Bulacan

Coastal Bulacan was well populated at the time the Spanish arrived. Because of closeness to Manila, it became an important source of food and materials. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the friars acquired large estates that became the source of rice, fruit, livestock and vegetables for Manila. Bulacan was briefly occupied by British forces from Manila during the Seven Years War. The continued existence of large friar estates in Bulacan and neighbouring provinces spurred development of a propaganda movement. Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), Marcelo H. del Pilar, Pio Valenzuela, and Mariano Ponce came from Bulacan. With the outbreak of the revolution for independence from Spain, Bulacan became one of the eight provinces that were placed under martial law for rebellion. Malolos became the capital of the First Republic of the Philippines in Janaury 1899, but was lost to the American forces in March 1899. A civil government was established in 1901.

City of Malolos

Malolos is most well known for the part it played during the revolution for independence from Spain. Aguinaldo moved his government to Malolos in September 1898. The Malolos Congress convened in the Barasoain Church and the Malolos Constitution was created. Aguinaldo declared the First Republic of the Philippines and Malolos Constitution in January 1899. Malolos became the capital but was lost to the American forces in March the same year. Malolos officially became a city on October 8, 2002.

Barasoain Church

The Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, where Emilio Aguinaldo's revolutionary government inaugurated a congress. The church appears on the reverse side of the brown PHP 10 bill. (April 2006)

The Congress became known as the Malolos Congress and a constitution, the Malolos Constitution was declared in 1899. The Philippines was the first republic in Asia. (November 2002)

This historical marker is one of two markers at the entrance to the church. (April 2006)

The second historical marker which was placed by the University of the Philippines in recognition of the historical significance of the church. (April 2006)

A monument to General Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Republic of the Philippines. (April 2006)

The horse-drawn carriage that brought Aguinaldo to Malolos. The Malolos Congress was hindered and interrupted by the Philippine-American War. (April 2006)

Malolos Cathedral

Nearby Barasoain Church is the Malolos Cathedral which also had a part to play in the revolution and the revolutionary government. (April 2006)

This historical marker outlines the significance of the cathedral as the office of Emilio Aguinaldo for several months. (April 2006)

Inside the Malolos Cathedral. (April 2006)

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