"Araw ay pasiglahin. Let's visit Pasig!"

PASIG CITY

The City of Pasig (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pasig) is one of the city-municipalities of Metro Manila in the Philippines and was the former capital of the province of Rizal prior to the formation of this grouping of cities designated as the National Capital Region. Located along the eastern border of Metro Manila, Pasig is bordered on the west byQuezon City and Mandaluyong City; to the north by Marikina City; to the south byMakati City, Pateros, and Taguig City; and to the east by Antipolo City, the municipality of Cainta and Taytay in the province of Rizal.

Pasig is primarily residential and industrial but has been becoming increasingly commercial in recent years. Pasig is one of the three municipalities appointed by thediocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines (as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig), making the Pasig Cathedral (formerly The Immaculate Conception Cathedral) the landmark coincide to its township in 1573.

The name Pasig is believed to come from the Sanskrit word “passis” or sand which refers to the community on the sandy river bank.^[4] Some historians trace the name of Pasig to the Tagalog word mabagsik which means violent action which can describe the river which currents brought logs from Montalban to Manila

It was also called “mapaksik” by Chinese in Binondo, Manila. “Mapaksik” later became "Pasik" and then "Pasig". It may also come from "pasigan" which means riverbank.

According to Jose Villa Panganiban, former director of The Institute of National Language, "Pasig" is old Sanskrit meaning “river flowing from one body of water to another,” which briefly describes the river because the river flows from Laguna de Bayto Manila Bay

"Bitukang Manok"

Marks the creek that played a vital role during the revolution. It is named after chicken entrails due to its shape.

The waterway of Bitukang Manok is serpentine like and was a principal part of the Pasig River. The Spaniards named the river as “Rio de Pasig,” however, the people continued to refer to it among themselves as Bitukang Manok. The first sketch of Bitukang Manok or Pasig River became known as the Pariancillo River where its bank flourished as the public market up to 1970’s. Likewise, the Bitukang Manok contributed immensely to the economic prosperity of Pasig since time immemorial, by irrigating its rice plains.

The Bitukang Manok links the Pasig River with the Antipolo River. During the 17th up to the early 20th century, many pilgrims from Manila and nearby towns took the route of Bitukang Manok to the Shrine in Antipolo. Even the image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage passed this way back and forth eleven times. In the 18th century, the Gremio de Mestizos de Sangley or Chinese Mestizos built a concrete covered bridge in the style of a pagoda over this waterway. It was called Pariancillo Bridge and later, Fray Felix Trillo Bridge in honor of Pasig’s dynamic pastor.

The Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo also held part of the Asamblea Magna aboard seventeen bancas on this river in the first week of May 1896. The post war period saw the drastic decline of the Bitukang Manok. It also succumbed to environmental pollution due to population growth.

The worst came to the Bitukang Manok River in the late 1960’s when the ailing river, instead of being revived was buried under the ground to give way to commercial establishments.

"The Concepcion Mansion"

Categorically, The Pasig City Museum is a both a Historical Museum and an Art Museum. Since its soft opening and inauguration in 2000 and 2001 respectively, The Pasig City Museum was the site for many exhibits and hosted many events that is particular to the City’s functions.

The Pasig City Museum is very rich in resources in terms of arts, culture and history. At the museum lobby, the museum have in its care a three-relief mural depicting the Asemblea Magna[7], the Nagsabado ng Pasig[8], and the progress of Pasig from the Spanish time to present time. The three-relief mural was made by Sajid Imao (TOYM awardee 2002), son of the latest National Artist for Sculpture “Abdulmari Imao.”

“Tagpuan,” an exhibit participated by Pasig visual artists from the earliest works and visual artists to the youngest generation of visual artist. Current well known artist joined the exhibit like Fred Baldemor, Fred Carillo, Manuel Carillo and Manolo Lozada. The exhibit occupied two floors of the museum, and was held during the soft opening of the museum.

On Aug. 29, 2001, the launching of the Araw ng Pasig 2001 book was held at the museum after which Nagsabado reenactment was performed in front of the museumas one of the first project of the newly organized Kalipunan ng Sining at Kultura ng Pasig. October, 2001, the museum initiated a nude exhibit titled “Wangis” was implemented by the Kalipunan ng Sining at Kultura ng Pasig and other neighboring towns and cities.

“A Marian exhibit was launched on the first day of the novena of the Immaculate Conception from November 29 to December 16, 2001. The exhibit featured the icons from the Marian Mission of the Philippines foundation, Inc. and the works of local visual artists. Many exhibits and events were held inside the museum since then.”

“These events at the Pasig City Museum have helped to promote the city governments thrust into cultural activities, an effective tool of the city government in the promotion of arts and culture as well as tourism. The museum became a venue of musical performances, theatrical performances, seminars and lectures, art exhibits, religious exhibits, historical and cultural exhibits.”

Aside from the Sajid Imao relieves at the first floor; the history of Pasig is in exhibit. The history is a textual display of the history of Pasig paralleled to history of the entire archipelago and the history of the world. Photos and sketches of old landmarks of Pasig donated by the oldest art grouping Pasig – the Pasig Art Club. Old artifacts from the collection of Gregorio Coching, which comprises vintage World War I and II relics, original Dr. Jose Rizal photo, a Katipunero bolo, old newspapers and many articles.

“On the second floor we have the memorabilia collection of Valentin Cruz, a Katipunan general who led the first victory of the Philippine Revolution in 1896 in Pasig. A collection of old dresses from a prominent family of Pasig. Also the evolution of the Pasig City logo. On long term exhibit at the second floor also are the 22 original sculptures of the first National artist for Sculpture – Guillermo Tolentino. The sculptures were loaned from the daughter of Guillermo Tolentino. Original furniture of the former mansion such as the dining table, wooden chairs, side tables and cabinets are on display in the museum.

The Pasig City Museum’s primary source of financial support for its operation is the Pasig City Government. Annually, the basic operational support is around P2.1 million where 94% goes to salaries and wages of personnel that maintains the building and its collection. Other projects of the museum such as special exhibits, acquisitions, research programs are on top of the basic financial support given by the local government. Currently the museum is close for renovation, it will have a grand opening on June of this year. Also in its agenda for the year is the launching of a “Cultural Tourism packages for the City of Pasig.”

The Bahay na Tisa

This is the oldest bahay na bato in existence in Pasig. It was built by Don Cecilio Tech y Cabrera in the early 1850s. It has been home to seven generations of the Tech family and has been witness to significant historical events in Pasig and in the country. The direct descendants of Don Cecilio are still in residence.

During Martial Law, it was called Freedom House because both factions of the political spectrum can use the house as a venue for their meetings. It was also at one time the unofficial San Jose Barangay Headquarters at one time. Art exhibits were also held here. On the other hand, the Bahay na Tisa is also home to the Santo Nino de Pasion. More so, every Sunday after Easter, the sick people of the town gathered inside the house to receive the Holy Communion and the benediction of the Parish Priest (Viatico Publico).

The Bahay na Tisa has huge blocks of adobe for the ground floor walls which served to carry the load of the hardwood floorings of the second floor. The roof was originally tisa but was destroyed during World War II and was replaced with corrugated asbestos roof. The windows were made of capiz shells. Due to its antiquity and unique character as a bahay na bato in the urban setting, the Bahay na Tisa has been a favorite venue for many movies and TV serial – one of the most notable being the Centennial Offering on the National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Here's a map of Pasig City

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