Since Rajah Sulayman’s rule before the Spanish colonizers arrived in our land in the 16th century, the Pasig River was already a lively and bustling waterway — a source of aquatic wealth, commerce, and cultural influences. This contributed to the success of Manila as a center of trade. Even though the Pasig River was only 27 kilometers long, it was of great importance, most especially to the communities living near it, because it linked the principal port in Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay — the largest freshwater lake in the country, allowing foreign ships from China, Burma, Sumatra, India and Japan to reach them. The area was so prosperous that Spanish conquistadors conquered Manila for it.

Palafox, F. A. Jr. (2019, October 3). Pasig River. The Manila Times, pp. A7, A8.