Parañaque City

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Parañaque
other_name =
native_name = "Lungsod ng Parañaque"
nickname =
settlement_type =
motto = Pride in Parañaque. Be part of it!


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seal_size = 100px
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map_caption = Map of Metro Manila showing the location of Parañaque City Coordinates: 14° 28' N, 121°01', E


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Philippines
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = National Capital Region
subdivision_type2 = Districts
subdivision_name2 = 1st and 2nd District of Parañaque City
subdivision_type3 = Barangays
subdivision_name3 = 16
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 = none (It is formerly on Rizal province from its pre-foundation until 1975)
class = highly urbanized
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Florencio "Jun" Bernabe, Jr. (2007–2010; Lakas-CMD)
leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
leader_name1 = Gustavo Tambunting (2007–2010; Lakas-CMD/Aksyon Demokratiko)
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 = Incorporated (town)
established_date2 = November 30, 1572
established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
established_date3 = February 15, 1998
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area_total_km2 = 47.69
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 449,811
population_density_km2 = 9432
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = +8
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elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 12.0
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postal_code_type =
postal_code = 1700
area_code = 2
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website = [http://www.paranaque.gov.ph www.paranaque.gov.ph]
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The City of Parañaque (pop. 449,811; 2000 Census), or simply Parañaque (Filipino: "Lungsod ng Parañaque"), is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by Pasay City, by Taguig City to the northeast, Muntinlupa City to the southeast, by Las Piñas City to the southwest, and by Manila Bay to the west.

History

Parañaque was founded in 1572. Since the place lay very proximate to the sea, the Paraqueños did much trade with the Chinese, Indonesians, Indians and Malayans. At that time the main means of livelihood were salt-making, fishing, planting rice, shoemaking, slipper-making and weaving. The community was headed by cabezas de barangay, a westernization of the local chieftains and the principalia as the local aristocrats were called, a very durable social institution since they were the political absorbers. They justified and moderated the demands of the Spanish colonizers. Education was limited to the principalia since it is only they who could afford it. The recorded beginnings of Palanyag began in 1580 when Fr. Diego de Espinar, an Augustinian missionary, was appointed Prior or superior of the convent or religious house of the town. As resident priest, he established the mission house there, with its spiritual jurisdiction reaching up to Kawit in the province of Cavite. The Council of the Definitors (or conference of chiefs of the religious orders) held on May 11, 1580, accepted Palanyag as an independent town. The image of Palanyag's patroness, Nuestra Señora del Buensuceso, was brought to St. Andrew's Church in La Huerta in 1625.

Historical accounts state that since Palanyag was located at the crossroads of Manila, the provinces of Cavite and Batangas, the town's strategic location enabled the townspeople to play an important role in Philippine history. During the invasion of the Chinese pirate Limahong in 1574, Parañaque residents, particularly those from Barangay Dongalo, heroically aided in preventing the attack in Manila. This became known as the "Red Sea Incident" due to the blood that flowed as a result of the defense made by the people from barrio Sta. Monica, the barangay's former name. When the British invaded Manila in 1762, the townspeople once again remained loyal to the Spanish colonizers, especially the Augustinians. The invasion however showed that the power of the Spaniards was not invincible and more than a hundred years later, this would prove to be true. Then came the Philippine Revolution (circa late 19th century) and the Spaniards realized that the town was a practical gateway to Cavite, the bastion of the revolutionary Katipuneros. Conversely to the rebels based in Cavite, they saw the town as their gateway to Intramuros, the Spanish seat of government in Manila. Prominent Paraqueños, like Manuel Quiogue and secular priest Father Pedro Dandan became leading revolutionary figures. When the Americans took over, one of the first towns to have a municipal government was Parañaque.

