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).

Alay kay San Ildefonso : Bulak Festival 2018!

I was meant to witness this year's Bulak Festival of San Ildefonso, Bulacan.



That was what I realized when from out of not having any idea that it was already going to happen, I came across a Facebook post saying that it indeed is going to be celebrated this January 22, 2017. I immediately left a private message to the Mayor's FB Page asking about some other details about the celebration but I got no reply - and I understand that they may be very busy for the preparation.

Nine (9) San Jose del Monte Churches for your Visita Iglesia

San Jose del Monte, being very near to Metro Manila, is a perfect place for anyone who wants to do their annual Visita Iglesia tradition. The city can be found just north of Caloocan and Quezon City and easily accessible through Quirino Highway from the south and the North Luzon Expressway from the west (through either Marilao or Bocaue Exit). 

The most famous crowd drawer of San Jose del Monte during Lenten Season is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Barangay Graceville, even though the said church is currently not under the ministration of the Diocese of Malolos. Aside from Grotto, 2 other notable churches are located in the city namely, the historical San Jose del Monte Church and the San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Church. These two plus another six parish churches, which can also be found in the city, comprises the Vicariate of Saint Joseph the Worker under the Diocese of Malolos.

To help people who decided to do their Visita Iglesia in San Jose del Monte, here is a detailed church hopping guide to the 8 parish churches of the city plus the famous Lenten Season destination of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.

The map below shows San Jose del Monte and the locations of the churches in this Visita Iglesia guide. 

San Jose del Monte Visita Iglesia

25 Bulacan Churches for your Visita Iglesia (Part 1)

For many people, Holy Week is that time of the year when they would visit churches as their own way of penitence and observing the sanctity of the Christ's passion in the cross. Some would go to far-away provinces to visit different churches though many would prefer nearer churches, especially those who are from Metro Manila. Fortunately, Bulacan, a province just north of Metro Manila, has many churches which are perfect for a meaningful Visita Iglesia.

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 Eastern Bulacan:

1. SAN LORENZO RUIZ DE MANILA CHURCH, San Jose del Monte City

Singkaban Festival 2013 : A Showcase of Bulacan Culture and Artistry

Singkaban (SIniNG at KAlinangan ng BulakAN) Festival is an annual provincial event which started during the tenure of then Gov. Jon-jon Mendoza. It was held since then up to the present administration though some events were scrapped such as float parade and street dancing - two most awaited part of the festival, during the past 3 years (2010-2012) for austerity measure. Fortunately, those events were revived this year, and I am personally wishing, it would go on for the coming years.

Singkaban Festival Street Dancers. Malolos, Bulacan.

The Awakening of My Wanderlust : Bulacan Tour 2012

In April of 2012, I became an active forumer of Skyscrapercity, a forum dedicated about developments in the different parts of the Philippines. Naturally, I became active in posting at the Bulacan thread because I am from Bulacan.

I came across one of the forumer's post inviting forumers to tour Bulacan in one day and I decided I have to join the tour, given the fact that I have long planned to visit all Bulacan Towns and Cities but was not able to do so. William, the one who arranged the Bulacan tour immediately replied to my private message and told me the details of the tour and the week of preparation followed soon. 

THE DAY I GOT TO FINALLY TOUR (Large part of) BULACAN

Guiguinto Church

The day of the tour came (May 12, 2012) and I finally met the Bulacan forumers in person : William from Balagtas, Juan from Santa Maria, Marcjeff from Malolos, and Informatician from San Jose del Monte. In addition to them, we also have visitors from other provinces: Rod from Isabela, Hugo from La Union and Rusty from Tarlac. We rented a van so that it would be easier for us to tour around the province.

First stop is the town of Guiguinto. We visited the Church of St. Ildephonsus, the town church which was built in the Spanish period, just like many of Bulacan's town churches.

The church is closed but luckily, the caretaker opened it for us so we had the chance to check out the interior of the Church. Unfortunately, the church interior is already renovated and the old altar, constructed in the 1800's, were already replaced with a modern one.