, representing the Sectoral Award for Government Service. This award is given to mothers, who, despite their successes in their respective careers, have remained to be a role model for their family and others.

She is a doting mother to her children with her husband Edgardo Rubiano namely: Nicole, Le Anne and Luigi.

In a daily schedule such as this, the word “busy” is an understatement, but “love” is the underlying statement.

Cong. Emi’s heart for the people of Pasay pulsates naturally to serve them. Being born and raised in a political atmosphere by her father, former Pasay City OIC Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto, she learned about the rudiments of genuine public service that likewise served as her father’s “vitamins.” According to her, she witnessed many times how her father’s strength was reinvigorated whenever people visited him seeking help and advice.

Calixto-Rubiano Being now “the loving auntie” of the people of Pasay was not her original plan. After finishing Behavioral Science in the University of Santo Tomas, she repeatedly declined her father’s urging that she would run for public office.

Instead, she had helped in vigorously campaigning for her brother, now incumbent Mayor Antonino Calixto, when he initially ran for councilor and then later as vice mayor.

In 1998, she finally heeded the call for public service and ran for Councilor in District 2. During her term as councilor, she spearheaded several projects such as free medical and dental services, “Murang Serbisyo sa Namatayan,” Operation Cataract, Botika Binhi, Operation Smile, Feeding Programs, Livelihood and Capital assistance, Scholarship Grant to deserving students and other infrastructure projects.

She was not only an exemplary city legislator but she has proven herself to be a good administrator when she once headed the Pasay City Social Welfare Department. Under her inspired leadership, PCSWD earned several recognitions and exemplary awards for attending to the needs of Pasay City residents.

Women Power Bloc in Congress

In 2010, she was elected by the people of Pasay to be their lone representative in the House of Representatives. As a neophyte congresswoman, she belonged to a select group of women legislators who are in a class of their own.

Just recently, she was reelected as the Secretary General of the Association of Women’s Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), the influential organization of all 79 women legislators of the House of Representatives.

“It is such an honor to be given this opportunity to become an officer of this association that empowers not just the women in Congress, but more so the ordinary Filipina by being the beneficiary of all the prowomen laws that we in the Congress are pushing for,“ said the two-term congresswoman.

Founded by then Congresswoman now Senator Cynthia Villar during the 12th Congress, AWLFI is also known as the Women’s Bloc in Congress that is largely credited for the passage of landmark laws on women and children like the Magna Carta of Women of 2009, the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The 16th Congress has the biggest number of lady legislators in history at 79. The group has also become a vehicle for all lady legislators to have a common stand on important issues concerning women and children rights and welfare.

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“This association gives the women’s bloc in the Lower House a sense of unity and purpose.

In all our proposed bills and resolutions, we ensure that the welfare of women and children is ensured,” Cong. Emi said.

As a lawmaker, she has filed national and local bills that greatly impact on the lives of Filipino people and the Pasayeños. Among the landmark national bills filed by Cong. Emi in Congress include: An Act creating a National Student Loan Board to implement a national student loan program for the poor; An Act Penalizing Persons Driving under the influence of alcohol; An Act Granting Free Annual Medical Check up for all employees of the Government; An Act Providing for Appropriate and Adequate School Supplies and Reading Materials/Books Subsidy to Students Enrolled in Public Elementary and High Schools; An Act Defining the Duties and Obligations of Bicyclist, Establishing a Local Bikeways Office; An Act Prohibiting Discrimination on Account of Age in Employment; An Act Defining Pedestrian Safety Guidelines; An Act Further Amending Republic Act No. 9241 Entitled “An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as “An Act Instituting a National Health Insurance Program for All Filipinos and Establishing the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for the Purpose;” An Act Granting Retirement Benefits to all Barangay Officials who have rendered at least 3 (Three) Terms of Continuous Service; An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta

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for Disabled Persons;” An Act Establishing at least one (1) Special Education (SPED) Center for each School Division and at least Three (3) SPED Centers in Big School Divisions for Children with Special Needs (CSNS); and, ‘An Act Mandating all Motorcycle Riders to wear Standard Protective Motorcycle Helmets while Driving and Providing Penalties, otherwise known as the ‘Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009;’ Among her landmark local bills filed in Congress to benefit Pasay City and Pasayeños include: An Act Establishing a National Science High School in the City of Pasay to be known as Pasay City National Science High School; An Act Creating five (5) Additional Branches of the Regional Trial Court and five (5) Additional Branches of the Metropolitan Trial Court in the National Capital Judicial Region to be stationed in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Amending for the Purpose Section 14(D) and Section 27 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended; An Act Establishing a Drug Rehabilitation Center in the City of Pasay; and, An Act Providing for the Reapportionment of the Lone District of the City of Pasay Likewise, Cong. Emi also refiled in 16th Congress, House Bill 00605 or An Act Declaring December 2 of Every Year as a Special Nonworking Holiday in Pasay City, to be known as the “Foundation Day of Pasay City.”

A Dependable Partner of Mayor Calixto Since her brother, Mayor Tony Calixto, now holds the highest local seat, Cong. Emi always sees to it that their partnership in service becomes a robust and healthy tandem of two sincere public servants combining their talents and resources to boost Pasay’s progress and care for its people.

“When we were given the chance by the Lord to really serve and be in the two highest positions, my brother and I vowed to work together and help each other to serve our city mates. Whenever I need help to finish certain projects, I would ask help from him. In the same way, if the local government needs my help in the national government, I readily give my assistance.

Because of this synergy, it’s easier to implement new projects in Pasay City and the results are tangible,” shares Cong. Emi. Included in her long list of projects are: Operation Smile; Botika Binhi; Operation Sagip Mata; Murang Serbisyo sa Namatay; Computer Scholarship Program; Libreng Pagsasanay Panghanap Buhay; Operation Cataract; Handog ni Emi, Pap Smear ni Mommy; Operation: Batang Masaya; Hearing Aid Assistance; Libreng X-Ray; Fumigation; Feeding Program; Medical Mission; Operation Tule; Type Mo, Type Ko Blood Typing

Program; wheelchair distribution; construction of public toilets; reconstruction of roads; installation of lamp posts; multi-purpose tents; fiberglass basketball boards; free vaccination; matriculation fee grants; Clean and Green program; hobby na business; plants distribution; grotto construction; community outreach programs; Kamusta Ka MaBeauty; manhole cover distribution; motorized water pump in the market; Operation: Pamayanang Masaya,; medicine distribution; Palarong Pangkabataan; medical equipment distribution; diagnostic supplies; deworming program, free vocational training program, emergency medical assistance, equipment for the disabled; relief goods distribution; fire victims assistance,and Poso mula sa Puso.

The strong tandem of the Calixto siblings in serving their constituents has elicited positive results particularly the business sector. On account of the friendly environment, investors and entrepreneurs now feel welcome and are encouraged to put up their business in Pasay. This translates to new jobs and increase in revenues for the city.

Cong. Emi and Mayor Tony also see to it that adequate skills training and education are provided for some Pasay residents who are still in need of further skills development in order to be qualified for such new jobs.

With all these accomplishments and her continuous genuine service to the people, Cong.

Emi has brought “multi-tasking” to another level. Despite her pronounced “busyness” — with less time to eat and sleep and more time for talking and serving —her friends still comment that she’s getting prettier every day. Even her husband has observed how she automatically regains her strength whenever people come and visit her asking for help.

Asked how she is able to manage to handle such workload and daily activities, she answered: “I think, my secret formula is love. I love what I’m doing. I love to serve people.”

As for her beloved constituents, Cong. Emi always regards them as the real “catalysts” for change in Pasay City.

“My brother mayor and I could not do it all by ourselves. The people of Pasay have to be a part of this teamwork and journey so that we could continue with our modest achievements and march to progress and success. This promise and hope of providing a bright future for our city mates is not just for the people of today but also for future generations of Pasayeños,” concludes Cong. Emi.

“My secret formula is love. I love what I’m doing. I love to serve people.”

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Councilors

Hon. Marlon A. Pesebre

V

ice Mayor Marlon A. Pesebre was born on September 29, 1971.

He is the third child of Engracio A. Pesebre and Remedios B. Atienza Pesebre, both residents and natives of Pasay.

He is a distinguished alumnus and consistent honor student of Malate Catholic School from Elementary through High School.

He is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of the East, Manila. Subsequently, he studied Law for two years only at the San Beda College.

He did not pursue his law studies but he became a successful entrepreneur prior to his entry in the world of politics.

He was first elected as a City Councilor of Pasay City in 2001.

As a neophyte alderman. Pesebre was elected by his fellow councilors to serve as Chairman of the Committee on Amusement, while serving as member in other various committees.

Due to the exemplary public service shown to his constituents, he emerged number one Councilor for both the 2004 and the 2007 local elections in the City’s First District.

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His peers elected him as Minority Floor Leader.

While at this post, he continued to perform well as councilor and served his constituents with aplomb.

Among his sterling achievements as a Pasay City official was that he belonged to the four gallant councilors who were retained in their elective position by the Ombudsman last 2006 when the latter suspended almost all elected Pasay City officials. The suspension actually led to the dismissal of some city officials. At that time, then Councilor Pesebre was elected as Majority Floor Leader.

Among his endearing projects through the years include: the “Dagdag Kaalaman sa Pangkabuhayan;” “Palakasan Kontra Droga;” “Oplan Trabaho;” the “Libreng Tubig Para sa Mamamayan ng Pasay,” among others.

In all of these three terms as Councilor, he has been always been among the officials of the Philippine Councilors‘ League.

After his two consecutive terms as Councilor he was elected Vice Mayor in 2010 and re-elected to a second term in the May 2013 elections.

Vice Mayor Pesebre is married to Amelia AlanaPesebre and they have four children: Denise Erika, Carlo Gabriel, Patricia Anne and Mario Jacob. At present, his family resides in Sun Valley, NAIA, Pasay.

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C OU N C IL OR

Mary Grace B. Santos Serving her third term as City Councilor, Mary Grace Santos was born on July 8, 1972 in Manila.

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COUNCILOR

Jenny A. Roxas A Registered Nurse by profession, Jennifer Antiquera Roxas is a neophyte Councilor who was born on July 15, 1971.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree at the St. Paul College Q.C. She took her Masters in Public Management at the Ateneo de Manila University.

She is the wife of former Pasay Congressman Jose Antonio F. Roxas M.D. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the De Ocampo Memorial College. She is now a part time law student at the City University of Pasay.

Councilor Santos serves as Chairman of the Committees on Tourism and Environment and Vice Chair of the Committees on Health, Family and Women, as well as Education.

She is also the President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Pasay City Chapter.

Married to businessman Consertino Santos, she has three lovely children namely: Nina Patricia, Consertino Miguel and Consertino Alfonso.

She is also an active civic leader particularly as President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Pasay City Harrison.

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COUNCILOR

Richard M. Advincula Now on his third term as City Councilor, Richard M. Advincula was born on January 17, 1969.

He finished his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree at the Letran College, Manila, and his Bachelor of Laws degree at the Far Eastern University.

A known civic leader, he is involved with various civic organizations like the Councilors League at the Philippines, the Rotary International, the Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club of Pasay.

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COUNCILOR

Alberto C. Alvina A successful businessman before running for city councilor in 2004, Alberto C. Alvina is now on his second term as Pasay City alderman.

He was born on March 20, 1961 in Libon, Albay. Married to the former Elizabeth Que, the couple has two children, Abraham Albert and Kristine Leize.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of the East. Aside from English and Tagalog, Councilor Alvina also speaks fluent Nippongo. He is skilled in business operations and his expertise includes advising, managing, planning and organizing which he readily shares to upstart businessmen.

City Co

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COUNCILOR

C OU N C IL O R

Lexter N. Ibay

Eduardo I. Advincula A veteran Pasay City Councilor, Eduardo “Daddy Ed� I. Advincula was born on October 4, 1939.

He is on his second term as councilor of the second district of Pasay City.

He took up Law at the Ateneo de Manila University and uses his expertise to provide legal assistance to the constituents in Pasay.

Lexter Navarro Ibay has served as city councilor since 2004. He has served as Majority Floor Leader from 2010-2011 and 2012-2013.

Born on July 18, 1972, he is married to Maria Patricia Pelaez Ibay with four children: Ignacio Gabriel, Mario Alejandro, Annika Beatriz and Joaquin Emmanuel.

He received his Law degree from the Philippine Law School.

He serves as Chairman of the Human Rights and Anti-Terrorism Committees.

ouncilors He is an active member of various civic and religious organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Ateneo Alumni Association and the Kiwanis Club of Manila.

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Councilors COUNCILOR

Allan T. Panaligan Allan T. Panaligan graduated with a Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering degree at the Lyceum of the Philippines.

Born on August 13, 1968, he is married to the former Jennifer Dagum Panaligan of Batangas City.

He is a seasoned politician who initially served as Youth Brigade Chairman in 1986 to 1987 before he was elected to three consecutive terms as city councilor from 1998 to 2006 before he assumed as OIC Mayor in 2006 till 2007.

He is an outstanding councilor having authored and sponsored such legislations namely: the Child Welfare Code of Pasay City (2001); Amended Local Zoning Ordinance (2004); Free Movie Pass for Senior Citizens (2007); and, the Establishment of the Pasay City Youth Month.

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Aside from instituting the grants of free shoes, bags and notebooks to all public school students, among his top priorities is to provide free physical therapy clinics in Malibay, Mancaban, San Roque, Sta Clara and San Isidro.

COUNCILOR

Aileen Padua-Lopez Aileen Padua-Lopez is a neophyte city councilor who followed the footsteps of her father, senior Councilor Rey Padua.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Major in Advertising and Public Relations at the Assumption College.

She worked as a Marketing Coordinator for the SM Shoemart before she became the Marketing Operations Manager of the Granbay Resort from 2008 to 2012.

This year, she had a career shift as she opted to serve the people of Pasay as City Councilor like her father.

City Co

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

Arnel Regino T. Arceo

Ian P. Vendivel For 28 years, Ian P. Vendivel served as Vice-President and Marketing Director of Astellas Phils. Inc., a leading research-based Japanese pharmaceutical firm, when he decided to serve the people of Pasay as city councilor in 2004.

He chairs the Committees on Ways and Means, Social Welfare and Development, Inter-Government and International Relations and the En Banc Committee on Administrative Complaints.

He has handled various important council committees including being the Majority Floor Leader from 2011 to 2012. He is now serving his third term as a City Councilor.

He was an outstanding student during his years at the Philippine College of Criminology and Lyceum of the Philippines.

He is married to Donnabel Melosantos and the couple is blessed with two children, Brian Don and Ingrid Joy. He remains active with his socio-civic involvement as: past president of the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo; member of the Board of Directors of Bangon Pasay Movement; and, as member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Red Cross, Pasay Chapter.

A seasoned alderman, Arnel Regino T. Arceo has the distinction of being elected as the youngest Pasay City councilor in 1988 at the age of 21. He served and completed three consecutive terms.

He graduated with a degree in A.B Economics at the De La Salle University (DLSU).

He is married to Milani Simmonds Pobiete Arceo. They are blessed with three sons: Alphonso Louis, Angelo Nicol and Arnel Regino Jr.

ouncilors

He serves as chairman of various important committees including Youth and Sports, Appropriations and Business.

