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Bocaue

Bocaue
Bokawe
Municipality
Municipality of Bocaue
From the top, left to right: Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim, Bocaue Municipal Hall, Saint Martin of Tours Parish Church, Philippine Arena
Official seal of Bocaue
Seal
Nickname: 
Fireworks Capital of the Philippines
Map of Bulacan with Bocaue highlighted
Map of Bulacan with Bocaue highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Bocaue is located in Philippines
Bocaue
Bocaue
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°48′N 120°56′E / 14.8°N 120.93°E / 14.8; 120.93
CountryPhilippines
RegionCentral Luzon
ProvinceBulacan
District 5th district
Founded1582
(as a barrio of Meycauayan)
CharteredApril 11, 1606
(as an independent town)[1][2]
Annexation to BigaaOctober 8, 1903
RestoredNovember 20, 1903
Founded by
  • Dayang Panginuan
  • Fray Juan de Plasencia, OFM
Barangays19 (see Barangays)
Government
 [3]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorEduardo J. Villanueva Jr.
 • Vice MayorSherwin N. Tugna
 • RepresentativeAmbrosio C. Cruz Jr.
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate77,091 voters (2022)
Area
[4]
 • Total
31.87 km2 (12.31 sq mi)
Elevation
9.0 m (29.5 ft)
Highest elevation
40 m (130 ft)
Lowest elevation
−4 m (−13 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[5]
 • Total
141,412
 • Density4,400/km2 (11,000/sq mi)
 • Households
34,682
Demonyms
  • Bocaueño (male)
  • Bocaueña (female)
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
15.13
% (2021)[6]
 • Revenue₱ 596.3 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 697.2 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 475.7 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 256.7 million (2022)
Utilities
 • ElectricityMeralco
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
3018
PSGC
031404000
IDD : area code +63 (0)44
Native languagesTagalog
Websitewww.bocaue.gov.ph

Bocaue [bɔˈkawɛ], officially the Municipality of Bocaue (Tagalog: Bayan ng Bocaue), is a municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 141,412 people.[5]

Among its tourist attractions are a town museum located near the municipality's center and the town's river festival celebrated on the first Sunday of every July. The river festival is in commemoration of the Holy Cross of Wawa, believed to be miraculous by the town's predominantly Roman Catholic population.

Etymology

The town's name comes from the Old Tagalog word "Bukawe", which refers to a type of long bamboo (Schyzostachyum lima).

History

Bocaue was first established by Franciscan missionaries as a barrio and visita of Meycauayan in 1582 and as a town on April 11, 1606, under the advocacy of San Martin de Tours. It was the first town to be granted independence from the old Meycauayan that was then a very large town comprising the present territories of Meycauayan City, Marilao, Santa Maria, San Jose del Monte City, Obando, and Valenzuela City.

After the Philippine–American War, the Philippine Commission was established, part of whose functions was the reorganization of Philippine municipalities and provinces. In 1903, Bulacan province reduced the number of towns from 26 to 19. The town of Balagtas merged with Bocaue, with the former serving as the seat of government from October 8 to November 20 before it was transferred to the latter.[7][8] Bocaue later regained its independence and was reestablished as a town in 1911.

During the Bocaue River Festival of July 2, 1993, around 500 people rode the "floating pagoda" for the Holy Cross of Wawa way beyond the boat's capacity and caused the boat to sink, killing more than two hundred people. Despite the lives lost, no one has been made accountable for the tragedy. This incident became known as the Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy.

On the morning of December 31, 2007, ten fireworks stores burned in Barangay Turo, causing a series of explosions within the area and injuring 7 people.[9][10][11]

Geography

Bocaue is 27 kilometers (17 mi) north-east of Manila if reached via the MacArthur Highway and is 18 kilometers (11 mi) from Malolos City. It is at the mid-southwestern portion of Bulacan. Its land area is 3,187 hectares or 31.87 km2 (12.31 sq mi).

The town is bounded on the north by the municipality of Balagtas and a portion of the municipality of Santa Maria; by the municipalities of Marilao and Obando on the south; a larger portion of Santa Maria on the east; a portion of the municipality of Bulakan on the extreme southwestern side; and a portion of Balagtas on the western side.

Bocaue is traversed by the Bocaue River, a continuation of the confluence of Santa Maria River and San Jose River and a few other minor rivers and creeks, all of which are distributaries of the Angat drainage basin. The main source of Angat River and the Angat drainage basin, as well as their distributaries, is the Sierra Madre mountain range. Along these rivers are many man-made fish ponds used for raising and farming fish like bangus and tilapia.

