Things to know about Bulacan

By Cebu Network
Published April 7th, 2007

Thinking of visiting Bulacan? Some information provided in brochures featuring the province might be useful. The brochures were distributed during the Visayas-Mindanao Travel Show 2007 held recently in SM City in Cebu.

Important details about Bulacan have been copied from the brochure and posted below.

Abut Bulacan

Bulacan is the gateway to the north of Metro Manila. It is bordered by Manila Bay in the southwest, Pampanga in the northwest, Nueva Ecija in the northeast, and Quezon Province in the east.

The province has a land area of 2,625 square kilometers and its population is nearly 3 million.

Barasoain Church in Malolos contains a vital collection of ecclesiastical artifacts, as well as a world-class Light and Sound Museum. It is Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (photo from Bulacan Provincial Government website)

It has 2 cities — Malolos (the capital) and San Jose del Monte — and 22 towns: Bulacan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, Pulilan in the first district; Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bustos, Guiguinto, Pandi, Plaridel in the second district; Angat, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael in the third district; Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando, Sta. Maria in the fourth district.

The governor of the province is Josefina Medoza-De la Cruz.

A folk lore has it that Bulacan is named after the cotton (bulak) tree and its many orchards (bulaklakan) in the province.

The lore adds that Malay migrants lived in the area before the 16th century. They were allied with the powerful Rajah of Tondo, who wed a beautiful princess under a great bulak tree.

The Biak-na-Bato national park in Bulacan. (Photo from Bulacan Provincial Government website)

Of the kinsmen of the migrants from Hagonoy, Spanish records described them as having assisted Rajah Sulayman in the Battle of Bangkusay Channel.

Bulacan represents one of the sun’s eight rays in the Philippine flag since it was among eight provinces that first rose against Spain in 1896.

The province became home to three republics put up by Filipino guerillas who defied Spanish rule.

In Malolos in Bulacan, the first democratic Constitution in Southeast Asia was inaugurated on September 15, 1898 and the first Philippine Republic was founded on January 23, 1899.

Descendants of Bulakenyos were refugees from Bagumbayan, strengthening the Tagalog identity of the province, during the British Occupation of Manila from 1762 to 1764. During this period, the great Filipino poet Gat Francisco Balagtas lived and epitomized the struggle to find justice and equality through his poem Florante at Laura.

Chinese migrants in the late 18th century lived and mingled with the natives. They were credited for fueling the economic boom in the 19the century. Also, from the marriages of Chinese migrants and the natives came great nationalists like the Women of Malolos, propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.

Bulacan is a first-class province and is strategically located within the Central Luzon growth triangle.

The basilica minore in Bulacan. (photo from the Bulcan Provincial Government website)

Cultural Practices

In May, Bulakenyos celebrate the fertility dances of Obando during the feasts of its three patron saints and the Kneeling Carabao Festival in Pulilan in honor of San Isidro Labrador.

Natives produce highly refined arts and crafts like the cut pastillas wrappers in San Miguel, exquisite jewelry from Meycauayan, and singkaban bamboo arches that adorn churches and streets during fiestas.

Bulacan sons and daughters and groups who have achieved fame in the arts include: Banda Buenaventura at Baliuag, Amadeo Manalad, Jose Joya, Guillermo Tolentino whose works can be seen at Malolos City’s Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, and master poet Paulo Libiran.

Its architecture is well known and among those worth visiting are the: Tecson house in San Miguel; ancestral houses of Dr. Santos, Don Antonio Bautista and Doña Julita in Malolos City; Mercado house in Bustos; elegant facades of Angat and Plaridel churches.

Unique Heritage

Casa Real, Malolos. First printing press of Bulacan, Case Real is now a museum with a collection of antique Bulacan-made furniture. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Francisca Reyes Aquino Shrine, Bocaue. Commemorates the legacy of the late national artist for dance. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine, Bulacan. A museum dedicated to the propagandist and chief editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Barasoain Church, Malolos. Housed the earliest democracy in Southeast Asia. Contains a vital collection of ecclesiastical artifacts, as well as a world-class Light and Sound Museum. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kakarong de Sili Revolutionary Memorial, Pandi. The memorial commemorates the sacrifice of 3,000 Katipuneros in the name of liberty in December 1896.

Mercado House, Malolos. A fine example of the Colonial stone house (bahay na bato). It is famed for stone relief carvings on its facade. A sculpture garden is dedicated to modernist Conrado Mercado.

Pariancillo Street, Malolos. The wealthy mestizo district includes the Neo-classical Bautista House and the Art Deco Santos House. A marker commemorates the location of the historic Instituto de Mujeres.

Poblacion, San Miguel. See the mansions of Tecson, Sevilla, del Leon, Siojo, Sujeco, Mossesgeld, and the Buencamino families, which are done in turn-of-the-century art nouveau.

Puning Cave, Doña Remedios Trinidad. The area is ideal for bikers, mountaineers, and day hikers. (Photo from Bulacan Provincial Government website)

Hiyas Museum, Malolos. The library, museum, and cultural center of Bulacan. Contains the historical collection that chronicles Bulacan from the pre-colonial period to the 20th century. Open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Natural wonders

Biak-na-Bato National Park, San Miguel. This 2,117-hectare national park boasts of several campsites, a 3-kilometer long river channel cut out of solid granite bedrock, and various cave formations like the Aguinaldo Cave and Paniki Cave with its large population of fruit bats. Ideal for nature lovers, rock climbers, and hikers. Open from Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hilltop, Norzagaray. With a great view of the magnificent Ipo Dam reservoir. Or catch a glimpse of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges that ring the eastern areas of Bulacan.

Puning Cave, Doña Remedios Trinidad. Watch water from the Sierra Madre tumble into the hillsides as one hikes through Barangay Talibak. Ideal for bikers, mountaineers, and day hikers.

Angat River, Calumpit. Hike, bike or picnic in the placid riverbanks of the Angat River. Visit Balagbag Bridge, where a famous battle was waged in April 1899 between Filipino and American soldiers. Kayak in the clean, crystal-clear waters.

Resorts and Accommodation

8 Waves Resort and Hotel
DRT Hi-way, Ulingao, San Rafael
(044) 766-6855 to 56, 766-6874
(02) 299-8270

BarCIE International Center
Capitol View Park, Catmon, Malolos
(044) 791-7416 to 17, 791-1142

Casa Elum Pavilion & Resort
Maligaya St., Barrio Patubig, Marilao
(044) 248-7809, 711-3926, 248-7769

Center for Local Governance
HBCC Compound, Malolos
(044) 791-1897

Ciudad Clemente Resort and Hotel
San Isidro, Paombong
(044) 791-1256, 0906-4972291

DJ Paradise Resort & Hotel
McArthur Highway, Dakila, Malolos
(044) 791-5129
(02) 844-0194, 824-0241

Galilee Garden Resort
Gen. Alejo Santos Hi-way, San Pedro, Bustos
(044) 617-1587 to 88, 927-6205

Grotto Vista Resort
Grace Ville, San Jose Del Monte City
E-mail: grotto_vista_resort@yahoo.com
(044) 691-0223, 691-1224
(02) 744-6642 to 43

Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center
Capitol Compound, Malolos
(044) 791-0535

Jogima Farm & Resort
San Francisco, Bulacan, Bulacan
(044) 668-2114
(02) 299-8406

La Terrazo Celebraton & Relaxation
Calumpang, Calumpit
(044) 675-0241, 675-0636

Latian Kay Parang Resort & Pavilion
Prinza St., Phase IV Town and Country North, Abangan, Marilao
(044) 711-4212 to 13

Long Meadows Country Resort
10 Mahogany, Mahabang Parang, Sta. Maria
(044) 641-0118, 641-4010

Luntiang Paraiso Resort & Hotel
Tabang, Guiguinto
E-mail: luntiangparaisoresort@yahoo.com
(044) 794-1258,794-0475, 690-1882

Malolos Club Royale Resort and Hotel
McArthur Highway, Mabolo, Malolos
(044) 791-0378, 791-7797, 791-5848 to 49, 662-0044

Pulilan Riverview Resort
Longos, Pulilan
(044) 676-1711

Sitio Lucia Resort Hotel and Training Center
Km. 40 Fidel de Jesus Street
Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria
E-mail: info@SitioLuciaHotelResort.com
(044) 641-1046
(02) 299-6333, 338-2002

Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves
Masuso, Pandi
E-mail: vcwwwi@yahoo.com
(044) 661-8888

Villa Krizelna Resort
Coral na Bato, San Rafael
E-mail: tess_ampo@yahoo.com
(0915) 782-9007
(0921) 263-3142

Dining

La Famila Sizzlers
McArthur Higway, Malolos/DRT Hi-way, Baliuag
(044) 766-2037

Lee Foo Panciteria
112 Sta. Cruz, Guiginto/National Road, Cutcot, Pulilan
(044) 690-1762

Bahay na Tisa Restaurant
79 Independente St., San Gabriel, Malolos
(044) 791-1199

