Overview

The Parañaque City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is located at 121’01” longitude and 14’30” latitude and is bordered to the north by Pasay, to the northeast by Taguig, to the Southeast by Muntinlupa, to the southwest by Las Piñas, and to the west of Manila Bay.

Due to its proximity to the sea, Parañaque is one of the major trade and business centers in the Philippines.

“Palanyag” was its original name, which means “my beloved”, among other definitions for as far as its residents are concerned, this best describes their affection for their hometown. Another version came from the combination of the terms “Palayan” and “Palalayag”, the former meaning rice fields of which the city once abounded in and the latter pertaining to the sailing and fishing occupation of many of its residents. This was also a sign of cooperation and goodwill between the two major working sectors of the town, the farmers and the fishermen. It was however a drunken guest, during a certain affair which decided on the final name, who said “Mabuhay and Palanyag at ang mga taga-Palanyag! (Long live Palanyag and the People of Palanyag!)” So the name stuck from that day on.

Another version, according to tradition, was when a Spanish soldier told the driver of a caruaje or horse-drawn carriage, to “Para aqui, para aqui (Stop here, stop here!)” The driver, uncomprehending, kept on prodding his horse to go on while the soldier angrily repeated his instruction: “Para aqui, para aqui!” Onlookers just laughed as the Spaniards empathetically said “para aniya aqui, para aniya aqui (he said ‘stop here’… he said ‘stop here).” For days the incident was repeated around and the term “para aniya aqui” stuck.

There is another story that says of an imposing balete tree at the mouth of Parañaque. It looked like a boat sailing slowly and majestically, earning the Tagalog term Palanyag, a corruption of the term“palayag” which means “point of navigation”. Further adulteration of the word later resulted in the word “palayaque”.

A historian believes the town’s name may have come from the term “palanas” which means a “broad flat plain,” the geographic description of Parañaque.

Other origins of the name Parañaque are “palanac” (with no special meaning), “palanyag” or contest for popularity, and “paranac”, a native term for the shell product that used to be the livelihood of the natives of the town at one time.

Whatever may be the real origin of the name Parañaque, the various terms strongly suggest the town’s stories and mosaic past.

Parañaque Today

Today, Parañaque is a blossoming city. Due to its strategic location, it is an important centre for trade and business in Metro Manila. Baclaran, where a large number of dry goods stores are located, is one of the busiest markets in the country. Small fishing villages called “fisherman’s wharves” are also situated alongside Barangay La Huerta, where the famous DAMPA, a seaside market with numerous restaurants serving fresh seafood, is found. The country’s international airport as well as the Baclaran Church, one of the most active parishes in Manila, and the Duty Free, where one can buy imported goods, can be found here.

Parañaque was converted as the 11th city in Metro Manila (after sister city Las Piñas in 1997), and was chartered and urbanized by Former President Fidel V. Ramos on 15 February 1998 during the celebration of the city's 426th Founding Anniversary.

Tourist Attractions

Parañaque has an aggregate land area at 46.57 square kilometers the third largest in the National Capital Region (NCR). It is subdivided into two congressional districts, composed of 16 barangays Parañaque has made the city suitable for urban settlement as proven by the steadily increasing population and number of residential subdivisions.

• Bird Sanctuary

Home of Migratory Birds from Neighboring Asian Country such as China and as far as Siberia during Winter Season. Pick seasons from August to March.

• Casino Filipino

 There is never a dull day in Parañaque. Facilities and their distinctive attractions and features allow you to unwind and relax. Splendid shows and tax- free winnings at the country's premiere casino can make your day an unforgettable experience.

• DAMPA

Seafood lovers from all over Metropolitan Manila troop to the various markets of Parañaque City. There are dozen of places to shop for the freshest crustaceans, mollusks, shellfish and other marine and freshwater catch. Courteous Parañaqueño vendors often offer to clean or debone the fish purchase, free of charge, to the delight of consumers.

• Fisherman Village

Small fishing villages called “fisherman’s wharves” are also situated alongside Barangay La Huerta, where the famous DAMPA, a seaside market with numerous restaurants serving fresh seafood, is found.

• BATI

 The word originates from the Tagalog term PAGBATI, meaning to greet. The Bati has little girls dancing before the image of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of the church during the Easter rites, right after the SALUBONG.

• San Dionisio Chapel

Home of Headless Patron Saint TATA DUNE.

• St. Andrews Church

The evangelization of Parañaque started 400 years ago with the arrival of the Augustinian missionaries. The founding religious order chose La Huerta as the site of their mission house. It is now the shrine of the Nuestra Sñra. Del Buen Suceso.

• SUNDUAN

 Is the Filipino term for "fetching". This celebration in La Huerta, features a parade of escorted young ladies holding colorful parasols. Brass bands fetch each pair and parade around the town.

• Baclaran Redemtorist Church

The Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baclaran continues to be the most attended church in Asia. It has a seating capacity of 3,000And 9,000 for standing devotees.

• Science of Man & the Environment

2nd Flr. Uniwide Coastal Mall Roxas Blvd., Parañaque City

• Salt Manufacturing

The use of solar heat for evaporating sea water and crystallizing salt from the concentrated brine has been explored and developed by the coastal dwellers of Manila Bay. Parañaque, being one of the first salt-producing town of Rizal, is a "natural" for this industry. The Filipino and Chinese methods both have undergone modification.

List of accommodations in Parañaque

• 188 Residence Inn - Doña Soledad Avenue, Better Living Subdivision, Don Bosco
• Carlston Hotel - Airport Road, Baclaran
• Casa Joaquin Bed and Breakfast - Caliraya Drive, Marian Lakeview Park, San Martin de Porres
• Chateau Elysee - Doña Soledad Avenue Extension, Bicutan
• Colors Hotel - Riverwiew Compound, Quirino Avenue, Tambo
• El Grande Hometel Inn - El Grande Avenue, BF Homes
• Happy Coconuts Hostel - El Grande Avenue, BF Homes
• Isabelle Garden Hotel and Suites - E. Rodriguez Avenue, Moonwalk
• Manila Airport Hotel - PAL Drive, Airplane Village, NAIA Terminal I Complex, Vitalez
• Nichols Airport Hotel - Quirino Avenue, Baclaran (near Tambo)
• Oyster Plaza Hotel - Ninoy Aquino Avenue corner Kabihasnan Road, Sucat
• Rodello's Bed and Breakfast - Armstrong Avenue (Moonwalk Access Road), Moonwalk Village Phase I, Moonwalk
• Savannah Resort Hotel - El Grande Avenue, BF Homes
• Southland Apartelle Hotel - A. Aguirre Avenue corner Jerusalem Street, BF Homes
• Villa Carolina Townhouse Hotel - Roxas Boulevard corner Bayview Drive, Tambo

Transportation

Rail Transport

Parañaque is served by the LRT-1 (via Baclaran Station, which is located in Pasay City) and the PNR (via Bicutan station).

Airport

Parañaque is also the location of one of Ninoy Aquino International Airport's terminal. This terminal is Terminal 1 located along Ninoy Aquino Avenue. The flights of major international airlines are located in this terminal.

Road Network

Parañaque is accessed by these following major roads:

• South Luzon Expressway
• Coastal Road
• Metro Manila Skyway
• Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue (Sucat Road)
• Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (C-5 South Extension)
• C-6 Road

Busses, jeepneys, taxis and tricycles are available as a mode of transportation inside and outside the Parañaque.