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C OU N C IL OR

Arvin G. Tolentino Born on September 24, 1971, Arvin G. Tolentino is a veteran city councilor.

He was first elected City Councilor in 1998 and served as Majority Floor Leader in 2010-2012.

He took up his Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Santo Tomas in 1992. He earned his Doctor of Medicine at the Angeles University Foundation in 1997.

He serves as chairman of the Committees on Tourism, Accreditation and Senior Citizens.

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COUNCILOR

Reynaldo O. Padua Veteran Councilor Reynaldo O. Padua started his public service career as Councilor in the year 1995.

Born and raised in Pasay, he is the eldest among four siblings. He initially studied college at the Mapua as a scholar where he took up Mechanical Engineering but had to give up to support his younger siblings. He eventually finished his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Management from the University of the East in Manila.

A self-made man, he put up his own business at the age of 25 as the Manager and sole owner of Reynaldo’s Marketing in 1976.

He became a young millionaire at the age of 28 when 32 Reynaldo’s Marketing branches mushroomed nationwide. He also ventured into other business such as the Grandbay Resort and RIA Resort.

Today, he is one of the senior members of the Pasay City Council.

He uses his experience in guiding his colleagues and providing ideas for the Pasay City’s continuing progress.

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S t r o n g a n d V i b r a n t at S e s q u i c e n t e n n i a l

150 Pasay City Celebration th

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Reaching 150 years is no doubt, an outstanding milestone. A jubilant air filled the City of Pasay as its government led the people in different activities that encouraged merriment and exhibited the many stories of its evolution.

Today, Pasay City shines at its brightest as its people team up with its government to work for progress.

As chronicled in the early pages, solutions and developments have been highlighted in the field of education, health and sanitation, infrastructures, housing and livelihood, peace and order, good governance, and trade and tourism.

The recent positive changes that have been amazingly happening in the City of Pasay add more reasons to these celebrations.

“I am extremely thankful because we have all worked together to achieve this phenomenal development,� says Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto.

he city, definitely, has a lot of reasons to celebrate.

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Pasay 150 Dungawan ng Sandaigdigan sa ika-150 Taon November

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Poster Making Division Office / P. Zamora St. Itanong mo sa Taga Pasay Quiz Bee Division Office / P. Zamora St.

Pasay Super Model 2013 Awards Night

Nov dec

November

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City Hall

Toda Toda Saya! Toda Todang Pa Premyo! Toda Todang Concert! Toda na ito!

November

Oratorical Contest Division Office / P. Zamora St.

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Sabayang Pagbigkas (Sakay na sa Pasay) Division Office / P. Zamora St.

Healthy Lifestyle Check

Drum and Lyre Competition Pasay Mabuhay Ka Jose Rizal ES Ground

Pasay Astrodome

November

27-29

Cuneta Astrodome

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Cuneta Astrodome

Pasay 150th Mega Job Fair November

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Cuneta Astrodome

150 Free Medical -Dental and Sagip Mata Outreach Program November

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Sports Complex/ Dernham Park

Pasay 150 Christmas Bazaar

BOYS AND GIRLS WEEK

Pasay 150 Santa Run Philippines for yolANDA TYPHOON VICTIMS

Nov dec

Nov dec

December

25-31

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Essay Writing Division Office / P. Zamora St.

Pasay 150 Christmas Decoration Contest

Derham Park

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Cuneta Astrodome

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CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard

Pasay 150 Gala and Awards Night December

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Awarding of Outstanding PasayeĂąos Launching of Pasay 150 Commemorative Book Awarding of the Top 20 Taxpayers Grand Ballroom, Marriot Hotel at the Resorts World

Drum and Bugle Exhibition December

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December

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Cuneta Astrodome-Roxas Blvd-BuendiaFB Harrison-Taft-EDSA-Astrodome

Launching of Pasay Visitor’s Center December

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Cuneta Astrodome

Bb. Pasay 150 Beauty Pageant

Pasay-ahin 150 Street Party December

2 16-20 26 26

Pasay 150th Grand Parade and Street Dance Competition

In front of CFM Office facing Roxas Boulevard

November Pasay-ahin Band and Dance Competition Pasay Barangays Employees Singing Contest Cuneta Astrodome Pasay-ahin Band and Dance Competition Grand Finals Cuneta Astrodome

December

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Cuneta Astrodome

November Talent Competition Star Theater-Star City Motorcade of Candidates and Reigning Queens Swimsuit Competition Heritage Dinner Fashion Show Golden Bay Resto

POETRY READING AND STORY TELLING December

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Puppet Show and Film Showing City Library 3rd Floor Pasay City Hall

Pasay The Travel City: 150 years in the Making (A Photo Exhibit) December

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Dance Drama (History of Pasay) Pasay City Hall Lobby, 2nd flr

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asay City’s sesquicentennial or 150th foundation anniversary was officially launched on February 18, 2013 by Mayor Antonino “Tony” G. Calixto and Pasay Rep. Imelda “Emi” Calixto.

Another important date is June 21, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed a law that declared and renamed Pasay as “Rizal City” authored by Congressman Ignacio Santos Diaz.

The Calixto siblings were joined at the official unveiling of the logo of the sesquicentennial celebration and the countdown to 150th year celebration to culminate on December 2 by Councilors Antonia Cuneta, Ileana Ibay, Edith Vergel de Dios, Grace Santos, Ian Vendivel, Richard Advincula, Bryan Bayona and Lex Ibay.

The other important historical date was on May 3, 1950 when President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 437 renaming Rizal City into its original name “Pasay City” authored by Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez Sr.

The 150th Pasay City celebration traces its beginnings on December 2, 1963, when Pasay was officially recognized as a pueblo (a Spanish equivalent of a town) upon the recommendation of then Archbishop Gregorio Martinez of Sta. Cruz.

Official Logo of the Sesquicentennial Celebration.

However, as a city, Pasay marks its anniversary on August 16, a tradition started by Mayor Jovito Claudio in 1968 backed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos who officially declared it as “Araw ng Pasay” when Pasay City celebrated its first founding anniversary as a city based on the August 16, 1946 assumption of office of the first Pasay City Mayor.

In his message at the kick-off launching of the 150th celebration, Mayor Calixto said: “Today, a new chapter for Pasay has begun as we start our year-long celebration for our 150th Anniversary. As the city celebrates significant milestone in Pasay’s history, we will continue to take on the challenge to sustain the city’s growth and to continue efforts to make it the country’s center of tourism and recreation as well as a world-class destination. This we can only do if we improve public infrastructure, accelerate the delivery of social services to the people, and lay firm foundations for the economic boom that the city is experiencing now.

S t r o n g a n d V i b r a n t at S e s q u i c e n t e n n i a l

150th Pasay City Celebration

“We have only just begun. With your support and our concerted efforts, we can achieve in the years to come a more progressive Pasay City for our children.

He added, “As we count down the days to our 150th anniversary, let us not forget to thank the Lord Almighty for his blessings just as we honor our forefathers for their sacrifices, heroism an collective contribution to the growth of our beloved city. More importantly, we pay homage to them by building on their legacy.”

Calixto said that 150 years of Pasay City would soon be in history books but he emphasized the relevance of the celebration.

“We have only just begun. With your support and our concerted efforts, we can achieve in the years to come a more progressive Pasay City for our children. Together, let us set our collective sights to new horizons.

Fasten your seatbelts, beloved citymates, we’re now taking off!,” he concludes.

Pasay City Mayor Antonino “Tony” Calixto and Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano standing beside the 150 Anniversary Logo which was unveiled on February 18, 2013 at the Pasay City Hall Grounds during the start the countdown of the celebrations marking the city’s 150th foundation anniversary this year. Joining them are (from left to right) Councilors Antonia Cuneta, Ileana Ibay, Edith Vergel de Dios, Grace Santos, Ian Vendivel, Richard Advincula, Bryan Bayona and Lex Ibay.

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INSTITUTIONAL EVENTS IN PASAY Th e Aliwan Festi val Dubbed as “The Mother of All Fiestas,” Aliwan Festival is a yearly affair which began in 2003, that gathers numerous cultural festivals of the entire country. Organized by the cities of Pasay and Manila, different groups from all over the Philippines compete in dance parade, float competitions, and beauty pageants.

This famous festival, supported by Pasay government, aims to showcase the different Filipino cultures and heritage not only to the people of Metro Manila but also to the rest of the world. It also promotes the talents and customs of the 17 regions of the Philippines tourism-wide and economically.

Aliwan is a Tagalog word known for “entertainment” or “amusement.”

Originally, Aliwan was organized in preparation for Christmas season but it was later on held during the summer either April or May. The festival is divided into three categories, first is the main event of Cultural Street Dance Competition, the Float Parade, and the Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Entertainment/Amusement) beauty pageant.

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Aliwan’s highlight is the showing off the dance skills of participating groups while parading in almost four-kilometerstreet along Roxas Boulevard, from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater grounds located near Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The country’s 17 regions have one or more groups representing its respective cultural festival, as well as representative float and beauty pageant contestant.

Aliwan includes various festivals such as the well-known Dinagyang of Iloilo City, Sinulog of Cebu City, Panagbenga of Baguio City, Alikaraw of Hilongos, Leyte, Padang-Padang of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan, and Pamitinan Festival of Rodriguez, Rizal.

It also exhibits the products of the different participating groups from local food to other native products. In recent years, the festival also includes photography contest, an inter-scholastic dance competition (interpreting dance tunes played on Manila Broadcasting Corporations), Filipino street games, and fireworks display.

For the Float Parade, participating floats are allowed only to use local textiles, flowers, and other known products from their places for decoration. Each float carries their contestant for the Reyna ng Aliwan as muse.

The winners of the Aliwan Festival are all awarded with cash prizes from various festival sponsors and the local governments of Manila and Pasay.

T he W orld P yro O lym p i c s / T he P hi li ppi n e I n t e rn at i on a l P yrom u s i c a l C om p e t i t i on The World Pyro Olympics or soon after known as the Philippine International Pyromusical is an annual competition amongst firework manufacturers held in the Philippines particularly in Pasay City. The event runs for five days for The World Pyro Olympics and six weeks for The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition.

In 2005, the first World Pyro Olympics was held in The Esplanade at the back of the then unfinished SM Mall of Asia from December 26 to December 30. Firework materials were stationed at the contestant’s barge floating in Manila Bay.

Pasay at 15

Nine major firework makers from different countries participated in the competition.

They were the Show FX Australia Pty. Ltd., Glorious Group from the People’s Republic of China, Nico Lunig Event from Germany, Hanwha Corp. from Korea, Orion Art Production International in Russia, Pyro Spectacular in South Africa, Flash Art Group in United Arab Emirates, Celtic Fireworks Ltd. in the United Kingdom and America Melrose Pyrotechnics Inc. from the United States.

During last day of the completion, the event host Philippine’s La Mancha Group held a fireworks demonstration. Awards, such as the People’s Choice, are given out after the exhibition. The crowning of the World Pyro Olympics/Philippine International Pyromusical Competition’s Winners ends the event. The World Pyro Olympics lasted until 2008.

In 2010, the formerly known World Pyro Olympics was changed to 1st Philippine International Pyromusical Competition. It was held at SM Mall of Asia starting from February to March of the same year. The countries that participated the event were USA, United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

The Philippines provided the opening and closing exhibitions.

The pyromusical competition is a much awaited event not just for the people of Pasay but to all Filipinos. It does not simply show the customary fireworks that people see during the New Year’s eve, it showcases the artistry of the fireworks technology with the changing melody of music.

This year, the 4th Philippine International PyroMusical Competition was also held at the SM Mall of Asian from February to March. The countries that participated the event were Japan, Finland, Taiwan, Spain, United Kingdom, South Korea, Italy, Netherlands, China, Australia, and Canada.

F eas t o f San ta C l ar a d e M o n tefal co Aside from the newest attractions in the city such as hotels, malls, and theme parks, Pasay City is also known for its old Santa Clara de Montefalco Church.

Colorful floats abound during the Aliwan Festivak

Located at P. Burgos Street, the Santa Clara Church has rich its history since its existence in 1864. It was Fr. Simeon Betino, OSA who was designated as the first priest of the parish.

The patron saint of the parish is an Augustinian nun who experienced a vision of Christ with the cross in 1294, resulting in the impress of the signs of Christ’s passion in her heart.

Presently, the bone relic of the patron saint can be seen in the adoration chapel of Santa Clara Parish.

Procession of the patron saint during the Santa Clara festival

The city is celebrating the Santa Clara de Montefalco feast every February 13-14 of the year .The feast is highlighted with a musical concert or “serenata.”

50 years

There is also an exciting grand competition of the most popular and best brass bands.

The participating groups from the different neighboring towns of Pasay are invited to participate the concert.

Grand fireworks are staple highlight in many Pasay celebrations

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Pasay A gateway to fun and progress, arts and culture renaissance.

Pasay as the Travel City W

hether for business or pleasure, Pasay City boasts of world-class attractions that could excite every traveler.

Even in the olden days, illustrados and conquistadors have favored to stay in Pasay City to bask in its rich land and cool sea breeze. Today, the sea remains but the skyline has changed in accordance to the advancements of time.

Pasay City is definitely more than a stopover. It has become a family destination for urban dwellers, a place of promise for luck-chasers, and a dwelling place of arts and history.

Here’s a rundown of the delightful destinations that could win the heart of every traveler.

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Arts and Culture AN ARTFUL ESCAPE

The Cultural Center of the Philippines CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

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he center of cultural and artistic presentations from both local and foreign artists dwells in the heart of Pasay City. From its construction in 1969, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has never ceased to showcase masterful performances and exhibitions in the field of arts, music, visual arts, literature, film, theater, and architecture.

Though forty years has passed since its foundation, the CCP’s structure boasts of its well-maintained grandeur. Entering its premises could automatically envelope the visitor into a timeless opulence, readying his/ her senses into a delightful experience of arts and culture.

Aside from hosting showcases, the CCP also takes charge of educating different generations of artists and pushing for mastery in the arts’ different aspects. Its resident companies are Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theater, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, UST Symphony Orchestra, Philippine Madrigal Singers and the National Music Competition for Young Artists Foundation (NAMCYA).

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Travel Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas (Folk Arts Theater)

The Newport Performing Arts Theater

Also known as the Folk Arts Theater, Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas is a separate performance venue of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which is located in its complex. Popular concerts are usually staged in this covered amphitheater and it has a seating capacity of 8,458.

Offering state-of-the art theater facilities, the Newport Performing Arts Theater has become a favorite venue for concerts, award-winning plays, musicals, and awardwinning productions.

The building was designed by renowned architect Leandro V. Locsin and it was inaugurated in 1974—just in time for the staging of the 1974 Miss Universe pageant.

Resorts World Manila, Newport City

Aliw Theater Sotto Street, CCP Complex Situated beside the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Aliw Theater is a performance venue that could seat 3,000 guests. The Aliw Theater was personally designed by business mogul Fred J. Elizalde and it features state-of-the art lighting and sound effects.

