BULACAN: Isang pagbabalik tanaw

Heograpiya

Ang lalawigan ng Bulacan ay pinaniniwalaang kilala sa pangalang “Ma-yi”. Isa

ito sa pinakamatandang pamayanan na naitatag ng mga Kastila noong 1572. Ang
kasalukuyang pangalan ng lalawigan ay buhat sa salitang Tagalog na bulak
(kapok/cotton), na sinasabing pangunahing produkto ng Bulakan. Ilan sa mga bayan dito
tulad ng Malolos, Baliwag at Bocaue ang nakilala sa paghahati ng tela at seda. Ayon sa
sinulat ng encomenderong Kastila na si Miguel de Loarca noong 1850, ang mga
pamayanang nakapaligid sa Look ng Maynila ay sagana sa palay at bulak. Bagamat ang
salitang-uagt na bulak ay tinatanggap ng karamihang mamamayan sa Bulakan, mayroon
din ilang haka-haka tungkol sa pinagmulang pangalan nito. May isang lugar sa pagitan ng
Calumpit at Pampanga na tinatawag na “Burakan” o pinagkukunang burak, isang maitim
na uri ng lupa na matatagpuan sa mga pinak at tabing dagat. Kilala ito ngayon sa tawag
na “Lupang Kapalangan” sa bayan ng Calumpit. Maaaring ang burak ay ginagamit bilang
sangkap o materyales sa paggawa ng mga palayok at paso. Ngunit kung paanong ang
burak ay naging bulak ay walang tiyak na paliwanag maliban sa pangyayaring ang mga
titik r at l ay pinagpapalit ng mga Kastila.

Kinaroroonan at Kapaligiran

Ang pagsakop ng mga Kastila sa Bulakan at Maynila ay halos magkaalinsabay.

Itinuturing ang Bulakan na isa sa mga mayayamang lalawigan ng Pilipinas. Humahangga
ito sa Nueva Ecija sa dakong hilaga, Aurora, Quezon sa gawing silangan, Rizal at Metro
Manila sa dakong katimugan, Pampanga at baybayin ng Look ng Maynila sa gawing
kanluran.

Sa lalawigan ng Bulakan humahangga ang hanay ng bundok ng Sierra Madre

pahilaga. Ang hanay ng mga bundok na ito ay nagsisilbing pananggalang sa mga bagyong
dumarating mula sa silangan at hilagang silangan. Sa lalawigang ito nagtatapos ang
huling bahagi ng kapatagan ng Gitnang Luzon.

Karaniwang pananim na makikita sa Bulakan ay palay, mais, tubo, saging, mani,

mangga, at iba pang mga gulay, mga prutas at punong-kahoy na kapakipakinabang.
Mayaman din ang lalawigang ito sa mga mina ng bakal, ginto, tanso, iba’t ibang mineral
at mga matataas na uri ng lupa, putik, batong adobe, apog, marmol na sangkap sa
kaunlaran. Ang mga mineral na ito ay matatagpuan sa silangang bahagi ng lalawigan.

Mga mga kwento na nagsasabing ang salitang Bulakan ay mula sa salita o

katagang “Bulaklakan” (Flower Garden o Garden of the Philippines). Ang kwentong ito
ay ayon sa isang Kastila na nakakita sa lalawigan na may sari-saring uri ng bulaklak.
Ayon sa ilang mananaliksik, nagmula sa katagang bulak ang Bulakan. Sa pook na ito
maraming makikitang puno ng bulak o kapok. Iniuugnay din ito sa isang uri ng lupa na
burak kung tawagin.

Ang kanlurang bahagi ng Bulakan ay baybaying Look ng Maynila na katatagpuan

ng burak kung kaya’t ito’y tinawag na Burakan o Bulakan sa katagalan. May isa pang
nagsasabi na ang Bulakan daw ay pinagdarayo ng mga karatig lalawigan noong araw
upang sila’y makakuha ng mga baging o sanga ng puno ng “Bulahaw” na isang mabisang
gamot sa pamamaga at sakit ng sikmura gayundin naman ay panlinis ng buhok dahil ito
ay mabula.
Lokasyon at Hangganan

Ang Bulakan ay bahagi ng tatlong pormasyong heograpikal: bahagi ito ng

kabundukang Sierra Madre sa gawing silangan; ng kapatagan ng Gitnang Luzon sa
bahaging gitna at ng Look ng Maynila sa timog-kanluran. Ang lalawigan ng Bulakan ay
matatagpuan sa bahaging hilaga ng Maynila, naliligid ito ng lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija sa
hilagang-silangan, ng lalawigan ng Quezon sa silangan, Rizal sa timog, Manila bay sa
timog-kanluran at sag awing kanluran ay humahangga sa lalawigan ng Pampanga.

