baliwag

Baliuag (also spelled as "Baliwag") is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 119,675 people in 25,050 households.

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

Contents [hide]
1 Barangays
2 Miscellany
3 Fast Facts
4 History of Baliuag, Bulacan
5 External links



[edit] Barangays
Baliuag is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.

Bagong Nayon
Barangca
Calantipay
Catulinan
Concepcion
Makinabang
Matangtubig
Pagala
Paitan
Piel
Pinagbarilan
Poblacion
Sabang
San Jose
San Jose Hinukay
San Roque
Santa Barbara
Santo Cristo
Santo Niño
Subic
Sulivan
Tangos
Tarcan
Tiaong
Tibag
Tilapayong
Virgen delas Flores



[edit] Miscellany

The clock tower.Baliuag has a bustling economy, with many shopping centers. Several of the major banks have branches on the town. Agriculture remains as the mainstay of the economy.

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

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

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

Baliuag is famous for its Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions. Boasting more than 60 carros or carrozas (floats) with life-size Santos (statues) showcasing events from the life and passion of Christ.





[edit] 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

Major Products: Bakeries, Native Delicacies

Contact Information

Municipal Officials: Mayor: Romeo Estrella Vice-Mayor: Ferdinand Cruz





[edit] 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 Quinwa, 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 Quinwa, so much so that whenever they saw a group of Baliuag folk coming, they would mockingly say; "Eto na ang maliliwag". (Here come the slow-folks). 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 Baliuag evolved from it and by this name or appellation the town became known.

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

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

Coordinates: 14°57.26′N, 120°54.05′E

[edit] External links
Philippine Standard Geographic Code
2000 Philippine Census Information
Photos of the Saint Augustine Parish church, Baliuag
Baliuag Online Tambayan