Bocaue, along with Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Pandi, was once known as comprising the 2nd district of Bulacan. The grouping would later be known as the 5th district of Bulacan. With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, Bocaue is part of Manila's built-up area which reaches San Ildefonso in its northernmost part. The Bocaue River runs through most of the municipality.

Barangays

Bocaue is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[5] 2010[12]
031404001 Antipona 1.6% 2,289 2,298 ▾ −0.04%
031404002 Bagumbayan 2.5% 3,573 2,187 ▴ 5.03%
031404003 Bambang 5.5% 7,830 9,072 ▾ −1.46%
031404004 Batia 22.4% 31,663 19,561 ▴ 4.93%
031404005 Biñang 1st 2.5% 3,496 3,465 ▴ 0.09%
031404006 Biñang 2nd 1.5% 2,072 2,421 ▾ −1.54%
031404007 Bolacan 0.8% 1,199 1,106 ▴ 0.81%
031404008 Bundukan 4.8% 6,796 6,668 ▴ 0.19%
031404009 Bunlo 3.3% 4,686 4,942 ▾ −0.53%
031404010 Caingin 3.9% 5,551 5,253 ▴ 0.55%
031404011 Duhat 5.3% 7,444 7,094 ▴ 0.48%
031404012 Igulot 1.0% 1,408 1,468 ▾ −0.42%
031404013 Lolomboy 11.7% 16,507 16,421 ▴ 0.05%
031404014 Poblacion 0.3% 405 786 ▾ −6.41%
031404015 Sulucan 1.8% 2,572 2,715 ▾ −0.54%
031404016 Taal 6.1% 8,681 8,520 ▴ 0.19%
031404017 Tambobong 3.9% 5,558 4,549 ▴ 2.02%
031404018 Turo 4.3% 6,058 6,000 ▴ 0.10%
031404019 Wakas 1.3% 1,887 1,881 ▴ 0.03%
Total 141,412 106,407 ▴ 2.88%

Climate

Climate data for Bocaue, Bulacan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84) 		30
(86) 		32
(90) 		34
(93) 		33
(91) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		31
(87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68) 		20
(68) 		21
(70) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		22
(72) 		21
(70) 		23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 7
(0.3) 		7
(0.3) 		9
(0.4) 		21
(0.8) 		101
(4.0) 		152
(6.0) 		188
(7.4) 		170
(6.7) 		159
(6.3) 		115
(4.5) 		47
(1.9) 		29
(1.1) 		1,005
(39.7)
Average rainy days 3.3 3.5 11.1 8.1 18.9 23.5 26.4 25.5 24.5 19.6 10.4 6.4 181.2
Source: Meteoblue[13]

Demographics

Population census of Bocaue
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 8,438—    
1918 8,749+0.24%
1939 12,345+1.65%
1948 16,537+3.30%
1960 22,417+2.57%
1970 33,953+4.23%
1975 40,577+3.64%
1980 49,693+4.14%
1990 67,243+3.07%
1995 69,718+0.68%
2000 86,994+4.86%
2007 105,817+2.74%
2010 106,407+0.20%
2015 119,675+2.26%
2020 141,412+3.34%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][12][15][16]

In the 2020 census, the population of Bocaue, Bulacan, was 141,412 people, with a density of 4,400 inhabitants per square kilometer or 11,000 inhabitants per square mile.[5]

Religion

The St Martin of Tours Church of Bocaue, otherwise known as The Diocesan Shrine of Bocaue, is one of the oldest churches in the province of Bulacan. The reputed Mahal na Krus ng Wawa (Beloved Holy Cross of Wawa) is kept here.

The Feast of the Holy Cross of Wawa is a festival held on the first Sunday of July, observed in honor of the Holy Cross of Wawa (Mahal na Krus sa Wawa), a relic believed to have saved the life of an old woman drowning in the Bocaue River. The main feature of this fiesta is the Pagoda, a gaily decorated structure riding on a huge bangka, which glides along the town river carrying people from all walks of life.

Other religious denominations in the town include Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah's Witness, Methodist, Aglipayan, Adventist, Baptist, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are also a number of Evangelical, Pentecostal, Members Church of God International and Charismatic churches, ministries, fellowships, and groups in the municipality. Muslims are also found in the municipality.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Bocaue

5
10
15
20
2006
4.00
2009
3.40
2012
4.21
2015
7.69
2018
7.52
2021
15.13

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Locally made food products in a Bocaue store
Bocaue Public Market

Bocaue's town center is 27 kilometers north of Manila if reached via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Bocaue Exit (in Barangay Turo). NLEX provides fast transport to Metro Manila from where it begins at Mabalacat, Pampanga, and Bocaue is the expressway's middle route.

The town's major industry is fireworks-making, which has earned it the tag "Fireworks Capital of the Philippines". Among the prominent firecracker stores in Bocaue is Eat Bulaga Fireworks, owned by fireworks maker Rommel Eustaquio and named after Eat Bulaga!, the longest-running noontime variety program in the Philippines.[25]

Tourism

In November 2024, Senator Joel Villanueva, Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Eric Zerrudo led the groundbreaking and time capsule laying for a P45- million Bocaue Museum and Cultural Hub at the 18th century Casa de Municipal de Bocaue which will feature a performance arts center and history hub.[26]

Notable natives

Nationally known Bocaueños in the arts include choreographer Francisca Reyes Aquino, TV actress Jewel Mische, and contemporary painter Noli Principe Manalang. Lauro Delgado, a former veteran character actor of Premiere Productions from the early 1950s to the late 1970s, was born in Barangay Bunducan.[27]

Sports and recreation

The Philippine Sports Stadium in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue.

The Philippine Stadium, also known as the New Era University Stadium, is a sports stadium located inside the Ciudad de Victoria, a 75-hectare tourism enterprise zone located in the towns of Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan. With a capacity of up to 25,000, it became the biggest stadium in the Philippines upon its completion.

The Philippine Arena during the opening of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The Philippine Arena, an indoor multi-purpose arena and the centerpiece of Ciudad de Victoria, is located just adjacent to the Philippine Stadium. With a seating capacity of 55,000 it became the largest indoor arena in the world upon its completion in 2014.

Education

The Bocaue Extension building of the St. Paul University of Quezon City

Bocaue is also an education center for the Meycauayan, Marilao, Santa Maria, and Balagtas municipalities area. The state-owned Bulacan Polytechnic College has a campus in Bocaue. Private colleges and universities include the Dr. Yanga's Colleges and Jesus Is Lord Colleges Foundation Inc. New Era University and St. Paul University Quezon City also established branch campuses in the municipality. The municipality also has several elementary and secondary schools, both public and private.

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan
Bocaue Municipal Hall

Sangguniang Bayan (2022–2025)

Mayor Party
Eduardo J. Villanueva, Jr. NUP
Vice Mayor Party
Sherwin N. Tugna NUP

Municipal Councilors:

Councilors Party
Alvin Paul S. Cotaco NUP
Mirasol B. Bautista NUP
Yboyh G. Del Rosario Sr. NUP
Norielito E. German NUP
Francis Jerome G. Reyes NUP
Donnabel M. Celestino Independent
Aristotle L. Nieto NUP
Jerome P. Dela Cruz NUP

Mayors of Bocaue

  • Mariano Ramirez (1900)
  • Gregorio de la Cruz (1901-1902)
  • Vicente L. Enriquez (1902-1904)
  • Victor Pascual (1904-1905)
  • Lorenzo Galvez (1905-1907)
  • Mariano Reyes (1908-1909)
  • Dionisio Morales (1910-1912)
  • Victor Pascual (1913-1916)
  • Honorato Ramirez (1916-1919)
  • Emiliano Eusebio (1919-1922)
  • Guillermo Mendoza (1922-1928)
  • Dominador L. Santos (1928-1933)
  • Gregorio de Guzman (1934-1935)
  • Emiliano Eusebio (1935-1937)
  • Dominador L. Santos (1938-1940)
  • Dioscoro M. Juan, Sr. (1940-1941)
  • Manolito Vistan (1942-1944)
  • Joaquin San Juan (1944)
  • Dioscoro M. Juan, Sr. (1945-1948)
  • Moises E. Nicolas (1948-1952)
  • Evangelino Mendoza (1952-1956)
  • Dioscoro M. Juan, Sr. (1956-1960)
  • Moises E. Nicolas (1960-1965)
  • Simeon Mauricio (1965-1972)
  • Matias B. Ramirez (1972-1979)
  • Zacarias G. del Rosario (1979-1986)
  • Ranulfo David (1986)
  • Cesar N. Nicolas (1987-1988)
  • Lorenzo P. Gonzales (1988-1992)
  • Serafin M. de la Cruz (1992-1999)
  • Jose D.G. Santiago, Sr. (1999-2001)
  • Eduardo J. Villanueva, Jr. (2001-2004)
  • Serafin M. de la Cruz (2004-2007)
  • Eduardo J. Villanueva, Jr. (2007-2016)
  • Eleanor J. Villanueva-Tugna (June 30, 2016 – May 28, 2020)[28][29]
  • Jose C. Santiago, Jr. (Acting mayor May 28, 2020-June 1, 2020, June 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022)[30][31]
  • Eduardo J. Villanueva, Jr. (2022–present)