Ang kalupaan ng Bulakan ay patag sa napaghiwa-hiwalay ng mga kabundukang

malapit sa mga hangganan ng mga lalawigang Nueva Ecija, Quezon at Rizal. Mula sa
mataas na bahagi ng Bulakan ay naglalagos ang tubig sa mga ilog na siyang tumutugon
sa mga pangangailangan ng lalawigan. Ang tatlong pangunahing mga ilog, Novaliches,
Ipo, at Angat ay siyang pinagkukunan ng lakas-kuryente, patubig at tubig na iniinom.
Malaki ang bahagi ng mga ilog na ito sa kalagayang pangkabuhayan ng lalawigan at mga
kalapit bayan.

Ang Bulakan ay unang lalawigan sa Rehiyon III, na mararating mula sa siyudad

ng Maynila. Ang pinakadulo ng lalawigan sa katimugan ay umaabot lamang ng 17
kilometro mula sa Maynila at ang pinakakabisera ng lalawigan, ang Malolos, ay
tinatayang 30 minuto lamang lakbayin mula sa lungsod.

Lawak ng Lupain

Ang kabuuang sakop ng Bulakan ay umaabot ng 262,500 kilometro kwadrado.

Ang bayan ng Doña Remedios Trinidad ang may pinakamalawak na sakop na may
kabuuang sukat na 932,096 kilometro kwadrado o 33.44% ng kabuuang sukat ng
Bulacan. Pumapangalawa ang bayan ng San Miguel na may sukat na 305.70 kilometro
kwadrado o may 10.96% ng kabuuang sukat ng Bulakan at ang pinakamaliit na bayan ay
ang Plaridel na may kabuuang sukat na 32.44 kilometro kwadrado o 1.16% ng kabuuang
sukat.

Ang Bulakan ay may tinatayang sukat na 15.3 % ng kabuuang sakop ng Rehiyon

III at 0.9% naman ng lawak ng lupaing nasasakop sa kabuuang kalupaan ng bansa.
Binubuo ito ng 24 na bayan at nahahati sa apat na distrito. Ang unang distrito ay binubuo
ng anim na bayan – Calumpit, Pulilan, Malolos, Hagonoy, Paombong, at Bulakan. Ang
ikalawang distrito ay binubuo ng pitong bayan – Baliwag, Bustos, Plaridel, Pandi,
Balagtas, Guiginto at Bocaue. Ang ikatlong distrito ay may anim na bayan- Doña
Remedios Trinidad , San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat at Norzagaray. At ang
ikaapat na distrito ay binubuo ng limang bayan – Sta. Maria, San Jose del Monte,
Marilao, Meycauayan at Obando.
 Bayan ng San Miguel: bayang aking pinagmulan

San Miguel is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines.

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 123,824 people in 24,111
households.

History

The Municipality of San Miguel De Mayumo was established in 1763 with Miguel
Pineda as the first Capitan Municipal. Miguel Pineda was a native of Angat who decided
to settle permanently in the Barrio of San Bartolome now named Barangay Tartaro. He
found the place ideal for hunting and was later chosen as the leader of other settlers. He
formed an alliance with Mariano Puno, the recognized leader of the adjacent prosperous
village called Sto. Rosario now named Barangay Mandile. The two leaders decided to
form a town named Miguel De Mayumo after the name of Miguel Pineda and Mayumo, a
Pampango word for sweets for the goodwill and generosity of Mariano Puno. The town
was supposed to be part of Pampanga. San Miguel’s culture drifted from Pampango
influence. San Miguel used to be the biggest town in Bulacan but when San Ildefonso
was made in a town during the 1900 & during Ferdinand Marcos presidency he made
Dona Remedios Trinidad a town (named after his wife's mother), San Miguel was left as
the 2nd.
There is a story attached to the timely discovery of a stone image of an archangel when
the town was in abundance and the inhabitants wish to change the name of the town. A
council was formed for this purpose and in the midst of a meeting; a man rushes forward
to report a discovery of a stone image of an angel in one of the Madlum Caves. The
council deemed it befitting to name the town after the angel. The discovered stone image
was of “San Miguel De Arkanghel”. The people believed it to be a Divine Almighty sign
of good graces. The council decided in reverence and homage to the angel to add the
word “San” and retain the original name of the town Miguel De Mayumo to San Miguel
De Mayumo. The official name of the town at present is Municipality of San Miguel.

