Bulacan Province

Country - Philippines
Region - Central Luzon (Region III)
Founded - August 15, 1578
Capital - Malolos
Government
• Type - Province of the Philippines
• Governor - Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado
Figure 1. Seal of Bulacan Province
• Vice Governor- Daniel Fernando
Area
• Total - 2,796.10 km2 (1,079.58 sq mi)
Area rank - 49th out of 80
Population (2010)
• Total - 3,124,433
• Rank - 1st out of 80
• Density - 1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
• Density rank - 5th out of 80
Divisions
• Independent cities 0
• Component cities 3
Figure 2.Map of Bulacan Province
• Municipalities 21
• Barangays 569
• Districts 1st to 4th districts of Bulacan,
Legislative lone district of the city of San Jose del Monte
Demographics
• Ethnic groups - Tagalog (90%), Bisaya (3%), Bicolano (2%), Ilocano (1%)
• Languages - Tagalog, Kapampangan, English

Overview
Today, Bulacan is among the most progressive provinces in the Philippines. Its people — the
Bulaqueños (or Bulakenyo in Filipino)— are regarded as highly educated, enterprising and
industrious.[citation needed] It is well known for the following industries: marble and marbleized
limestone, jewelry, pyrotechnics, leather, aquaculture, meat and meat products, garments, furniture,
high-value crops, sweets and native delicacies, and a wide variety of high-quality native products.[citation
needed]
Bulacan has fast become an ideal tourist destination, owing to its vital role in Philippine history,
and its rich heritage in culture and the arts.The province is popularly known for its historical sites; nostalgic
old houses and churches; idyllic ecological attractions; religious attractions; colorful and enchanting
festivals; swimming and various themed attractions; and a wide selection of elegant native crafts and
sumptuous delicacies. It is also home to numerous resorts, hotels, restaurants, and other recreational
facilities.

Official seal of the province of Bulacan

Five symbols are incorporated into the official seal of the province, each representing a facet of
Bulacan's history and people
 Mountains: Represents the Kakarong and Biak-na-bato hills, site of the Pact of Biak na Bato
 Church: Barasoain Church, birthplace of the very first Constitucion Politica Filipina (Malolos
Constitution) and site of the proclamation of the First Philippine Republic
 Flower: Sampaguita, provincial flower
 Bamboo Enclosure: Reflects the Bulakenyo Spirit- resilient and strong against "typhoons"
 Thorns: Reflects the bravery of Bulakenyos

History
During the Conquest of Luzon by Adelantado Miguel Legazpi in 1571, Bulacan was reported to be
well populated and rich
The province of Bulacan (named Meycauayan it its antiquity), is on the island of Luzon, and is one
of the most important “Alcadia de Termino”, Civil and politically it corresponds to the Audiencia y
capitanía general de Filipinas, and spiritually belongs to the Archbishop of Manila
The Casa Real de Malolos. Served as the office and residency of the Governor of Malolos.
During the General Visitation of October 5, 1762 by, Sr. Doctor Don Simon de Anda de Salazar, the
province was headed by Capitan Don Jose Pasarin, alcade mayor of the province
In 1848 when the boundaries of Pampanga were changed, the region, which includes the
important town of San Miguel de Mayumo and neighboring places that were formerly part of Pampanga,
was adjudicated to Bulacan.

Opening of the Malolos Congress (1898)

In an earlier period during 1890, Malolos was a hot-spot of Liberal Illustrados, notably the "20
Women of Malolos", who exerted pressure for education under a Filipino professor.
The U.S. Americans established a local Philippine government in the Philippines when they held
the first municipal election in the country in the town of Baliuag, Bulacan on May 6, 1899.
In February 27, 1901, the Philippine Commission officially transferred the seat of government to
Malolos, and the Casa Real de Malolos was the seat of the Provincial Governor from 1900 to 1930 until
the completion of the capitol building at the Brgy Guinhawa, Malolos City.
In 1942, at the height of World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Bulacan and made
Casa Real de Malolos its headquarters. In 1945, combined Filipino and American forces and local guerrillas
attacked the Japanese Imperial Forces and liberated Bulacan.

Geography
Bulacan is bounded by Nueva Ecija on the north, Aurora (Dingalan) on the northeast, Quezon
(General Nakar) on the east, Rizal (Rodriguez) on the southeast, Metro Manila (Valenzuela City, Malabon
City, Navotas City, Caloocan City and Quezon City) on the south, Manila Bay on the southwest, and
Pampanga on the west.
Several rivers irrigate the province of Bulacan; the largest one is that of Angat. Angat River passes
through the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Calumpit. It
flow thence into the Pampanga River, goes out again, washes Hagonoy and loses itself in the mangroves.
The banks of these rivers are very fertile and are covered with trees.

