Pulilan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pulilan
Municipality
Municipality of Pulilan
From top, left to right: Skyline of Pulilan from Barangay Paltao; Pulilan Municipal Hall; San Isidro Labrador Parish Church; kneeling carabaos and church decorations at the annual Carabao festival
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Pulo ng Ilan Center of Commerce and Industry in Northern Bulacan Home of the Kneeling Carabao Festival
Motto(s):  Celebrate Pulilan Power!
Anthem: Ako ang Pulileño English: (I am a Pulileño)
Map of Bulacan with Pulilan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Pulilan Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Province	Bulacan
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	January 20, 1796
Barangays	19 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
Area
• Total	39.89 km2 (15.40 sq mi)
Elevation	14 m (46 ft)
Highest elevation	42 m (138 ft)
Lowest elevation	1 m (3 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	108,836
• Density	2,728.4/km2 (7,066.5/sq mi)
• Households	28,066
Demonym(s)	Pulileño (male) Pulileña (female)
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	14.35 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 498.5 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 656.8 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 505.5 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 153.1 million (2020)
Utilities
• Electricity	Meralco
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	3005
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)44
Native languages	Tagalog Kapampangan
Website	www.pulilan.gov.ph

Pulilan is a lively municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. It's officially known as the Municipality of Pulilan. In 2020, about 108,836 people lived here.

Pulilan is famous for its special Carabao Festival. During this festival, carabaos (water buffaloes) are paraded through the town. They even kneel as they pass by the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church. This is done to honor San Isidro Labrador, the town's patron saint.

Years ago, Pulilan was mostly a farming town in northern Bulacan. Its economy relied heavily on farming and raising poultry. Many people earned their living from agriculture. Today, Pulilan is growing into a busy center for business and industry. It has become one of the main growth areas in the province.

Because of this economic growth, with new shops, buildings, and factories, Pulilan's income has increased a lot. In 2016, the town's income was P323.86 million. This was a big jump from its income in 2014. Pulilan's growth has even surpassed that of several other towns in Bulacan.

Pulilan is also part of the larger Greater Manila Area, which is the built-up area around Metro Manila.

What's in a Name? The Story of Pulilan

Pulilan wasn't always called Pulilan, and it wasn't always a town. Long ago, it was a marshy area that was part of Pampanga. It was near the Candaba Bay. The name "Pulilan" is believed to come from "Pulo ng Ilan", which means "clusters of small communities or islands."

In 1794, Augustinian missionaries named the area San Isidro. They did this to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Then, on January 20, 1796, the name changed to Pulilan.

Interestingly, the name Puliran was mentioned in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. This is a very old document from the Philippines, dating back to 900 A.D. Some experts believe that the "Puliran" in this ancient text might refer to Pulilan, Bulacan, which is located along the Angat River.

A Look Back: Pulilan's History

The exact time when people first settled in Pulilan is not fully known. However, old records suggest that there were settlers here by the early 1600s. The ancient town of Pulilan was first mentioned as "Puliran" in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. This is the oldest document found in the Philippines, written in 900 A.D. At that time, the local people were ruled by a leader named Ka-Sumuran.

During the Spanish rule, a friar named Fray Vicente Villamanzaro officially declared Pulilan a town on January 20, 1796. He chose San Isidro Labrador as its patron saint. The town's leader was called a Kapitan. The first Kapitan of Pulilan was Francisco Paltao in 1819. Later, in 1898, Froilan Cahiwat became the first Presidente Municipal.

In 1904, Pulilan became a part of a nearby town called Quingua (now Plaridel). But in 1909, local leaders worked hard to make Pulilan a separate town again. They succeeded, and Eugenio Tiangco became its first Presidente. After World War II, in 1946, Catalino Flores was appointed as the first Mayor of Pulilan.

Pulilan has a rich history, with many people contributing to its growth and freedom. The town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, is still celebrated every year. On May 14, the people of Pulilan hold a special festival where carabaos parade and kneel in front of the church. This tradition honors the saint and thanks the carabaos for their hard work in farming. The parade also includes cows, horses, dancers, bands, and colorful floats.

Exploring Pulilan: Geography and Climate

Pulilan is one of the 21 towns in Bulacan province. It is located in the central part of Bulacan. The town is about 43 kilometers (27 miles) northwest of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It is also 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Malolos, the capital of Bulacan.