Pact of Biak Na Bato

During the revoution in 1897, newly appointed Governor-General Fernando Primo de

Rivera decided to crush Emilio Aguinaldo & his troops in Cavite, but Aguinaldo fled to
Batangas & join forces with Gen. Miguel Malvar. The Spaniards continue there pursue
but they outwit them by going to the province of Rizal (formerly Morong) & finally to
Biak na Bato in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan. Aguinaldo made this mountain caves
into his headquarters while Primo de Rivera quoted, "Biak na Bato will fall into my
hands...but I cannot promise to dissolve the Revolution." Aguinaldo established the first
constitutonal government in the Philippines.

Pedro A. Paterno is a Filipino who study in Spain, presented himself to the Governor-
General & told them he would like to help them by negotiating a peace treaty with the
revolutionaries, & Rivera agreed. Paterno left Manila on August 4 but was halted by Gen.
Paciano Rizal, who was against the treaty & said he would rather be thrown into a pit
lined with bolos & sharp lances, But in the end he agreed & had Paterno escorted to Biak
na Bato. Paterno arrive on August 9 but did not reach his goal so he had to come back
three more times during the negotiations. Aguinaldo commanded reforms & truce up to
September 1900. he also told Paterno to consult with the other revolutionay leaders.
Paterno kept on going back & forth to Manila & Biak na Bato until the two sides made a
negotiation. After two weeks Primo de Rivera signed the Pact of Biak na bato in
Malacanang without Aguinaldo, for Aguinaldo felt he might get arrested so he choose
Paterno to be his representative to sign the treaty. The treat was signed in December 141
to 15,1897.

Barangays

San Miguel is politically subdivided into 49 barangays.

• Bagong Pag-asa • Ilog-Bulo • Sacdalan

• Bagong Silang • King Kabayo • Salacot
• Balaong • Labne • Salangan
• Balite • Lambakin • San Agustin
• Bantog • Magmarale • San Jose
• Bardias • Malibay • San Juan
• Baritan • Maligaya • San Vicente
• Batasan Bata • Mandile • Santa Ines
• Batasan Matanda • Masalipit • Santa Lucia
• Biak-na-Bato • Pacalag • Santa Rita Bata
• Biclat • Paliwasan • Santa Rita Matanda
• Buga • Partida • Sapang
• Buliran • Pinambaran • Sibul
• Bulualto • Poblacion • Tartaro
• Calumpang • Pulong Bayabas • Tibagan
• Cambio
• Pulong Duhat • Tigpalas
• Camias
Tourist Attractions

• Biak na Bato National Park.

• Sibul Springs

- Sibul Spring is famous for the springs coming directly from the mountains, which
attracted a lot of people including the past presidents like Manuel Quezon &
famous artists during the pre-war & post-war era.

• Madlum Caves and River

 • Heritage Houses

Philippine National Artists born in this town

 • Abelardo, Nicanor - composer; 1893-1934.

Prominent people who played an Important role in History

• Felipe Buencamino (1848-1929)

- Born in this town on September 22, 1848. Leader of the revolutionaries, & became
kalihim ng suliraning panlabas of the first Republic of the Philippines. one of the
founders of Iglesia de Independencia. Died on February 6, 1929.

• Trinidad Tecson (1848-1928)

- one of the revolutionaries who is famous for being the "Mother of Biak na Bato" born
in this town on November 18, 1848. During the Philippine Revolution, she joined the
rebellion & take care of the sick & wounded in the mountains. Died on January 28, 1928

• Maximo Viola (1857-1933)

- Born in this town & was a friend & taveling companion in Europe of Jose Rizal, he
advanced the money needed for the printing of the novel Noli Me Tangere
Education

The town has numerous public schools offering elementary and high school education.
Some of the elementary public schools are:
 • San Miguel Central Elementary School, located in Brgy. Poblacion.

Some of
public high schools are:

• John J. Russel Memorial High School, located at Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
• Partida High School, located at Partida, San Miguel, Bulacan
• San Miguel National High School, located in Brgy. San Juan.

• Vedasto Santiago High School, San Miguel High School Annex, located in Brgy.
Salacot.