The Aliw Theater has been one of the favorite staging venues of different theatrical and dance performance and it could also host corporate events such as seminars, meetings, and exhibits.

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Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) Design Center Building , CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard Pasay City is also the home of creativity in trade design. The PDCCP is a technical agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which aims, increase the Philippine products’ competitiveness through world-class designs.

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But since the Coconut Palace is created to fit for kings and queens, it was able to host notable visitors such as Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, Brooke Shields and George Hamilton.

Manila Film Center Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd.

The Manila Film Center is a national building with many stories. Designed by architect Froilan Hong, the building was originally created to host international film festivals and to house priceless film archives. The plans and feasibility studies showed much promise; however, accidents and unfortunate events that followed stopped the execution of these.

Despite a construction accident in 1981, the first Manila Film Festival pushed through from the 18th-29th of January 1982 with a total of 17 movies competing for the festival.

After a high-intensity earthquake that hit Manila in 1990, the building was abandoned due to instability issues. It was only in 2001 that it was fully renovated and since then, the Manila Film Center has been the staging site of the Amazing Show—an extremely entertaining transgender performance that has been a favorite attraction among tourists.

The Coconut Palace F. Maria Guerrero St., CCP Complex The Coconut Palace was originally created to be a grandiose guesthouse of the country’s very important guests. Designed

by Architect Francisco Manosa, the Coconut Palace was erected in 1978 and it showcases the country’s different hardwood, coconut shells, and specially engineered coconut lumber. Some of its opulent details include the 101 coconut shell chandelier and the dining table which was inlaid with 40,000 small coconut shells.

Its first guest should have been Pope John Paul II, when he visited in 1981. However, the pope declined the offer due to the irony that he is visiting a poverty-stricken country.

Today, the Coconut Palace have become the official residence of the Vice President of the Philippines, Jejomar BInay. He opens it for tours to showcase the Philippine art, culture, and heritage that it houses.

GSIS Museo ng Sining Level 2 Core I GSIS Building, Financial Center Housing some of the country’s most priceless artworks is the GSIS Museum of Art. In 1980, upon the recommendation of then GSIS President & General Manager Roman Cruz, GSIS started to purchase paintings of Filipino masters such as National Artists Fernando C. Amorsolo, Hernando R. Ocampo, Carlos V. Francisco, Napoleon V. Abueva, & Vicente S. Manansala.

The museum was officially opened in 1996 and its invaluable collection immortalizes the Philippine Heritage in the field of visual arts.

The Travel City 147

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Hotels and Casinos FOR LUCK AND LUXURY

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Resorts World Manila Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay City

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ou’ll never run out of things to do at Resorts World Manila. Located at the Newport City, just across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Resorts World Manila welcomes every guest with endless leisure options in one integrated tourist destination.

Included in its entertainment complex are casinos, hotels, the Newport Mall, the Newport Performing Arts Theater, and superclubs.

The Travel City 149

Travel The Resorts World Manila Casino The game of luck never ends at the Resorts World Casino. This vast three-storey playroom is open 24 hours a day from Monday to Sunday. Games include a wide selection of slot machines, table games, and race and sports.

At the middle of the Resorts World Manila is its 360Âş Bar which features local and international performance acts. Diners could experience frontseat entertainment while those in nearby machines and tables could still be amused as their play their games.

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Maxims Hotel Stretching the boundaries of luxury, Maxims Hotel is an all-suite hotel that caters to guests with the most discerning tastes. Each room has its own butler service, which attends to the guests’ needs 24/7.

Marriot Hotel Manila A favorite venue for both local international conventions and events, the Marriot Hotel provides first-class services and facilities.

The hotel features excellent dining options such as Marriott Cafe, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and The Greatroom. Leisure facilities includes Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon

Remington Hotel The Remington Hotel lets you experience 3-star amenities at budget-friendly rates. It has 700 well-appointed rooms and its services include room service, a secured parking area, facilities for the disabled, safety deposit boxes, 24/7 free airport shuttle service and more.

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The Heritage Hotel Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA At the crossroad of EDSA and Roxas Boulevard is this fivestar hotel that offers world-class facilities and comforts.

Sofitel Hotel Manila CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard Located right beside the sea, Sofitel Hotel Manila is a luxurious five-star resort hotel that has hosted royalties, celebrities, and heads of states. Its structure and landscapes were masterfully created

by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin and National Artist Ildelfonso Santos.

Sofitel’s opulent reputation precedes it and it has been a prime destination for corporate events, conventions, weddings, and other celebrations.

Aside from its well-appointed rooms and function halls, Sofitel Hotel also houses some of Manila’s most famous bars and restaurants. Included in these are the Spiral—an extensive live kitchen buffet restaurant with 21 dining ateliers—the Sunset Bar, Le Bar, Snapshots Sports Bar, and So Chill.

Midas Hotel and Casino 2702 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City Midas Hotel and Casino is chic and trendy escape that treats its guests to an aesthetic indulgence. Visitors of the Midas Hotel are welcomed by a luxuriously decorated lobby and are followed by fiber-optic lights that brighten the hotel throughout.

Midas is designed by Atelier Almario and each of its rooms feature design elements that were meant to inspire.

For those who wish to heighten the day’s excitement, they could drop by the Midas Casino. And to satisfy discerning palates, Midas’ cafes and restaurants provide a gustatory treat that were creatively crafted by their expert chefs.

The Heritage Hotel is part of the Millennium Hotels chain and it executes first-rate standards across all its amenities services—from its guest rooms to its ballroom and meeting rooms.

Microtel by Wyndham Manila Mall of Asia, Manila, Pasay City Microtel by Wyndham is an ideal abode for budget travelers who wish for a hassle-free stay in the middle of Pasay’s urban landscape. It is situated in the SM Mall of Asia Complex that has Asia’s biggest shopping mall, the Moa Eye Arena, and the SMX Convention Center.

Traders Hotel Manila 3001 Roxas Boulevard A member of the Shangri-La Group of hotels, Traders Hotel Manila provides its guests with a breathtaking view of the famous Manila Bay sunset, while relaxing comfortably in their wellappointed rooms.

Both business and leisure travellers could delight in the Traders hotel because of its proximity to Pasay’s convention centers, Makati’s business districts, and Manila’s entertainment district.

The Travel City Sofitel also takes its guests to a wellness experience through its spa, salon, and fitness facilities.

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Meetings and Conventions

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C O N V E N I N G AT T H E C O U N T R Y ’ S G AT E W AY

Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) CCP Complex, Pasay City

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uilt in 1976 and designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, the Philippine International Convention Center never ceased to host the meeting of the minds of various peoples of different interests.

Spanning to a vast 70,000 square meters of reclaimed land, PICC is an architectural landmark that also features timeless interior design. Its walls are decorated with priceless pieces made by Filipino master artists.

PICC’s first event was the World Bank International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting in 1976. After this, it has been a favorite venue for political summits, medical conventions, and concerts of international artists as varied as Luciano Pavaroti, the Bolshoi Ballet, Ricky Martin and Burt Bacharach.

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Travel SMX Convention Center

Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC)

Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, 1300 Philippines

PTTC Building., Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave. cor Roxas Blvd.1300 Pasay City The Philippine Trade Training Center is a venue for trainings, conventions, and exhibits, related to world-class trade. This government agency was originally created to strengthen the country’s export capabilities by promoting Filipino excellence that’s ready for the international market.

The PTTC is a joint project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Seminars held in this office are usually on topics of business management, testing and inspection, and trade exhibition.

World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) Gil Puyat Ave. Extension cor. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City Standing proud in the middle of Pasay’s reclaimed area is the modern structure of the World Trade Center Metro Manila. It was designed by the renowned Gensler and Associates to be a versatile venue that is equipped with state of the art facilities.

One of the newest and most in demand convention centers in the country today is the SMX, which is strategically located in the SM Mall of Asia Business and Leisure Complex.

The SMX has four multi-purpose halls that can be combined depending on the size of the event. Its structure was also created for exhibit versatility and it features world-class facilities and amenities that could hold even heavy machinery.

Seaside corner J.W. Diokno Blvd Mall Of Asia Complex, Pasay City One Esplanade is a venue of style and elegance, which overlooks the fantastic Manila Bay. Its ballroom could host 350450 guests and it is a favorite staging area of esteemed social gatherings such as weddings, anniversaries, seminars, and other momentous moments.

One Esplanade features a sophisticated monochromatic design that is made more flexible by its modern lighting system.

And aside from this outstanding physical structure, One Esplanade also offers event management for hassle-free celebrations.

Opened in 1996, the WTCMM raises the bar of exhibition venues in the Philippines. It is a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) of New York, and it is the first Philippine exhibit venue that was included in the Union des Foires Internationales or UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry.

two e-com center Block 17, Mall Of Asia Complex, Pasay City

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One Esplanade

An office complex within the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

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Entertainment and Nightlife

The Travel City F U N A N D F OOD

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San Miguel By the Bay SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

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his bayside attraction of Pasay City breathes fun and excitement as it offers a wide variety of gustatory treats and entertainment happenings.

San Miguel by the Bay is a complex of restaurants, bars, and amusement

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activities that are provides an outlet for families who wish to eat at specialty restaurants, for friends who come together for a night of drinks and entertainment, and

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Bar 360

Blue Wave Macapagal Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. EDSA Extension Pasay City

Ground Floor, Resorts World Manila, Newport Boulevard, Pasay City

If you’d like to be entertained by live bands while chilling out with your friends and family, then the Blue Wave Strip Mall may satisfy your craving for the night.

Surrounding the vast courtyard dining area are shops and specialty restaurants that serve a variety of good food and drinks.

Whether you like a filling meal, a cup of coffee, or buckets of booze, Blue Wave is a place to unwind and be surrounded by cheerful energy.

Located right in the middle of Resorts World Casino, Bar 360 offers front seats to world-class entertainment acts such as acrobatic acts from Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine, as well as world-class singers and bands performing live on stage. This unique circular hotspot provides great food and entertainment to luck-chasers or diners who want chill in a joyful ambiance.

Opus Lounge 2/F, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, 1309 Pasay City The Opus Lounge is an artful masterpiece that pulsates with energetic opulence.

This lounge features stunning interiors and it offers an innovative dining experience with signature dishes and signature cocktails. At night, the Opus Lounge overflows with lively music by Manila’s top DJs.

Seaside Macapagal Disdado Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City This unique spot offers paluto, a Filipino term for freshly cooked food. Positioned near the sea, this strip of restaurants offers an experience where you could choose among a wide variety of fresh seafood and have them cooked they way you want it.

Harbour Square CCP Complex Manila Roxas Blvd,Manila A perfect place to eat and chill by the bay is Harbour Square. This compound of restaurants and bars provides dining with an ambiance of cool sea breeze. At Harbour Square, you can choose your wild—whether you’re up for Filipino specialties, Japanese cuisine, pizza, ice cream, or even if you just want to enjoy a good round of drinks with your friends or family.

REPUBLIQ Unit 8, Second Level, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Newport City 1309 In terms of clubbing, Republiq at Resorts World sets the bar. This famous superclub offers a premiere nightlife experience as you groove and let loose to the music of popular DJs. Republiq is one of Asia’s biggest dance floors and it is luxuriously adorned with tasteful decors that make it a worldclass clubbing destination.

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Sports and Recreation FOR CHEERS AND THRILLS

Mall of Asia Arena MOA Arena, Sunset Avenue, Pasay City, Philippines

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n iconic piece in Pasay City’s skyline, the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA Arena) provides a world-class venue for different sporting events and international performances. Its eye exterior design is an architectural icon itself and its first-rate amenities provide an exceptional experience for both guests, performers, and event planners.

The Mall of Asia Arena could accommodate up to 20,000 guests. At times, it is the venue of the Philippine Basketball Association and it is currently the home of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

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Cuneta Astrodome

Star City

Derham Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Aliw Theatre Building, 1307, Pasay City,

Named after Enrique Cuneta, a prominent Pasay City official during the American period, the Cuneta Astrodome is an indoor sporting arena that provides a staging area for various sports events, particularly basketball.

Coral Way corner J.W. Diokno Boulevard Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

A house name in the field of fun and excitement is Star City. This amusement park combines an array of indoor and outdoor park rides, games, and fantasy houses that could instantly bring delight to the young and young at heart.

It is impossible to miss the humongous ferris wheel whenever you’re in the MOA Complex. This is part of the 1.5 km stretch of amusement park called SM by the Bay. Guests could choose among 16 unique park rides that are conveniently located next to the SM Mall of Asia.

Located at the CCP Complex, Star City has been a favorite destination of citydwellers for a fun day-out. In between thrilling rides, guests of Star City could also indulge in gustatory treats in different food kiosks around the Area.

The Cuneta Astrodome was the home of the Philippine Basketball Association from 1993 to 1998. It has also been the venue for collegiate basketball games and other sports events.

SM By the Bay Amusement Park

Scream Park Manila Diosdado Macapagal Avenue cor. Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City If horror films and destinations excite you, then you’ll surely enjoy this one of a kind destination that’s dedicated to provide quality scare to its visitors. Scream Park Manila is the newest addition to Pasay City’s unique amusement parks.

At Scream Park, you can experience three terrifying mazes: The Haunted House (Curse of the White Lady), The Living Dead (Hungry for your Flesh), and Asylum of Terror. Street scare performers shall also haunt you as you rove around the park.

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The Travel City Government Offices Inst i tut i o nal S tructures

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Coconut Palace - Official Residence of the Vice President of the Philippines F. Ma. Guerrero Street, Pasay 1307

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he Coconut Palace, also known as Tahanang Pilipino (Filipino Home), is the official residence and principal workplace of the Vice President of the Philippines.

The Coconut Palace, built in 1978, is made of several types of Philippine hardwood, coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber apparently known as Imelda Madera. Each of the suites on the second floor is named after a specific region of the Philippines and displays some of the handicrafts these regions produce. Before becoming the official residence of the Vice President, the palace was used for wedding receptions and other social functions.

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The palace is shaped like an octagon (the shape given to a coconut before being served), while the roof is shaped like a traditional Filipino salakot or hat. Some of its highlights are the 101 coconut-shell chandelier, and the dining table made of 40,000 tiny pieces of inlaid coconut shells.

Highlighted as one of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ most striking structures for its architecture and interiors, the palace celebrates the coconut as the ultimate “Tree of Life.” From the coconut’s roots to its trunk, bark, fruit, flower and shell, the palace’s design, form and ornamentation echo these elements.

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Senate of the Philippines

Department of Foreign Affairs

Senate of the Philippines, GSIS Building, Roxas Blvd. Pasay City The Senate of the Philippines is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the Philippine Congress. The House of Representatives is the lower house.

The Senate is composed of 24 senators who are elected at-large with the country as one district under plurality-at-large voting.

Senators serve for 6-year terms, with half of the senators elected every three years to ensure that the Senate is maintained as a continuous body, though staggered.

When the Senate was restored by the 1987 Constitution, the 24 senators who were elected in 1987 served until 1992.

In 1992 the candidates for the Senate obtaining the 12 highest number of votes served until 1998, while the next 12 served until 1995. Thereafter, each senator elected serves the full 6 years.

2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines 1300

Aside from having its concurrence on every bill in order to be passed for the president’s signature to become a law, the Senate is the only body that can concur with treaties, and can try impeachment cases.

