Bulacan, a 2,625-square-kilometer province just north
of Metro Manila, has contributed significantly to the country's historical
and cultural heritage.Economically, this province with around 2.2 million people
is one of the most progressive provinces in the country, with a monthly
per capita income of P12,000 (as of 2001) which was higher than the
national average of only P7,000.
The province, a conglomerate of 22 towns, two cities and 568 barangays
(villages), is known for many robust industries and homegrown products,
namely: blacksmith arts, pastilla wrapper making, paper sculpting, arch
making, baskets, belts, pyrotechnics, jewelry, leather products, furniture,
electronics, poultry products, bread and cookies, chicharon, water melon,
mangoes, and of course rice.
For example, Sta. Maria, my hometown, has once been tagged as the "egg
nest of the Philippines", because of its flourishing poultry industry.
Swine raising is also a big industry in the area.Complementing these
two livestock industries is chicharon making. Recently, Sta. Maria has
been competing with the town of Bocaue as the firecrackers capital.The
town also used to be the country's haven for basket making, embroidery
and handicrafts design. Today, it is now home to several large corporations
in the country, like battery manufacturer Ramcar, which runs a plant
at an industrial park in Barangay Bulac, Sta. Maria, Bulacan where I
live.
Bulacan's claim to fame is its wealth of historical and cultural heritage.Often
referred to as the "Land of Heroes and Beautiful Women", the
province used to be a part of the old Tondo area also encompassing Metro
Manila and Rizal province in the pre-Spanish period. Its main language
is Tagalog, a derivative from the phrase taga-ilog, which means dwellers
near the river.
Bulacan was among the first eight provinces, which rose against Spanish
colonization. The Kakarong de Sili republic in Pandi town in 1890s ignited
hopes that Filipinos could topple the Spanish rule. The revolutionary
Philippine republic in 1897 was encamped at the caves and lush wilderness
of Biak-na-bato, which is now a natural park in San Miguel town. General
Emilio Aguinaldo, popularly acknowledged as the first Filipino president
from Cavite province, established his government in Malolos town in
1899.The Barosoain Church, also in Malolos, hosted the first Philippine
Congress.
Among the country's great heroes who were born in Bulacan province were
Marcelo H. del Pilar, the father of Philippine journalism; Gregorio
del Pilar, the youngest general of the republic; Mariano Ponce; Pio
Valenzuela; Esteban Tasi; Felipe Salonga; Simon de Anda; and Eusebio
Roque. Jose Rizal, a Filipino writer from Laguna province, also
paid tribute to the women of Malolos for trying to educate their fellow
Bulakenas and improve their abilities.
Bulacan also contributed significantly to the country's cultural heritage.
The province is known for its poets, foremost of whom was Francisco
Balagtas, the father of Philippine literature. Jose Corazon de Jesus,
from Sta. Maria town popularized balagtasan during his time.
Amando Hernandez from San Miguel town was a national artist for literature.
Nicanor Abelardo was the father of kundiman or Philippine love songs.
Francisca Reyes-Aquino was the mother of Philippine dances. Atang de
la Rama, an actress and Gerry de Leon, a director set the stage for
Philippine film industry. Guillermo Tolentino was one of the fathers
of Philippine arts. Lydia de Vega, who is from Meycauayan town, was
once acknowledged as the fastest woman in Asia. Regine Velasquez, who
lives in Guiguinto town, is billed as Asia's songbird.
Other Bulakenyos who excelled in their respective fields are Jose Reyes
in medicine, Eddie Villanueva in Christian church planting, Proseso
Marcelo in radio Christian ministry, Blas Ople in legislation, Dolphy,
Bert "Tawa" Marcelo and Joey de Leon in comedy, Dely Magpayo
in radio broadcasting, Vergel Meneses in basketball, Eddie Katindig
in music, Jamie Rivera in singing and Michelle Aldana in beauty pageant.
A team of young girls from the capital town of Malolos became runner
up to the Little League softball for girls competition in 2000 to an
American team with two boys in its lineup.
Those who are proud of their Bulakenyo roots include former Presidents
Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada, former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim,
and musical poet Levi Celerio.