Some of the private schools offering elementary and pre-elementary education are:

• Children's Haven School of San Miguel Bulacan, located in Brgy. San Jose.
• D. C. Nicolas School, located in Brgy. Tigpalas
• Park Ridge School of Montessori, located in Brgy. Camias.
• Saint Paul University at San Miguel, located in Brgy. Salangan

• School of Mount St. Mary, located in Brgy. Sta. Rita (New)

Products of San Miguel

• Pastillas - Pastillas de leche, made from fresh carabao milk, is the main product of
 the municipality of San Miguel de Mayumo. Mayumo is the local term for sweets.

• Dormat - Strips of cloth usually thrown away by fashion houses and seamstresses
are the basic materials for this home industry, which is a major source of
livelihood for residents of barangay Sibul

• Stone Craft/Souvenir Making - As a home industry in barangay Biak-na-Bato, this

is a good source of income for its residents. They make use of indigenous
materials such as limestone, stones gathered from Balaong River, which traverses
the Biak-na-Bato National Park, and seashells, in the preparation of souevenir
items.

• Fruit/Vegetable Carving and Food Preservation - Beautiful carving of flowers,

leaves, nipa huts and baskets are carved/etched on rinds of fruits and vegetables.
Fruits in season such as santol, lime, pomelo and guyabano are used.

• Chicharon - Pork rind/skin cooked, seasoned and made into crackling or

CHICHARON, is a major livelihood in the municipality

• Kesong Puti - Kesong Puti or homemade cottage cheese is made from pure
carabao milk. It can be eaten with bread, or as some locals do, with rice

• Macapuno Candy - Young coconut or macapuno are candied and made into
sweets. These sweets, along with pastillas de leche, ube, and yema are the sweets
manufactured and specialties of the municipality.

Heritage Houses

San Miguel is also famous because of the old houses built in different times, with different
style & color stractures even though some of the houses were bomb during the Japanese
many still exist today, the town is also called the "Vigan of Bulacan". Also Historical
landmarks and old stones houses in the town proper are existing testimonies to the
abundance and prosperity of the past and the admirable skills in craftsmanship of
Bulakeños.
HOUSE OF DR. MAXIMO VIOLA
Located at barangay San Jose, this house was built in 1906, by the spouses Dr. Maximo Viola and Doña
Elenita Roura. Dr. Viola was a close friend of Dr. Jose Rizal and was said to have financed the printing of
the national hero satirical novel against the excesses of the Spanish colonist, Noli Me Tangere.

The present occupants/owners, Rolando and Amelita Reyes, are descendants of Dr. Viola.

The house main structure, i.e. its walls, flooring, ceiling and windows have been retained and
refurbished/painted. As with most houses of that era, the walls were made of narra, the window ledges of
mulawin, the flooring of wide narra floorboards. Even the glasses in the windows were the original
materials used at the time of its construction.

HOUSE OF DAMASO SEMPIO

Built in the 1920s, its original owners were the spouses Crispina De Leon of the landed De Leon clan, and
Damaso Sempio, nephew of Gen. Gregorio Sempio Del Pilar, the Hero of Tirad Pass.

Del Pilar was said to have spent the night in this house on his way to Isabela to cover the retreat of Emilio
Aguinaldo. Another prominent guest of Sempio was Gen. Artemio Ricarte, his contemporary in the
revolution, and the only Filipino General who refused to recognize American sovereignty over the
Philippines, and thus went to Japan and spent his remaining years in self-exile.

Its present occupant, Manuel De Leon Lipana, was OIC Mayor of San Miguel during the Cory Aquino
administration. He commissioned his cousin, Bernardo Sempio, to handle the restoration/renovation of this
house in 1982. The renovation cost him P250,000.00 at 1982 prices.

The house is the repository of the life-sized 12 Apostles in the Last Supper. This ensemble is brought out
and paraded around the town during the Good Friday procession.

HOUSE OF SIMON TECSON

Located on J.P. Rizal St. in barangay San Vicente, this house was originally owned by the spouses Simon
Tecson and Tomasa Santiago. Simon served in the Filipino armed forces during the Spanish and American
wars.

What is most significant about this house is the fact that Emilio Aguinaldo utilized it as his headquarters
during the days prior to the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. In fact, the canopied bed with carved head
and footboard that Aguinaldo used is still kept in the room that he occupied when he slept there.
Project

In

Philippine
History
Submitted by: Nicolas, Sherrilyn R.
Submitted to: Prof. remedies ong
Year and section: I-9

Introduksyon

San Miguel,bulacan