One of the provinces that is highly urbanized and could never be missed when traveling north, dubbed as the ” Gateway to the North”, since its location is just at the northern tip of Metro Manila. The province has a rich national heritage, culture, historical places and monuments, also, it is home to many national heroes, artists, sport figures, politicians and to sum it up a place of so many popular folks in all walks of life. Bulakenyos and in the Province of Bulacan.

The Province of Bulacan is composed of 21 municipalities of Angat, Balagtas, Baliuag, Bocaue, Bulacan, Bustos, Calumpit, Dona Remedios Trinidad, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Marilao, Norzargaray, Obando, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael and Santa Maria with 3 cities as Meycauayan , San Jose del Monte City and Malolos City as its capital. The predominant language is Tagalog and spoken almost by all of its residents and Kapangpangan due to its proximity to the Province of Pampanga.

Business has never been better as the real estate industry is booming in this province. ( I’m still scouting for a nice place since I missed an opportunity. ) Affordable housing is being built on almost everywhere in its municipalities with elegant homes being built on plush subdivisions and prime locations. Shopping complexes and malls are being built to facilitate the growing number of residents migrating to this province and relocating on prime properties. While farming is still a major industry, livestock raising from small scale to grandiose can be seen throughout Bulacan with major corporations planting their footholds such as B-Meg, San Miguel or Robina Farms. Not only that as investments on other opportunities such as aqua culture and food processing is growing on a rapid phase with thousands of jobs being created. Garment, leather, jewelry, furniture and handicraft manufacturing or processing are on the rise paving the way for more jobs, investments, trading, a good economical growth for both the provincial and national government. Marble, quarry tiles, stones, ceramic or porcelain manufacturing are at its best. Most locals as well as foreigners and even expatriates are taking advantage of this growing opportunities that is taking place.

Bulacan also makes one of the best sweets and other delicacies in the country and are being exported worldwide. Its even considered as an income generating opportunity for most residents as it can be easily manufactured from home. One of the most popular is the trademark brand Bulacan Sweets, which has polvoron, pastillas de leche, kalamay, suman, puto, cassava among others. Native dishes are my favorites too such as sinigang sa miso, embotido, kaldereta, bopis and many more. Their distinct preparation of foods and presentation is one of the finest in the land.

Tourism in Bulacan is also a major industry boasting of exquisite accommodations, historical sites, theme parks, resorts, ecological parks, golf courses and sports complexes not to mention shopping which is invariably almost present elsewhere. Festivals are one of the most celebrated and watched by everyone with bands and colorful parades marching through the streets, dancing, singing, beauty pageants, sports and all kinds of festivities for a fiesta. The best of the best of fiestas and the pride of Bulacan is the Singkaban Fiesta, a showcase of various bamboo products from musical instruments to varities of ingenuities. Some of the famous festivals in the Province of Bulacan are the following:

• Feast of the Holy Cross of Wawa in Bocaue
• Calumpit Libad Festival
• Santa Cruzan in Malolos
• Luyang Dilaw in Marilao
• Obando fertility Dance
• Linggo ng Bulakan
• Sto.Nino Festival
• Baliuag Lenten Procession
• Lenten Rites in Paombong
• Plaridel Horse Festival
• Pulilan Carabao Festival
• Angel Festival in San Rafael
• Sukang Paombong Festival
• Buntal Hat Festival
• Bulak Festival in San Ildefonso
• Dumagat Festival in San Jose