Caloocan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Caloocan Kalookan
Highly urbanized city
Bonifacio Monument Caloocan City Hall La Loma Cemetery Caloocan Cathedral Caloocan Sports Complex Thai To Taoist Temple
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  Aksyon at Malasakit
Anthem: "Mabuhay ang Caloocan"
Location of Caloocan within Metro Manila
OpenStreetMap
Caloocan Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	National Capital Region
Province	none
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	1815
Cityhood	February 16, 1962
Highly urbanized city	December 22, 1979
Barangays	193 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	55.80 km2 (21.54 sq mi)
Elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Highest elevation	514 m (1,686 ft)
Lowest elevation	-2 m (−6.6 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	1,661,584
• Rank	4th
• Density	29,777.5/km2 (77,123/sq mi)
• Households	404,252
Economy
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	4.20 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 6,812 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 21,772 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 8,501 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 9,939 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Manila Electric Company (Meralco)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)02
Native languages	Tagalog
Catholic diocese	Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan
Patron saint	St. Roch
Website	caloocancity.gov.ph

Caloocan, also called the City of Caloocan, is a very busy and important city in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is home to many people, with a population of over 1.6 million. This makes it the fourth-most populated city in the Philippines.

Caloocan is special because it's split into two separate parts. This happened because some of its land was given to Quezon City in 1949. It used to be part of the Province of Rizal. Caloocan is also part of the CAMANAVA area, which includes the cities of Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela.

The southern part of Caloocan is next to Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela. This area is full of shops, factories, and homes, making it a key business center. The northern part of Caloocan borders Quezon City, Valenzuela, and towns in Bulacan and Rizal provinces. This area mostly has homes and large housing developments.

What Does the Name Caloocan Mean?

The name Caloocan comes from Tagalog words. Lo-ok means "bay", and sulok means "corner". This makes sense because of where the city is located. Another idea is that it comes from kalook-lookan or kaloob-looban, meaning "innermost area".

Sometimes, you might see the city's name spelled as Kalookan. This is because there was a discussion in the 1970s and 1980s about using the Filipino spelling. Even though some people prefer "Kalookan," the official spelling used by the city government and most places is "Caloocan."

A Quick Look at Caloocan's History

Caloocan has a rich history, especially during the time when the Philippines was fighting for its freedom.

Spanish Times and the Philippine Revolution

Caloocan started as a small settlement where the old towns of Tondo and Tambobong met. It was near a lagoon called Dagat-Dagatan. Over time, people moved to a stony hill called "Kaloogan," meaning "interior territory." This became the new center of the community around 1802.

In 1815, Caloocan became its own town, separate from Tondo. Its land was much bigger back then, reaching far to the east and north. Many people from Tondo who felt oppressed moved to Caloocan. They even built a new church facing the town hall.

Caloocan played a very important role in the Philippine Revolution. It was a secret meeting place for the Katipunan, a group that wanted to free the Philippines from Spanish rule. Andrés Bonifacio and his men held secret meetings here. The first armed fight between the Katipunan and the Spanish also happened near Caloocan. The revolution officially began after the "Cry of Balintawak" on August 30, 1896.

American Rule and Cityhood

When the Americans arrived in 1899, the people of Caloocan resisted. There was heavy fighting in the Philippine–American War, including the Battle of Caloocan. In 1901, Caloocan became a municipality of the new Rizal Province. Later, in 1903, the town of Novaliches also became part of Caloocan.

During World War II, in 1942, Caloocan was briefly merged with Manila and Quezon City to form the "City of Greater Manila." But after the war, in 1945, it went back to being a municipality of Rizal.

Caloocan officially became a city on February 16, 1962. It remained part of Rizal Province until 1975, when it joined the National Capital Region.

How Caloocan's Borders Changed

Territorial changes of Caloocan.
     Existing territorial boundaries
     Detached by Commonwealth Act No. 502 (1939)
     Detached by Republic Act No. 392 (1949)

Caloocan used to be much larger. Areas like Balintawak, La Loma, and Novaliches were once part of it. Balintawak is famous as the original site of the "Cry of Pugad Lawin." Novaliches had hills that were used by Andrés Bonifacio and the Katipunan for meetings and hiding.

In 1939, when Quezon City was created, Caloocan gave up a large portion of its land, about 1,500 hectares. Residents agreed, hoping it would help the new capital city. However, in 1949, another law changed the boundary again. Many areas, including parts of Novaliches, were taken from Caloocan. This is why Caloocan is now split into two parts: a busy southern section and a more residential northern section.

Where is Caloocan Located?

Caloocan is divided into two parts that are not connected. The total area of the city is about 53.334 square kilometers.

South Caloocan

This part is about 13.625 square kilometers. It is surrounded by Manila, Quezon City, Navotas, Malabon, and Valenzuela. This area is mostly flat and easy to get around. It's where most of the city's businesses and factories are located.

North Caloocan

This part is larger, about 39.709 square kilometers. It shares borders with Quezon City, Valenzuela, and towns in Bulacan and Rizal provinces. This area has more hills and slopes. Many homes and residential areas have been built here.

What is the Land Like?

The land in Caloocan is mostly flat in the south, becoming gently sloping in the north. The highest point in the city is about 35 meters above sea level. The soil in Caloocan is mostly reddish-brown and is good for building.

Rivers and Creeks

Caloocan has many natural waterways like creeks and rivers, as well as man-made drainage canals. These help to remove excess water from the land. Important rivers include the Tinajeros-Tullahan River and the Meycauayan-Marilao River.

