Bulacan Independence Day Tour

I love museums, art galleries, old churches and historical tours!

The smell of old triggers nostalgia or a desire in me to have lived in the ancient times when art and literature had greater value and importance.

When my Mom told me about the Bulacan Independence Day tour, however, I had second thoughts because I thought Bulacan was the nearest province north of Manila that didn’t offer much when it comes to sceneries and heritage.

Was I wrong and I’m glad I was!

Bulacan was filled with stories of our heroes during the revolution and in fact, gave birth to a lot of our Illustrados and Katipuneros.

The tour was timely – what with the celebration of Independence day on the 12^th of June.

No regrets that I joined it with my mom as it was a win-win tour/break for me. It was quality time spent with Mom and a perfect way to stroll down historical lane.

I’m not certain whether the youth of today still recognizes the major contributions of our Filipino grandfathers and grandmothers who fought for our freedom. Without them heroes, we will not have our rights and the freedom of speech that we all so enjoy yet take for granted.

Here are some of our photos:

With me Mom inside the coaster

Happy to be on our way to Bulacan

First stop: Church of San Isidro de Labrador,
famous for the Kneeling Carabao Festival.
Yes, the carabaos do really kneel.

At the church patio

A farmer drying out the grains of rice

Second stop: Ancestral house cum museum
at the butterfly sanctuary

Yard in front of the ancestral house

Fountain fronting the sanctuary

The big butterfly bust welcoming the guests

A sumptuous native breakfast prepared for us

Arroz caldo, okoy, puto bumbong and bibingka
for breakfast. Talo-talo sa diet!

Imma eat EVERYTHING!

RAAAAR! Let's start with the arroz caldo.
Reminds me of Nanay's cooking.

Shot inside the pavilion of the butterfly museum

The butterfly museum has a resort too!

Flowers resting on the pond

Attending the briefing before entering the butterfly sanctuary.
Do not step on the butterflies! Lol!

A farmer walking his cow. He voluntarily
stopped the cow for picture-taking. Thanks, Manong!

One of the antique clocks displayed in the museum

Nuesta Senora de la Immaculada

Cherubim bust hanging near the ceiling.
Others find it creepy but I love antique stuff!

Diorama dolls on display

Dioramas depicting stages in Philippine history

More antique underneath the stairs of the museum

I think it's a rice grinder.

Us at the frontage of the sanctuary.
Met new friends - tour guide Gerry and Mon, Romana,
Tita Fely, Tita Tess and Tita Tina.

Caterpillars - creepy crawlers

Butterflies on display

Inside the sanctuary - they made us hold the butterflies.
Make a wish before you let them go!

Moi holding mating butterflies!
I was squeamish at first but they're harmless
little, beautiful creatures.

I'm about to let go of the mating butterflies.
Yes, I made a wish!

Mom and Moi at the gazebo

I like these caterpillars - they've got black and white stripes and red dots.
I touched them and put them on my palm - they're not itchy at all!

Second stop: Gat Blas Ople's Sentro ng Kabataan
This is the Malolos mural commissioned by First Lady Imelda Marcos.

The bottom of the mural - up close

Paintings at the museum

Paintings done by the late Napoleon Trono

Me and Mom at the cinema section of the museum

Taga-Bulacan pala si Jolina Magdangal, Richard Gomez and Ian Veneracion.
I'm not a fan of local showbiz - but nice to know.

Posing beside the bust of Marcelo H. del Pilar

Sana sing-galing din ako mag-paint.

Ancient artifacts from Bulacan

Any idea what these are?
These are wrappers of pastillas de leche intricately
designed and cut. Bilib, ano?

Another Bulacan artifact-handicraft

Just trippin'.

Paintings of Nap Trono

3rd stop: The famous Barasoain church

The carriage that brought Marcelo del Pilar to the Casa Real
during the revolution

Religious busts at the church lawn

Inside the Barasoain Church. Yes, it's my first time to visit.
I made a wish!

The old pulpit

Ang mga makulay na abito ng mga prayle nung unang panahon

Part of what used to be The Blessed Sacrament

More church artifacts

Moi in front of the Barasoain Church

An old house on the way to Casa Real

4th stop: Casa Real Museum - imagine they tried to build a gas station here!
What a shame! Sinong government official ng Bulacan
ang may pakana nito nung 1980s?

The tour group listening intently on the introductions made about Casa Real.

My new idols - ang dalawampung kababaihan ng Malolos.
One of Rizal's letters was dedicated to them. These women fought
for women's education during their time.

Vintage sewing machine

The printing machine used by our heroes to print out
revolutionary flyers and pamphlets. We owe the freedom of speech to them -
to think that we just blog about practically anything these days.

Old kitchenware

Puni-making in Malolos - a forgotten handicraft being revived

The finished product - a puni bouquet

5th stop: The Marcelo H. del Pilar shrine

An ancient typewriter

One of the certificates during the revolution - they managed to keep it.
Galing!

6th stop: The shrine of Gregorio "Goyo" del Pilar.
He's one of my favorite heroes - cute, too!

7th stop: The shrine of Francisco Balazar aka "Balagtas"

They don't write this way anymore, oh no.
Rumor has it that Balagtas had several girlfriends.
With writings like this - no wonder! Magaling magsulat ng loveletter si Lolo!

Second to the last stop before Eurobake merienda: Garden City
I won a topiary plant during the raffle. Weeee!

Flowers at Garden City

If you want to get the same tour - visit Adventours Exchange.
or call Inscribe Tours - 840 5912 / 8370 575