Bulalo Republic
D.R.T. Highway, Tarcan, Baliuag
(044) 673-4918

Guilbert’s Place
Cagayan Valley Road, Tabang, Plaridel
(044) 670-1577

Bulalo ni Consoling
36 Ayukit-Granville Road, Turo, Bocaue
(044) 692-5678

Nina’s Restaurant
Bulihan, Plaridel
(044) 670-2655

Minia’s Kainan at Meriendahan
Halang, San Pedro, Hagonoy
(044) 677-2466

Seatmates Grill and Restobar
Ople Road, Bulihan, City of Malolos
(044) 662-0378

Lutong Bahay ni Ka Damian
Cagayan Valley Road, Longos, Pulilan
(044) 300-0803

Alley 28 Food & Bar/San Miguel Foodshop
Aquino Avenue, Baliuag
(044) 673-4820

Shopping

Eurobake Bakeshop
Tabang, Guiginto
(044) 794-0016

Barasoain Sweets
Paseo de Congreso, Malolos
(044) 791-0042

Sevilla’s Sweets
D.R.T. Highway, San Miguel
(044) 662-1702

Aling Citang’s
Sta. Isabel, Malolos
(044) 662-1702

Rem’s Goto & Serkele
Sabang, Baliuag

Pasalubong Bakeshop
Paltao, Pulilan
(044) 795-3557

Eddie’s Special Chicharon
Turo, Bocaue

Barong & Gown
Bagong Barrio, Pandi
(044) 661-1501

Pamana ni Ka Mila
San Jose, Bulacan, Bulacan
(044) 792-0124

Froigene Handicraft
Calasag, San Ildefonso
(044) 677-1653

Sarabia’s Jewelry
McArthur Hi-way, Calvario, Meycauayan
(044) 840-5854

Goldena’s Jewelry
Saluysoy, Meycauayan
(044) 840-7007

Provincial Information

Provincial Tourism Office
Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos
Telefax: (044) 791-7335/ (044) 662-7635
E-mail: bulacan_tourism@yahoo.com
Website: www.bulacan.gov.ph

Emergency Assistance

Bulacan Provincial Disaster Coordinating Office
(044) 791-1053, 662-4367

Bulacan Provincial Hospital Coordinating Office
(044) 662-0616, 791-0630, (044) 791-2030

Philippine National Police, Provincial Command
(044) 790-6063, 662-0273

Bureau of Fire Protection, City of Malolos
(044) 662-3472, 791-6129

North Luzon Expressway Hotline
(02) 580-8910

Getting to Bulacan

By bus

Baliuag Transit Authority (majority of Bulacan routes), Terminals: Cubao, Divisioria, Grace Park, and Ayala Park Square II. German Espiritu Liner (Bocaue-Balagtas). Royal Eagle Transit (Malolos-Calumpit-Hagonoy), Terminal: EDSA, Pasay City. ES Transit and Five Star Buses (Bulacan-to-Cagayan), Terminals: EDSA Cubao.

By FX taxi

From SM City North & Farmer’s Plaza, Cubao; along EDSA Cubao; and Rizal Avenue, Caloocan City. FX Taxi from Pampanga: SM Pampanga, San Fernando City.

By Car/Taxicab

From EDSA via NLEX Balintawak Tollgate or Bonifacio Drive; Monumento via McArthur Highway towards Meycauayan. By car from Pampanga: NLEX Dau Tollgate, NLEX Angeles City Tollgate, or NLEX San Fernando City Tollgate towards Pulilan; McArthur Highway via Angeles or San Fernando City towards Calumpit.

8 Responses to “Things to know about Bulacan”

1. justine may caluza says:
   1January 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

   kung pwede po sana humingi ng copy ng mga list of contact numbers ng mga resorts na pwedeng pagganapan ng summer youth camp..

2. Thet says:
   2February 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

   We are requesting for informations about Puning Cave and tips on going there. Thank you very much!

3. weng borro says:
   3March 13th, 2008 at 11:00 am

   I need a private pool for our company outing this aprill 6. I will greatly appreciate if you could suggest

   thank you

4. Jessica says:
   4March 29th, 2008 at 11:06 pm

   how to get there in eight waves resort san rafael mula manila by commute??
   thanks.

5. april says:
   5April 1st, 2008 at 7:52 pm

   bk8 nd po namin macontact ung Luntiang paraiso resOrt???

   dun po sana namin bLak ganapin ung bday celebration kO???

   sana may mga nEw infO abOut the amOunt of the entrance fee and cOttages..

   di ko po mahanap ung email ad nyo???

   marami pa po sana ako tanong… pLs repLy..

6. Carmi Riziel O. Salazar says:
   6April 12th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

   kindly please send me informations about bulacan,where to stay for our company team building and what are the different sites that we could visit while staying at bulacan…we are planning to go there last week of april..
   we wanted to stay in a beach/resort for 3 nights..thank you so much

7. Carmi Riziel O. Salazar says:
   7April 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

   kindly please send me informations about bulacan….we are planning to have our company team building at bulacan so i need help…where to stay(preferably beach/resort),the accomodation fee per night,the different sites that we could visit while staying there….

   we shall appreciate your prompt responce on this matter.

   thank you

8. Odette Bernardo says:
   8June 24th, 2008 at 1:24 pm

   Greetings! Can I ask for a list of restaurants or hotels where I can accomodate 250 guest for a wedding reception near the Barasoain Church. thank you ü

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