The Philippine Senate used to hold its session at the Old Congress Building (also known as the Old Legislative Building) located on Padre Burgos Avenue in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. It is currently home of the National Art Gallery of the National Museum of the Philippines.

From 1926 to 1972, and again from 1987 to 1997, the building was home to various legislative bodies of the Philippine government.

Thousands of Filipinos and a number of foreigners troop to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) everyday at its main office in Pasay City principally for Passporting, Philippine Visa applications and Authentication.

DFA is the prime agency of government responsible for the pursuit of the State’s foreign policy and the nerve center for a Foreign Service worthy of the trust and pride of every Filipino.

DFA is the executive department of the Philippine government tasked: to contribute to the enhancement of national security and the protection of the territorial integrity and national sovereignty; to participate in the national endeavor of sustaining development and enhancing the Philippines’ competitive edge; to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas and to mobilize them as partners in national development; to project a positive image of the Philippines; and, to increase international understanding of Philippine culture for mutually-beneficial relations with other countries.

The Travel City Today, the Philippine Senate is housed at the Government Service Insurance System Building on reclaimed land on Manila Bay in Pasay City.

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Travel Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office

OWWA Building, F.B. Harrison Building corner 7th Street, Pasay City

PICC Secretariat Bldg, CCP Complex, 1307 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, or OWWA, is an agency attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Thousands of Filipinos visit the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) at its new office at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Secretariat Building in Pasay City. PCSO is the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character.

It is the lead government agency tasked to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents.

OWWA has 35 posts in 25 countries overseas and 17 regional welfare offices in the country to deliver its programs, benefits and services to the OFWs and their families.

Everyday, thousands of Filipinos troop to OWWA which has a 24/7 Operations Center at the OWWA Building along F.B. Harrison Building corner 7th Street, Pasay City, Metro Manila

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Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines - Main Office MIA Road, Pasay City Philippines 1300 The Philippines’ Civil Aviation Authority, formerly Air Transportation Office, abbreviated as CAAP, is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Transportation and Communications.

It is the national aviation authority of the Philippines, responsible for implementing policies on civil aviation to assure safe, economic and efficient air travel.

The PCSO holds and conducts charity sweepstakes, races, and lotteries and engages in health and welfare-related investments, projects, and activities to provide for permanent and continuing sources of funds for its programs.

The agency also investigates aviation accidents via its Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board. The agency’s main office is in Pasay City.

It also undertakes other activities to enhance and expand such fund-generating operations as well as strengthen the agency’s fundmanagement capabilities.

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Light Rail Transit Authority

Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)

Airport Road, Pasay City The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is a public transport operator that is in charge of operating and maintaining the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Founded on July 12, 1980, it is also responsible for monitoring the progress of construction of all LRTA lines.

Currently it is not directly, however, in charge of the upkeep of the Manila Metro Rail Transit System, or MRT-3, of which those duties are relegated to the Metro Rail Transit Corporation, a private enterprise, under MRT-3’s Build-Operate-Transfer agreement.

Although it has the naming format of a government agency, the LRTA is organized as a government-owned and/or controlled corporation under the Department of Transportation and Communications as an attached agency.

Financial Center, Reclamation Area, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City

Villamor Airbase (Philippine Air Force) Andrews Avenue Corner Sales Street, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, Metro Manila 1300.

Villamor Air Base is home of the Philippine Air Force.

It is chiefly used as an air base for PAF transport and helicopter flights.

It is also the military base that the Philippine President uses when departing for foreign or domestic trips abroad, though foreign departures are mostly done at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Since 1936, the Government Service Insurance System has been providing social security benefits for government employees, including life insurance, retirement, and disability for work-related contingencies.

The GSIS, through its General Insurance Fund, is also the Philippines’ State Insurer for all assets and properties that have government insurable interests.

The governing and policy-making body of the GSIS is the Board of Trustees, the members of which are appointed by the President of the Philippines.

The GSIS workforce consists of 3,104 employees, 52% of whom are in the Head Office while the remaining 48% are in the Branches. To date, the GSIS holds its main office in Pasay City. It has 15 Regional Offices, 25 Branch Offices and 18 Satellite Offices nationwide.

The Travel City Formerly Nichols Field, the air base is named in honor of a Filipino pilot, Jesús A. Villamor, who fought during World War II.The runways of this base are also used by Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

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Manila International Airport Authority

A i rp o rts an d Gl o bal Gate w ays

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he Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila International Airport, is one of the two international airports serving the Metro Manila Area and is the main international gateway to the Philippines.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport is located along the border between Pasay City and Parañaque City in Metro Manila. It is about 7 kilometers (4 miles) south of the country’s capital Manila, and southwest of Makati City’s Central Business District.

There are four (4) terminals: • Terminal 1: NAIA Terminal -

International flights, non-Philippine Airlines

• Terminal 2: Centennial Terminal -

All Philippine Airlines flights only (North wing International, South wing Domestic)

• Terminal 3: NAIA International

located in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga serve the Manila area, with Clark catering mostly to low-cost carriers that avail themselves of the lower landing fees than those charged at NAIAIn 2010, NAIA carried 27.1 million passengers, making it to the top 50 of the world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic.

• Domestic Terminal - All domestic

In 2011, all terminals at NAIA handled a record breaking annual passenger traffic of 29,552,264 making it as one of the busiest airports in Asia.

Officially, NAIA is the only airport serving the Manila area. However, in practice, both NAIA and Clark International Airport,

In 2012, NAIA also became the 34th busiest airport in the world, passenger volume increased to about 8% to a total of 32.1 million passengers.

Terminal - International flights (Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific, PAL Express) flights other than Philippine Airlines

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Airport

Terminal 3 was approved for construction in 1997 and the structure was mostly completed several years ago and was originally scheduled to open in 2002.

The terminal 3 is built on a 63.5-hectare lot that sits on Villamor Air Base.

All international operations, except for those from PAL, are intended to operate from Terminal 3. However domestic carriers Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express (then Air Philippines) remained the only tenants for the first two years of its operation.

NAIA Terminal 1

NAIA Terminal 2 (Centennial)

NAIA Terminal 3

Parañaque City (but it occupies a portion of Pasay City)

NAIA Road, Pasay City

Andrews Avenue (adjacent to Villamor Air Base), Pasay City

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 was completed in 1981 to accommodate the country’s growing international passenger traffic levels during the 1970s.

Designed by Leandro Locsin, a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture, it breached its 4.5 million annual passenger capacity in 1991. Improvements to the airport increased its capacity to 6 million passengers yearly.

The 16-gate terminal currently services all international flights coming into Manila, except for those operated by Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Philippine Airlines and All Nippon Air. Its 84 check-in counters and 22 immigration stations process the daily stream of passengers departing for various worldwide ports, while 20 immigration and 26 customs stations speed up the flow of arriving travellers.

The second terminal, or NAIA-2 located at the Old MIA Road, was finished in 1998 and began operations in 1999.

It has been named Centennial Terminal in commemoration of the centennial year of the declaration of Philippine independence.

The 75,000 square meter terminal was originally designed by Aéroports de Paris to be a domestic terminal, but the design was later modified to accommodate international flights.

It has a capacity of 2.5 million passengers per year in its international wing and 5 million in its domestic wing, which later will expand to nine million passengers yearly.

NAIA Terminal 2 is the home of Philippine Airlines and is used for both its domestic and international flights.

It has the most flights out of all the NAIA terminals. This terminal is used by Philippine Airlines and its sister company Air Philippines.

It is divided into two wings, the North Wing which handles international flights, and, the South Wing which handles domestic flights.

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It currently has 12 air bridges.

The vast majority of international flights still operate from Terminal 1, with the exception of All Nippon Airways being the first foreign-based carrier to operate out of Terminal 3 started in February 27, 2011.

Terminal 3 or NAIA-3, is the newest and biggest terminal in the NAIA complex, wherein construction started in 1997.

Currently the largest airport in Manila, it stands proud on a 65-hectare property adjacent to the NAIA runway facilities.

It is a two-tiered design with its ground floor handling arrivals and the second level facilitating departures. Each level has 600 meters of curbside space, rendering drop offs and pickups efficient.

The ultra-modern US$640 million, 189,000 square meter facility, Terminal 3 was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) that can handle 13 million passengers annually. The center of the building contains the head house where passenger processing is centralized. A total of 24 boarding gates accommodate 4,000 peak hour one-way passengers.

Retail shops and food courts line the departure and arrival levels while parking for over 1200 cars is provided in front of the terminal.

Manila Domestic Terminal Domestic Road, Pasay City Also known as the Manila Domestic Airport.

A one-level building and the oldest of all the terminals under the MIA system.

The pre-departure area can seat 929 passengers and several retail establishments within the terminal provide conveniences to passengers taking local flights

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The Travel City Shopping Malls

Ha v ens f o r F antast i c F i n d s

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SM Mall of Asia (MOA) SM Mall of Asia Complex, Jose Diokno Boulevard, 1300Â Pasay City

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or shopping and entertainment, nothing beats Pasay City.

The 67-hectares SM Mall of Asia complex is the largest in the country and fourth largest in the entire world. With an estimated 200,000 visitors daily, MOA has everything; even its own Olympic-size ice skating rink and the country’s first IMAX theatre.

MOA has the biggest concentration of restaurants and shops in the country, serving every cuisine imaginable. It has activities and attractions for people of the ages.

Almost four hectares of floor area, about 8,000 parking slots to include 100 for buses spread over 5,000 square meters allotted for public utility vehicles.

More than just a Mall, the SM Mall Of Asia is a tourist destination that has raised the standard of shopping, leisure and entertainment in the Philippines.

The MOA Arena sits 16,000 people and is now top venue for sports events and concerts in the Philippines. Pasay City may very well be the only Philippines city with two world-class sports and events venues, the 8,500-seater Cuneta Astrodome, along Roxas Boulevard being the other

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Libertad Public Market Libertad St., corner Taft Avenue, Pasay City The New Pasay City Mall and Public Market is now a center for trade and commerce.

Victory Mall at Libertad

Hobbies of Asia Complex

Victory Mall Libertad St. Cor. Taft Ave. Pasay City

8421 Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. Pasay City Hobbies of Asia is a budding business district in Macapagal Avenue.

Mostly concentrating in different hobbies of Asians, like pets, music, films, clothes, food, housewares, furnitures, appliances, etc. It’s a great place to invest since it is touted to be the next “Shopping Central.” It is accessible to a lot of consumers because it is located beside the NSO Macapagal Branch.

Cartimar Shopping Complex Cartimar Market Taft Avenue, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Cartimar is an all-around shopping complex.

Cartimar has clothing stores, sporting goods stores, toys and collector shops and food outlets.

Cartimar is more widely known for selling pets at negotiable prices.

Newport Mall Resorts World Manila, Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay City 1309 Walk the grand hallways and spacious plaza of Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila and take in the grandeur of modern day luxury.

This place has become Manila’s most popular destination to play.

It boasts of luxury retail brands at the ground floor, a Vegas-inspired casino and opulent social clubs at the second floor, an amazing performing arts theater at the third floor, a state-of-the-art cinema at the fourth floor, and fine dining restaurants spread across the entire complex.

Located near the Libertad LRT station is the Victory Pasay Mall, formerly Pasay City Mall and Market. It was formerly managed by the Pasay City Government until it turned it over to its new owner.

Victory Mall is directly linked to the Libertad LRT Line 1 Station and situated right in front of Pasay Public Market. Libertad LRT Station is located in Pasay at the corner of Taft Avenueand Arnaiz Avenue.

The station is named after the former Libertad (Spanish for “liberty”) Street, which is a junction of both Roxas Boulevard and Taft Avenue in Pasay. The nameLibertad survives as an area name, nowadays, after Libertad Street became a part of Arnaiz Avenue.

Victory Pasay Mall is a two-level Commercial area whose major anchors are Puregold Jr and Mart 1 Department Store. Also in here present are Mang Inasal, Greenwhich, Security Bank, CDR King, Bingo Boutique and also houses quite a number of micro retail shops.

It is considered as one of the most modern public markets in the Philippines. Hundreds of investors had flocked on the said building, generating more economic gains for the city of Pasay as well as generating thousands of jobs for the Pasay city people.

Business establishments inside the Pasay City Mall include: Mang Inasal, Greenwich, C-Mart, Unicorn Pawnshop, Premiere Bank and more.

Metro Point Mall at Pasay Rotonda E. de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) corner Taft Avenue, Pasay City, 1300 Connecting the two major transit stations of the Light Rail Transit and the Metro Rail Transit, Metro Point Mall is a 5-level community center at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue.

The Travel City Purebreed dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and much more could be found here.

Pet food and accessories are also available.

Since it’s located beside Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airports, it’s built to impress. Indulge yourself in the high life of Newport Mall.

Continually buzzing with the movement of urban life, the mall offers various services, fast food choices, and affordable retail for the commuter trying to save and get everything done in the least amount of time.

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Churches

F a i t h F o rtresses

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very Sunday, scenes of faith unfold in different churches of Pasay City. Friends and families gather to celebrate the mass together while some faithful utter silent prayers as they light their petition candles. Outside the church are colorful trade— vendors of religious items and sellers of balloons or pink popcorns.

In the afternoon of these Sundays, weddings and baptisms are usually celebrated and the churches brim with hopeful delight. And on weekdays, the more devout faithful spend time with their Creator as they pray, confess, and even celebrate the holy mass.

Catholicism is deeply imbedded in the lives and culture of Filipinos.

These are very evident in the celebration of fiestas in honor of patron saints, going through different sacraments and rituals, and going to mass every Sunday.

Pasay City’s places of worship have become its people’s destination in worshiping and conversing with God. Throughout history, these structures of the Roman Catholic Church have served as their stronghold as they went on through different challenges.

These churches of Pasay are also destinations of heritage. Aside from housing stories of history, the architectural designs of these buildings are artful masterpieces of faith.

Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted PArish Saint Peter cor.

Saint Catherine St., Maricaban

Our Lady of the Blessed SAcrament Teacher’s Bliss, Kalayaan Vill.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish 2130 F.B. Harrison St.

San Isidro Parish 1830 Taft Ave.

Our Lady of the Airways Parish Chapel

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish

Rd. cor. Aquino Ave., NAIA

Constellation Drive, Don Carlos Village

San Juan nepomuceno PArish

San Rafael Parish

C. Jose St., Malibay

2645 Park Ave.

The Travel City San Roque Parish Cabrera Stl

Shrine of st. Therese of the child jesus

Sta. Clara de montefalco Parish

Manlunas St., Villamor Airbase

2360 P. Burgos St.

Archdiocesan Shrine of jesus, the way, the truth, the life

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Sunrise and Sunsets ne w be g i nn i n g s

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veryday, the sun rises on the opposite city of Pasay. However, this does not stop our planet’s star to paint its artistic rendition on Pasay’s horizon.

A pastel mix of pinks and blues make the sky look strips of cotton candy, wavering above the building of Pasay City. The people who wake up early to jog around paths and those who rise early for work are treated to this delightful view.

The sunset at Pasay, however, is a different story.

