Debunking Untold Facts, Culture, and History of Bulacan Province

Bulacan is the cradle of many heroes, great noblemen, and women like General Gregorio del Pilar, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, and Malolos's twelve (12) women. It was one of the first eight provinces to fight against Spanish tyranny in the 19th century. 

Other culture heroes include Francisco Baltazar, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Bert "Tawa" Marcelo, and Rodolfo Vera Quizon (Dolphy). Also, Bulacan is the only province with representatives in most of the National Artists category. They are the following:

• Virgilio Almario and Amado V. Hernández (Literature)
• Levi Celerio, Ernani Cuenco, and Antonino Buenaventura (Music)
• Honorata "Atang dela Rama (Theater)
• Guillermo Tolentino (Scuplture)

Other prominent personalities who are proud Bulakenyos are:

• German Moreno
• Mike de Leon
• Francisco Buencamino
• Dely Magpayo

They also have famous political figures such as:

• Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada (Presidents)
• Juan Ponce Enrile, Blas Ople, Mar Roxas (Senators)
• Imelda Marcos (First Lady of the Philippines)

So, visit Bulacan if you want to find a place where Philippine history began. 

History of Bulacan

It began in the 10th century when Arab and Chinese traders came to Bulacan as entrepot during the reign of Tang emperors. With its intensifying influences, Bulakenyos became expert seafarers in the 11th and 12th centuries. They built and sailed ships, river canoes, and sea vessels that could handle loads of merchandise. These fisherfolk lived in the sea until they settled on the coast of Manila Bay.

Later, they moved inland and began farming as a new source of livelihood. These people learned that living inland is more sustainable, so their population flourished and is now called Bulacan province.

Rich Culture in Bulacan

Indeed, Bulacan is considered truly a melting pot and cultural capital of the Philippines. Not only is it famous for pyrotechnics and native delicacies, but it is also the only province where every municipality is known for its high-value crops and historical sites. Name it, from Sayaw Obando to Baliuag buntal hats, Bulacan has so much to offer. 

• Sukang Paombong
• Meycauayan bamboo products
• Bocaue fluvial parade
• Prusisyon ng mga Santo during Holy Week
• Ensaymada and Inipit sa Malolos

Trivia and Facts About Bulacan

Bulacan province has a total land area of 262, 500 hectares, and the capital is Malolos City. It has 21 municipalities and three cities. The biggest town is Doña Remedios Trinidad, and the smallest is Obando.

Apart from the city of Malolos, Bulacan has two other cities, namely, San Jose del Monte and Meycauyan. The municipalities are San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Maria, and San Ildefonso. It also includes Guiginto, Baliuag, Marilao, Plaridel, Pulilan, Norzagaray, Obando, Pandi, Paombong, Calumpit, Bustos, Angat, and Balagtas.

Based 2015 census, Bulacan is the second most populous province in the Philippines, with a 3.5 million total population. The current Bulacan Governor is Daniel Fernando while the Vice-Governor is Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado.

Ninety percent of Bulakenyos are predominantly Tagalog. But, some speak other dialects, such as Kapampangan and Alta Kabulowan, an endangered language believed to be Bulacan's first inhabitants.

• Barasoain Church on Philippine Currency Bills

You must have heard unclear explanations why a facade image of a church can be seen in our currency bills. It was printed first on a ten-peso bill, but now it's on the new two hundred peso bill.

Barasoain Church, now known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel today, was the historic site of the three most important events in the Philippines. These are the First Congress convention, the Malolos Constitution establishment, and the First Philippine Republic Inauguration. These were established when President Emilio Aguinaldo took his oath to office. As a result, Bulacan is the Birthplace of the First Constitutional Democracy in Asia.

• Where the Name Bulacan Came from 

Bulacan, spelled as Bulakan, comes from the Tagalog word "bulak" or cotton. It was known that the province was rich in cotton trees or kapok when the Spaniards arrived.

• Using Cockpits to Spread Propaganda

Did you know that cockpits had an essential role during the Spanish colonization? If we use social media today to spread news and updates, long ago, Filipinos used cockpits as their platform to spread information and paraphernalia against the Spanish government. Even the Great Propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar secretly visited cockpits to state his stance. Ordinary Filipinos usually spent their time at cockpits as their pastime.

• View Photos in 3D Image Using Stereoscopy 

Back then, people could view photos in a 3D image using stereoscopy. It’s a unique piece of device being used during the Filipino-American war. Stereoscopy is one of the highlight pieces that can be found in Museo ng Republika ng 1899, which is a few steps away from the Barasoain Church.

• Bulacan has three (3) powerful dams.

The province of Bulacan is lucky to be part of the Sierra Madre mountain range and three (3) powerful dams in the Philippines. One is Angat Dam, located in San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, and the biggest concrete water reservoir in Bulacan province. Second is the Ipo Dam, located in San Mateo, Norzagaray. The third is the Bustos Dam, which is known to be the longest rubber dam in Asia and the world’s second-longest.

Legends and Myths

Filipinos have distinctive imaginations, and so do Bulakenyos. Apart from being the Land of Heroes, this well-known province from Central Luzon has its own untold stories about legends and myths. 

• Footprints of Bernardo Carpio

Bernardo Carpio is a legendary figure, and most Filipinos believed he was a giant. Based on local stories, Bernardo Carpio rested and left a 2-feet footprint on a mound of adobe stones in Angat River, Norzagaray, Bulacan. This became the reason why it is called Bakas River, which means markings. It is touted as one of the top tourist spots in the province because you can still see these markings today.

• The Story Behind Carabao Festival

Every year, the municipality of Pulilan celebrates the Carabao Festival. Carabaos, or water buffalo, wear colorful ribbons and flowers during the parade. This festive celebration is held to honor carabaos and San Isidro Labrador.

But, the story behind this festival is about a farm worker named Isidro Labrador. His manager was impressed with him as an efficient worker because Isidro gets the work done effectively. Later, his manager discovered that the farm was actually cultivated by angelic creatures called the carabaos. 

• How Hagonoy Got its Name

Long ago, there was this pretty lady who was really popular with men. She had many suitors and admirers at that time. Then one day, she was sick and needed someone to bring her leaves from the hagonoy plant by the Sapang Pari river. One man promptly offered to look and bring it to her. So, she promised to marry that man if he could successfully get a hagonoy plant. This man went to the river, not knowing that a group of friars would be passing by riding on a boat. He was asked in the Spanish language, "Quien Vive" (Where are we?), but didn't understand them. Still, he answered, "Hagonoy!", thinking about what he was picking, then ran away. So, the friars believed that they were in the town of Hagonoy.

Build Your Own History in Lumina Homes Bulacan

Today, Bulacan province is growing progressively. As the government continues its efforts to build more roads and infrastructure, going back and forth from Bulacan to the National Capital Region becomes easier, especially in Metro Manila. 

That is why the leading housing developer of Lumina Homes built more affordable house and lot for sale in Bulacan. For affordable house and lot packages, you can choose locations from San Miguel, Calumpit, and Pandi. Experience the province's rich culture and history by making an investment in Lumina Homes Bulacan.