• Marc7 Travels
  • Marc7 Travels Blog Entries
  • Viajerong Pinoy
  • Explore Manila!
  • Contact
  marc7 travels



Explore Manila! (Pasig)

8/30/2015

4 Comments

 
The metropolis hustles and bustles early morning as most of its residents rush to work hoping that they could get to work on time. Traffic slowly crawls along EDSA while the long lines getting onto an MRT crawls beside it. This same scenario recurs in the late afternoon as the sun sets in the Manila Bay horizon. We can expect that it would still be the same, and hoping that it won’t get worse, the next day.

Welcome to Explore Manila!

No matter how bad things may be in this bustling metropolis, we love Metro Manila. The rich colors and flavors of Metro Manila offsets the not-so-good side of it. And you have to admit that Metro Manila has a lot of interesting pockets that would definitely pique your curiosity. That is what we aim to discover with my project “Explore Manila!” We would like to give you a glimpse of what makes this metro a lovable place.

Explore Pasig!

We were all exhilarated with the freebies that we were getting from our Pasig exploration. Talk about good timing! We came in at a time when Pasig City was gearing up for their annual festivities of its foundation that, at one point, we found ourselves aboard a horse-driven carriage being toured around the city town center, complete with police escorts. We looked and felt like VIP tourists at that time.
Picture
Feeling "touristy" aboard a kalesa as we were given a city tour by the city tourism office of Pasig City.
Pasig City is one of the oldest communities in Metro Manila. Prior to this city being a center of business and growth, Pasig started out along the banks of “Bitukang Manok” – a creek that also played a critical role during the Philippine Revolution. Most of the economics and history of the old Pasig was centered on “Bitukang Manok”.

At present, Pasig City has turned from a small community into one of the major business districts of Metro Manila.

Food Stop: Dimasalang Bakery

Our first stop is the oldest bakery in the city. The bakery opened its doors in 1919 under the ownership of Ambrosio Lozada. It adapted the name of our national hero’s pseudonym – Dimas-alang, which means “strong and always ready”. The bakery evolved to be part of Pasiguenos daily lives with its daily offerings of breads and pastries. Its bestsellers include pan de sal, bonete, aglipay, and the “di ko akalain”.
Picture
Dimas-alang Bakery is the oldest bakery in the city having opened its doors in 1919.
We had our own share of goodies when we visited the bakery and I also tried their turones which is a thin bread rolled and had fillings in it. I got chocolate and pineapple and it was good. A definite food stop when you find yourself in the old town of Pasig.

Bonifacio Monument

A short walk from Dimas-alang Bakery is a cenotaph honouring the great plebeian, Andres Bonifacio. The monument that stands near the town center of downtown Pasig is the only monument where you will find in the Philippines where our hero is on a horse. 
Picture
The Bonifacio Cenotaph in the Pasig toen center. A unique monument of our hero.
Behind the cenotaph is a wall that bears the names of Katipuneros who participated in the “Nagsabado sa Pasig” – the first victory in the revolution.

Bitukang Manok

This now dead creek was once the waterway where the town of Pasig once thrived. It was where the city roots its birth as this body of water was once the center for commerce of the old Pasig. It is also the mute witness to the fateful “Nagsabado sa Pasig” event where Katipuneros gathered for an uprising on August 29, 1896 against the Spanish forces. The event would later on be recognized as the first victory of the revolution.

Too bad though that with the development of the city, Bitukang Manok was reduced to what it is now – an old dirty creek.

The Pasig City Museum

The first time that I had a walking tour in the Pasig town center, I was not able to check out the Pasig City Museum as it was undergoing renovation. As luck were on our side during our exploration, we were able to check out the museum and got some VIP treatment in the process.