It features one of the most magnificent sunsets around the world that could make anyone stand. As our daystar condenses into a yellow bright ball, you can watch it glide on the horizon and envelop the city in warm colors.

And the moment the sun kisses the sea, the waters wonderfully reflect its awesome glory.

When you stand by the bay, it’s as if the sun is reaching out to you and to wave goodbye for the day.

The sunset at Pasay is truly priceless. And every afternoon, this breathtaking view is God’s free treat to every resident and every visitor of this travel city.

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Gas Station Church Hotel Theater

Train Station Bus Station Ferry Station School

Coconut Palace GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Philippine National Bank Financial Center Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) OWWA Center Building Department of Foreign Affairs Pasay City Hall Pasay City Jail Pasay City Police Headquarters Light Rail Transit Authority Line 1 Compound and Train Depot Pasay City Post Office Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Philippine Air Force Headquarters Bureau of Customs NAIA Collection District Office

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Hobbies of Asia Holiday Plaza Arcade Cartimar Shopping Area Victory Pasay Mall SM Mall of Asia Baclaran Terminal Plaza Mall Metropoint Mall South Terminal Commercial Center Malibay Talipapa Market Newport Boulevard Plaza 66 Star Cruises Centre Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila The Airmen’s Mall

Shopping

C4 United States of America Embassy (annex) C4 Embassy of Japan

EmbassIES

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C7 E7

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Government Offices

C7 Manila Domestic Airport (NAIA Terminal 4) D7 Philippine Airlines Complex C8 Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) C8 Philippine Airlines Inflight and Catering Center C8 Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) C8 Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) D9 NAIA Air Traffic Control Tower D9 NAIA Terminal 2 E9 Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base E9 Villamor Air Base Aircraft PAF Museum E9 Lufthansa Technik Philippines

One E-com Center Two E-com Center Three E-com Center Teletech SM Corporate Offices

Cuneta Astrodome Pasay City Sports Complex Mall of Asia Arena Villamor Golf Course Villamor Golf Club

Star City Boom na Boom Compound Pasay City Cockpit Bungee Fun, San Miguel by the Bay

C1 CCP Park E8 Newport City Park

Parks

C1 Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas C1 Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) C1 Aliw Theater B2 Manila Film Center B2 GSIS Museum of Art

Arts and Culture

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Entertainment

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Sports

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Offices

C1 Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) C2 World Trade Center Metro Manila C2 Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) C2 Center For International Trade Exposition and Missions (CITEM) B4 One Esplanade C4 HK Sun Plaza A5 SMX Convention Center A5 MOA Concert Grounds E8 Newport City Convention Hall and Retail Area

ConVention and Event Halls

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Traders Hotel Six Senses Resort Microtel Inn and Suites SM Bay City Hotel Midas Hotel and Casino The Heritage Hotel Manila The Residential Resort at Newport City E8 Manila Marriott Hotel E8 Maxims Hotel and Casino E8 Remington Hotel

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Hotels and Resorts

Airport

Shopping Area/Market

Manila International Airport Authority

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Legend

D2 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints D2 Pasay Adventist Church D2 Our Lady of Sorrow Church D3 San Isidro Parish Church D4 Pasay First United Methodist Church D4 Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish Church E4 Pasay City Alliance Church A5 Shrine of Jesus the Way C5 Iglesia ni Cristo Lokal Pasay D5 United Evangelical Church of Pasay E5 San Roque Parish Church D6 Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church D6 Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted Parish E7 Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus E6 Bible Baptist Church of Pasay E6 Iglesi ni Cristo Lokal ng Malibay E9 Our Lady of Loreto Chapel

Churches

C2 United States Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic D2 Manila Adventist Medical Center (Manila Sanitarium) E4 Pasay General Hospital C5 San Juan de Dios Hospital D6 Doña Nena Health Center D6 San Pablo Health Center D7 Villamor Health Center E9 Air Force General Hospital

Hospitals and Clinics

A4 Fresco Bar and Restaurant, San Miguel by the Bay A4 Harbor View Bistro, San Miguel by the Bay A4 C-Front Restaurant Bar, San Miguel by the Bay A4 Pete’s Place Bar and Restaurant, San Miguel by the Bay B4 Blue Wave Macapagal A5 MOA Eye, San Miguel by the Bay A5 Aling Tonya’s Seafood, San Miguel by the Bay

Nightlife

D1 Tramway Bayview Buffet Restaurant D1 Furusato Japanese Restaurant C2 Singing Cooks and Waiters / Bakahan at Manukan Restaurant D2 Savory Restaurant C4 Seaside Restaurant A5 Buffet 101, San Miguel by the Bay A4 Razon’s, San Miguel by the Bay A4 Seafood Island, San Miguel by the Bay A4 Uno’s Pizzeria, San Miguel by the Bay

Restaurants

Sports Arena

Amusement Park

Museum

Casino

Nightlife

Convention Center

LRT-1 Gil Puyat Station Tritan and JAM Bus Liner MOA Hamilo Coast Ferry Terminal LRT-1 Libertad Station Metrostar Ferry Terminal LRT-1 EDSA Station MRT-3 Taft Avenue Station Victory Liner Bus Terminal DLTB Bus Silver Star Bus

D1 Arellano University School of Law Apolinario Mabini Campus D1 Gotamco Elementary School D2 Pasay City Adventist Academy D2 Andres Bonifacio Elementary School D2 Arellano University Jose Abad Santos Campus D3 San Isidro Catholic School B4 Manila Tytana Colleges C4 Pear Tree Academy C4 Asian Institute of Maritime Studies D4 Pasay City West High School D4 City University of Pasay D4 Philippine Schools for the Deaf and Blind D4 Jose Rizal Elementary School D4 Padre Zamora Elementary School D4 Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy D4 Southeastern College D4 St. Mary’s Academy E4 Padre Burgos Elementary School E4 Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School E4 Pasay City North High School C5 Magni’icus Academy C5 San Juan de Dios College C5 Cuneta Elementary School C5 Gideon Academy D5 Pasay City Science High School D6 Don Carlos Village Elementary School D6 Maricaban Elementary School D6 Apelo Cruz Elementary School E6 Pasay City East High School E6 Timoteo Paez Elementary School E6 Marcela Marcelo Elementary School E7 St. Therese of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face School F8 Philippines State College of Aeronautics F7 Villamor Air Base Elementary School F7 Pasay City South High School

Schools

D2 D2 B4 D4 A5 D5 D5 D5 E6 E6

tRANSPORTATION

E4 Pasay City Cemetery D6 Pasay Municipal Cemetery

CEmetery

Parking Lot

Offices

Government Office

Park

Cemetery

pasay tourist map

mayor antonino calixto with city officials comprising the city council, department heads and pasay city representative Imelda calixto-rubiano.

Atty. Dennis Bernard N. Acorda

P

olitics is broad like daylight. If you need to do something, do it honestly and openly. Pasay City has lots of potentials and has good revenue. We need to serve the city and the people right just to guarantee its progress.”

Known as the “Little Mayor,” Atty. Dennis Bernard N. Acorda is at present the City Administrator of Pasay City. He also serves as the Overall Chairman of the Pasay City’s 150th Anniversary Executive Committee.

Aside from being the right hand of Mayor Antonino Calixto, Acorda has several functions in the local government. He develops plans and strategies for the projects of the city and upon approval of the mayor, implement the same. He is also in the frontline of the delivery of administrative support services, particularly those related to the situations during and in the aftermath of manmade and natural disaster and calamities.

Previous to being City Administrator, he loves to study history particularly military history that he finds very helpful now that he is one of the forerunners of the city of Pasay when it comes to serving the Pasayenos. He uses this knowledge in advising the mayor on all other matters relative to the management and administration of the city.

He is the first born among four siblings.

Like him, his brothers and sister are all are successful in their chosen careers. One is a pilot and the other two are both related to Nestle Company. His father is a lawyer and his mother is a doctor.

CA Acorda finished his tertiary education at the University of the Philippines with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Education and later on finished his study of law at the same university.

After passing the Bar Exams, he worked for a law firm in Pasig. He also served in the office of Senator Ralph Recto during the latter’s term as Batangas Representative. Acorda also became the Chief of Staff of former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta. After working with some politicians, he again worked for a law firm for three years.

Taking his working experiences with different politicians as his tool for public service, he served as City Administrator of Malabon City, and later on worked for the Light Railway Transit Authority (LRTA).

Some of his notable works as City Administrator are the reorganization of the personnel division of the city, planning seminars for department heads, overseeing of the budget preparation for the year, heading various committees of the City Government such as the BAC and personnel selection. He also handles the official communications with outside private and government agencies as per direction of the City Mayor.

Acorda is also a certified food fanatic who knows how to cook and loves Japanese food and steak.

When it comes to his favorite actor, he likes James Bond Sean Connery and multi-awarded actress Meryll Streep.

He is married to his long-time girlfriend who is also a lawyer. The two met and fell in love with each other during their stay at the University of the Philippines. The Acorda couple is blessed with three children.

179

Department He D e pa r t m e n t H e a d s

Atty. Dennis Bernard N. Acorda City Administrator

Engr. Alberto Jose V. Paredes Chief of Staff

Atty. Rey Glenn C. Agranzamendez Secretary To The City Mayor

Atty. Roberto Yam City Secretary

Ma. Luisa Echavia City Director, DILG

Dr. Estrellita Puti-an OIC, Division Of City Schools

Manuel e. Leycano Jr. City Treasurer

Engr. Fernando Fandiño City Assesor

Alegria T. Casugay City Accounting Office

Conchita B. Cayanan OIC, City Budget Office

JULITA B. CAYANAN City Budget Consultant

Engr. Merlita Lagmay CPLDO

Cynthia P. Potian Head, City General Service Office

Atty. Robert M. Guillermo Registry Of Deeds

Tess CalixtoRobles Pasay City Tourism Council

George Tiopes City Government AssistantDept Head TCDO

Edwin V. David OIC, ICTO

Purisima S. Santiago Head, Civil Registrar’s Office

Dr. Cesar F. Encinares Head, City Health Office

Marissa G. Mendoza Chairperson, PLEB

Atty. Severo C. Madrona Jr. Head, City Legal Office

Jonathan E. Malaya Media Relations and Communications Manager, PIO

Atty. Paul S.Vega

Eduardo Bernabe Operation Officer, CADAC

180

Daniel AlfAnoso iii Executive Director, CADAC

ISMAEL O. Sevilla Oversight Officer, TPFRO

Lenore Irish Ostrea President, City University Of Pasay

Atty Maverick S. Sevilla City Government Assistant Dept. Head II/ Head, HRMO

Roslinda Orobia OIC, CSWDO

Engr. Renato Sanchez OIC, CENRO

ENRIQUE S. PASCUAL OIC ,Barangay Action Center

OIC, UDHO

NICANOR TEODORO Consultant, Barangay Action Center

eads

D e pa r t m e n t H e a d s

Engr. Edwin Javaluyas Head, City Engineer’s Office

Lolita Atienza OIC, City Library

Ricardo Garcia Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer,Pasay City Rescue Team

Antonia Cuneta Head, Liga Ng Mga Barangay

Engr. Rolando Londonio Head, CCDO

Remedios F. Garcia OIC, Pasay City Public Cemetery

Aurelio Vendivel OIC, Cuneta Astrodome

Ramon C. Martin Pasay City Sports Complex

ch. supt. Diony Mamaril OIC, BJMP

C/Insp. Maria Lourdes P. Pacion Head, Female Ward- BJMP

Supt. Brendan Fulgencio Head, Male Ward- BJMP

F/Cinsp. Douglas M. Guiyab City Fire Marshall, BFP

Dr. Jaime Sy Director, PCGH

Dr. RoNALdo J. Bernasor City Veterinarian

Ms. Cristina BobadilLa OIC, Pasay City Market and Mall

Eduard D. Aguas Marketing Operation Officer, Pasay City Market And Mall

Cristina Castañeda OIC, Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affair

NORMITA CASTILLO Over-All President, Senior Citizens’ Federation

Arturo Fortaleza OIC, PCTPMO

Ma. Dolores Sacasas OIC, BPLO

NOEL DEL ROSARIO Executive Assitant IV, Mayor’s Office, BPLO

teodoro llorca Consultant to the Mayor, POSU

Aaron Nalangan OIC, POSU

Filipinas Rosario C. Sampang Manager, PESO

Ssupt. Michel AMOS S. FILart Chief of Police, PNP

bimbo roxas Executive Assitant, IV

181

Department Off D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

OFFICE OF THE CITY MAYOR with Chief of Staff Engr. Alberto Jose V. Paredes

office of the vice mayor with vice mayor marlon a. pesebre

Office of the City Administrator with City Administrator Atty. Dennis Bernard N. Acorda

office of the city secretariat with City Secretary Atty. Roberto Yam

department of interior and local government with City Director Ma. Luisa Echavia

Division of City School with OIc- Dr. Estrellita Puti-an

182

fices

D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

City Treasurer’s Office with oic, Manuel E. Leycano Jr.