Weather in Caloocan

Caloocan has a tropical climate. It is generally warm all year round. The city experiences a dry season and a wet season with more rain.

Barangays: The City's Neighborhoods

Barangays of South Caloocan with corresponding area names

Barangays of North Caloocan with corresponding area names (before the 2024 split of Bagong Silang)

Caloocan has 193 barangays, which are like small neighborhoods or villages. These are grouped into three legislative districts. Most barangays in the southern part of Caloocan are smaller than those in the northern part.

The city also uses a "Zone System," where barangays are grouped into 16 zones. This system is mainly for keeping track of information, not for electing leaders.

Bagong Silang (Barangay 176) in North Caloocan used to be the most populated barangay in the entire country. It was a place where many families were relocated. Because it was so big, it was recently divided into six smaller barangays in 2024. On the other hand, Barangay 76 in South Caloocan is one of the least populated barangays in Metro Manila.

How Many People Live in Caloocan?

In 2020, Caloocan had 1,661,584 people, making it the fourth largest city in the Philippines by population. The southern part of Caloocan had about 585,091 people, and the northern part had about 998,887 people. If these two parts were separate cities, they would still be among the largest in the country!

Most people in Caloocan speak Filipino (which is based on Tagalog) and English. You might also hear other languages and dialects spoken.

The main religion in Caloocan is Roman Catholicism. The city is home to the main church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan. There are also many other churches, including Iglesia ni Cristo and various Protestant churches.

What is Caloocan's Economy Like?

Malansing Market in Sangandaan

Caloocan has a strong and active economy. In 2024, it ranked 15th among all local government units in the Philippines for its economic growth.

The 10th Avenue area in Caloocan is famous for its many motorcycle shops and spare parts dealers. You'll also find many banks and financial services throughout the city.

999 Shopping Mall Caloocan

Caloocan has lots of places to shop! There are many large shopping malls and supermarkets. In the southern part, you can find SM City Grand Central, Victory Central Mall, and SM Center Sangandaan. In the northern part, there's Zabarte Town Center and SM City Caloocan.

Many factories and industrial areas are also located in Caloocan. The northern part has manufacturers, while the southern part has plastic and steel industries. There's even a special economic zone called Victoria Wave Special Economic Zone, which helps businesses grow.

The company that manages the North Luzon Expressway, NLEX Corporation, has its main office in Caloocan. Important parts of this expressway, like the NLEX Harbor Link and NLEX Connector, pass through the city. These roads help connect Caloocan to other parts of the Philippines.

Getting Around Caloocan

Transportation

The Balintawak Toll Barrier of the North Luzon Expressway

The northern terminus of EDSA in Caloocan

A train of the LRT Line 1 serving the Monumento area

Caloocan has several ways to get around. The LRT Line 1 train has two stations in the southern part of the city: Monumento and 5th Avenue. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) also has a train line with stations in Caloocan. Soon, the MRT Line 7 and the North–South Commuter Railway will also have stations here, making travel even easier.

The city has a wide network of roads. One of the most famous is Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, which starts in the Monumento area. The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) also has its main operations center and a toll barrier in Caloocan. Extensions of NLEX, like the NLEX Harbor Link and NLEX Connector, also go through the city, connecting it to places like Navotas and the Port of Manila.

Famous Places to See

Thai To Taoist Temple

The most famous landmark in Caloocan is the monument dedicated to Andrés Bonifacio, a hero of the Philippine Revolution. This impressive monument stands where several major roads meet. It was built in 1933 and has sculptures by a famous artist, Guillermo Tolentino. The monument marks the very first battle of the Philippine Revolution on August 3, 1896. The area around it is known as 'Monumento'.

Other important historical places in the city include:

• A lot on P. Zamora Street where Andrés Bonifacio's wife once lived.
• Santa Quiteria Church in Baesa.
• Our Lady of Grace Parish in 11th Avenue.
• La Loma Cemetery, which is the oldest cemetery in Manila.
• Thai To Taoist Temple along 6th Avenue.

Education in Caloocan

Caloocan High School

Caloocan has many schools and colleges. The city's own public university is the University of Caloocan City. Other colleges include University of the East Caloocan and Manila Central University.

The Schools Division Office (SDO) - Caloocan City manages 89 public schools and many private schools up to high school level. Some notable public high schools are Caloocan National Science and Technology High School and Caloocan City Science High School. There are also private schools like Philippine Cultural College and St. Mary's Academy of Caloocan City.

Sister Cities

Caloocan has special connections with other cities, both in the Philippines and around the world. These are called "sister cities."

In the Philippines

• Calamba, Laguna
• Malabon, Metro Manila
• San Jose del Monte, Bulacan

Around the World

• Incheon, South Korea

Images for kids

• 

  Bonifacio Monument

• 

  Shrine of Our Lady of Grace

• 

  Sto. Niño de Bagong Silang Church

• 

  View of Grace Park from the new city hall

• 

  View of Barangays 15 and 16 from the old city hall

• 

  Caloocan Judicial Complex

• 

  Ung Siu Si Buddhist Temple

• 

  Schools Division Office of Caloocan

• 

  Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Tala

• 

  Kalookan Cockpit Arena in Kaybiga

• 

  Glorieta Park

• 

  Caloocan City North Medical Center in Camarin

Notable People from Caloocan

• Benjie Paras, a famous actor and former basketball player.

See also

In Spanish: Caloocan para niños