Pasay City: How it can Help you Master Metro Manila

When I first stayed in Metro Manila to look for a job I stayed at Pasay City.

I was not familiar with the place although I knew a Pasay City exists in the Philippine map. Five years ago never did I dream of staying in Metro Manila, or if ever I did, I would rather stay in either, Makati, Manila or Quezon City.

Not until 2006 after passing the CPA Board exam. All may peers were working in Metro Manila and so knowing that the place has a lot of opportunities to offer I decided to join them.

First of course is to decide on where to stay. I don’t want to stay in a relatives’ place as I want to explore the place on my own so I decided to stay with my classmate in no choice but Pasay.

We stayed at a typical non luxurious dorm. We rented the place for Php6,000.00 a month (around $142.00). Not bad as the room is quite wide, and semi furnished with sink, cabinet and beds with the exception of a common bathroom. But still not bad as the rent is fixed inclusive of utilities.

Another good deal, which I think is a very rear deal, is that we were not required any advance rental fees. We paid for a month of stay and were told to just continue paying the succeeding month as long as we want to stay.

We were lucky to find such place in Metro Manila. But of course that’s not the only reason why I stayed in Pasay for almost five years.

I’ve been to different districts of the Philippine Metropolis especially here in Metro Manila and Pasay is still one strategic area if you’re looking for the right place. And the best place to stay in Pasay is probably near the intersection of Buendia Avenue and FB Harrison Street.

Why?

Because from that place it’s only one ride to the following famous places in the Philippine Metropolis:

One ride to Baclaran

FB Harrison Street stretches from Baclaran to Manila, so it's only a ride from our place if you're headed to Baclaran area.

To go to Baclaran, just look for the jeepney with Baclaran signboard along FB Harrison Street. And that’s it you’re good to go.

Baclaran is famous as it is where the National Shrine of our Mother of Perpetual Help or Baclaran Church, as for the common folks is located.

Near the church are shops where your can bargain for the cheapest item ranging from clothing apparels to any souvenirs and more.

One ride to Divisoria

From Baclaran to the Northern area of Metro Manila, FB Harrison connects to Mabini then to Unite Nations Avenue to P. Burgos Avenue on its way to Divisoria.

The capital of all bargain places same with Baclaran but larger. Malls like Tutuban Mall and 168 Mall offer cheap merchandise.

Even much cheaper items are sold in small stalls along the street. No wonder why it’s flooded with people from different places everyday.

To go there is just the same. On the opposite side of FB Harrison wait for a jeepney with a signboard Divisoria..

One ride to Manila Area, Including Robinson’s Ermita, Intramuros, Manila City Hall, and SM Manila

By taking Divisoria jeepney you will pass by Pedro Gil Street where Robinson’s Ermita is located, then Intramuros, the famous walled city after United Nations Avenue just across Manila City Hall and SM Manila on the other side.

One ride to Quiapo

Yes to complete the Big Three Bargain Places is Quiapo. You can also take a jeepney from FB Harrison to Quiapo. Same with Divisoria and Baclaran, Quiapo is one of the most visited place in the Philippine Metropolis. Not just because of the cheap merchandise but because of the very famous Quiapo Church.

Quiapo Church is the basilica of the famous Black Nazarene. People from different places of different scale of living visit the place. The Church is flooded with thousands of visitor everyday, believing that the said Nazarene is miraculous.

To go to Quiapo from FB Harrison, all you need to is the same as what you did in going to Divisoria. From where you took a jeepney to Divisoria, look for a jeepney signed Quiapo instead of Divisoria.

One ride to Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1

The LRT is only a ride from FB Harrison near Buendia Avenue. You can choose between two stations of Line 1, Gil Puyat Station or Libertad Station (although the former is the nearest).

If you’re headed to Gil Puyat Station you can take a jeepney along Buendia Avenue with a signboard Guadalupe or PRC, sometimes Baclaran but to be safe just take the first two.

If you’re on your way to Libertad Station, take the jeepney signed Evangelista either along FB Harrison near Buendia intersection.

One ride to Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3

Now the easiest way to get to MRT is to take Evangelista jeepney going to Libertad station of LRT and take the train up to EDSA Station and transfer to MRT line end point in Taft Avenue Station.

That’s two rides but you can actually take a ride along Buendia Avenue. Take a jeepney with a sign board Baclaran MRT and you’re on your way to the first station of MRT in Taft Avenue in just a ride.

One ride to Makati Area

Now that would depend on which area of Makati your headed.

If you’re going to Ayala Avenue then you can take the bus along  Buendia Avenue near FB Harrison intersection. Places along Ayala include Glorietta, Greenbelt, and other hotels like Intercon Manila.

If your headed to Guadalupe Makati area, take the Guadalupe jeepney along the same place (Buendia and FB Harrison Intersection).

One ride to Cubao Area, Quezon City and Fairview

Along Buendia Avenue, take the bus going to Fairview, the same bus passing by Ayala Avenue. These buses go through EDSA Highway, which means you will be passing by the areas of Mandaluyong, Cubao and Quezon City, Commonwealth Avenue going to Fairview.

And my favorite, one ride to Mall of Asia

Just across the street along the intersection of Buendia Avenue and FB Harrison street near Seven Eleven Store Across Metrobank, are multi-cabs going to the mall of Asia. You’ll find them easily as they are colored blue or orange.

And that’s it…

Those are the benefits of staying near the intersection of Buendia and FB Harrison as far as going to different areas is concerned.

Another reason why I like staying in that area is that it is not flooded during heavy rains. Typhoon Ondoy of 2009 left most of the areas of Metro Manila under water for almost 12 hours but the area along Buendia and FB Harrison Intersection was unaffected. The area is quite elevated hence we don’t worry much about flood.

Now these are just a few of the things you might want to consider if you plan to stay in the Philippine Metropolis especially the in Metro Manila.

And if Pasay City is your choice, take my advice, choose the area near the Buendia, FB Harrison Intersection.

Back to Main