Office of the City Assesor with oic Engr. Fernando Fandiño

CITY ACCOUNTING OFFICE with oic Alegria T. Casugay

CITY BUDGET OFFICE with OIC Conchita B. Cayanan City Budget Consultant AND JULITA B. CAYANAN

CITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE with oic Engr. Merlita Lagmay

CITY GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE with oic Cynthia P. Potian

183

Department Off D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

184

registry of deeds with oic Atty. Robert M. Guillermo

Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs WITH OVER-ALL PRESIDENT NORMITA CASTILLO

city anti- drug abuse council with Operation Officer Eduardo Bernabe

information and communication technology office with OIC Edwin V. David

tourism and cultural development office with City Government Assistant-Department Head George Tiopes

civil registrar’s office with oic Purisima S. Santiago

fices

D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

CITY HEALTH OFFICE with oic Dr. Cesar F. Encinares

BUSINESS PERMITS AND LICENSING OFFICE WITH EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IV NOEL DEL ROSARIO

PEOPLE’S LAW ENFORCEMENT BOARD with Marissa G. Mendoza

CITY LEGAL OFFICE with Atty. Severo C. Madrona Jr.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING OFFICE with oic Atty. Paul S.Vega

TRICYCLE PEDICAB FRANCHISING REGULATORY OFFICE with Oversight Officer ISMAEL O. Sevilla

185

Department Off D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE with Media Relations and Communications Manager Jonathan E. Malaya

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OFFICE City Government Assistant Dept. Head II/ Head Atty Maverick S. Sevilla

BARANGAY ACTION CENTER WITH CONSULTANT NICANOR TEODORO

CITY UNIVERSITY OF PASAY with President Lenore Irish Ostrea

186

PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY UNIT with oic Aaron Nalangan

PASAY CITY TRAFFIC AND PARKING MANAGEMENT OFFICE

fices

D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

PASAY CITY EMPLOYMENT CENTER with MANAGER Filipinas Rosario C. Sampang

CITY ENGINEERS OFFICE with oic Engr. Edwin Javaluyas

CITY LIBRARY with OIC Lolita Atienza

City Rescue Team / Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office with Officer Ricardo Garcia

LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY with president Antonia Cuneta

CITY COOPERATIVE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE with oic Engr. Rolando Londonio

187

Department Off D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE WITH OIC Engr. Renato Sanchez

CITY SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE with oic Roslinda Orobia

188

fices

D e pa r t m e n t O f f i c e s

PASAY CITY PUBLIC CEMETERY with OIC Remedios F. Garcia

CUNETA ASTRODOME OFFICE with OIC Aurelio Vendivel

CITY SPORTS COMPLEX with oic Ramon C. Martin

PASAY CITY PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

BUREAU OF JAIL AND MANAGEMENT PENOLOGY with oic, Female Ward C/Insp. Maria Lourdes P. Pacion

BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

189

Department Off PASAY CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL with Director Dr. Jaime Sy

190

Office of the Veterinarian with oic Dr. RonALdo J. Bernasor

Pasay City Department Heads

PASAY CITY MARKET AND MALl with OIC Ms. Cristina Bobadila

Directory MAYOR’S OFFICE HON. ANTONINO G. CALIXTO 831-5222 / 551-3747

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR IAN VENDIVEL 551-1943

CITY HEALTH OFFICE (CHO) DR. CESAR F. ENCINARES 831-8201

GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE (GSO) CYNTHIA P. POTIAN 891-8796 / 551-2027

VICE MAYOR’S OFFICE HON. MARLON A. PESEBRE 881-0163 / 833-2392 / 831-4266

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR ARNEL REGINO ARCEO 833-0296

Employee’s Clinic 551-2226

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OFFICE (HRMO) ATTY. MAVERICK S. SEVILLA 833-3723

OFFICE OF REPRESENTATIVE IMELDA CALIXTO-RUBIANO 556-2560

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR REYNALDO PADUA 833-3736

CITY COUNCIL - DISTRICT 1

CITY DEPARTMENTS/OFFICES

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR ALBERTO ALVINA 551-1945

BARANGAY ACTION CENTER (BAC) NICANOR TEODORO/ENRIQUE S. PASCUAL 831-3322 / 831-3366

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR EDUARDO ADVINCULA 551-1510

BUSINESS PERMITS AND LICENSING OFFICE (BPLO) MA. DOLORES B. SACASAS/ NOEL DEL ROSARIO 833-3726 / 551-0514

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR JENNY ROXAS 551-3689

CITY ACCOUNTING OFFICE (CAO) ALEGRIA T. CASUGAY 833-2180 / 556-3012

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR LEXTER IBAY 833-2193

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE ATTY. DENNIS BERNARD N. ACORDA 833-3734 / 833-3747 / 833-2161

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR MARY GRACE B. SANTOS 551-6121/551-6122

CITY ANTI-DRUG ABUSE COUNCIL DANIEL ALFANOSO III/EDUARDO BERNA 545-2249 / 551-33-16

OFFICE OF COUNCILOR RICHARD ADVINCULA 551-0563

CITY ASSESOR’S OFFICE ENGR. FERNANDO M. FANDIÑO 831-6218/831-9446

CITY COUNCIL -DISTRICT 2 OFFICE OF COUNCILOR AILEEN PADUA 659-8673 OFFICE OF COUNCILOR ALLAN T. PANALIGAN 551-5194 OFFICE OF COUNCILOR ARVIN G. TOLENTINO 551-7648

CITY BUDGET OFFICE (CBO)/ MA. CONCHITA B. CAYANAN/ JULITA B. CAYANAN 833-3728 CITY COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE ENGR.ROLANDO A. LONDONIO 551-5233/551-0919 CITY ENGINEER’S OFFICE (CEO) ENGR. EDWIN Y. JAVALUYAS 831-2446/831-5925

Social Hygiene Clinic 551-4180 Epidemiologist Surveillance Unit 555-1430

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY OFFICE (ICTO/MITS) EDWIN V. DAVID 834-8814

CITY LEGAL OFFICE (CLO) ATTY. SEVERO C. MADRONA JR 833-3729/833-2948

LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY ANTONIA C. CUNETA 831-8878

CITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (CPDO) ENGR. MERLITA LAGMAY 834-0433 / 834-0439

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR (LCR)/ PURISIMA S. SANTIAGO 832-9691/832-7915

CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY/LOLITA ATIENZA 831-66-88

OFFICE OF SENIOR CITIZEN’S AFFAIRS (OSCA) NORMITA CASTILLO/CRISTINA P. CASTAÑEDA 804-0976/846-7703

CITY SECRETARIAT/ ATTY ROBERTO B. YAM 551-5233/556-3002 Session Hall 833-2875 CITY TREASURER’S OFFICE MANUEL E. LEYCANO JR 551-1940 Cash and Land Tax Division 551-1939 Consultant 551-1938 Business Assessment and Verification 831-6809 CUNETA ASTRODOME AURELIO P. VENDIVEL 831-4652/ 831-4732 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE (DRRMO)/RESCUE TEAM RICARDO C. GARCIA 833-85-12/551-7777

PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OFFICE (PESO) FILIPINAS ROSARIO SAMPANG 834-0238 PUBLIC CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM REMEDIOS F. GARCIA 833-0682/ 799-8424 PASAY CITY PUBLIC MARKET CRISTINA BOBADILLA / EDUARD AGUAS 556-4497 PASAY SPORTS COMPLEX RAMON C. MARTIN 831-4792/833-0959 PASAY TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICE GEORGE H. TIOPES 551-1367 PASAY PRIME MOVERS MULTI- PURPOSE COOPERATIVE 833-2039 PASAY CITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE (PCENRO) ENGR. RENATO SANCHEZ 551-9798

191

Directory Directory PEOPLE’S LAW ENFORCEMENT BOARD (PLEB) MARISSA GARCIA MENDOZA 833-1934

CITY JAIL-BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) SSUPT.DIONY MAMARIL

PHILIPPINE MEDIATION CENTER JULY P. BENBINUTO 384-2142

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (PIO) JONATHAN E. MALAYA 8316459

Male Ward J. SUPT. BRENDAN O. FULGENCIO 832-7691

PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICE TEODORO V. VILLAVERDE 831-7779

PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY UNIT (POSU) AARON P. NALANGAN / TEODORO LLORCA 831-8840

Female Ward J. CHIEF INS. MARIA LOURDES P. PACION 551-5657

PASAY POLICE STATION AND POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCTS

REGISTRY OF DEEDS (RD) ATTY. ROBERT M. GUILLERMO 831-8532 / 551-7578 SK FEDERATION MA. BELEN COSIO 551-3690 SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (PSWD) ROSALINDA OROBIA 831-8871 TRICYCLE PEDICAB FRANCHISING REGULATORY OFFICE (TPFRO) ISMAEL SEVILLA 831-9344 URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING OFFICE (UDHO) ATTY. PAUL S. VEGA 833-1174 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER OFFICES BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE (BIR) ATTY. SHIRLEY A. CALAPATIA 556-8149 / 556-815 BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION MAJ. DOUGLAS M. GUIYAB 844-2120 / 843-6523 / 833-8118 CFM 822-5019 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC) LAURA D. MANGURANGCA 834-3381/ 834-4809 COMMISSION ON AUDIT MA. THERESA B. FEBREROS 831-7132

192

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC) DISTRICT 1 ATTY. SELTON C. SADANG 551-0595 DISTRICT 2 ATTY. FRANCES CM. AGUINDADAO ARABE 551-0393 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MA. LUISA I ECHAVIA 833-1894

POLICE STATION TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNIT 994-7296

CLEARANCE RECORD AND IDENTIFICATION 831-8088

SPECIAL OPERATING UNIT 831-7433

FINANCE AND BUDGET / FRONT DESK / HUMAN RIGHTS DESK 831-7433

WARRANT AND SUBPOENA SECTION 831-6869

INTELIGENCE SECTION 831-1359

OPERATIONS SECTION 831-9302

INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES ATTY. EMMA G. JULARBAL 831-1477

POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 1/PCP COMPLEX 832-1125 loc. 1216

REPORTER’S ORGANIZATION OF PASAY CITY (ROPC) JEAN FERNANDO 804-0512

POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 11/ MALL OF ASIA 703-7346

ADMINISTRATIVE & PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT 831-6869

GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM 892-6161

OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR PROSEC. ELMER G. MITRA 551-0372

POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 10 / MERVILLE 388-0248

POLICE COMMUNITY RELATION SECTION/PIO 831-9302/831-1544

INVESTIGATION SECTION 831-8070

NATIONAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION-BACLARAN 846-7844

POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 9 /AIRPORT BET. TERMINAL 1&2 473-9102

PASAY CITY CHIEF OF POLICE SSUPT. MICHEL AMOS S. FILART 831-7322 / 831-7433

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI) 751-3330 / 751-0384

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) MARIA YERLYN V. CADORES 834-1652

POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 8 / MARICABAN ST. 852-6719

POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 2/BUENDIA ISLAND 833-4296 POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 3/LIBERTAD ST. 831-9193 POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 4/LIBERTAD TAFT ST. 407-7720 POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 5/DE ORJE ST. 569-1299 POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 6 / BACLARAN 491-5307 POLICE COMMUNITY PRECINCT NO. 7 / MALIBAY 852-2698

WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S OFW CONCERNS DESK 831-6869 DEPED DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS OFFICE OF THE SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPT/DR. ESTRELLITA V. PUTI-AN 833-8118 ACCOUNTING OFFICE 831-2147 GUIDANCE OFFICE 831-8847 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (ES) ANDRESS BONIFACIO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR. TIRSO V. GALI 831-8526 APELO CRUZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MRS. GLENDA D. TABAQUIRAO 851-5914 BERNABE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR. NUNILON L. MORENO 560-3940 CUNETA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MRS. EMILIA M. OBLIANDA 831-2592

Directory EPIFANIO DELOS REYES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MRS. EVELYN D. DELIARTE 831-6769 GOTAMCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR. ROMY P. SOCAO 5253991 JOSE RIZAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDITH V. FLORA 831-8260 JUAN SUMULONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MRS. MARINA M. MAGBAGO 844-3649 KALAYAAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR. LIBRADO F. TORRES 824-5618 MARCELA MARCELO ELEMENTRAY SCHOOL MS. EDEN E. DIOQUINO 851-0532

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS (H/S) KALAYAAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MR. PETER R. CANNON JR. 547-59-62 PASAY CITY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL MR. AGAPITO N. TEODORO MANAOG 467-5396 PASAY CITY WEST HIGH SCHOOL/99 DR. MYRNA M. SARMIENTO 831-7176 PASAY CITY EAST HIGH SCHOOL MRS. LOURDES G. GARRIDO 854-2981 PASAY CITY SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL DR. MYRNA B. GAZA 666-5383

JOSE ABAD CAMPUS DR. JOSEPHINE V. VERACRUZ 832-5525 / 831-8077

RTC BRANCH 109 HON. TINGARAAN U. GUILING 831-3473

PHILIPPINE PASAY CHUNG HUA ACADEMY EMILIO CHING 831-9432 / 831-1773 / 831-9536

RTC BRANCH 110/HON. PETRONILO A. 13 SULLA, JR. 833-3727

SAN ISIDRO CATHOLIC SCHOOL MSGR. GERARDO O. SANTOS 524-4871 / 536-5085 / 536-7485/536-4933

RTC BRANCH 111 HON. WIL JELMINA JORGE WAGAN 831-9151

STA. CLARA PARISH SCHOOL SR. MA. ROSALINA CRISTINA A. ASUNCION 833-1238/ 831-8253

RTC BRANCH 112 HON. JESUS B. MUPAS 831-8414

SAN JUAN DE DIOS COLLEGES SR. JOSEFINA R. QUIATCHON 551-2763

RTC BRANCH 113 HON. CARIDAD H. GRECIA-CUERDO 831-2324

COURT DIRECTORY

RTC BRANCH 114 HON. EDWIN P. RAMISO 833-8821

MARICABAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR. NOEL S. JUNIO 851-6890

PASAY CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL MRS. IRENE S. TONEL 832-29-10

SPECIAL SCHOOLS

PADRE BURGUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR. SEVERO A. BAJADO 831-9095

PHILIPPINE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF DR. YOLANDA T. CAPULONG 556-2832 / 831-7732

PADRE ZAMORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MR.RODULFO C. TIROL 831-8984

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND MRS. ROSALIE R. CONDES 831-8664 / 831-2534

PASCUAL VILLANUEVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MRS. MA. LENY T. BALLESTEROS 8318187

LOCAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY

MTC BRANCH 45 HON. BIBIANO G. COLASITO 831-1766

CITY UNIVERSITY OF PASAY (PLP) LENORE IRISH J. OSTREA 551-1342 / 831-5045 / 551-0525

MTC BRANCH 46 HON. RESTITUTO V. MANGALINDAN, JR. 831-4330

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

MTC BRANCH 47 HON GLENN SANTOS 831-1109

RAFAEL PALMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CYNTHIA A. FAGUIA 523-5010 RIVERA VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MRS. ESMENIA C. PAMBID 854-6817

ARELLANO UNIVERSITY APOLINARIO MABINI CAMPUS MRS. LOWELA B. MUPAS 524-28-50

TIMOTEO PAEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOl MS. MILAGROS N. IGNACIO 851-0121

ARELLANO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW FLORENTINO S. CAYCO 521-46-90

VILLAMOR AIR BASE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DR. ROLANDO E. SORIANO 703-2986

GIDEON ACADEMY ROSALIND L. LY 834-09-06

CLERK OF COURT METC ATTY. MIGUEL C. INFANTE 831-9345 CLERK OF COURT RTC ATTY. MARIVIC S. TIBAYAN 831-9306 MTC BRANCH 44 HON. BIBIANO G. COLASITO 831-6980

MTC BRANCH 48 HON. BIBIANO G. COLASITO 831-1414 RTC BRANCH 108 HON. MARIA ROSARIO. RAGASA 831-8286

RTC BRANCH115 HON. FRANCISCO G. MENDIOLA 833-8816 RTC BRANCH 116 HON. RACQUELINE A. VASQUEZ 831-3509 RTC BRANCH 117 HON. EUGENIO G. DELA CRUZ 833-8817 RTC BRANCH 118 HON. ROWENA NIEVES-TAN 831-7352 RTC BRANCH 119 HON. PEDRO L. GUTIERREZ 831-6626 RTC BRANCH 231/HON. DIVINA GRACIA LOPEZ PELIFIO 831-6763 REGIONAL TRIAL COURT LAW LIBRARY/OLYMPIA S. DEL VILLAR 551-7769

193

Postscript M

y love affair with Pasay City started in 2002 when my fiancée and I got married at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way the Truth and Life at the reclamation area. At that time, the church was the only standing edifice in a vast open area.

Except for the church and the newly cemented roads, there was nothing there; which was perfect for the quiet and intimate wedding that my wife and I always wanted.

Today, the same area is one of the busiest places in the Metro Manila. The once imposing church is now barely recognizable amidst the jungle of concrete that have sprung all around it. The neighboring buildings in the vast MOA complex that includes the colossal Arena and the SMX Convention Center have dwarfed the shrine.

The development of the reclamation area is emblematic of the transformation of Pasay City in recent years. The “sin city” of the past has given way to the Travel City of the future. Under the Calixto Administration, Pasay has finally stepped out of the shadows of its prominent neighbor, the City of Manila, transforming itself into the toast of the modern traveller.

