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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/pasay-municipal-building.avif" alt="Pasay's first municipal building" />
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(Pasay's first municipal building.  Source: Travel In Time, A collection of photos of Pasay Heritage, <a href="https://www.pasay.gov.ph/Resources/Pasay%20Heritage%20Book%20Final.pdf" class="news-link-pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://www.pasay.gov.ph</a>)
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<h3>
Etymology and Precolonial Roots
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The origin of the name "Pasay" is a subject of debate, with several theories reflecting its historical and cultural significance. One legend suggests it was named after Dayang-dayang Pasay, a princess of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namayan" class="news-link-ext" taget="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Namayan</a>, who inherited lands in the area. Another theory posits it was named after Pasay, the son of Tagkan, a ruler of Namayan, who also inherited territories including the present-day city. A romantic narrative tells of a man named Jose who, grieving at the grave of his forbidden love Paz, cried "Paz-ay!", leading to the naming of the hacienda and eventually the town as Pasay. Additionally, some historians believe the name derives from the medicinal plant <i>pasaw</i> (Pseuderanthemum reticulatum), which once grew abundantly, while others suggest it was known as "Javan Pasar", a corruption of the Arabic word "bazar",  reflecting its role as a marketplace. During the colonial era, it was spelled "Pasai", possibly inspired by the Malay kingdom of Pasai in Sumatra, Indonesia.
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Before Spanish colonization, Pasay was part of Namayan, a confederation of barangays controlling territory from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay, later known as Santa Ana de Sapa (modern Santa Ana, Manila). The area was inhabited by Tagalog communities who engaged in fishing, agriculture, and trade, leveraging their proximity to Manila Bay for commerce with neighboring regions and foreign merchants, including Chinese traders.
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Pasay City's Story: A Historical Overview