In Philippine history, the province of Bulacan is one of those places that contains a lot of stories. This place is just few hours of travel from Metro Manila. Backpacking, with a friend, is so simple yet remarkable. People in the province are so accommodating and local delicacies are sumptuous to eat.
Tourists Spots and Destinations in Bulacan:
This ambush cave or Yungib 1 has a narrow and long cavern inside. There were several battles happened in this cave; this was the place where the Katipuneros brought the Spaniards and killed them. But instead of killing the Spanish soldier, the Katipuneros killed the other Katipuneros and
the Spaniards killed the Spaniards, because the place was really dark
and they didn't recognize that they were killing their own group
members.
This cave served as the Hospital during the Katipuneros.
This was the dwelling of those people who got shoot or got ill during
the battle against the Spaniards. Together with the my two guides, we
had a short prayer (in Portuguese or latin) in a form of a Pasyon (a native song) for those people who sacrificed their lives just for our Freedom against the Spaniards.
This Yungib III or the Imbakan Cave played a big role during the fight against the Spaniards. This was the place where the Katipuneros (Filipino Revolutionaries) stored their foods, medicines, bullets, ammunition and other things that they were using during the fight.
Tanggapan Cave, Biak na Bato National Park
This cave served as the office and the recruitment area of the Katipuneros (Filipino Revolutionaries) including Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, for their new members . This is also the place wherein the new recruits were being oriented about the plans in fighting against the Spaniards.
The Bahay Paniki Cave (House of Bats) is located
300 meters south of the Aguinaldo Cave. This part of the National Park
is not easy to penetrate due to some sharp and slippery boulders. Since
the area is composed of plants, it serves as the home of some poisonous
snakes, scorpions and insects. The opening is really enormous and
surrounded by huge boulders.
This church is one of the famous destination in the town especially for
Roman Catholics. According to some resident near this church, the
construction of this church and convent started 1691 but due to some
economic problems encountered in 1734, it wasn't finished. The style of
the facade is simple, almost has the same appearance with the other old
churches in the Province.
The church was built by Father Gregorio Giner. But, in 1830, Father
Esteban Diaz rebuilt this structure and in 1866 the Bell Tower was
completed by Father Matias Novoa. July 19, 1880, this church was
damaged by an earthquake and was repaired by Father Thomas Gresa.
Constructed between 1769 to 1774, the style of Baliuag church is Baroque
as seen on the facade and interiors. Damaric tension is created by the
interplay of volumes and openings. The Practico is the late addition
which mars the complete layout of style. - source: www.bulacan.gov.ph
Barasoain Church is also known as (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish)
is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan.
This church housed the revolutionary congress which was inaugurated on
September 15, 1898, Pedro A.
Paterno was the President. It was here, that the congress, among other
measures discussed and approved the Malolos Constitution.
This is also the place where the other government institutions/offices
can be found. It is also the place where you can find the office of the
most powerful man in the government of the province. This compound is
the location of the leading university in the province and the provincial museum which houses the history of Bulacan.
This is the old and original house of Jose Chichioco Cojuangco (July 3,
1896-August, 1976) he was the former Representative of the 1st district
of Tarlac, Philippines from 1934 to 1946. He is one of the roots of the
Cojuangco clan. He is the father of the first woman President of
the Philippines Corazon Aquino and grandfather of President Benigno
Aquino III.This historical landmark is situated in Paseo del Congreso
St., Malolos City Bulacan just few meters from Barasoain Church.
This house was built in 1580, became the town’s Casa Tribunal,
Ayuntamiento, and Casa Presidencia Municipal and was the residence and Office of the Gobernadorcillo during the Spanish time. It was the site of the Imprenta Nacional of the First Republic, where the revolutionary organs La Independencia, El Heraldo de la Revolucion, Kalayaan and Kaibigan ng Bayan were printed., the printing press of the 1896 Constitution and the Heraldo de Revolucion.
In this convent, General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy as President of the
First Philippine Republic, held his office from September 10, 1898 to
March 29, 1899. It is now the seat of the Diocese of Malolos, and has
been the bastion of faith for the past centuries and beside this old
church is the tree planted by Pres. Aguinaldo.
This is one of the Heritage Sites in Bulacan especially for the Catholics. This Gorgeous structure is now 414 years old. The people in this area, with the help of the local government, are
preserving it's historical value. Around 1599 when Quingua (now Plaridel)
was established. During the British occupation (1762-1763) this
church was the place where the money and jewels of San Agustin in
Intramuros, Manila were kept.
Built in 1661, the Estacion de Guiguinto (Guiguinto Train Station) is
the towns most acclaimed historical landmark and heritage site. It was
upon this that the Katipuneros (Filipino guerillas during the Spanish Regime) ambushed a train from Dagupan, killing six friars, including the parish friar of Guiguinto, Fr. Leocadio Sanchez, and the Spanish doctor.
The incident inspired Severino Reyes to author the novel "Opera Wlang
Sugar" which was later made into a movie entitled "Walang Sugat." - source: www.bulacan.gov.ph
How to Get to Bulacan:
Transportation: In EDSA Cubao we rode in a Baliuag Bus bound for Bulacan and alighted in a tricycle terminal by the highway (I am can't remember the name of the place but the bus conductor told us that it's the place where we can ride a tricycle to Biak na Bato National Park). We then rode in a tricycle to Biak na Bato. After our Biak na Bato adventure, our guide brought us back to the highway (we paid her extra for her motorcycle gasoline). Then we crossed the highway and rode in a bus with Manila signboard and alighted to Cruz na Daan and rode in a jeepney to San Ildefonso and Baliaug Church.
Second day, we first visited the provincial capitol, walked on the streets to Barasoain Church, Jose Cojuanco Mansion, Casa Real Shrine, and Basilica Minore Immaculada Concepcion. Then went back to the capitol and rode in a jeepney to Plaridel, Bulacan. Beside Plaridel Church, we rode in a jeepney to Guiguinto, Bulacan and alighted in front of a commercial supermarket and rode in a tricycle to the old train station.
Going back to Manila: in front of the commercial supermarket, we rode in a jeepney and alighted in a mini-terminal, by the highway, bound for Manila (drivers know this spot, don't hesitate to ask question). At the mini-terminal, we rode in a van to EDSA-Cubao.