No longer just a gateway to the country, Pasay today is a complete all-in-one destination for local and foreign tourists. The city is undisputedly the country’s one and only Travel City, the most exciting integrated tourist destination in the 21st century.

I can daresay that Pasay has nowhere to go but up. Guided by the vision of Mayor Calixto, Pasay is safe, exciting, and most importantly, fun. We invite everyone to visit, confident that Pasay is a place worth enjoying and coming back to again and again and again.

It’s an honor for me to be part of Pasay City, the City Government and this special commemorative book at this most exciting time. And I look forward to the many adventures that are coming my way in a city where the fun begins!

jonathan e. malaya

POSTSCRIPT

Spokesperson and Public Relations Manager, PIO

194

Prior to joining the Pasay City Government, Jonathan was Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education, Office of the President, and in the Office of the Solicitor General where he was detailed as Chief of Staff.

He is also concurrently Special Assistant to Senator Chiz Escudero.

The Public Information Office (PIO) staff with Mayor Calixto.

195

a b o u t t h e a u t h or

M

ELANDREW ‘MEL” T. VELASCO, a native of Dagupan City, is a veteran

The author with his published books at his MTVi office Quezon City.

The Silve Linings Book Team with Georgia Governor John Nathan Deal at the State of Georgia Capitol on June 12, 2013.

196

VELASCO FAMILY. The author with his wife Tess, children Angel, Andrew, Magi, Me-Anne and granddaughter Ghylian.

book author and publisher.

To date, he has authored and published 14 historical books and biographies, mostly on the families of former President Fidel V. Ramos and the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV).

Since 2000, Mel has been entrusted to write books on the life stories of FVR’s family members, and even on the non-profit, non-partisan organization founded by FVR. Following two editions of “An Enduring Legacy: The Life and Times of Ambassador Narciso Rueca Ramos,” Mel wrote, among others, “In a Class of Her Own: The Life and Times of Angela Valdez Ramos,” “Simply Ming: The Life Story of First Lady Amelita Ramos,” “Teamwork for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development: Ten Years of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation,” “Colors of Light: The Life Story of Lucia Mangapit Valdez,” and “FVR WOW” (Fidel V. Ramos’ Words of Wisdom) 111-111111.

One of his recent books titled, “Silver Linings: 25 Years of EDSA People Power Revolution,” is a defining historical opus that covers more than 50 years of Philippine history, told from the points of view of key military and police officers involved in the 1986 EDSA Revolution, along with other notable personalities in the Armed Forces and the government.

Last June 2013, Mel went on a book tour and documentary roadshow dubbed “Pilipinas: The Spirit Behind EDSA” in the United States with FVR, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III and Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco.

From June 5 to 15, the Pilipinas Roadshow went on a 10-day West and East Coast swing in key U.S. cities to launch “Silver Linings: 25 Years of the 1986 People Power Revolution,” and the video documentary “Tagaligtas” based on the EDSA book produced

by Raffy Alunan. While in the U.S., Mel also interviewed eminent Fil-Ams to be included in another landmark book project with the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) titled “America in Our Hearts: Inspiring Journeys and Centuries of Great Filipinos in America.” The new book is due for another inter-city book launch in the U.S. sometime July next year in time for the Filipino-American Friendship Day.

The author (right) with the Silver Linings Book Team (L-R) Raffy Alunan, Gen. Rey Velasco, Eddie Estil and Former President Fidel V. Ramos at the book launch in New Jersey, USA on June 14, 2013.

Last April, Mel launched his 13th book titled “The Golden Wheel: Success Stories of Rotarians in District 3780,” a special project of the Vocational Service Committee chaired by RI District 3780 DGE Sam Pagdilao and co-published by PP Ed Ayento.

In 2012, Mel authored and published “Embrace: The Heart of Service, Celebrating 25 Years of RI District 3780 as a One City, One District.”

In his 28 years as a media practitioner, Mel Velasco has metamorphosed from a college instructor and community newspaper editor into a multi-media specialist who has successfully carved a name for himself as an established book author, family biographer of former President Ramos, publisher, magazine editor, events management expert, printing entrepreneur and well-respected and multi-awarded civic and business leader.

He has been duly recognized by prestigious civic organizations for his works and vocation namely: the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines as a Golden Awardee for Literature and Arts in 2009; by the Rotary International in RY 2012 by no less than RI President Kalyan Banerjee and District 3780 Gov. Jose Francisco Cifra as a Changemaker Rotary President, Outstanding Club President and Most Outstanding Club in the Areas of Club Administration, International Service and Fellowship, Public Image and Membership Growth and Retention; and, by the Mary Help of Christians Seminary, Binmaley as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2006.

Just recently, JCI Senator and Rotarian Mel Velasco successfully steered anew the 2013 The Rotary Golden Wheel Awards and the JCI Senate Philippines’ The 2012 Outstanding Filipino Physicians (TOFP) Awards. Mel’s leadership and expertise in media and events management led to the memorable Oscar Awards-inspired for both events.

Since September 2003, Mel put up Media Touchstone Ventures Inc. (MTVI), a public relations, publishing, events management, and business development outfit that he operates to this day as its president and managing director.

Described as a man with the Midas touch, Mel seems to weave a magic wand with his “mellow touch” in producing quality works, be it books, magazines, audio-visual documentaries, or events management services.

Leave it to Mel to cap off the day with a gracious dinner or a drink shared with one of his many trusted circles, smiling in confidence on how it was well-spent—carpe diem—and his signature imprint of quality and excellence in his various works and projects.

T HE B O O K T EA M Michelle

Manuel

Cabrera

Born on May 5, 1982, Michelle Cabrera Manuel, or Sheen to many, was born to a musician father and musicianturned-government worker mother. It is her genetic link that likely explains her inclination to arts and music, and her easy adaptability when it comes to political campaigns, which she has been greatly exposed to in her line of work.

In 2004, Sheen earned her Fine Arts Major in Advertising degree from the University of Santo Tomas. While she was completing her final requirements in college putting together a full-color book on Dagupan tourism, veteran author Melandrew T. Velasco (MTV) met her in a printing and photocopy service. Seeing her creative skills and eye for detail and perfection, MTV has engaged Sheen into his PR & Marketing Consultancy firm, Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc., and had her take the lead in various projects ranging from books, magazines, print ads, to events management.

Sheen currently serves as the Vice President for Operations and Creative Manager of MTVi. She has, for more than nine years, upheld the company’s commitment to “grand concepts, quality services and excellent products” – ensuring work efficiency by making sure everything is in the right place. Her key projects for which she worked as Creative Director and Project Manager under MTVi include historical biographies commissioned by former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR), highlighted by the latest historical book Silver Linings: 25 Years of EDSA People Power Revolution. Her artistic prowess, however, was highlighted and proved outstanding in the biography Colors of Light: The Life and Paintings of Lucia NajeraMangapit Valdez.

Sheen is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Cubao West since 2007. In 2011, she was handpicked by MTV, who was then RC Cubao West’s Silver President, to serve as Club Secretary.

Her noteworthy contributions to the club and to RI District 3780 have earned her the honor of being the Most Outstanding Club Secretary award.

With a positive attitude toward life and a tenacity that gets her through life’s challenges, Sheen makes time for leisure travels, mostly with her husband Mhar Vincent whom she married in October 2012.

LUCCI

cORAL

Born on November 13, 1983 in Manila, Lucci C. Coral (baptized with the name Lutchie Anne Cadahing Coral) still considers herself as a young writer. She started writing fiction stories when she was seven and she released two-volumes of her self-titled book that same year for an audience composed of relatives.

After spending seven years in two Dominican institutions where she both wrote for its university/ college newspapers (three years in the University of Santo Tomas College of Engineering and four years in Colegio de San Juan de Letran College of Communications), Lucci landed a job as a writer in Manila Bulletin About Weddings Section and Wedding Essentials magazine.

The following year, she was assigned in the broadsheet’s daily Travel and Tourism section and was designated as the

MEL ANDREA TERESA VELASCO

Mel Andrea, Meanne to her dearest friends, is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Computer Studies major in Computer Science. While still a college student, she was involved as production assistant in a coffee table book titled, ‘The Life and Times of Ambassador Narciso Rueca Ramos.’

Her interest in digital arts and graphic designing encourage her to participate in various trainings and seminars. Shortly after her graduation in 2011, she was tapped by her father, MTVI Managing Director Mel Velasco, to work as layout artist and executive assistant with the outfit.

Over the last two years, Meanne has handled various publications and book projects like Colors of Light, WOW FVR, Embrace the Heart of Service, The Golden Wheel and Silver Linings with aplomb.

She is also a photography enthusiast whose photographs always come out as “creative works of art” and mostly admired by discerning photo enthusiasts, fellow artists and ordinary folk.

assistant editor of the monthly Manila Bulletin TRAVEL special.

After her newspaper stint, Lucci decided to work on health and travel topics as the managing editor of magazines of FAME Inc. (Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions Inc.) namely Health and Lifestyle magazine, DiabetEASE, ZEN Health magazine, and Travel Plus magazine.

Concurrently, she held the position of Editorial Director for its Disney magazine titles Hannah Montana magazine, The World of Cars, TinkerBell, and Toy Story. She later tried the field of advertising, events, and marketing as she headed the Fahrenheit Marketing Communications division, a creative agency FAME Inc. After many concurrent jobs, Lucci decided to work freelance and try walking the path to her dreams of one day becoming an internationally-acclaimed fiction author. Thus, she decided to join MTVi as a senior writer for its book project Colors of Light: The Life Story of Lucia Mangapit Valdez and now, the Pasay City commemorative book.

Nicole Victoria Nicole Victoria is a graphic designer and illustrator. She has worked on print and web design projects for various local companies and government agencies such as National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the University of the Philippines Press, Oxfam Philippines, First Philippine Holdings, and COL Financial. She also does online freelance work for clients from UK, US, and Australia.

She has done notable book projects with MTVi since January 2013.

Her body of work can be seen at http://be.net/ nvictoria.

teamwork

197

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references Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Revolution Emilio Aguinaldo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emilio_Aguinaldo_(ca._1898).jpg Battle of Manila http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Olympia_art_NH_91881-KN. jpg Philippine Legislature http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joint_session_of_Philippine_ Legislature.jpg Americans landed on leyte http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Douglas_MacArthur_lands_Leyte1. jpg Manuel Roxas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manuel_A_Roxas.jpg Calle Real http://www.flickr.com/photos/28098727@N00/3766008310/ Manila electric railroad http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talaksan:Manilastreetcar.jpg Francis Burton Harrison http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Francis_Burton_Harrison.jpg Curtiss Sea plane of Pasay http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Curtiss_F_of_M_Reid_over_Keuka_ Lake.JPG Manuel Quezon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manuel_L._Quezon_ (November_1942).jpg VP Osmena in Washington http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vice-President_Osme%C3%B1a_in_ Washington_cropped.jpg Pres Ferdinand Marcos http://library.thinkquest.org/15816/thebeginning.article4.html Edsa Revolution http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EDSA_Revolution_pic1.jpg

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Corazon Aquinio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Corazon_Aquino_inauguration.jpg Pres Joseph Estrada http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Josephestradapentagon.jpg Pres Gloria Macapagal Arroyo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gloria_Macapagal_Arroyo Pres Noynoy Aquino http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:President_Benigno_Aquino_III_ presidential_portrait.jpg Ninoy Aquino http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ninoy2.jpg people power revolution http://positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/77-hours-the-behindthe-scenes-at-the-1986-edsa-people-power-revolution%20 (Photo%20by%20Peter%20Charlesworth) Pres Fidel V. Ramos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ramos_Pentagon.jpg

PASAY 150 127 http://rammmpa.blogspot.com/2013/04/aliwan-fiesta-2013festival-floats.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/tripnienchong/8520748677/sizes/o/in/ photostream/ 125 http://roammanila.blogspot.com/2012/02/3rd-philippineinternational.html http://www.pasay.gov.ph/News/02-18-2013.html RESORTS WORLD MANILA AND CASINOS Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco RESORTS WORLD MANILA CASINO Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco MAXIMS HOTEL Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco MARRIOT HOTEL MANILA Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco REMINGTON HOTEL Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco

TRAVEL CITY ARTS AND CULTURE THE CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES Photos by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

SOFITEL MANILA Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco

TANGHALANG FRANCISCO BALAGTAS (FOLK ARTS THEATER) Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

MIDAS HOTEL AND CASINO Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

ALIW THEATER Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

THE HERITAGE HOTEL Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco

THE NEW PORT PERFORMING ARTYS THEATER Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco

MICROTEL BY WYNDHAM MANILA Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES (PDDCP) Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

TRADERS HOTEL MANILA Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco

MANILA FILM CENTER Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco THE COCONUT PALACE Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo, Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco and Arman Clemente GSIS MUSEO NG SINING Photo by: Arman Clemente

MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER (PICC) Photos by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco PHILIPPINE TRADE TRAINING CENTER (PTTC) Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco WORLD TRADE CENTER METRO MANILA (WTCMM) Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

references SMX CONVENTION CENTER Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Photo by: Arman Clemente

ONE ESPLANADE http://www.1esplanade.com/ FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION Photo by: Arman Clemente

SAN MIGUEL BY THE BAY Photos by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco BLUE WAVE MACAPAGAL Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo REPUBLIQ http://www.republiqclub.com/Images/Uploaded/24w1kkqxb3.jpg OPUS LOUNGE http://hesayszeesays.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/opus-2. jpg?w=625&h=390&crop=1 BAR 360 http://www.rwmanila.com/sites/default/files/Bar360-concert_1.jpg SPORTS AND RECREATION MALL OF ASIA ARENA Photos by: Kristin Pearl Delvo, Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco and Arman Clemente CUNETA STRODOME Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo SM BY THE BAY AMUSEMENT PARK Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco STAR CITY Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco SCREAM PARK MANILA ( NEWLY OPENED OCTOBER 2013) http://cdn.manilatimes.net/enginex/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ The-Living-Dead20131031.jpg GOVERNMENT OFFICES COCONUT PALACE - OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES Photos by: Arman Clemente SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES Photo by: Arman Clemente

PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTEAKS OFFICE (PCSO) Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT AUTHORITY http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/LRT_Baclaran_ Station.jpg VILLAMOR AIRBASE http://m9.i.pbase.com/g6/78/737778/2/72408319.mj1VFS9C.jpg GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM Photo by: Arman Clemente MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIURPORT AUTHORITY AIRPORTS / GATEWAYS NAIA TERMINAL 1 http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodinwu/5364241706/sizes/o/in/ photostream/ http://www.panoramio.com/photo/16557202 http://www.flickr.com/photos/fixedfocus/189512202/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fixedfocus TERMINAL 2 (CENTENNIAL)- NAIA ROAD http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/NAIA _Terminal_3_2009_MC.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/anseeeeelmo/6513784589/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/anseeeeelmo http://www.flickr.com/photos/lzlpio90/6209910569/sizes/o/in/ photostream/ - used - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lzlpio90 TERMINAL 3 http://www.flickr.com/photos/9218641@N04/3952260841/sizes/o/ in/photostream/ - used - http://www.flickr.com/photos/9218641@N04 http://www.flickr.com/photos/efrenefren/3551597958/sizes/o/in/ photostream/ - used - http://www.flickr.com/photos/efrenefren http://www.flickr.com/photos/alski85/8472248897/sizes/o/in/ photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/alski85 DOMESTIC TERMINAL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/992263-theres-somenew-zests-shining-through-mnl-ceb-mnl-z2-formerly-6k-pr.html

