Out of Town Blog
Malibay’s Food, Faith, Feast, and Fabled Past
On a typical day, Malibay appears as a standard urban community and shopping district close to Pasay City’s provincial bus terminals.
However, at sunset, the neighborhood comes alive with the glow of neon signs and local dining spots illuminating the narrow streets, turning it into a vibrant street food destination.
Despite its simplicity and the ongoing difficulty visitors face in finding parking, the area consistently attracts food enthusiasts eager to enjoy affordable, delicious food and drinks.
The lively atmosphere of Bangkok’s night food streets and Singaporean hawkers likely appeals to millennials, Gen Z, and white-collar workers alike, all seeking a budget-friendly food crawl.
Locals and guests can select from a wide range of meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, iced drinks, shakes, coffee, desserts, and various small treats.
The Malibay food colony offers more than just typical street snacks on sticks like tusok-tusok; it features cozy, Instagram-friendly, and intimate restaurants that could easily be part of a shopping mall.
What makes these restaurants interesting is their local, home-grown character, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Pasay.
In the local dining scene, Capitol Harlem, Tito’s Tapsilugan, and Walastik stand out as enduring names that have delighted generations of diners with their exceptional flavors.
Capitol Harlem, the most iconic of these restaurants, opened its doors in 1940 along Libertad St. It is famous for its crispy pata, pancit bihon, buttered chicken, and the exotic dishes kaldereta and adobong kabayo.
Tito’s Tapsilugan, a popular spot for diners, offers tender beef that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. However, Malibay is more than just a culinary destination; it is a cradle of heritage and culture, with a rich history that often goes unnoticed.
Once part of neighboring Paranaque, Malibay was characterized by hilly paddies inhabited by herds of wild deer in the late 1800s. The name is derived from the phrase “Ma-ibay diyan!” meaning “there’s plenty of deer there,” which has persisted through the decades.
The district takes pride in its rich traditions, where centuries-old faith and festivities intertwine around the patron San Juan de Nepomuceno. The parish’s annual fiesta, held in mid-May, spans a week and celebrates devotion to St. John Nepomucene, showcasing time-honored musical traditions that attract visitors from across the metropolis.
A highlight of the festivities is the Serenata, featuring the award-winning San Juan Nepomuceno Band, which has been captivating audiences for 60 years. This event also includes visiting brass bands performing a variety of music, from light classics and military marches to contemporary pop hits.
Adding to the excitement is a parade of marching bands with majorettes, making their way through the narrow streets of Malibay.
During Holy Week, the century-old cenaculo, a reenactment of Jesus Christ’s Passion, attracts those who choose to stay in the city for the Easter holidays. The oldest photograph of the nine-day Malibay Cenaculo was taken in 1902, but this tradition is believed to be much older.
A notable aspect of this Lenten theater is the “penitensya” or flagellants, a personal sacrifice that persists despite the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition.
Additionally, Malibay is the home of Marcela Marcelo, one of the most prominent women leaders of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards. She was killed at the Battle of Pasong Santol in Cavite in 1897 and is memorialized at the district’s old public plaza and the school named after her.
With its unique blend of food, faith, festivities, and a rich history, Malibay has evolved into an eclectic, emerging cosmopolitan hideaway worth visiting.
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Malibay’s Food, Faith, Feast, and Fabled Past
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog
