Pulilan, Bulacan

Pulilan
Municipality
Bayan ng Pulilan
(From top,left to right):Municipal Hall of Pulilan; San Isidro Labrador Parish Church; Bantayog ng Magsasaka (top of Rural Bank of Florida);Carabaos kneeling in front of San Isidro Labrador Church
Seal
Nickname(s): "Pulo ng iilan" "The Center of Commerce and Industry in Northern Bulacan" "Home of the famous Kneeling Carabao Festival" "The Town blessed by San Isidro Labrador"
Motto: Sa Bagong Pulilan, Kitang-kita Ang Kaunlaran
Anthem: Himno ng Pulilan "Ako ang Pulileño"
Map of Bulacan with Pulilan highlighted
Pulilan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°54′N 120°51′E / 14.9°N 120.85°E / 14.9; 120.85Coordinates: 14°54′N 120°51′E / 14.9°N 120.85°E / 14.9; 120.85
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	Bulacan
District	1st District
Founded	January 20, 1749
Settlement	January 20, 1796
Barangays	19
Government[1]
• Mayor	Maritz Ochoa-Montejo (Liberal)
• Vice Mayor	Ricardo Candido (PDP-Laban)
Area[2]
• Total	39.89 km2 (15.40 sq mi)
Highest elevation	40 m (130 ft)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	97,323
• Density	2,400/km2 (6,300/sq mi)
• Poverty rate	4.8%
Demonym(s)	Pulileño, Pulileña
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	3005
IDD : area code	+63 (0)44
Income class	1st class urban
Electricity	Manila Electric Company
• Consumption	63.65 million kWh (2003)
Website	www.pulilan.gov.ph

Pulilan is a first class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 97,323 people.^[3]

The town is famous for its Carabao Festival where carabaos are paraded and kneel as they pass through San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, in honor to the town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.

Many years ago, Pulilan was primarily a little-known rural town in the northern part of Bulacan where its economy heavily dependent on farming and poultry raising. Most of the population committed their entire lives on farming as their livelihood. Today, the town is moving towards commercialization and industrialization as it is becoming one of the major growth-rate area and center of commerce and industry in the province.

Because of the major economic growth,due to presence of commercial establishments,real estates,industrial plants and major road projects.Pulilan has experienced increased in the total gross income in the past few years.The town's income in year 2014 was P254,593,126.17,an increase of P52,191,359.79 from its previous income in 2011.It surpass the income of fifteen municipalities in Bulacan such as San Miguel, Bocaue, Plaridel, Hagonoy and Calumpit.

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is now included in Manila built up area which reaches San Ildefonso in its Northernmost part.

Etymology

San Isidro was the former name of Pulilan and once a part of the ancient province of Pampanga.Long ago, it was called by the locals as "Pulo ng Iilan" because during those days it was inhabited only by few people.Few years later, the town renamed "Pulilan", it was from this epitaph "Pulo ng Iilan" that the name Pulilan was derived.

History

Pre-Spanish Period

The ancient town of Pulilan was first documented as Puliran in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, a pre-colonial Philippine document written in 900 A.D.The native population at the time of the document were ruled by the sovereign Lord Ka-Sumuran (see Laguna Copperplate Inscription).

Declaration of Independence

An Augustian fray, Fray Vicente Villamanzaro, was made to declare the settlement of a town on January 20, 1796.It was assigned a patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, after whose name he wanted the town identified.

From the time the nation acquired its Independence the inhabitants of Pulilan have committed themselves in a determined effort to improve their lot.The influence of the Spanish, American and Japanese occupations, have in a measure, contributed to the promotion of their welfare, but the Pulileños, as they are known, treasure their great heritage.

The Kneeling Carabao Festival

San Isidro Labrador or Saint Isidore the Laborer, the patron saint of the farmers, is the patron saint of the town as well. The traditional date of his liturgical feast, which through not included in the General Roman Calendar has been celebrated for centuries in several countries and diocese is May 15.However, it is in the 14th day of May that Pulileños (people of Pulilan) celebrate the feast in honor of their saint by parading carabaos and making them kneel in front of the church as a sign of respect for their patron saint of farmers.Also included in the parade are cows, horses, street folk dancers, marching bands and floats of commercial establishments of the town.

Geography

Topography

Pulilan is one of the 21 towns of Bulacan province, located in about its center—from north to south.It lies 50 kilometres north-west of Manila, the capital city of the country and 20 kilometres away from the Malolos, the capital of the province.It has an area of about 4,073 hectares. It is bounded on the north by Apalit in Pampanga; on the east by Baliuag; on the south by Plaridel; and on the west by Calumpit. The Angat River cutting its way through the eastern edge of Baliuag, and the southern fringes of Pulilan down to the tributary of Manila Bay south-west of Calumpit, serves as the boundary with Plaridel. Its feature is flat and the soil is suited to farming.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification system, the climate in Pulilan is tropical.It said that there is significant rainfall here most of the months.February is the driest month while the rainiest month is July.Dry season covers the months of January to April and wet season covers the months of May to December.

Barangays

Pulilan is politically subdivided into 19 barangay.^[2] The biggest barangay in terms of land area is Dulong Malabon while the most populated barangay is Poblacion and the least populated barangay is Sta. Peregrina.

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of Pulilan, Bulacan, was 97,323 people,^[3] with a density of 2,400 inhabitants per square kilometre or 6,200 inhabitants per square mile.

The continuous increase in the population of Pulilan may not only be cause of the growing population of the natives but also to the influx of migrants from nearby places.

Literacy rate

Based on the Demographic Profile of the Municipality of Pulilan,the total number of households in 2008 are 17,002.Ninety-nine percent of the total number of household members are literate.They are able to read and write a simple message in any language or dialect.

Religion

Like other municipality,most of the inhabitants of Pulilan are Catholic and it is evident by their strong faith and devotion on their patron saint San Isidro Labrador.

Catholic Church and Chapels

Exterior of Mahal na Señor Jesus Nazareno Chapel in Lumbac

Interior

Government

Municipal Hall

Just as the national government,the municipal government of Pulilan is divided into three branches which are the executive,legislative and judiciary.

The Local Government Units (LGUs) have control of the executive and legislative branch.While the judicial branch is administrated solely by the Supreme Court (SC).

The executive branch is composed of the mayor and barangay captain for the barangay.The legislative branch is composed of the Sanguniang Bayan (town council) and Sanguniang Barangay (Barangay council).The council is in charge of creating the municipality's policies in the form of ordinance and resolution.

The Mayor is the executive head and leads the municipal department in executing ordinances and improving public services.The Vice Mayor heads a council consisting of 10 members:8 councilors and 2 ex-officio members.

Current officials

Here is the list of the newly elected officials of the Municipality of Pulilan:

• Maritz Ochoa-Montejo is the First Female Mayor of Pulilan and one of the few female officials in the Philippine government while Ricardo Candido,a former councilor won as the Vice Mayor in a tight race over his closest rival Dr. Carlo Castillo,son of the former Vice Mayor Elpidio Castillo.
• Five of the current councilors of Pulilan are from Liberal Party while the two other councilors are from PDP-Laban and one councilor ran as an Independent candidate.

Past officials

Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC)

Official seal

The official seal of the municipality of Pulilan serves as the towns identity for many years.Each of the symbols incorporated into this emblem represents the glorious past of the town and its culture and traditions. It includes the following:

• The Kneeling Carabao - is where the town is famous of. Every 14 May, the feast of the Kneeling Carabao is celebrated as a festival and at the same time a thanksgiving for their ever guiding patron saint San Isidro Labrador.
• San Isidro Labrador Parish Church - the home of their patron saint. This is the religious center of the town where religious activities, particularly worship services are held.
• Rice Fields - the major source of income in the municipality.
• Nipa hut - the ancient house or residence of most of the Pulileños.
• Mango tree - are abundant in the town and one of the major industry here.
• Bamboo pieces - it serve as the border of the emblem.It also represents how Pulileños are resilient and optimistic after all calamities.

Economy

Pulilan Public Market

The municipality of Pulilan has basically an agri-based economy.Farming,fishing,swine, and poultry raising were the dominant economic industries and livelihood of the natives of the town prior to the influx of industries towards the end of the century.

Major industries

• Flowers/ornamental plants
• Food/food processing
• Garments
• Gifts/House decors
• Marble/marble processing
• Poultry and hog raising
• Furnitures

Tourism

Tourism is one of the emerging industry in the municipality of Pulilan.Every year, thousands of tourists visited this magnificent town.Most of the tourists come to witness the Kneeling Carabao Festival wherein the town is prominent.It is a bountiful occasion where different kinds of bufallos such as carabaos led the parade in the streets of the town together with the street dancers, marching bands and colorful floats.When they reach the church, they kneel in front of it as giving respect to their saint.This spectacular yet remarkable festivity is held every 14 May, one day before the feast of San Isidro Labrador, the town's patron saint.This is not only a tribute on their patron saint but also to the carabaos for their hardwork during farming season.This festival is also a celebration for a year-long bountiful harvest.Pulilan is not only well known for its festival but also famous because of numerous tourist attractions located in the vicinity of the town.

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church is where the carabaos during the feast are made kneel as tribute to the their patron saint.This is a 19th-century baroque church located at the Kabayanan or the town's administrative center (Poblacion).It is also a famous pilgrimage site in Bulacan during the Holy Week or "Kuaresma".The Museo San Ysidro Labrador is also situated here.(for more info visit San Isidro Labrador Church).

Pulilan Municipal Trial Court

Museo de Pulilan is the new name of Pulilan Municipal Trial Court after it was restored in 2013.It is also known by the locals as the former Gabaldon Building located in Barangay Poblacion near the Municipal Hall Compound.Now, it is one of the famous tourist destinations not only in the municipality but in the whole province of Bulacan because of its cultural and historical features.Inside this museum are different sculptures,paintings and old documents about the history of the town.

Adriano Salvador Heritage House

Adriano Salvador Heritage House

It is dubbed as the "Malacañang of Pulilan",in 1908 this historical house served as the joint municipal of two ancient towns of Quingua (Plaridel) and San Isidro (Pulilan).

Casanova-Aguirre Ancestral House

Casanova-Aguirre Ancestral House

This ancestral house is one of the most well-preserved old house in Bulacan.It is situated near the boundaries of barangay Poblacion and Lumbac.This a famous tourist spot because of its preserved beauty and scenic view.It is also known as the site of the 2006 Filipino romantic film, Moments of Love starring Iza Calzado and Dingdong Dantes.

Aguirre Centennial House

This Centennial House is located inside the Butterfly Haven Resort and one of the main tourist attraction inside the resort because of its unique and distinct architecture.This 100-year-old house is owned by the family of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Lita Aguirre.

Other point of interest

• Padre Pio Fortress
• Pulilan Welcome Arch
• Tabon Sun Signal Tower
• Dampol Signal Tower
• Pulilan Town Plaza
• Municipal Hall of Pulilan
• Bantayog ng Magsasaka (Top of Rural Bank of Florida)
• Dambana ni San Isidro
• Big Ben Farm
• Pulilan Butterfly Haven (Poblacion)

Infrastructure

Transportation

Pulilan-Baliwag Highway

Pulilan can be accessed through private vehicles,jeepneys,tricycles and even buses.Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) stationed in Robinsons Townville which have routes passing through Pulilan Regional Road and several barangays to Lumbac,Dampol 2nd-B and to its nearby town of Calumpit.While tricycles serve the interior of barangays and residential areas.

Major roads:

• Pulilan Regional Road (Pulilan going to Calumpit)
• Pulilan-Plaridel Diversion Road
• Old Cagayan Valley Road
• Doña Remedios Trinidad Highway (Pulilan going to Baliwag)
• Pulilan NLEX Exit
• Pulilan-Baliwag Diversion Road/commonly known as Pulilan Bypass Road (Under construction)

Health

Hospitals:

• Our Lady of Mercy General Hospital (Longos)
• Dr. Magdalena Reyes Memorial Hospital (formerly The Good Shepperd Hospital) (Poblacion)
• F.M Cruz Orthopedic and General Hospital

Clinics:

• Numerous Dental and Medical Clinics
• Manalo-Cruz Medical (Maternity and Lying-in Clinic)
• Roque-Baez Medical Clinic
• St.Patrick Medical Clinic (Poblacion)
• Bernardo-Cruz Medical Clinic
• Ma.Trinity Diagnostic Center (Paltao)
• Hilario Medical Clinic
• Eye Clinic (Poblacion)
• Pulilan Doctors
• St. Claire Clinic
• Milen Medical Clinic
• Villa Mendoza Dental Clinic

Rural Health Units:

• Rural Health Unit 1 - Poblacion
• Rural Health Unit 2 - Cutcot

Education

Pulilan has numerous public and private-owned school where many of the Pulileños went to study.Here are the list of some schools,academies,institutes and colleges that are located in Pulilan.

Bulacan State University Pulilan

Public Elementary and High Schools

Private Elementary and High Schools

Colleges/Universities

Gallery

• 
  Overview of La Pulilan Resort and Angat River from Pulilan-Plaridel Bridge
• 
  Robinsons Townville Mall situated in Pulilan, Bulacan
• 
  Pulilan Municipal Trial Court
• 
  Kneeling Carabao Statue in Longos
• 
  View of Angat River
• 
  Gat.Jose P. Rizal Statue at Pulilan Plaza
• 
  Pulilan Gymnasium
• 
  Save the Unborn - Knights of Columbus Statue in front of San Isidro Parish Church

References

^[1]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pulilan, Bulacan.

• www.pulilan.gov.ph
• Pulilan Bulacan
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• https://Commons.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jf9803Pulilan_Municipal_Hall_Bulacan_Coplexfvf_30.JPG

		Apalit, Pampanga
	Calumpit		Baliuag
		Pulilan
		Plaridel

Province of Bulacan
Malolos (capital)
Municipalities	Angat Balagtas Baliuag Bocaue Bulakan Bustos Calumpit Doña Remedios Trinidad Guiguinto Hagonoy Marilao Norzagaray Obando Pandi Paombong Plaridel Pulilan San Ildefonso San Miguel San Rafael Santa Maria
Component cities	Malolos Meycauayan San Jose del Monte
Misc.	List of people from Bulacan List of radio stations in Bulacan

1. ↑ http://bayangpinagpala.blogspot.com/2006/11/pailah-is-pila-laguna.html