Bulacan is an averaged sized province and visitors would not be able to cover all its churches in a one day Visita Iglesia. Depending on what visitors prefer and from where they will come from, they can choose from three clusters of churches to be visited. They can choose Eastern Bulacan (Part 1), Southwestern Bulacan (Part 2), or Northwestern Bulacan (Part 3) Visita Iglesia.
Below is a suggested guide to a Visita Iglesia in Southwestern Bulacan:
1. ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISSI CHURCH, Meycauayan
Church details. Meycauayan church was established in 1578 and has administered citizens of the then very large part of Southern Bulacan. From this church was born the churches of Bocaue, Obando, Polo, San Jose del Monte, Bigaa, Santa Maria and Marilao. It is one of Bulacan's oldest church.
Location. Barangay Poblacion, Meycauayan
How to get there: Take any bus/jeep that will pass McArthur High Way if you are coming from Valenzuela/Caloocan area. Ask the driver/conductor to drop you off at a place where you can ride a tricycle to the church.
2. ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH, Marilao
Church details. The parish was established in 1796 but the construction of the stone church started in 1848 and finished in 1868. The facade is plastered though its antiquity is still evident. The bell tower, though recessed, is beautiful.
Location. Poblacion I, Marilao
How to get there? From Meycauayan, get on a jeep bound to Marilao. Ask the driver to drop you off in a place where you can ride a tricycle to bring you to Poblacion where the church is located.
3. ST. MARTIN OF TOURS CHURCH, Bocaue
Church details. The church is one of the oldest in Bulacan having been established in 1600's. The famous Holy Cross of Wawa, the one being used in the yearly Pagoda Festival, is being kept in this church.
Location. Poblacion, Bocaue
4. ST. LAWRENCE THE DEACON AND MARTYR CHURCH, Balagtas
Church details. Founded in 1598 and one of the oldest in Bulacan. The church can be found at the rear side of Balagtas Town Hall. Though its history goes back a long time, the church facade itself looks modern. War and natural disaster destroyed the older church which make reconstruction and further renovation imperative.
Location. Barangay Longos, Balagtas
How to get there. Balagtas Municipal Hall is just along McArthur Highway so you can take any jeep which passes through McArthur Balagtas part. Ask the driver to drop you off at the Balagtas Municipal Hall. You can walk to the church from there.
5. ST. ILDEPHONSE CHURCH, Guiguinto
Church details. The parish was founded in 1641 while the construction of the stone church was started in 1691. The church is of baroque style just like many of Bulacan churches though smaller than most.
Location. Tuktukan, Guiguinto along McArthur Highway going to Malolos.
How to get there? Because the church is also just along McArthur Highway, you can just ride a jeep from Balagtas to reach it.
6. OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION CHURCH, Bulakan
Church details. Originally founded as a visita of Tondo, it was made into an independent parish in 1578. It has experienced numerous destruction because of earthquakes but the townsfolk has always successfully restores the church each time. Gregorio del Pilar has secretly distributed polyetos (pamphlets) here. Said polyetos contain campaign articles written by Gregorio's uncle, Marcelo del Pilar, against the Spaniards.
Location. Bulakan Town Proper
7. OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL CHURCH, Malolos
Church details. Known as the place where Malolos Constitution was ratified. One of the most historical churches in the whole country.
Location. Paseo del Congreso, Caingin, Malolos
How to get there? Ride any jeep going to Malolos capitol. Alight at Malolos flyover and go to Puregold along Paseo del Congreso. Ride a "karatig", Malolos small jeep, going to Barasoain.
8. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL, Malolos
Church details. The seat of the Diocese of Malolos. The church is one of the oldest in Bulacan having been founded in 1580. General Emilio Aguinaldo used this church as the office of the First Philippine Republic from 1898-1899.
Location. Malolos Town Proper.
How to get here? You can just walk from Barasoain Church to reach this one.
9. ST. ANNE CHURCH, Hagonoy
Church details. This church is declared as the "National Shrine of St. Anne". It was also as old as Malolos Cathedral because it was established at the same time as the latter.
Location. Hagonoy Town Proper
How to get there? Just a ride a jeep from Malolos Town Proper. Get off at the front of the church.
Hagonoy Church is the last part of your Southwestern Bulacan Visita Iglesia. The map below shows the part of Bulacan you have visited:
It would be better if you would start your Visita Iglesia early so as to be sure that you will have ample time to visit all the churches in your itinerary. Having your own car will be a big help though you may experience some problem in Hagonoy if you happen to arrive there during high tide. Just keep out from low lying areas and roads of Hagonoy if it happens.
You may also try Northwestern Bulacan or Eastern Bulacan Visita Iglesia (just click the image of the Visita Iglesia you prefer below) :
Magnificent church in Meycauayan, also its beautiful carrozas during good friday..
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen Meycauayan's procession during Good Friday. Siguro, I'll be able to witness it sa mga susunod na taon... :)
DeleteNever been into any church in Bulacan. I hope someday, I can visit some. Here's my Visita Iglesia coverage for this year! :) http://ohohleo.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteST. LAWRENCE THE DEACON AND MARTYR CHURCH, Balagtas is not the same or also known as San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Church as you mentioned here. St. Lawrence, the deacon and martyr is an Italian while San Lorenzo Ruiz is a Filipino, they were not the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correction... You are indeed right... Be rest assured that the error was not intended. Thanks again sir!
DeleteParang di po ata nabanggit ang National Shrine of Divine Mercy sa Marilao? Hehe. Anyway, proud Bulakeña here.😊
ReplyDeleteWill include it in another entry in the future Ma'am Kathleen. :)
DeleteBarasoain chruch is not from caingin. It's from san gabriel city of malolos bulacan
ReplyDeletemeycauayan ^_^
ReplyDeletemeycauayan ^_^
ReplyDeleteInterested ako magprocession sana sa balagtas, bocaue or meycauayan.. anong days po ang mga processions doon? saka ilang caroza po pag sa balagtas? wala ako makita sa flickr na mga pics ng mga poon doon. thanks in advance po
ReplyDeleteMagandang araw po mrpogi29! Salamat sa pagbisita sa aking blog.
DeletePaumanhin po at hindi ko alam ang sched ng mga processions nila. Ako man ay bisita lamang din sa kanilang mga simbahan... :)
Okay.. hopefully may makabasang ibang users na may ibang alam in regard sa schedules and number ng caroza sa balagtas.
ReplyDeletemay isang maliit na parokya sa obando sta. cruz parish chuch magaganda rin ang mga karosa sa holy wed. good fri and salubong... barangay paco obando bulacan
ReplyDeleteWow, I hope to see that too... Thanks for sharing!
DeleteIf you want to see a life size caroza, I recommend to see the procession on holy wednesday and good friday in Baliuag, Bulacan. They have more than 100 carozas.
ReplyDeleteWe are from Balagtas,Bulacan. You don't need to correct because we all know San Lorenzo Ruiz is a Filipino Saint and our church is known as St. Lawrence Deacon and Martyr. We all know that their both saints but our church is the believer of St. Lawrence Deacon and Martyr. Thank you but you San Josenyong Gala you did not say anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteST. FRANCIS OF ASSISSI CHURCH, Meycauayan is located in Barangay Poblacion Meycauayan not in Malhacan.
ReplyDeleteThe church in Malhacan is the San Isidro San Roque Parish Church a.k.a "Simbahang Bilog"