Culture Study of Bulacan submitted in my History 114 (Culture History of the Philippines)

“Our national culture is not what we have in the beginning, it is what we have today”, says Fr. Horacio de la Costa as Nick Joaquin cited in his book Culture and History. As it was also mentioned in his book the saying: “You cannot step into the same river twice” because it keeps on moving and flourishing and if you step again it would be different water by then. Like what Democritus also said, “The only constant thing in this world is change”.

Similar with our culture, it is also changing from time to time. Our culture in the pre-Hispanic time is like what Nick Joaquin said which is similar to those of the Polynesians and not Asians. It terms of religion we are animist because we worship the nature. “The patadyong, our head cloth, our squatting position, our tattooing, our folktales, and our style in talking” was also from the Polynesians that we adopt. In addition to that, an internet source said that the Filipino dialects belong to the so-called Malayo-Polynesian language family, which is said to be the largest language family throughout the world. Our culture before and now is extremely different. With the coming of the Spaniards which brought not just evil but also a great part of our identity, and so the Americans, the Japanese and with the recent globalization, we are really exposed to changes. We should not expect that our culture would still be the same like in the pre-Hispanic era. For, I agree with Nick Joaquin that only a retarded has a fixed identity.

With these changes in our culture, let me quote him again, “Culture like those laboratory experiments in chemistry where the moment you add a new ingredient the original mixture becomes completely transformed into something different.”
With this simple study of my province’s culture and history, let me show how it is changed form the pre-Hispanic time up to the present.

Bulacan
Culture trait (implicit)
It is believed that flowers bloomed in the region when the Spaniards came. Because of these sprawling green orchards, vegetables and abundantly flowering plants, as well as gorgeous women, this lovely land had come to be called Bulacan as sort of shortened term for "bulak-lakan" and/or a derivative of the word "bulak" (kapok) which abound in the province even before the Spaniards came.

Culture Trait (explicit)
The western part of the province is generally flat and is drained by the Angat and Pampanga Rivers. Part of this area touches the extensive Candaba swamp along the boundary with Pampanga. The lower portion ends in the limited coastline along Manila Bay.
The eastern half rises towards the foothills of the Sierra Madre, where the province’s highest peak, mount Oriol at 1170 meters located.
Like the rest of Central Luzon, Bulacan’s climate consists of two pronounced seasons which dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year.

1. Pre-Spanish Period
Sequence occupant
Bulacan started with small fishing settlements along the coast of Manila Bay and expanded into the interior with the coming of the Spaniards. I’ve learned in my past subjects that the considered highways before are the rivers. Their source of transportation is through the boat and their source of income is through fishing. Houses are also within the river banks.
Cultural Diffusion:
It was once a home of the Chinese who intermingled freely with the natives and brought their trade and industry to the province. It was the Chinese that brought the concept and materials of pyrotechnics which is much known in Bocaue, Bulacan until now. Chinese influences on Filipino life were mainly economic. At the same time, cultural influences were inevitable. Many words in the Philippine language have Chinese origins. The Chinese also taught the ancient Filipinos the use of gongs, umbrellas, lead, and porcelain, as well as the manufacture of gun powder, and metallurgy and mining methods. Filipinos also adopted customs from the Chinese.
Culture Complex
a. Religion - Bathala was the supreme god. They attributed to Bathala the creation of the heavens, Earth, and man. There were lesser gods and goddesses, like a god of death, a god of agriculture, a goddess of harvest, sea gods, river gods, and the like. It was also believed that things found in nature were full of spirits more powerful than man. Spirits of dead relatives were also revered. Sacrifices were offered to all of them.
The ancient Filipinos believed in the immortality of the soul and in life after death. Disease or illness was attributed to the whims of the environmental spirits and the soul-spirits of the dead relatives.
b. Institution – The Filipinos lived in settlements called barangays before the colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards. As the unit of government, a barangay consisted from 30 to 100 families. It was headed by a datu and was independent from the other groups. The Tagalog word barangay came from the Malay word balangay, a boat used for transportation and for fishing.
c. Technology – boat making and fishing

Culture Region
a. Core – coast of Manila Bay
b. Concentric - the rivers within Bulacan
c. Far flung – the land areas or the plains

2. Spanish Period
Sequence occupant
Later on, these settlers on the coast became farmers after moving inwards as they discovered that the land in the interior part was fertile and very much drained by the network of rivers and streams. These settlers grew and flourished into large and prosperous settlement now known as the province of Bulacan.

Proxemics
During the Spanish time, San Miguel was annexed to Bulacan from Pampanga. Geographically, it could be passed by from Bulacan to Nueva Ecija.
Being close to the city of Manila, it became an important source of foodstuffs and materials needed by the Spanish colony.
17th – 18th century – the friars acquired large estates in the province that were the source of rice, fruits, livestock and vegetables that came to Manila.
The early linkages with Manila fostered prosperity in the province and the rise of educated and cultured elite called the illustrado and the blossoming of tagalong culture and arts.
Large friar estates – their existence in Bulacan spurred the development of propaganda movement that was particularly active in the province. Among the leaders that came from Bulacan were Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Pio Valenzuela, and Mariano Ponce.
In 1897, General Emilio Aguinaldo established the headquarters of the revolution in the foothills of Sierra Madre in Biak na Bato, San Miguel.

Culture Complex
a. Religion – Christianity
Acculturation: When the Spanish came, from Pagans or Animist they were transformed into Christians.

b. Institution – under the Spanish rule, friars also rule in local areas.

c. Technology – they started to tilt the land through agriculture as a source of income.
Culture Region
It the early years of the Spaniards, it was placed in the direct jurisdiction of Manila but in 1578, it was made a separate province.
Functional: nationalism and patriotism hold them together to revolt against the Spaniards.
Bulacan was one of the first eight provinces to rise against the Spaniards rule.

Core: 1st - San Miguel
2nd – Malolos – in 1898 Malolos became the capital of the First Philippine Republic.
Concentric: Manila and other towns in Bulacan
Far flung: near by provinces like for example Tarlac, Bataan

Culture System – consists of history, philosophy, environmental adaptations
Pact of Biak na Bato in San Miguel, Bulacan – the first phase of the Philippine revolution ended with this signing within the Spaniards and Filipinos.
Malolos Cathedral – It served as the presidential quarter of General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Kakarong de Sili Shrine in Pandi - A battle site where 3,000 Katipuneros died in the hands of Spanish soldiers.
San Rafael Church -Site of the bloody battle between Filipinos and Spanish forces wherein the blood that cherished the church was ankle-deep.
Malolos Congress at Barosoain Church in Malolos Bulacan – the second phase which is the drafting of the constitution in the Barosoain Church.
- it is also the capital of the first Philippine Republic.

3. American Period
Culture Complex
a. Religion – Roman Catholic and Protestantism
b. Institution – under the rule of the Americans but Filipinos rule in the local areas
c. Technology – their source of income is agriculture and domestication of animals.

Culture Region
Core: Malolos and Baliuag
Concentric: Manila
Far flung: other provinces like Cavite, Zambales, Pampanga
When the Americans established a civil government in the Philippines, they held the first election in the country in the town of Baliuag, Bulacan.

Culture System - historical
Bagbag Bridge in Calumpit, Bulacan
Site of the longest battle between the Americans and Filipinos led by Gen. Gregorio del Pilar which took place in April 25, 1899. Nowadays, the bridge still stands and serves as a reminder of the valor displayed by the Filipinos who are victorious against the American forces.

4. Modern Period
Sequence occupant: In the later years, when the country has gained its real independence until these years a lot of people from different parts of the country tends to transfer in Bulacan.
Proxemics: Because Bulacan is located in the north of Metro Manila wherein a lot of people work in, they tend to settle in Bulacan which is less polluted. As a result, Bulacan is increasing its population. According to a survey in year 2000, there are a total of 2,234,088 Bulakenos, making Bulacan the fourth most populous province in the country. Like what Nick Joaquin said before going to Manila was as if an expedition because of the complexity in terms of transportation but now it is just an ordinary matter. Nowadays, Bocaue, Bulacan where I lived, is just one hour away from Manila. You can also choose from different ways to get to Manila. From Bocaue, you can ride a jeep to Monumento via McArthur Hiway and then the LRT. Another option is through the North Luzon Expresssway.
Culture Trait
People of Bulacan also speak what they consider as the pure Tagalog. Tagalog was from the word “taga-ilog” which Bulakenos were before the Spaniards came until now.
Proxemics
Since that Bulacan is one of the places where the pure Tagalog is being spoken. From here sprung the poet Francisco Balagtas. The province is famous on his 19th century immortal work, the romance in metered quatrains called “Florante at Laura”. The Bulakenos continue this metrical tradition by holding “balagtasan” contest every fiesta and are judge according on the adept of their figures of speech and arguing a topic.
Folk culture – cultural diffusion. It was from the Spanish that we adopted the concept of luxurious festivals. It was mentioned in the novel of Dr. Jose Rizal and was carried throughout the generations.
These are their way of life. It is consistent despite the modernization. These are celebrated once in a year. Some of these are their festivals.
Sto. Nino Festival
In Malolos every last Sunday of January
The biggest expression of devotion to the Holy Child Jesus in the Luzon island.
Lenten Procession
In Baliuag every Holy Wednesday and Good Friday
A lavish display of religious fervor that only the people of Baliuag can manifest in a hundred richly adorned giant carozas depicting the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
Pagoda sa Wawa
In Bocaue every first Sunday of July
A fluvial parade in Bocaue in honor of the miraculous "Krus sa Wawa," a dramatic tradition inspired by centuries-old tales.
Fertility Dance
In Obando every May 17-19
Dance your way to finding a lover or bearing a child on the feast days of San Pascual Baylon, Sta. Clara de Asis, and Virgen de Salambao.
Horse Festival
In Plaridel every December 29-30
Herd of horses with colorful tilburies are seen parading in the streets of Plaridel in reverence to St. James the Apostle.
Singkaban Festival
In Malolos; September 8-10
A festival of arts and culture in honor of the capitol's patron, Our Lady of Victory, showcasing the traditional arts of the "Balagtasan," folk dances, and the "Kundiman" amidst the display of Singkaban arches

Culture Complex
a. Religion – Roman Catholic, Protestant, Born Again
b. Institution – Governor Josefina M. dela Cruz was the present governor in the Province.
c. Technology – the province is veering away from being an agricultural area to an industrialized one.
The craft industries are strongly established in the province. Jewelry making, textile weaving, embroidery, pottery, and inlaid furniture manufacture are still practice in the most towns.

Cultural diffusion: It was from the Spanish that we adopted the preparation of foods such as suman, puto, kutsinta, marzipan and pastilles de leche. It has been a source of income in Bulacan especially in the northern part of Bulacan like San Miguel wherein it is also known for its sweet delicacies.

Proxemics: its proximity to Manila gives it the advantage as a favored site of industrial establishments including leather tanning, cement bag making, ceramics, textiles, food processing, etc.

However, majority of the rural areas are still dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.
More to that, the existence of SM Marilao, helped the people because instead of going to Manila for shopping they just settle in Bulacan with lesser time to travel and more convient.

Culture Region
Core: Manila
Concentric: Malolos and other towns
Far flung: Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.