The Pasig City Museum is housed in the Concepcion Mansion, a heritage house at the heart of the old Pasig town. Built in 1937, the house not only served as the home of the prominent Concepcion family but was also used by the Japanese as a headquarters and detention center during World War 2. It was also where the American Flag was raised in 1945 signifying the liberation of Pasig from the Japanese. At present, the museum is a good stop if you want to learn more about Pasig City’s history and rich cultural heritage.
Picture
The Pasig City Museum is housed in the Concepcion Mansion.
The museum walks you through the rich history of Pasig starting from the time of its early occupants along Bitukang Manok until its development into a city. Notably, they have a strong reference to “Nagsabado sa Pasig” event – the first victory during the revolution. The exhibit features a relief of the event and a narrative that eventually led to the victory of the Katipuneros.
Picture
The relief depicting the "Nagsabado sa Pasig" event.
The museum also houses the collection of artifacts and memorabilias of prominent Pasiguenos, outlining their numerous contributions to the rich history and culture of the city.
Picture
The museum also features artifacts and memorabilias from prominent Pasiguenos.
Plaza Rizal

Just right in front of the Pasig City Museum, is an open space park dedicated to our Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero. The park is complete with park benches and it is a good area to actually just sit down and watch the town buzz around. The park is a good vantage point where you will get to see the town center in a 360 degree view.
Picture
The Plaza Rizal in Pasig City.
Just right along the main street, you will find the markers dedicated to Jose Rizal and the great honor that Pasiguenos bestow unto him for his role in the country’s freedom against Spanish rule. It is also interesting to know that Pasig was once the designated capital of the province of Rizal. It was only in 1975 that Pasig became part of Metro Manila.

Bahay na Tisa

The Bahay na Tisa is the oldest “bahay na bato” in Pasig City. The house is called as such because its roof was originally made from tisa and was changed only into asbestos after it was damaged during the war.
Picture
Bahay na Tisa - the oldest house in Pasig City.
The house was also known as the Freedom House during the Martial Law years as it was the venue of political meetings during that time. And apart from its political history, the house has religious significance for the city. The “Bahay na Tisa” opens its doors every Easter Sunday for the sick to visit the Sto. Nino de Pasion and receive communion.

Colegio del Buen Consejo

Jus within the town proper is another historical site recognized by the National Historical Institute – the Colegio del Buen Consejo. It is one of the oldest private schools in the city. It also served as a refuge for Pasiguenos during the World War 2 and was damaged during the liberation. It was rehabilitated in 1948.
Picture
The Colegio del Buen Consejo is the oldest private school in the city.
Pasig Cathedral

The Pasig Cathedral is one of the oldest structures in the city. It was founded in 1573 and coincides with the establishment of Pasig as a town. It is also known as the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and it is the first Marian church in the country.
Picture
The Pasig Church is the oldest structure in Pasig City.
The church is a prominent structure in the old town of Pasig and, just like a sentinel. It has watched over the town for centuries and up to this day.

Pasig City Hall Complex

As I have previously mentioned in my previous blog, I was quite impressed with Pasig’s government complex because of the ease of access because of the overhead pathways from the town center to the city hall and then further on to the public market.
Picture
The overhead walkway of Pasig's town center.
The city hall complex also has a lot of open air parks where locals and visitors can enjoy a lazy day. What really caught our attention was the Tanghalang Pasigueno, the city’s center for the culture and arts.
Picture
The Tanghalang Pasigueno with the Caruncho Tower at the background.
From our vantage point, I could actually see that the Caruncho Tower was also going through a facelift. I hope that this meant that the government is now focusing on making the tower useful for the city’s tourism. I hope that the tower will also be accessible to tourists and visitors soon.

Post Explore Notes:

I have to say that our Pasig exploration was one of the most exciting that we have done. It must have been our good timing as we came in at a time of festivities. The city government offered us free snacks and a kalesa ride around town, which was the one that got all of us excited. It was a great experience for all of us and it was nice to know that the city government of Pasig have also laid out plans to push the city’s tourism projects. 
4 Comments
Jem C
11/13/2017 09:11:57 am

Hi Sir Marc, would like to ask permission of we can use your photo of the facade of Colegio del Buen Consejo as the cover photo (maybe just temporary until we can have our own) of our FB group for the Batch 1995 graduates. We promise to credit the photo to your properly. Thank you!

Reply
Marc del Rosario link
11/13/2017 09:42:40 am

Yes, you may use the photo. Thanks.

Reply
Brittany H link
1/13/2021 11:05:24 pm

Loved readingg this thanks

Reply
Marc7del
5/20/2021 10:32:43 pm

Thank you for the appreciation.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Home
    @viajerongpinoy
    #EXPLORemanila

    Marc del Rosario

    I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment.

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    July 2010
    January 2010
    August 2009

    RSS Feed