Pulilan covers an area of about 4,073 hectares (about 40.73 square kilometers). It shares borders with Apalit in Pampanga to the north, Baliwag to the east, Plaridel to the south, and Calumpit to the west. The Angat River forms part of its boundary with Plaridel.

What the Land Looks Like

The land in Pulilan is mostly flat. Eleven of its barangays (villages) are located along the Angat River. The rest of the land consists of flat rice fields that are irrigated. The soil types range from sandy loam to clay loam, which means the land is good for growing many different crops.

Most areas in Pulilan do not flood easily. However, some parts, especially those near creeks that flow into the Angat River, or low-lying areas like Dulong Malabon and Inaon, can be more prone to flooding.

How Land is Used

Most of Pulilan's land is used for farming. About 27.92 square kilometers (10.78 sq mi), or 68.55% of the town's area, is used for growing crops. The remaining 12.8076 square kilometers (4.95 sq mi), or 31.45%, is used for homes, businesses, factories, and public buildings.

Pulilan's Climate

Pulilan has a tropical climate, according to the Köppen climate classification system. This means it gets a lot of rain for most of the year, with only a short dry season. The average temperature in Pulilan is about 27.2 °C (81.0 °F).

The average yearly rainfall is 792 mm (31.2 inches). February is the driest month, with only about 4 mm (0.2 inches) of rain. July is the wettest month, with an average of 151 mm (5.9 inches) of rain. May is usually the warmest month, with an average of 29.2 °C (84.6 °F). January is the coolest month, with an average temperature of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F). The temperature doesn't change much throughout the year, only by about 3.7 °C (6.7 °F).

Barangays: Pulilan's Communities

Pulilan Map

Pulilan is divided into 19 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has its own smaller sections called puroks and some have sitios.

Dulong Malabon is the largest barangay in terms of land area. Poblacion is the most populated barangay, while Santa Peregrina has the fewest residents.

How Big is Pulilan? Land Area by Barangay

Overview of Pulilan and Angat River

Who Lives in Pulilan? Demographics

The number of people living in Pulilan has grown a lot. From 1990 to 2015, the population almost doubled, increasing from 48,199 to 97,323. This growth is not just from local families having more children. Many people from nearby areas have also moved to Pulilan.

In the 2020 census, Pulilan, Bulacan, had 108,836 people. This means there were about 2,728 people living per square kilometer.

Different Groups of People

Most of the original residents of Pulilan are Tagalog people. They are one of the largest groups in the Philippines. Some Kapampangans also settled here because Pulilan is close to the province of Pampanga.

Since Pulilan is now part of the Greater Manila Area, people from other parts of the Philippines have moved here. You can find smaller groups of Bicolano, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Pangasinense, and Visayans living in the town.

Languages Spoken

The main language spoken in Pulilan is Tagalog. Some residents also speak Kapampangan language because of the town's closeness to Pampanga. In schools and other official places, both English and Tagalog are used for teaching and communication.

How Many People Can Read and Write?

Education is important in Pulilan. In 2008, almost everyone in Pulilan could read and write. About 99% of households had members who could read and write a simple message in any language. This shows a very high literacy rate.

Religion in Pulilan

Mahal na Señor Jesus Nazareno Chapel in Lumbac

Most people in Pulilan are members of the Catholic Church. They show strong faith and devotion to the town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. Every barangay and sitio has its own chapel where people attend mass and other church services. The San Isidro Parish Church and Our Lady of Miraculous Medal are the main Catholic churches in Pulilan. They are part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos.

Iglesia ni Cristo chapel- Paltao

The Iglesia ni Cristo also has a strong presence in Pulilan. They have worship centers in barangays like Cutcot, Dampol 2nd-A, Inaon, and Santo Cristo.

Other religious groups in Pulilan include Members Church of God International (Ang Dating Daan), Jesus Is Lord Church, Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, Methodist, and other evangelical groups.

Pulilan's Economy: How the Town Makes Money

Pulilan Public Market

Pulilan's economy used to be mainly based on agriculture. Farming, fishing, and raising swine (pigs) and poultry (chickens) were the main ways people earned a living. However, the town's economy is changing. More industries and factories are being built on land that was once used for farming.

Now, Pulilan is becoming a major center for trade and business in Bulacan. It is quickly growing and becoming more important than many nearby towns. In 2017, Pulilan's yearly income was 383.60 million pesos. This was 18% higher than its income in the previous year. This makes Pulilan one of the richest municipalities in Bulacan and Central Luzon.