Political
Bulacan is subdivided into 21 municipalities and 3 cities. As the population is concentrated in the
southern half of the province, so are the legislative districts.
Physical
Terrain
Bulacan lies in the southern portion of the fertile plains of Central Luzon. The area is drained by
the Angat and Pampanga rivers. The Sierra Madre mountain range forms the highlands of Bulacan in the
east. Angat Lake, which was formed by the Angat Dam is located in that area. The highest point in the
province at 1,206 meters is Mount Oriod, part of the Sierra Madre.
On January 19, 2008, an 18-hectare dump site, a new landfill that would also be a tourist attraction
opened in Norzagaray, Bulacan province. Ramon Angelo, Jr., president Waste Custodian Management
Corp. stated: "I want them to see our system in our place which should not be abhorred because we are
using the new state-of-the-art technology."
Climate
November to April is generally dry while wet for the rest of the year. The northeast monsoon
(amihan) prevails from October to January bringing in moderated and light rains. From February to April,
the east trade winds predominate but the Sierra Madre (Philippines) mountain range to the east disrupts
the winds resulting to a dry period. From May to September, the southwest monsoon (habagat).
The hottest month is May having an average temperature of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) while the coldest is
February with an average temperature of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
Demographics
As it is part of the Tagalog cultural sphere (Katagalugan), Tagalog is the predominant language of
Bulacan. Some inhabitants also speak Kapampangan, which is the language of neighboring Pampanga.
UN Millennium Development Goals
In 2006, the Provincial Government received from Galing Pook - a Special Citation on Local
Capacity Innovations for the Millennium Development Program in an awarding ceremony held last
October 16 at the Teatro Marikina in Marikina City. The province is one of the ten local government units
recognized for its pioneering effort in the localization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and
promoting good governance. M.D.G. is a set of quantifiable, measurable, and time-bound development
goals and targets for global human development set by UN member-states to be achieved by 2015.
Religion
Roman Katoliko is the predominant religion with 88% adherence in the province. Many other
Christian groups are also present such as Aglipayans, Born Again Christians, Church of God (Ang Dating
Daan), Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), Methodists, Presbyterians, Church of Christ
of Latter Day Saints and other Charismatic Christians. Muslims and other small number of non Christians
are also present.

Economy
Industries
The province of Bulacan is steadily becoming industrialized due to its proximity to Metro
Manila. Many corporations put up industrial plants and site in Bulacan. Some of the businesses and
industries include agribusiness; aquaculture; banking; cement bag making; ceramics; construction;
courier; education; food/food processing; furniture; garments; gifts, houseware & decors; hospitals;
hotels, resorts & restaurants; information and communications technology; insurance; jewelry; leather &
leather tanning; manpower; manufacturing; marble; printing press; pyrotechnics & fireworks
manufacturing; realty/real property development; shoe manufacturing; textile; trade; transport services;
travel & tours.
Agribusiness & aquaculture
The rural areas still mostly depend on agriculture (in the plains) and fisheries (in the coastal
areas) as a source of income. Some of the major crops are rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits such as
mangoes; and various kinds of fishes and seafoods. Orchid farming by Golden Bloom Orchids at Brgy.
Maguinao, San Rafael, Bulacan

Banking and finance

Bulacan is served by all major banks with more than 200 banks doing business in the province.
The entrepreneureal culture is supported by the strong cooperative movement with total assest of over
PhP 2 Billion.

Festivals
o Obando Fertility Dance Festival
The Obando Fertility Dance Festival is held yearly in Obando, Bulacan, and attended
mostly by women who are praying for a lover or for the ability to bear a child. The parade is
attended by many groups of women as well as other people who just want to be a part of the
grand parade which takes place on the streets on the way to the church. A lot of women who
were unable to bear swore that dancing in the festival enabled them to receive the grace of
God.
Notice the unusual musical instruments used by some of the bands. Also notice some
women dancing more energetically than the others. It was said that the more passionate is
your dance in the procession, the better is the chance of being blessed with a child
o Santo Niño Festival
The Santo Niño Festival was observed in some special way annually on the last Sunday
of January in Malolos. This festival is the largest expression of religious practice to the Holy
Child Jesus in the island of Luzon
o Feast of the Holy Cross of Wawa
A festival held on the first Sunday of July observed in honor of the Holy Cross of Wawa
(Mahal na Krus sa Wawa) which is said to have saved the life of an old woman who was
drowning. The main feature of this fiesta celebration is the Pagoda which, glides along the
Bocaue River. The Pagoda is a gaily-decorated structure riding on a huge banca. People from
all walks of life enjoy the ride on the Pagoda feasting on sumptuous food while the music play
o Calumpit Libad Festival
The Calumpit Libad Festival is a fluvial procession of well-decorated pagodas is held
on the river every 23rd of June right before the annual town fiesta in honor of St. John the
Baptist. Townfolks gaily sing, dance and frenzily douse water to “baptize” passers-by –
prepare to get wet.
o Luyang Dilaw Festival
The name Marilao originated from a plant (shrub) that abundantly thrived in swampy
areas during Spanish era. The matured plant bears light yellow flower & the edible roots are
colored dark yellow (dilaw). The yellow roots became famous and used for various purposes
now we called “luya”. The Luyang Dilaw festival aims to inculcate to the residents & the
youth, the love and appreciation of the origin of the town.
o Pulilan Carabao Festival
Hundreds of work animals, mostly carabaos, are led on a parade in the streets of the
town every 14th and 15th of May to honor its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador via the Pulilan
Carabao Festival. The carabaos decorated with garland and shaved for the occasion, genuflect
or kneel in front of the church. On the 14th of May, farmers all over the town pay tribute to
their patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, in glorious thanksgiving for a year-long bountiful
 harvest. The celebration is manifested by hanging all sorts of fruits, candies, food crops and
multi-colored kipings on bamboo poles. The affairs is highlighted by kneeling of carabaos in
front of the church and the symbolic floats. Every year, a sea of frolicking humanity comes in
droves to witness this showcasing inate talents of the carabaos.
o Baliuag Lenten Procession
Experience the longest Lenten procession in the Philippines, the Baliuag Lenten
Procession. An old tradition of the people from Baliuag, Bulacan every Good Friday. The 90
plus carrozas showcases the life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The “Prosisyon ng mga Santo”, Baliuag’s main Lenten attraction is a grand parade of
60 lavishly decorated floats depicting scenes of the passion and sufferings of Christ.
o Halamanan Festival
Every January 23rd of the year, the land of Guiguinto , Bulacan celebrates its
Halamanan Festival. During the festival, the people held streetdancing competitions, plant
exhibits, jobs fairs, and many others.
Religious Sights

o Barasoain Church

A national shrine, the historic Barasoain Church is the site of the

Constitutional Convention of the first Philippine Republic, making the Philippines
the very first Asian Government to promulgate a Constitution. It was the Seat of
the First Philippine Republic on Sept. 15, 1898 to the last week of Feb. 1899 under
the presidency of Pedro Paterno. In its convent the Universidad Literaria Cientifica
de Filipinas was first housed. It also boasts of a light and sound museum under the
management of National Historical Institute.

o Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion

This historic Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion was in 1896 the

seat of power of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo—the first president of the Republic of the
Philippines. Located in front of the Basilica Minore is a century-old tree known as
the Kalayaan Tree (Tree of Freedom) which was planted by Pres. Aguinaldo during
a lull in the historic Malolos Convention. It is presently the seat of the Diocese of
Malolos, and has been the bastion of faith for the past centuries.

o Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bulacan is a precise model of the

Lourdes Grotto in France, it attributes a mock hill calvary where life-size statues
portray the rage and death of Jesus Christ. This grotto appeals to large crowds
during the Lenten season.