During the Japanese occupation (circa 1940's), Parañaque supplied the leadership of the guerilla movement like the ROTC Hunters as well as food and arms. Parañaque was one of the first towns to be liberated and its guerillas helped in paving the way for American and Philippine forces to enter Manila. As can be gleaned from the above, Parañaque then and now has and continues to play a strategic role in the Philippines' political and economic progress. Another outstanding feature of this historic town by the bay is the cultivation of its cultural traditions like the Komedya, Sunduan, and Bati, among others that continue to attract local and foreign tourists alike, especially during the summer months.

From Palanyag to Parañaque

Palanyag, the old name for the city of Parañaque, generally 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 ricefields 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 ang 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 his 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 empathically said "para aniya aqui para aniya aqui (he said 'stop here' he said 'stop here)." For days the incident was repeated around and term "para aniya aqui" stuck. There is another story that says of an imposing balete tree at the mouth of the 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 "palanyaque". 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), "patanyag" 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. Parañaque, in the olden times, was where many people unboard the "kalesa", or horse-drawn carriage and would usually tell the conductor to "para na aque", which literally means "stop now, boy". The word "para", taken from the Spanish word "parar" which means to stop, "na" is a term in the Filipino language which means "now", and "aque" taken from the Filipino term "lalaki" or "lalake", meaning "boy". The phrase "para na aque" was used so often that it eventually evolved into a term pertaining to a place, thus, Parañaque. An alternative meaning of "para na aque" is "stop here", where the term "'aque'" might have also come from the Spanish word "aqui" which means "here". Whatever the correct origin of the name of Parañaque, the various terms strongly suggest the town's storied and mosaic past.

During the Philippine Revolution, Parañaque became one of the hottest battle zones due to its location halfway between the province of Cavite, where the revolutionaries held sway, and Manila, the seat of the Spanish colonial government.

During the American occupation of the Philippines, Parañaque became one of the first municipalities in the Metro Manila region.

Cityhood

Parañaque City was converted as the 11th city in Metro Manila and chartered and urbanized city by Former President Fidel V. Ramos on February 15, 1998.

Parañaque City Today

In May 2001, SM City Sucat (Formerly SM Supercenter Sucat) was formally launched, and it became the 1st SM Mall Franchise in Parañaque City, the Supercenter was changed later to SM City, and it became a larger and wider mall.

In November 2002, the second SM City mall in Parañaque City was launched, SM City Bicutan, becoming one of the most popular malls in Parañaque City after Uniwide Coastal Mall.

In February 2003, the City of Parañaque celebrated their 5th Cityhood Anniversary.

In September 2007, the first strip mall located in Sucat, Parañaque City was "Santana Grove". It has more than 10 restaurants and 1 coffee house chain.

In February 2008, the City of Parañaque celebrated their 10th Cityhood Anniversary.

In August 2008, the SM Mall of Asia was launched and located in Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City.

Etymology

The name "Parañaque" is derived from the phrase "para na aque"," which was commonly used in the past when people wished to disembark from "kalesas" (horse-drawn carriages). The phrase literally means "stop now, boy": "para" from the Spanish "parar" (to stop), "na" from the Tagalog word for "now" or "already," and "aque" from the Tagalog word for boy, "lalaki". An alternative meaning of "para na aque" could be "stop here," with "aque" being derived from the Spanish "aquí" ("here").

Government

Mayor: Florencio M. Bernabe Jr.

Vice Mayor: Gustavo Tambunting

City Councilors:

1st District
# Rufino M. Allanigue
# Jaime N. de los Santos
# Joan V. Densing
# Raquel Gabriel
# Vanessa "Alma Moreno-Marquez" Lacsamana
# Florante C. Romey Jr.
# Jason P. Webb
# Eric Olivarez

2nd District
# Florencia N. Amurao
# Carlito D. Antipuesto
# Edwin R. Benzon
# Norberto A. Bonsol
# Conchita S. Bustamante
# Giovanni E. Esplana
# Jose Enrico T. Golez
# Valmar C. Sotto

Ex-officio Councilors:
# Marinelle Formentera (SK President)
# Teodoro Virata Jr. (ABC President)