SHOPPING SM MALL OF ASIA Photos by: Kristin Pearl Delvo, Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco and Arman Clemente HOBBIES OF ASIA COMPLEX Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo NEWPORT MALL Photo by: Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco VICTORY MALL OF LIBERTAD Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo LIBERTAD PUBLIC MARKET Photo by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco 155 http://www.lifestylehub.net/2012/07/newport-mall-sale-fashionshow-concert.html http://outoftownblog.com/shopping-in-manila-enjoy-asias-shoppingcapital/ 154 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/992263-theressome-new-zests-shining-through-mnl-ceb-mnl-z2-formerly-6k-pr.html 121 http://www.sxc.hu/profile/musya123 http://www.gastronomybyjoy. com/2010/11/marriot-hotel-partners-with-habitat-for.htmlhttp://www. pasay.gov.ph/News/10-02-2013.html CHURCHES (FAITH FORTRESSES) Photos by: Kristin Pearl Delvo MARY COMFORTER OF THE AFFLICTED PARISH OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH OUR LADY OF AIRWAYS PARISH CHAPEL OUR LADY OF SORROWS PARISH OUR LADY OF BLESSED SACRAMENT SAN ISIDRO PARISH SAN JUAN NEPOMOCENO PARISH SAN RAFAEL PARISH SAN ROQUE PARISH SHRINE OF ST. THERES OF THE CHILD JESUS STA. CLARA DE MONTEFALCO PARISH ARCHDIOSESAN SHRINE OF JESUS, THE WAY, THE THRUTH, THE LIFE A SUNRISE AND SUNSET Photos by: Kristin Pearl Delvo and Mel Andrea Teresa Velasco

201

INDEX A

Abueva, Napoleon V. 147 Acorda, Dennis Bernard vii, ix, x, xx, 83, 179, 180 Advincula, Eduardo 121, 129 Advincula, Richard 121, 128, 138, 139 agrarian rebellion 37 Aguilar, Filemon 51 airports 167, 168 Al-Gaddafi, Muammar 147 Aliw Theater 57, 146 Aliwan Festival 140 Alternative Learning System 76 Alvina, Alberto121, 128 Amorsolo, Fernando 147 Ang, Ramon 46 Anti-Red Tape Compliant Award 85 Aquino, Benigno Jr. 56, 66 Aquino, Benigno S. III xii, 57 Aquino, Corazon 44, 56 Aragon, Aurora 40 Araw ng Pasay 61, 138 Arceo, Arnel Regino 121, 131 Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth, The Life 173 Arias, Vicente 47 Arroyo, Gloria Macapagal 57 Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc 123 Aunor, Nora 50 Avancena, Ramon 41, 54 Aznar, Venancio 46

B

Bal Oro, Ben 44, 66 Balagtas, Prince 34, 52 Banginoan, Lady 34, 52 Bar 360 157 Battle of Manila Bay 38 Battle of Pasong Santol 38, 46 Bautista, Dr. Remigio 46

202

Bay City xix, 65 Bayanihan Banking Program 99 Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company 145 Bayona, Bryan 138, 139 Beautification and Cleanliness project 95 Belmonte, Feliciano Jr. xv Bernabe, Florencio 51 Binay, Jejomar xiii, 147 Blue Wave Macapagal 157 Bonifacio, Andres 38 budget allocation 103

C

Calixto, Antonino vi, vii, xxv, 51, 59, 67, 6873, 81, 83, 87, 91, 101, 107, 111, 117, 121, 123, 125, 135, 138-139, 178, 179 Calixto, Eduardo vi, 51, 56, 57, 58, 59, 65, 66

projects 44-45 Calixto, Geralda 66 Calixto, Juan 66 Calixto, Leticia 66 Calixto, Yolanda 66 Cartimar Shopping Complex 171 Castro, Candido 46, 55 Cedula, Francisco 46 Chuan, Dee C. 47 Church of Our Lady of Sorrows 43 Churches 173 City Tourism and Cultural Development Office 114 City University of Pasay 78-79 Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines 164 Claudio, Jovito 43, 45, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 64, 138 Coconut Palace 44, 56, 147, 162 Colayco, Manuel 46, 55 Collantes, Feliz 46 Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines 65

Corazon Aquino Memorial High School 80 Cornejo, Miguel 59 Cruz, Roman 147 Cultural Center of the Philippines 44, 56, 66, 145 Cuneta Astrodome 39, 63, 94, 115, 160 Cuneta, Antonia 138, 139 Cuneta, Elaine 51 Cuneta, Enrique 59, 63 Cuneta, Pablo 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 67 Cuneta, Sharon 47, 51 Custodio, Dominga 35, 36, 47, 52

D

Day care centers 108 De Goiti, Martin 36 De Jesus, Juan 58 Department of Foreign Affairs 163 Dewey, George 38-39 Diaz, Ignacio Santos 43, 55, 60, 61, 63, 138 Disaster management 111 Dona Nena Risk Reduction and Preparedness Management Control Center 85, 88, 111 Drainage system 94 Drilon, Franklin xiv Duwaboy, Prince 52

E

Early Childhood Education Program 108 EDSA People Power Revolution 44, 56 Education 75-77, 80-81 Eisenhower, Dwight 63 E-Learning Program 77 Elizalde, Fred 146 Enrile, Juan Ponce 56 Esguerra, Valentin 38, 46, 53 Estrada, Joseph Ejercito 50, 57 Expanded Program on Immunization 90

F

Feast of Santa Clara de Montefalco 141 Fernandez, Dionisio 58 Fernando, Manuel 58 Film Center 44, 66 Flaminiano, Jose 50 Folk Arts Theater 44, 66 See also Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas Forbes, William Cameron 39, 54 Francisco, Carlos V. 147 Friar Lands Act 39, 54 Full disclosure policy 84, 105

G

Gabor, Mina 47 Gallardo, Leonora Escribe 66 Garantisadong Pambata Award 85 Garcia, Carlos P. 63 General Miguel Malvar Achievement Awards for Public Service and Nationalism 85 Go Kim Pah 47 Gokongwei, John 46 Gonzales, Florentino 46, 55 Good governance 83-85 Government Service Insurance System 165 Gregorio, Maximo 46 GSIS Museo ng Sining 147 Gunn, Tom 54 Gunther, John 41

H

Hacienda de Meysapan.37 Hamilton, George 147 Harbour Square 157 Harrison, Francis Burton 40, 54 Health 87-91 Health programs 90-91 Hobbies of Asia Complex 171 Hong, Froilan 147 Housing program 97-98

INDEX I

Ibay, Ileana 138, 139 Ibay, Lexter 129, 138, 139, 169 Ignacio, Jacinto 38, 46, 53 Ilarde, Eddie 46, 47, 51 Informal settlers relocation 97-98 Infrastructure 93-95 Internal revenue allotment 102, 103

J

Jimenez, Ramon Jr. xvii John Paul II, Pope 147 Jones Act 40, 54

K

Kalangitan (Princess) 34, 52

L

Lake, Alice (a.k.a Anita Linda) 47 Lariosa, Joseph 50 Ledesma, Juan 47 Ledesma, Julio 47 Legaspi, Miguel Lopez de 52 Leycano, Emmanuel 102 Liaison Services for Senior Citizens 111 Libertad Public Market 171 Libreng Security Guard Training 99 Light Rail Transit Authority 165 Limahong 52 Lina, Joey 67 Livelihood program 99 Llamas, Geronimo 46 Locsin, Leandro 146, 151, 153 Lontok, Lord 34, 52 Lovina, Primitivo 59, 60

M

MacArthur, Douglas 41, 42, 55 Magsakay, Arturo 61 Maibag, Jose 46, 55 Malaya, Jonathan vii, ix

Malibay Health Center 88 Malibay Sports and Cultural Center 115 Mall of Asia Arena 115, 159 Malonzo, Carlos, 41-42, 46, 55 Manaloto, Enrique 58, 59 Manansala, Vicente S. 147 Manila Domestic Terminal 158 Manila Electric Railroad Company 54 Manila Film Center 56, 147 Manila International Film Festival 56 Manila Polo Club 39, 54 Manosa, Francisco 147 Mapa, Placido 47 Mapua, Tomas 47 Marcelo, Marcela 38, 46, 53 Marcos, Ferdinand 44, 56, 138 Marcos, Imelda 44, 66 Marriot Hotel Manila 150 Martinez, Gregorio 38, 53, 138 Mary Comforter of the Afflicted Parish 173 Mateo, Rufino 59, 60 Maternal care 90 Maturan, Diomedes 49 Maura Law 58 Maxims Hotel 150 Maytubig Prince 52 Metro Point Mall 171 Microtel by Wyndham Manila 151 Midas Hotel and Casino 151 Montilla, Augustin 53 Montojo, Patricio 39

N

Nakpil, Juan 49 Namayan (Kingdom) 28, 34 National Literacy Award 85 National Music Competition for Young Artists Foundation 145 New Reclamation Area 43 Newport City 115 Newport Mall 171

Newport Performing Arts Theater 115, 146 Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 57, 167, 168

O

Ocampo, Hernando R. 147 One Esplanade 154 Opus Lounge 157 Osmena, Sergio 40, 41, 43, 46, 47, 49, 55, 63 Ostrea, Lenore 79 Our Lady of Fatima Parish 173 Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto 43 Our Lady of Sorrows Parish 173 Our Lady of the Airways Parish Chapel 173 Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament 173 Out of School Youth 109 Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 164

P

Padua, Reynaldo 121, 132 Padua-Lopez, Aileen 121, 130 Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay 63 Panaligan, Allan 58, 121, 130 Pangkabuhayan Mo, Sisimulan Ko 99 Parish of San Isidro Labrador 43 Parish of San Rafael 43 Pasay (Princess) 28, 34, 35, 52 Pasay City xxiv, xxv, 28, 37, 38, 42, 43, 45, 121, 135, 138 Department heads 178, 180-181, 190 Department offices 182-190 Development thrust 30 General Hospital 51, 89, 95 Hymn 31 Legislators 121 Manpower Development Center 45 Map 29, 176-177 Mayors 59 North High School Annex 80 Origin of name 33 Police Department 50

Profile 29 Rotunda 49 Sports Complex 115 Vision 30 Youth Home 109 Pasay Ko, Love Ko project xviii, 114 Pasay Travel City website 117 Patena, Carmen 49 Patubig project 91 Pesebre, Marlon 121, 126 PhilHealth coverage 89, 90 PhilHealth Mobile Orientation, Validation and Enrolment Scheme 89, 90 Philippine Ballet Theater 145 Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office 164 Philippine International Convention Center 44, 153 Philippine International Pyromusical Competition 140-141 Philippine Madrigal Singers 145 Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 145 Philippine Trade Training Center 154 Philippine-American war 39 Pineda, Cornelio 37, 46 Poe, Fernando 50 Poverty 107 Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines 146 Protacio, Marcelo 46 Public Employment Services Office 99 Public Estates Authority 65

Q

Quezon, Manuel 40, 41, 46, 47, 49, 54 Quirino, Elpidio 46, 47, 49, 55, 138

R

Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group 145 Ramos, Fidel 56, 57 Remedial Reading Program 76-77 Remington Hotel 150

203

INDEX Republic Act 183 61 Republic Act 437 138 Republic Act 9485 84 Republiq 157 Rescue operations 110, 111 Resorts World Manila 57, 93, 115, 149 Resorts World Manila Casino 150 Revenue collection 101, 102, 103, 105 Revilla, Carlos 59, 60 Rizal City 51, 55, 61, 138 Robles, Teresita 66 Rockwell, James C. 47 Rodriguez, Eulogio Sr. 55, 60, 138 Ronquillo, Carlos V 38 Roxas Boulevard 49-50 Roxas, Jennifer 121, 127 Roxas, Manuel 55, 138 Roxas, Manuel III xvi Rubiano, Imelda Calixto xix, 66, 70, 87, 121, 122-125

bills filed in Congress 124

projects 125 Rufino, Mateo 55

S

Salcedo, Juan 46, 55 San Isidro Health Center 88 San Isidro Parish 173 San Juan Nepomuceno Parish 173 San Juan, Moises 41, 54, 59 San Miguel By The Bay 156 San Rafael Parish San Roque Health Center 85, 88 San Roque Parish 173 Santos, Adolfo 43, 59, 62 Santos, Grace 121, 127, 138, 139 Santos, Ildelfonso 151 Santos, Nicanor 61 Santos, Norma 61 Santos, Vilma 50

204

Sasaban, Lady 34, 52 Schools 80 Scream Park Manila 160 Seaside Macapagal 157 Senate of the Philippines 163 Senior citizens 111 Shields, Brooke 147 Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus 173 Singab, Agustin 52 Skills training 109 SM By The Bay Amusement Park 160 SM Foundation 108 SM Mall of Asia 57, 65, 93, 115, 170 SMX Convention Center 57, 93, 115, 154 Social Development Center 109 Social services programs 109 Sofitel Hotel Manila 151 Soledan, Prince 34, 52 Soliman, Rajah 34, 35, 36, 52 Soriano, Andres 47 Soriano, Carmen 49 Soriano, Eliseo 47 Special Education Fund 104 Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish 173 Star City 57, 160 Star City Amusement Park.45 Straughn’s Fil-Am Pasay South Guerilla unit 41 Street lighting project 85 Supplemental Feeding Program 111 Sy, Henry Sr. 46

Thomas, Harry 81 Tolentino, Arvin 121, 132 Tolentino, Francis xviii Tourism 114-115, 117, 119 Tourist police 114, 117, 118 Traders Hotel Manila 151 Transparency 84, 85 Travel City 113, 114, 143 Trinidad, Wenceslao “Peewee” 45, 57, 58, 59, 61, 64 Two E-Com Center 154 Tydings-Mcduffie Act 40, 54

T

Warner Barnes and Company 39 Water distribution 91 Webb, Freddie 46, 47, 51 Wong, Cora 54 World Pyro Olympics 140 World Trade Center 45, 57, 154

Tagkan, Lakan 34, 52 Take Care, I Care program 87-88, 103 Tan, Andrew 46 Tan, Lucio 46 Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas 56, 146 Tanghalang Pilipino 145 The Heritage Hotel 151 The Voice of Juan de la Cruz 42, 46, 55

U

Urbina, Norman 58 UST Symphony Orchestra 145

V

Valenzuela, Fernando 37, 52 Velasco, Melandrew vii, viii Vendivel, Ian 138, 139, 121, 131 Vera Reyes, Franco 46 Vergel de Dios, Edith 138, 139 Victory Mall 171 Villa, Paquito 50 Villamor Airbase 165 Villanueva, Pascual 38, 46, 53, 58 Villar, Cynthia 123 Vinago, Martin F. 46

W

Y

Yamashita, Tomoyuki 42