Pasay: Culture, Art and Tradition

Pasay comes into focus through several very different cultural themes: religious traditions, a play with a long performance history, an internationally oriented convention center, and traces of film history. A museum with eight dessert-themed rooms is also part of the city’s character. The Esplanade Seaside Terminal provides a specific point of reference at the Mall of Asia complex. When planning a trip, you can organize your visit to Pasay around whichever focus interests you most—from a feast day to art and architecture.

Religious Tradition and Theater

Sta. Clara De Montefalco Parish is a church from the Spanish colonial period in Pasay. Its distinctive features include a bell tower and expressive statues. The annual calendar includes the Feast of Santa Clara, celebrated in Pasay on February 13 in honor of Saint Clare of Montefalco. The Malibay Cenaculo offers another connection to local tradition. It is performed in Pasay during Holy Week and, following recognition by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, is considered the oldest continuously performed play of its kind in the Philippines. Local performers portray Mary, Joseph, Roman soldiers, the twelve apostles, and Jesus Christ. If you would like to include the feast day or the play in your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.

Art, Conventions, and Film History

The Philippine International Convention Center is considered Asia’s first international convention center and served as the venue for major national gatherings for almost five decades. The PICC Complex also has a specific place in cultural history: On June 27, 2019, the complex and four integrated artworks were recognized as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines. These include “Pagdiriwang” by Jose Joya, “Anito” and “Grid” by Arturo Luz, and the carved wooden furniture by Napoleon V. Abueva. This recognition connects the complex with the artists’ names and a specific date in recent cultural history.

The Manila Film Center adds another chapter to film history: Architect Froilan Hong originally designed it for international film festivals and to house important film archives. The Dessert Museum offers a very different theme. In Pasay, it features eight rooms dedicated to donuts, marshmallows, ice cream, candy canes, chewing gum, gummy bears, cotton candy, and cake. Thus, alongside religious and institutional cultural themes, there are also film and a distinct confectionery-themed world.

Getting Oriented and Choosing a Starting Point

The Esplanade Seaside Terminal is a clearly defined point of reference for getting oriented: it is located at the far end of the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City and offers connections to nearby attractions. Its location helps you place the terminal within the complex; those connections are also relevant when planning your day. If you would like to include different themes in your trip, you can consider this point of reference alongside the cultural highlights.

If you are looking for a vacation rental in Pasay, first decide which cultural interests will shape your trip. The specific date of the feast day, Holy Week for the Malibay Cenaculo, and the PICC’s historical connection to art offer different points of focus.

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