Bulacan kicks off month-long fiesta to mark 428th year

MALOLOS CITY — It will be a non-working holiday today in Bulacan as the province celebrates its 428th founding anniversary. The festivities will kick off the month-long fiesta dubbed "Buwan ng Bulacan," which will end on Sept. 15, the historic opening of the Malolos Congress.

Previously, the province celebrates "Linggo ng Bulacan" from Sept. 8 to 15 by highlighting its rich culture, colorful history and achievements of its people from different sectors.

The "Linggo ng Bulacan" was initiated by former Gov. Ignacio Santiago in the ’70s, but was continued by his successors namely former governor Roberto Pagdanganan and incumbent Gov. Josie de la Cruz.

Recent findings by historians from the Center for Bulacan Studies (CBS) and the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan (Sampaka), however, showed that that province was established on Aug. 15, 1578.

Isagani Giron, former president of Sampaka, told The STAR that results of the research conducted by Professor Rey Naguit, the director of the CBS, and Dr. Jaime Veneracion of Sampaka belied an earlier study that says Bulacan became a province on March 10 based on documents written in 1917.

Researchers from the Center for Bulacan Studies and Sampaka pored through very old documents found at the National Archives and found documents stating that the province was founded in 1578 "with the guidance of Our Lady of Assumption."

Looking for the exact date of the foundation of the province of Bulacan led researchers to the Bulacan town, the first capital of the province before its move to Malolos in the early 1900s.

Researchers agreed that Spaniards timed the foundation of a town with the feast of a saint that also becomes the patron of the town or province. In the case of Bulacan, the feast of Our Lady of Assumption is Aug. 15.

After concluding their research, CBS and Sampaka presented the findings to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which passed a resolution amending the provincial administrative code, and providing for the celebration of the month-long fiesta starting today.

It will aptly climax on the Sept. 15, the opening of the Malolos Congress. The provincial government has prepared a number activities with the theme, "Taas No, Bulakenyo: Itaguyod ang husay at talino sa buong mundo."

There will be special shows, recognitions of outstanding individuals and organizations, competitions, exhibitions, and the "Pistang Sining sa Biak-na-Bato."