Bulacan – then and now

In 1572, Augustinian Friar Francisco Vivar of Guadalajara opened missions in Bulakan, Malolos and Hagonoy, with 4,000 inhabitants. This was after he arrived in 1570 when he first planted the Cross on Bulakan soil with the help of the Sword, a ceremony that was first done on Easter Day in 1521 by Magellan the first time the Spaniards set foot on the Island of Limasawa. It was done in response to the desire of the Filipino natives to become Christians.

The name Bulacan is derived from the Tagalog word for cotton – "bulak," due to its abundance in the region. The province started with small fishing settlements along the coast of Manila Bay, that expanded with the coming of the Spaniards. These settlements later developed into the towns that were founded from 1572 to 1750.

The history of the Philippines may as well be Bulacan’s history, for since the beginning of time, Maynila and Bulacan were only one region. Bulacan is replete with culture and history. Many national heroes and artists were born in the province. Marcelo H. del Pilar was the Filipino nationalist who published La Solidaridad, a Filipino propaganda paper. His cousin, Gregorio del Pilar was the renowned Filipino revolutionary general, also called "The Hero of Tirad Pass." Dr. Maximo Viola of San Miguel, led a battle against the Spaniards with his two brothers; later on also imprisoned under the American occupation. As a good friend of Rizal, Viola published Rizal’s first book, Noli Me Tangere. Viola was the father of a beautiful Bulakeña, my late wife, Irene Yorston Viola (Bulacan is also known for its beautiful women). Francisco Balagtas, christened Francisco Baltazar, was a prominent writer from Balagtas (formerly Bigaa), Bulacan. He wrote his poems in Tagalog, during an age when Filipino writing was predominantly written in Spanish. Scholars believe that his poems reflect the abuses of the Spanish colonists. Balagtas is so greatly revered in the Philippines that the term for Filipino debate in extemporaneous verse is named Balagtasan.

Many of its tourist attractions depict our colorful history as a nation and as a people. Malolos Cathedral Basilica in Malolos was the church that served as the first Presidential Headquarters of the First Philippine Republic under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Barasoain Church in Malolos was the site of the Congress which drafted the first Philippine Constitution and established the first Philippine Republic. Calumpit Church is the oldest church in the whole province of Bulacan, which was built in 1575. Sta. Monica Church in Angat is over 400 years old, while Meycauayan Church in Meycauayan is over a century-old. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in San Jose del Monte is a replica of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

Today, the historic province consists of two cities, Malolos City and San Jose del Monte City and 22 municipalities. This week marks the celebration of Bulacan week, locally known as Singkaban fiesta, which features cultural shows, arts and food exhibits, skills competitions, historical landmark visits and fireworks display. Governor Josefina M. de la Cruz explained that singkaban refers to the bamboo arch decoration often seen in Philippine fiestas which originated in Bulacan. The festival highlights the anniversary of the Malolos Constitution of the First Philippine Republic on September 15. Dubbed as the "Northern Gateway from Manila," Bulacan is touted to be an ideal investment destination because of its strategic proximity to Metro Manila, abundant natural resources and a natural historical tourist destination.

I established a permanent link with Bulacan when I married a Bulakeña.