Vice Mayors of Bocaue

  • Moises E. Nicolas (1956–1958)
  • Cesar N. Nicolas (1986–1988)
  • Serafin M. de la Cruz (1988-1992)
  • Mario Mendoza (1992-1995)
  • Antonio Mendoza (1995–1998)
  • Rogelio Ramos (1998–2001)
  • Peter Christopher Gonzales (2001–2004)
  • Kennedy Valdez (2004–2007)
  • Jose C. Santiago, Jr. (2007–2013)
  • Dioscoro Juan, Jr. (2013–2016)
  • Aldrin B. Sta. Ana (2016–2019)
  • Jose C. Santiago, Jr. (2019–2020)
  • Alvin Paul S.P. Cotaco (2020–2022)
  • Sherwin N. Tugna (2022–present)

Notable personalities

  • The Bocaue Toll Barrier of the NLEX.
    The Bocaue Toll Barrier of the NLEX.
  • A fragment of the Bocaue fireworks shopping strip along MacArthur Highway.
    A fragment of the Bocaue fireworks shopping strip along MacArthur Highway.
  • A part of the MacArthur Highway cutting across Barangay Lolomboy, Bocaue leading to Marilao.
    A part of the MacArthur Highway cutting across Barangay Lolomboy, Bocaue leading to Marilao.
  • View from MacArthur Highway's Bocaue flyover.
    View from MacArthur Highway's Bocaue flyover.
  • The Meralco Duhat Substation at Duhat, Bocaue.
    The Meralco Duhat Substation at Duhat, Bocaue.
  • The NAWASA Bocaue Water District's watertower.
    The NAWASA Bocaue Water District's watertower.
  • From the town's poblacion, this is the west end of the Fortunato Halili Avenue that leads to Barangay Turo (where the town's main fireworks shopping strip is located) and the old Bocaue exit to the NLEX. The avenue also leads to the town of Santa Maria and San Jose del Monte City.
    From the town's poblacion, this is the west end of the Fortunato Halili Avenue that leads to Barangay Turo (where the town's main fireworks shopping strip is located) and the old Bocaue exit to the NLEX. The avenue also leads to the town of Santa Maria and San Jose del Monte City.
  • Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Barangay Taal.
    Saint Peter of Alcantara Parish Church, Barangay Taal.
  • A daytime view of the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue.
    A daytime view of the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue.
  • Another view of the Philippine Sports Stadium in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue.
    Another view of the Philippine Sports Stadium in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue.
  • St. Andrew Kim Parish Church, Barangay Lolomboy
    St. Andrew Kim Parish Church, Barangay Lolomboy
  • Bocaue Museum and Cultural Hub site (18th century Casa de Municipal de Bocaue)
    Bocaue Museum and Cultural Hub site (18th century Casa de Municipal de Bocaue)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Proclamation No. 1268, s. 2007". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. April 10, 2007. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bocaue plans theme park, pyro village". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  3. ^  Municipality of Bocaue | (DILG)
  4. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Act No. 932 (October 8, 1903), "An Act Reducing the Twenty-five Municipalities of the Province of Bulacan to Thirteen", Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources, archived from the original on October 21, 2023, retrieved July 3, 2023
  8. ^ Act No. 1002 (November 20, 1903), "An Act Amending; Act Numbered Nine Hundred and Thirty-two, Entitled "an Act Reducing the Twenty-five Municipalities of the Province of Bulacan to Thirteen."", Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources, archived from the original on October 21, 2023, retrieved July 3, 2023
  9. ^ "Bulacan, Philippines: Bocaue, Bulacan: History". www.bulacan.gov.ph. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Limos, Mario Alvaro (December 27, 2019). "The History of How Bulacan Became the Country's Fireworks Mecca". Esquiremag.ph. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bocaue remembers 1993 pagoda tragedy". Rappler. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  13. ^ "Bocaue: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  14. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  15. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  16. ^ "Province of Bulacan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  17. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  18. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  19. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  20. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  21. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  22. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  25. ^ "Aldub helps sales of firecrackers sour". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  26. ^ Silverio, Frederick (November 25, 2024). "P45-M museum, cultural hub to rise in Bocaue". The Manila Times. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "March 9, 1899, Francisca Reyes-Aquino was born in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan". The Kahimyang Project. November 12, 2013. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  28. ^ "Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Joni Villanueva dies". GMA News. May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  29. ^ "Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Joni Villanueva dies". GMA News. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  30. ^ "Happening today is the oath taking of Jose C. Santiago, Jr. as the new Municipal Mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan. This is to fill-up the vacancy left by the late Mayor Eleanor J. Villanueva-Tugna. | DILG-Bulacan". facebook.com. June 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "Happening today is the oath taking of Jose C. Santiago, Jr. as the new Municipal Mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan. This is to fill-up the vacancy left by the late Mayor Eleanor J. Villanueva-Tugna". facebook.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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