NOVALICHES : Legal Status from Spanish Period to Present

NOVALICHES.

A historical town which played important roles in the Philippine's fight for independence. A town which experienced being tossed from one province to another. A town which still has its own identity even after being stripped of its status as an independent town, and being split into two and placed under the jurisdiction of two different cities.

Pueblo de Novaliches was founded in 1856, during the Spanish Occupation Period and has enjoyed its independence for 47 years, 3 years short of reaching its golden age. During the early years of the American Occupation Period, it unfortunately lost its independence due to the local government reorganization acts that the Philippine Commission had  passed. Many towns were merged so that larger towns can help smaller towns grow economically, and regain their independent status as soon as they are ready. Many other smaller towns did regain their former status years after being merged with larger towns, but that sadly hasn't happened with Novaliches since it was merged with Caloocan. Worse, it is now divided between Caloocan and Quezon City.

The Watchtowers of La Union

Watchtowers are integral part of community structures, especially of those settlements found along the coastlines, during the time when the Philippines was still under the Spanish crown. Through these structures, the villagers are warned against impending attack of pirates/enemies, making it possible for them to flee to higher grounds, or prepare to foil the attack. Nowadays, watchtowers serve local fishermen's guides to the shore while many of the old ones serve as testament to the history and heritage of the the town where they are located.

One of the most famous watchtowers in the Philippines is that of Luna, La Union. It is known to locals as "Baluarte" and is one of Luna's top tourist drawer along with the town's century old church which enshrines the Our Lady of Namacpacan (Namacpacan is the old name of Luna). 

What's not known to many people is that Baluarte is just one of the many watchtowers dotting the coast of La Union stretching from Bauang in the south up to Luna in the north. In 2014, these watchtowers were proclaimed by the National Museum as National Cultural Treasures ensuring that all of these watchtowers will be protected and preserved. Unfortunately, only Luna's watchtower has been given attention by the National Museum as of now. It is also the only one that bears National Cultural Marker installed by the National Museum.

SJDM Free College Entrance Exam Review 2019!!!

A short break from travel related posts.

The San Jose del Monte Free College Entrance Exam Review Guild (SJDM FCEER GUILD) now formally announces its 12th year of Summer Review Program to incoming Grade 12 students of different High Schools and Colleges from San Jose del Monte.

For a brief background, SJDM FCEER Guild is a group composed of former students of the different high schools in SJDM who are now students/graduates of different Philippine colleges such as, but not limited to, UP, PUP, PNU, and TUP. 

EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 4

San Miguel, the northernmost town of Bulacan, is known for its historicity as well as its many sons and daughters who have played important roles in the country’s path to independence. Biak na Bato, Maximo Viola, heritage and ancestral houses, San Miguel Archangel Parish Church, and Pablo Tecson are just some of the many names, places and things these town is known for. But aside from that, it is also known for its culinary heritage, especially sweets, from where the old name “San Miguel de Mayumo” came from (“mayumo” means “sweet).

EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 3

San Miguel, the northernmost town of Bulacan, is known for its historicity as well as its many sons and daughters who have played important roles in the country’s path to independence. Biak na Bato, Maximo Viola, heritage and ancestral houses, San Miguel Archangel Parish Church, and Pablo Tecson are just some of the many names, places and things these town is known for. But aside from that, it is also known for its culinary heritage, especially sweets, from where the old name “San Miguel de Mayumo” came from (“mayumo” means “sweet).

EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 2

San Miguel, the northernmost town of Bulacan, is known for its historicity as well as its many sons and daughters who have played important roles in the country’s path to independence. Biak na Bato, Maximo Viola, heritage and ancestral houses, San Miguel Archangel Parish Church, and Pablo Tecson are just some of the many names, places and things these town is known for. But aside from that, it is also known for its culinary heritage, especially sweets, from where the old name “San Miguel de Mayumo” came from (“mayumo” means “sweet).

EATS and SWEETS : San Miguel, Bulacan Culinary Tour! Part 1

San Miguel, the northernmost town of Bulacan, is known for its historicity as well as its many sons and daughters who have played important roles in the country’s path to independence. Biak na Bato, Maximo Viola, heritage and ancestral houses, San Miguel Archangel Parish Church, and Pablo Tecson are just some of the many names, places and things these town is known for. But aside from that, it is also known for its culinary heritage, especially sweets, from where the old name “San Miguel de Mayumo” came from (“mayumo” means “sweet).

MALITA : A visit to the Capital of the Philippine's Newest Province

CAMALANIUGAN : Cagayan's Heritage Treasure Trove

(This post is part of my 4th Cagayan Province Town hopping last August 19-21, 2018)

Visiting Camalaniugan again is one of the highlights of my 4th Cagayan Province excursion. My first visit to this beautiful town was already 4 years ago and I was only able to see then the present church and its famous Sancta Maria bell, considered to be the oldest bell in the Far East, and definitely the oldest bell in the Philippines. Little did I know then that the quiet town actually harbors 2 more precious heritage treasure.

San Jacinto de Polonia Church (Camalaniugan Church).

San Jose del Monte Free College Entrance Exam Review 2018!!!

Short break again from travel related posts...

The San Jose del Monte Free College Entrance Exam Review Guild (SJDM FCEER GUILD) now formally announces its 11th year of Summer Review Program to incoming Grade 12 students of different High Schools and Colleges from San Jose del Monte.

For a brief background, SJDM FCEER Guild is a group composed of former students of the different high schools in SJDM who are now students/graduates of different Philippine colleges such as, but not limited to, UP, PUP, PNU, and TUP.