Historical Sights
o Enriquez Ancestral House
Constructed during the 1850s, it is one of the ancestral houses found in
San Jose, Bulacan, Bulacan. Some of the documents of Marcelo H. del Pilar were
found in this house. It houses a museum of rare antiques and historical artifacts.
It is presently owned by acclaimed Filipino food historian Milagros Enriquez.
o Meyto Shrine
This is the cradle of Christianity in the province, where the first Catholic
Mass was held by the Augustinian friars, armed with cross in 1572.
o St. John the Baptist Church
Built in 1572, the St. John the Baptist Church is the oldest church in Bulacan.
Constructed under the supervision of Augustinian priest Fr. Diego Vivar-Ordoñez,
the church had been witness to the Filipino’s struggle against Spanish, American
and Japanese rule. Inside the church is a tunnel that, according to history, was
used by priests during the Spanish regime to keep gold, religious statues, and
ornate jewelry hidden from the sight of treasure hunters. Likewise, it is in this
tunnel where revolutionaries and Spaniards were buried during the war. This was
also Gen. Tanaka’s (Japanese Imperial Army) last battlefield.
o Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine
Marcelo H. del Pilar—patriot, writer, editor of the revolutionary paper La
Solidaridad—is honored with this monument in Bulacan where he lived most of his
life. The shrine is under the management of the National Historical Institute.
o Mercado House
One of the several houses used as a fort by the Katipuneros, boasts of unique
architectural designs of stone carvings on facade and walls, a masterpiece of Bulacan
artisans.
o Biak-na-Bato Cave
The Biak-Na-Bato Cave serves as the place of resting of the freedom
fighters throughout the duration of the Philippine-Spanish war. The first stage of
the Philippine-Spanish Revolution stopped with the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-
Bato in the town of San Miguel in 1897 between the Filipinos and the Spaniards.
Following that time the President of the First Philippine Republic General Emilio
Aguinaldo, was forced to leave one’s own country to Hongkong
o Kakarong De Sili Shrine
It is on the site of the Kakarong de Sili Shrine where the bloodiest
revolution in Bulacan took place where more than 3,000 Katipunero
revolutionaries died. Likewise, it is on this site where the Republic of Real de
Kakarong de Sili of 1896 was established.
o Casa Real Shrine
The Casa Real Shrine is located in Malolos. Throughout the duration of the
First Philippine Republic, this shrine served as the National Printing Press and the
National Museum.
A printing press during the Malolos Republic, the Casa Real was restored
in 1852 and converted into a municipal library. It is now a museum under the
management of the National Historical Institute and serves as the final repository
of still existing memorabilia.
 o Old Train Station
Guiguinto station is a former railway station that is situated on the
Northrail line. This line has been used for passenger and freight transportation by
Philippine National Railways and its precursors in the past. The station was
supposed to be rebuilt as a result of the Northrail project, a rebuilding of the line
from Manila to Pampanga which would partly use the old right-of-way. The project
commenced in 2007, construction has halted though as of 2011. The ill-governed
project may continue after renegotiation, possibly in a changed way.
o Bagbag Bridge
Bagbag Bridge located at Calumpit, Bulacan, was the site of the first battle
between Filipino and American soldiers during the retreat of Aguinaldo to the
Ilocos Region and of the longest battle during the Filipino-American Wars led by
Gen. Gregorio del Pilar on April 25, 1899. The bridge commemorates the bravery
displayed by the Filipinos as they victor in the battle against the American forces.
Natural Sights
o Mt. Manalmon
Mt. Manalmon possesses novel landscapes, including those of Madlum
River, whose rock formations compensate for an otherwise unremarkable
environ. Also, nearby sites such as the Bayukbok Caves (a 2-hr exploration from
the River) and Madlum cave (historical due to an 18th century relic) can be
coupled with a trip to Mt. Manalmon to maximize the Biak-na-Bato experience.
o Candaba Wetlands Bird Sanctuary
The wetlands of Candaba in Pampanga is (2nd) home to a variety of
migratory birds during the months of November to February (late autumn - winter
in the northern hemisphere). The birds are plentiful during those months.
o Pinsal Falls
Pinsal Falls is found among verdant hills which are covered with shady
trees. It’s cool setting makes it a pleasant spot for a picnic. The 85-foot-high
waterfall cascades down into a narrow gorge. The waters of the falls flow down
into not just one but two large natural catch basins at the bottom. Visitors may
swim in the clear waters. A hidden cave may be found behind the main waterfall.
o Pinagrealan Cave
Pinagrealan cave is a subterranean network of cave in Norzagaray Bulacan
is full of history and untold story. This is a natural refuge used by Filipinos during
struggle against Spain and the Americans and during the last world war.
Man-made Attractions
o The Royal Northwoods Golf Club
A jewel in the rough. That perhaps is the best way to describe the Royal
Northwoods Golf Club. Located in the rice field confines in the quiet town of San
Rafael, Bulacan, this golf course has more than meets the eye.

o Swimming Pool Resorts

Bulacan also offers a number of swimming pool resorts for both public and
private use. The resorts have the modern features like giant slides and wave
pools, plus options for fishing and sightseeing. There is a number of resorts to
choose from, with their varied theme attractions.