Suggested itinerary for a Bulacan day tour

[yojimbo]

I'll be having some balikbayan guests for this month. Since it will coincide with the independence day celebrations, I'll be having a heritage tour. I've got the Intramuros tour, the Aguinaldo loop and Manila museums covered. I want to take them to Bulacan, the seat of the revolution. You can't find Bulacan in Lonely Planet guidebooks. Any suggestions? (Especially on where to eat, yum!)

[kartoonista]

I suggest you try Malolos. My Mom's from that town and the historical attractions are Barasoain Church (there's a converted convent/museum beside the church with the photographs of the members of the original congress, an autographed photo of Aguinaldo's parade, some old furnitures, a diorama, some old books, and antique frock). Open Hours: 8am-12pm, 1pm-5pm (Mon-Fri) it's closed: Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. The Cathedral of Malolos (this is not far from Barasoain, it's in the middle of the town actually). This is where Emilio Aguinaldo had his official quarters when he stayed in the town. On the right side of the church is the "Kamestisuhan" part of the town. There are a lot of old houses there, and you'll also find the site of the house where Rizal wrote the women (you'll only find a historical marker by the gate, there's a modern house on the lot). There's another museum nearby looking like a pristine white restored Bahay-na-Bato with peculiar sculptures dotting the walls.

A private residence housing the printing press also used by the revolutionary government to print their propaganda materials. There's also the Casa Real Museum, and going to the direction of Matimbo you can also see the marker of Gen. Isidoro Torres' former home(?). Torres is the lone congress member from Malolos. :D

Further off to the next town of San Jose you'll find a small park built around the grave marker of Marcelo Del Pilar and some minutes away you'll arrive a the former site of the house where Gen. Gregorio del Pilar was born.

Last, but not the least, right on the edge of Bulacan in San Miguel (a good 3-4 hours away) you'll see the site of negotiations between Spain and Aguinaldo's government for the fate of the country: Biak-Na-Bato.

I'll try to remember what other places you can go to. Hope you guys enjoy your time there. *okay*

[iskaliber]

basta...don't forget to buy inipit :drool2: