Q: We learned that Bulacan is your province, isn't it?

A: Yes, Bulacan is one of my province. Actually, my mother is from Baliuag, Bulacan. My grandmother, Librada dela Cruz Samson, is from Pulilan, Bulacan and my grandfather, Alfonso dela Cruz Magtalas is from Baliuag, Bulacan. In my father's side, my grandmother, Gregoria Evangelista Darlucio, is from Obando, Bulacan. When I was in Philippines, I went to Bulacan always to spend my vacation with my grandparents and relatives. During festivals, Christmas, and Holy Week, I went to Bulacan to stay and visit with my grandparents and relatives.

Q: Could you please describe about Bulacan Province if you are familiar in that province?

A: Well, Bulacan Province is located at Region 3 known as Central Luzon. The people in Bulacan speak fluent Tagalog. Most of the Philippine heroes are from the Province of Bulacan like Francisco Balagtas, Marcelo H. del Pilar, General Pio Valenzuela, and so on. Bulacan Province is located north of Rizal Province and Manila, west of Quezon Province, and south of Pampanga Province. The Province of Bulacan is derived from the word "Bulakan" meaning there is a plantation of cottons. During the Spanish period, the province was a plantation of cottons that's why the province got its name.

Q: How big is Bulacan Province?

A: Bulacan Province (Map of Bulacan Province) consists of the following cities and towns: Valenzuela City, Obando, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bulacan, Bocaue, San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Norzagaray, Pandi, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Malolos City, Hagonoy, Paombong, Calumpit, Pulilan, Baliuag, Bustos, Angat, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, Doņa Remedios Trinidad, and San Miguel. The capital of the province is Malolos City. Malolos City is also a historical place especially the Barasoain Church where the first constitution of the Republic of the Philippines was established in 1935.

Q: We heard that Bulacan Province is also a rich province in Philippines, isn't it?

A: Yes, Bulacan is also a rich province in Philippines because Bulacan is also near to Manila. Valenzuela City is the most productive and industrialized city because it is the nearest city of the province to Manila. The towns of Obando, Bulacan, Hagonoy, Paombong, and Calumpit are making the fish products and have a lot of fishponds. Paombong is a well-known town in making the vingegar from coconut water. Meycauayan is a well-known town for making the leather from animal skin and jewelries as well. Norzagaray and Angat are the well-known towns for making the cement. There are many indistries and factories of well-known companies in Valezuela City, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Pandi, Guiguinto, Malolos City, Plaridel and Pulilan. Pulilan is a well-knwon town for making the clay pots, jars, and stoves. Handicraft products from the wood are made from Pulilan, Malolos City, Guiguinto, Plaridel, and Baliuag. Baliuag is a well-known town for making "cicharon" or pork skin crackers, watermelon seeds, and squash seeds. The people in Baliuag are making the buri hats and handicrafts. There are many poultries, agricultures, and livestocks in Marilao, Bocaue, Bulacan, Malolos City, Balagtas, Pandi, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Pulilan, Calumpit, Baliuag, Bustos, Angat, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, Doņa Remedios Trinidad, and San Miguel. The province is also rich because there are many subdivisions, golf courses, and resorts in Valenzuela City, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, Malolos City, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Baliuag. The people in Bulacan are also making Bulacan Sweets and Delicacies and most of the cities and towns in the province are making these products.

Q: What are the main roads in Bulacan Province?

A: Well, I know most of the main roads in Bulacan Province like the following: McArthur Hi-Way, North Espressway, Panghulo Road, Maysan Road, Torres Bugallion St., Bagbaguin Road, Pinagkabalian St., Gov. Santiago St., Gen. T. de Leon St., Paliwas St., Arkong Bato St., M. H. del Pilar St., Gen. Pacheco St., Camalig Barangay Road, Quirino Hi-Way, Araneta Ave., Bagumabayan Road, San Nicolas Road, Matungao Road, Bantayan Road, J. P. Rizal St., Binanag 2nd Road, Wakas St., Bocaue Provincial Road, A. Mabini St., San Jose Road, Ipo Road, Manila North Road, Wawa Road, Burol Road, Tambobong Road, M. de Leon St., San Ignacio Road, New Town Drive, Maharlika Hi-Way, Bunsuran Road, and Ninoy Aquino Ave.

Q: Do you go to shopping malls and department stores in Bulacan Province and where?

A: Yes, I went to the department stores and shopping malls in Bulacan when I was in Philippines. There are shopping malls and department stores in Valenzuela City, Meycauayan, and Marilao only because they are near to Manila. In the rest of the province, there are few department stores and shopping malls and I have never been there because its far already to Manila. There are shopping malls in Baliuag, Plaridel, and Malolos City recently and the people there will not required to go to the other towns in Bulacan even in Manila. Baliuag is now also a progressive town in Bulacan and later this town will be coverted into chartered city like Malolos City, its provincial capital.

Q: We heard that you arrived in Philippines on November 16, 2002. Since you are Balikbayan, did you tour to Bulacan Province?

A: Yes, I went to the Province of Bulacan twice, on November 24, 2002 and November 30, 2002. On November 24, 2002, I went to the Province of Bulacan with my cousin Ester Garcia, my niece Jade Garcia Cruz, my nephew Ferdinand Garnet Garcia, my nephew-in-law Jerry Cruz, and my cousin's grandchildren Katrina and Jasmin. We went to Malolos City to have a tour at Barasoain Church and to buy the Christmas Lantern. My aunt Mrs. Flora B. Macaraig was asking me to buy the Christmas Lantern. We bought the Christmas Lantern and I brought it here in United States when I get home. My nephew-in-law Mr. Jerry Cruz is a native of Malolos City and Calumpit, Bulacan and he gave us a tour in Malolos City and Hagonoy, Bulacan. We went also to Angat and San Miguel, Bulacan to have a tour at Angat River and Biak-na-Bato. After the tour, they brought and dropped me to my grandparents and relatives in Baliuag, Bulacan. They were suprised because most of my relatives there including my grandparents did not know my arrival in Philippines. I am already send a text message one week before my arrival to one of my cousins there and they did not receive my text message. We are very happy there and I spend three days vacation with my grandparents and relatives. On, November 30, 2002, I went to the Province of Bulacan again. My cousin was very busy in her beauty parlor so I went there by riding thru public transportation. I took a public transportation thru Baliuag Transit Bus then a tricycle. It was my last visit to my grandparents and relatives because I had a short of time and my vacation in Philippines is only three weeks. My grandparents and relatives are sad and hugged me because of my shortage of time. My grandparents and relatives were asking me to ask my mother to visit in Philippines if she has a time. Before my departure on December 8, 2002, my aunt, Estelita Magtalas Zapanta, went to my cousin's beauty parlor in Quezon City to give the sweets and delicacies for my parents and brothers. My visit to Bulacan Province is so memorable and I wish that I can visit to my grandparents and relatives again if I have a time to take a vacation to Philippines again within two to five years.