District Representative:

1st District: Eduardo C. Zialcita

2nd District: Roilo S. Golez

Mayors of Parañaque City

*Florencio "Jun" M. Bernabe, Jr. (2004-Present)
*Joey "Tsong" P. Marquez, (1995–2004)
*Pablo "Doc" R. Olivarez, (1992–1995)
*Wilfredo "Wally" Ferrer, (1986–1992)
*Florencio Bernabe, Sr., (1972–1986)
*Col. Eleuterio de Leon, (1963–1972)

Districts and barangays

Parañaque is composed of two congressional districts and two legislative districts which are further subdivided into 16 Barangays. Legislative District One contains eight barangays in the western half of the city, while legislative District Two contains the eight barangays in the eastern portion of the city.

While barangays are the administrative divisions of the city, and are legally part of the addresses of establishments and homes, many residents indicate their subdivision (village) instead of their barangay.

Listed below are the barangays in each district and some notable subdivisions.

District 1 Barangays

*Baclaran
*Don Galo
*La Huerta
*San Dionisio
*San Isidro
*Sto. Niño
*Tambô
*Vitález

District 2 Barangays

*B.F. Homes
*Don Bosco
*Marcelo Green
*Merville
*Moonwalk
*San Antonio
*San Martin De Porres
*Sun Valley

Education

Parañaque City has a diverse educational system with specializations in various academic and technical fields and is home to many schools and colleges.

* [Ninoy Aquino Int
*Asia World City
*Dampa
*SM City Bicutan, "part of the country's biggest chain of malls"
*SM City Sucat, "part of the country's biggest chain of malls"
*Jaka Plaza (Sucat)
*Elorde Boxing Sports Center (Sucat), "home of the boxing champions."
*Uniwide Coastal Mall (Roxas Blvd.)
*First restaurant of Max's of Manila
*Wild Card Boxing Gym (BF Homes), "the practice home of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and all other boxing icons."
*Santana Grove (Sucat)
*The Mall of Asia (Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.)
*Baclaran Redemptorist Church, officially the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, "one of the biggest and most active churches in the country where devotees flock to hear mass every Wednesday"

Railroad System

Parañaque is served by the LRT (via Baclaran station, which is located in Pasay City) and the PNR (via Bicutan station).St. James College

ister Cities

*flagicon|Philippines Bacolod City, Philippines
*flagicon|Philippines Tangub City, Philippines
*flagicon|Philippines Las Pinas City, Philippines

Trivia

*The "Michael Jackson Black or White Concert Tour" was held in Asiaworld City, Parañaque City on December 15, 1996, which millions of Filipino fans supported.
*Parañaque City is home to famous "fiestas" like "The Sunduan Festival".
*Parañaque City has also a seafood restaurant called, "Dampa".
*Parañaque City became a 2 time dancing champion in the "Sinulog Dance" Festival from Cebu City.
*Parañaque City is known to its devotees on Baclaran every Wednesdays and Sundays at National Shrine Of Our Mother Of Perpetual Help Baclaran Redemptorist.
*Parañaque City had PBA players who has, and is holding elective office in the government. Freddie Webb became a congressman from 1988-1992; Joey Marquez was mayor from 1995-2004; Abe King became a councilor for the first district. Currently, Jason Webb is a councilor for the first district. Current San Beda Red Lions head coach and Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters team manager, Frankie Lim, ran unsuccessfully for councilor in the 1990s.
*B.F. Homes Parañaque (Where some of the south wealthy families reside and site of garden-style Green Mango Inn at 365 Aguirre Avenue and across the unique Lifeline Foundation also at Aguirrec Avenue which is the Philippines' first 24-hours non-profit daycare center. Home of the first Starbucks coffee branch in Parañaque and Conti's, a pastry staple in the village)

ee also

*Legislative districts of Parañaque City

External links

* [http://www.paranaque.gov.ph/ Parañaque City Official Website]