|
 Bulacan
is one of the province that is very rich in history,
culture and tradition in the Philippines. This is one of
the places that Filipino heroes and patriots came from.
Bulacan is also the home of the many talented Filipino
in the field of arts, music and literature. Bulacan is
also one of the province that fought for freedom against
the Spaniards. Bulacan is one of the province that is a
melting pot of the past and the present, the old and the
new, the countryside and the urbane.
Bulacan is a province that was founded in 1578. The
province of Bulacan holds a very special place in the
Philippine history. The descendants of Bulakenyos are
refugees from Bagumbayan during the British occupation
of Manila from 1762 to 1764. At that time the people of
Bulacan is strengthening the Tagalog identity of the
province. During the Spanish period, there are many
historical events that happened here in Bulacan in the
fight for freedom. The most famous is the Biak na Bato
Pact in 1897 which signifies the first phase if the
Philippine Revolution. The first Constitution of the
Philippine Republic was drafted at Barasoain Church in
Bulacan by the leaders of the Philippine independence in
the Malolos Congress in 1898.
Th Province of Bulacan is the home of many Philippine
Heroes and Partiots such as Marcelo H. del Pilar and his
brother Gregorio del Pilar. Not only Filipino Heroes
were born here but also talented people in the field of
arts, music and literature such as Francisco Balagtas
and Jose Corazon de Jesus who is popularly known by his
pen name Huseng Batute. Until now, Bulacan is the only
province who produce the most national artists that
includes Amado Hernandez and Virgilio Almario for
literature; Francisco Santiago and Antonino Buenaventura
for music; Honarata dela Rama for theater; and Jose Joya
for visual arts. There precious works are showcased at
Malolos City’s Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum. |
|
 The
province of Bulacan is still preserving the Filipino
culture music that is handed down from generation
through the lifting if sounds of bamboo. There is a
popular and unique orchestra band name Pangkt Kawayan in
Bulacan that draws music from unconventional bamboo
instruments. The instruments are are made of bamboo in
different sizes, shapes and design that is so unique
that only in Bulacan you can find. Ato Magat,age 74, is
the only living founder of the band in which he claims
that her designed most of the instruments himself. The
band is composed of musically-talented students and
their songs ranges from folksongs to some light
classics, to modern and pop music.
People of Bulacan are also skillful in arts and crafts
like making the cut pastillas wrappers in San Miguel,
exquisite jewelry from Meycauayan, and singkaban bamboo
arches that adorn churches and streets during fiestas.
Bamboo crafting is also one of the main source of income
here in Bulacan. With the use of bamboo, skillful bamboo
craftsmen can make bamboo furniture, towel holders, wine
and candle holders, trays, picture frames and other
decorative and religious items. Hut that are made of
bamboo are also made which is popularly used in resorts
and even home gardens. The most traditional and oldest
use of bamboo in Bulacan is in making the "singkaban".
Bamboo is also widely use in making bamboo decors for
Santacruzans and parades. Bamboo is also used in making
Christmas trees and lanterns.
Singkaban Festival
The popular Festival in the Province of Bulacan is the
Singkaban Festival. Singkabal festival is a festival of
arts and culture in honor of the patron saint of the
province, Our Lady of Victory. Singkaban Festival
shoecases the traditional arts of "Balagtasan", folk
dances and "kundiman" amidst a display of Singkaban
arches. The festival is celebrated in every second week
of September which is in conjunction with the "Linggo ng
Bulakan".
The hightlight of this year's Singkaban is the Kawayan
Festival. The theme of the Festival is "Bagong Bulakenyo:
maka-Diyos, makatao at makakalikasan, mapagmahal sa
pamilya, tapat sa bayan, hinutok ng panahon tulad ng
Kawayan". The bamboo is a metaphor for the "Bagong
Bulakenyo". |
