Baliuag, Bulacan

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Baliuag, Bulacan
sealfile =
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_bulacan_baliuag.png caption = Map of Bulacan showing the location of Baliuag.
region = Central Luzon (Region III)
province = Bulacan
districts = 2nd district of Bulacan
barangays = 27
class = 1st class, urban
mayor = Romeo Estrella
areakm2 =
pop2007 = 136,982 popden2000 =
coordinates = 14°57' N, 120°53' E

Baliwag (officially Baliwag is spelled with letter "w") is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 136,982 inhabitants ("119,675 people in 25,050 households in census 2000").

Baliwag was founded on 1732 by Augustinian friars and was incorporated by the Spanish Governor-General on 1733.

Built up area

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manilla, the municipality is now included in Manilla built up area which reaches San Ildefonso in its Northernmost part.

Barangays

Baliwag is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.

* [http://www.baliuag.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=3&id=13&Itemid=40 History and Details of Baranggays in Baliwag]

Municipal Officials (2007 - 2010)

Municipal Mayor : Romeo M. Estrella
Vice Mayor : Ferdinand T. Cruz
Councilors :

Christopher Clemente
Enrique Dela Cruz
Gener Ligon
Reynaldo Trinidad
Antonio Patawaran
Kaka Taruc
Tisoy Santos
Sonny Robes
Karizza Kamille Cruz

Vision

A peaceful and self-reliant community with an efficient and sufficient infrastructure facilities on a globally competitive and progressive economy, that gives efficient delivery of basic services and socio-economic development and is geared towards the promotion of sustainable economic growth in an ecologically balanced city-like environment, guided and administered by a just, democratic, decisive and God-fearing leadership.

Mission

With this vision, the municipal governance is committed to achieve a community that is safe to live with in an environment that is complete with basic facilities and economy with sustainable growth on a city-like balance habitat.

Miscellany

Baliwag has a bustling economy, with many shopping centers. Several of the major banks have branches on the town.

The town offers the best private education in its area, where its famous and established academic institutions cater to students from as far as Pampanga (to the South), Norzagaray (to the North), Gapan (to the West) and Calumpit (to the East).

Baliwag is also a transportation hub. Public transportation to Pampanga to the west, and Nueva Ecija to the north, is easily accessible.

Baliwag is also the home of the only self-supporting clock tower in Bulacan.

Baliwag is the place where the first elections in the Far East were held (1899).

Baliwag is famous for its Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions. Boasting 87 carros or carrozas (floats) with life-size Santos (statues) showcasing events from the life and passion of Christ.

Fast Facts

Physical and Socio-Political

Land Area 4,188 has. No. of Barangays 27

Population 119,675

Population Growth rate 2.99%

Population Density 8.58 persons/ha

Average Crime Rate 9.72%

Crime Solution Efficiency 98.45%

Commerce and Industry

Major Industries:Furniture, Garments, Embroidery, Gifts/Toys/Houseware, Pyrotechnics, Education

Major Products: Bakeries, Native Delicacies

History of Baliuag, Bulacan

Before the coming of the Spaniards in 1521, Baliuag was just a wilderness inhabited mostly by animals and wild birds. There were no good and passable roads but only meandering pathways that invariable led to isolate huts. Some of these narrow pathways called "paraan", were fringed on both sides along with trees and other greenery's. Work animals and sleds that were then the only means of land transportation commonly passed the place.

The handful of people who occupied the isolated and lonely huts was paganistic people who worship spirits called "Bathala". They believed the spirits dwell in caves so in these caves they held rituals and made offerings of foods, perfumes and fruits to pay homage to them. These ancient Filipinos were so steeped in superstition that they religiously believed in divination, auguries and magic harms. Thus they always attached significance to such natural activities as the howling of dogs, the kissing of lizards or the mere sight of a black cat darting across their path to mean bad things and death omen. These superstitious beliefs were handed down from one generation to another and, are, in truth, still practiced in many parts of Baliuag today.

The natives, of course, had their own language and social customs. Not unlike their contemporaries in other towns, they conducted their own commercial activities through the so-called barter system.

With the Christianization of the Philippines, the Spaniairds built many Catholic churches. One of these churches was established in Quingwa (now Plaridel), of which Baliuag was still a "cabecerria" or barangay with no definite name. (Cabecerria or barangay is the modern-day barrio).

Because they had no other decent means transportation, the people either had to walk or had to ride a banca all the way to Quingwa, a distance of nine kilometers to hear masses on Sundays and feast days. As a consequence, the churchgoers from Baliuag often came late for mass. This habitual tardiness eventually became the butt of jokes among the people of Quingwa, so much so that whenever they saw a group of Baliuag folk coming, they would mockingly say; "Eto na ang maliliwag". (Here come the slowpokes). Or, if the later comer was all alone, "Eto na si Ba Liwag". ("Ba" is a provincial title of respect for a man).

Unfortunately, for the local folk, the uncomplimentary term "maliwag" (or Baliwag) stuck like glue. Even the Spanish "cura" was announcing it from the pulpit in reference to them. Through the years the name Baliwag evolved from it and by this name or appellation the town became known.

Baliwag was the 10th town founded by the Augustinians in the province of Bulacan.

source: http://www.bulacan.gov.ph

* [http://www.baliuag.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=5&id=45&Itemid=66 General History of Baliuag]
* [http://www.baliuag.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=5&id=25&Itemid=55 List of Chief Executives and Parish Priest 1733 - present]

Contact Information

Municipality of Baliwag Bulacan
B.S. Aquino Avenue, Bagong Nayon, Baliuag Bulacan
Tel No. [phone] / [phone]
Fax No. [phone]
[e-mail]

External links

* [http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/baliuag/ Local Government Unit: Municipality of Baliuag]
* [http://www.baliuag.net Baliuag Online Tambayan]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.pbase.com/mgd711/baliuag Photos of the Saint Augustine Parish church, Baliuag]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/video/17437/Saksi-Conjoined-twins-born-in-Baliuag-Bulacan gmanews.tv/video, Saksi: Conjoined twins born in Baliuag, Bulacan - 01/31/2008]
* [http://www.baliuag.net/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=38&gid=10 2008 Holy Week Celebration and Procession]