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Baliuag, Bulacan

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.
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

Miscellany
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.
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

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.




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.

CANDELARIA FESTIVAL
The town fiesta is celebrated on the 5th of February to honor the patron saint San Pedro Bautista. Since 2004, Monsignor Charles Herrera, the parish priest, started his devotion to Nuestra Senora de Candelaria and honored her with a Candle Festival every February 2nd. The celebration was concluded with a procession through the streets of the town to bless the homes along the route. The residents decorated their houses with votive candles and miniature lights, creatively, using bamboo, palm leaves, coconut husk, flowers, and other native materials to accentuate the image of the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria as a centerpiece.
Paraw Regatta
Is a well-attended and well-anticipated race among the native double outriggers with colorful paraws lined-up along the waters of the strait between the island province of Guimaras and Iloilo City.
The paraw is a dugout, having an average length of 16 feet or 5.5 meters to 25 feet or 8 meters. They are fitted with outriggers that are mainly used as balancers against the tilting effect of the craft on cross currents and waves. The highlight of the event is the paraw race, a memorable and exciting spectacle, participated by men as they pit their skills, stamina and strategy against one another for honors while spectators cheer the action of other special events from the shore.
The Iloilo Paraw (sailboat) Regatta, instituted in 1973, is a race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. Called Paraw in the local dialect, these native outriggers faithfully copy in materials and design sailboats which carried to Panay in 1212 AD the first settlers from Borneo who were in search of a peaceful home. The sailboats have survived the centuries and become a vital part of the Ilonggo seafaring life.
The first Iloilo Paraw Regatta was organized by the Iloilo Department of Tourism, the City of Iloilo, the municipalities of Oton, and Jordan and Buenavista in Guimaras, the Philippine Coast Guard, Negros Navigation, the late Antonio de Oteza, Iloilo Boat Club, Panay Amateur Radio Club, Iloilo Jaycees, Anhawan Beach resort and host of others readily welcomed the project and lent a helping hand. Since then, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta has grown both in size and renown. The race has become more exciting, colorful and inevitably a challenge to manage. The primary objective of the regatta is to help develop the local tourism industry and preserve the paraw as a legacy from the earliest period of Ilonggo history. In these times of energy crisis, the paraw as a legacy from the earliest period of Ilonggo history. In these times of energy crisis, the paraw becomes more relevant since it does not need fuel and is practically pollution free.
Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of February. The Regatta is a race among native outriggers in the strait between Iloilo City and Guimaras Island. Instituted in 1973, it reenacts what has been an entertainment for Ilonggos since as early as the late 16th century. Called Paraw in the Ilonggo vernacular, these native outriggers faithfully copy sailboats which carried to Panay the first settlers from Borneo fleeing a tyrannical ruler. The sailboats survived the centuries and have become a vital part of the Ilonggo economic and social life. In the last war, Paraw-borne guerillas like hornets kept enemy offshore and harmless. Until the 1920´s, there had been no season for regattas.

A regatta could take place any time in a year given two or more boustful paraw owners with Guimaras Straigt, always where it was since creation. The Regatta today is an activity every summer, hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers. But for a seafaring people that Ilonggos are, the sport in the regatta has never died down
The regatta is race among native outriggers in the straight between Guimaras and Iloilo City. Instituted only in 1973, the regatta reenacts what had been an entertainment for Ilonggos as early as the late sixteenth century. Called "paraw" in the Ilonggo vernacular, these native outriggers faithfully copy sailboats which carried to Panay the first settlers from Borneo.