Get to Know Bulacan

By: Clea Gleceria T. Gentallan

What is Bulacan?

Are you familiar with that Province? If you don't, let’s go straight to the topic. The name "Bulakan" was derived from the Tagalog word "bulak" which is cotton in English. Cotton, among other crops, was abundant in several places in Luzon, particularly in Bulakan one of the towns of Bulacan province, when the Spaniards first arrived on the country's shore.

The province figures prominently in Philippine History. Many national heroes and political figures were born in Bulacan. The province was also one of the first to revolt against Spain. The province is honored as one of the 8 rays of the sun in the national flag. It is the home of the "Three Republics." These are the Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili (1896) in Pandi, the Republic of Biak-na-Bato (1897) and the very first Philippine Republic in Malolos (1899–1901). In recognition thereof, these three republics established in Bulacan have been incorporated in the official seal of the province of Bulacan.

Did you know that Malolos play a big role in processing the First Philippine Republic? Well, During the Philippine–American War 1899. The defense of Malolos before it was totally destroyed when the Americans captured the capital. Malolos was the site of the constitutional convention of 1898 that led to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, the first republic in Asia, led by Emilio Aguinaldo. Malolos served as the capital of the short-lived republic from 1898 to 1899. The historical Barasoain Church was where it was ratified, ushering in the birth of the First Philippine Republic.

Bulacan is noted as “The Land of Heroes”. Also, the cradle of the nation's noble heroes, of great men and women; among them: Marcelo H. del Pilar—"The Great Propagandist," General Gregorio del Pilar—The Hero of Tirad Pass, and Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas)– "The Prince of Filipino Poets". Bulacan is popularly known as the “Gateway to the Northern Philippines.”