Pulilan's main sources of income come from:

• Flowers and ornamental plants
• Food and food processing
• Garments and embroidery
• Gifts and home decorations
• Marble and marble processing
• Poultry and hog raising
• Furniture
• Crop production
• Various services

Farming in Pulilan

Rice farming and raising livestock/poultry are the most common agricultural businesses in Pulilan. The town has 2,226.75 hectares (5,502.42 acres) of irrigated land for rice, producing over 10,660 metric tons of rice. There are also many commercial and backyard farms raising pigs and chickens.

Banks and Financial Services

Pulilan has 12 major and local banks that offer financial services. These include well-known banks like Banco de Oro (BDO), Metrobank, Landbank, and Philippine National Bank. As of December 2017, the total deposits in Pulilan's banks reached 4.048 billion pesos. The town also had 30,785 bank accounts.

Factories and Businesses

Manufacturing is a big part of Pulilan's economy, providing many jobs. In 2010, there were 26 registered manufacturing businesses in Pulilan, employing 4,136 people. Some of the largest manufacturers include Nestle Philippines, New Hope Agriculture Inc., and Cargill Philippines, Inc. These factories are mostly located in the Dampol Industrial Area (DIA) and the Tabon-Dampol-Tibag Industrial Area (TDTIA).

Shopping Malls

Robinsons Townville Pulilan

In 2010, Robinsons Supermarket opened in Barangay Cutcot. It was later renamed Robinsons Townville. Massway Supermarket also opened a branch. In 2017, SM Center Pulilan was opened in Barangay Santo Cristo. This was the first full-service shopping mall in the municipality.

Visiting Pulilan: Tourism and Festivals

Tourism is a growing industry in Pulilan. Thousands of visitors come to this town every year. Many come to see the famous Kneeling Carabao Festival. This exciting event features different kinds of carabaos leading a parade through the town's streets. They are joined by street dancers, marching bands, and colorful floats. When the carabaos reach the church, they kneel as a sign of respect for their patron saint.

This amazing festival happens every May 14, just before the feast day of San Isidro Labrador. It's a way to honor the saint and thank the carabaos for their hard work in the fields. The festival also celebrates a successful harvest season. Pulilan is known not only for its festival but also for its many interesting places to visit.

Old Buildings and Churches

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church

This is the church where the carabaos kneel during the festival. It's a beautiful 19th-century baroque church located in the town center (Poblacion). Many people visit this church during Holy Week. It is one of the few churches that features over 110 floats during its Holy Week processions. The Museo San Ysidro Labrador is also found here.

Pulilan Municipal Trial Court (Museo de Pulilan)

The Pulilan Municipal Trial Court building was restored in 2013 and is now called Museo de Pulilan. Locals also know it as the old Gabaldon Building. It's a popular tourist spot because of its cultural and historical importance. Inside, you can see sculptures, paintings, and old documents that tell the story of Pulilan.

Adriano Salvador Heritage House

Adriano Salvador Heritage House

This historic house is sometimes called the "Malacañang of Pulilan." In 1908, it served as the shared municipal hall for the towns of Quingua (Plaridel) and San Isidro (Pulilan).

Casanova-Aguirre Ancestral House

Casanova-Aguirre Ancestral House

This old house is one of the best-preserved in Bulacan. It's located near the borders of barangays Poblacion and Lumbac. It's famous for its beauty and was even a filming location for the 2006 Filipino romantic movie, Moments of Love.

Aguirre Centennial House

This 100-year-old house is a main attraction inside the Butterfly Haven Resort. It belongs to the family of Revenue Deputy Commissioner Lita Aguirre and is known for its unique design.

Mandalá Art Festival

The Mandalá Art Festival is an annual event held in May as part of Pulilan's town fiesta. It brings together artists and cultural workers from all over the country. This festival shows off the best art and traditions of Central Luzon. During the event, there are art exhibitions open to everyone and mural painting activities (called Kalye Art) in different parts of the town. This festival started in 2012 and is organized by Jefarca Arts and Historical Society Inc., the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Museo de Pulilan, and the Municipality of Pulilan. The word Mandalá means "the best of the harvest" in the local language.

Getting Around Pulilan: Infrastructure and Services

Transportation Options

Pulilan Junction

You can get around Pulilan using different types of transport. These include private cars, jeepneys, tricycles, and even buses.

Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) have terminals at Robinsons Townville. Their routes cover the Pulilan Regional Road (also known as N115) and several barangays, going to Lumbac, Dampol 2nd-B, and the nearby town of Calumpit. Tricycles are used for shorter trips within barangays and residential areas.

Buses and UV Express vans are also popular for traveling to and from Pulilan. They take passengers to places like Grace Park, Divisoria, Monumento, and Cubao in Metro Manila. You can usually catch them at the Pulilan junction or at the SM Center Pulilan terminal. Taxis also offer rides from Metro Manila to Pulilan.

Roads and Highways

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is the only expressway in Pulilan. It has two entrances and exits in Barangays Dampol II-A and Tibag.

Important national highways include the Pan-Philippine Highway, also called Maharlika Highway (part of AH26). This road passes through barangays Santo Cristo, Cutcot, and Longos. Other main roads are the Pulilan Regional Road (N115, connecting Pulilan to Calumpit), the Pulilan–Plaridel Diversion Road (which links to the Plaridel Bypass Road), Old Cagayan Valley Road, and Pulilan-Apalit Road.

In May 2019, the Pulilan-Baliwag Diversion Road, or Pulilan Bypass Road, was opened. This road helps reduce traffic on the Pan-Philippine Highway and Pulilan Regional Road. It is 9.62 kilometers (about 6 miles) long and passes through several barangays, ending in Baliwag. This project cost a lot of money, about PHP 582 million for construction and PHP 150 million for land acquisition.

Utilities: Power, Water, and Communication

Power and Water Supply

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) provides electricity to all 19 barangays in Pulilan. In 2003, the town used 63.65 million kWh of electricity. The Pulilan Water District, located in Barangay Cutcot, provides water services. Pulilan will also benefit from the P24.4-billion Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, which will provide more water to the town.

Communication Services

Major landline telephone companies in Pulilan include Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Digital Telecommunications Philippines (DIGITEL). The main mobile phone companies are Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity. The municipal post office in Barangay Poblacion and private companies like LBC offer telegraph and express mail services.

Community Services: Education and Safety

Education in Pulilan

Bulacan State University campus

Education is a top priority in Pulilan, with a very high literacy rate of 99%. This means almost all households have members who can read and write.

Pulilan has become an important educational center in the province. It has many public and private schools where students from Pulilan and nearby areas can study. As of 2016, there were 16 public schools. Many private schools offer primary and secondary education. There are also five colleges and universities in the municipality.

In 2013, Bulacan State University (BulSU) opened a campus in Barangay Paltao, offering education courses. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is located in the old municipal hall building in Barangay Poblacion. Pulilan also has technical and vocational schools.

All primary and secondary schools in Pulilan are overseen by the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Bulacan.

Keeping Pulilan Safe: Peace and Order

Pulilan is known as one of the most peaceful towns in Bulacan province. The crime rate is very low. Pulilan has a high crime solution efficiency of 90.90% and an average crime rate of 1.8. It ranks third in Bulacan for crime solution and overall peace and order. As of 2010, the municipality had 30 police officers and 9 firefighters.

Famous People from Pulilan

• Mika Reyes is a Filipino volleyball player. She plays as a middle hitter/blocker in the Philippines' semi-professional league.
• Aurelio Plamenco was a politician who served as Mayor of Pulilan from 1988 to 1995. He later became the Vice Governor of Bulacan from 1998 to 2007.
• Sharlene San Pedro is a Filipino actress and VJ. She started her TV career at age four, joining ABS-CBN's talent search Star Circle Quest: Kids Edition in 2004.
• Jamie Rivera is a pop singer from the Philippines, known as the "Inspirational Diva."
• Florentino Collantes was a Filipino poet who helped bring back interest in Tagalog literature in the 20th century. He was also called the "King of Balagtasan."
• Gloria Dizon-Coronel is a top soprano singer in the country. She also teaches voice at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory.
• Brigido Batungbakal was a Filipino writer. He received the Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas, a high honor for writers, in 1989 for his contributions to Philippine literature.

Sister Cities

• Dingalan, Aurora

Images for kids

• 

  Overview of La Pulilan Resort and Angat River from Pulilan-Plaridel Bridge

• 

  Pulilan Municipal Trial Court

• 

  Kneeling Carabao Statue in Longos

• 

  View of Angat River

• 

  Gat.Jose P. Rizal Statue at Pulilan Plaza

• 

  Pulilan Gymnasium

• 

  Pulilan Kneeling Carabaos Festival 2023

See also

In Spanish: Pulilan para niños