Bocaue
Bocaue | |
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 Map of Bulacan showing the location of Bocaue. | |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Region | Central Luzon (Region III) |
| Province | Bulacan |
| District | 2nd District |
| Founded | April 11, 1606 |
| Barangays | 19 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Eduardo Villanueva, Jr. (Bangon Pilipinas Party) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 31.87 km2 (12.31 sq mi) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 105,817 |
| • Density | 3,300/km2 (8,600/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 3018 |
| Income class | 1st class, urban municipality |
| Website | www.bulacan.gov.ph/bocaue |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 69,718 | — |
| 2000 | 86,994 | +4.86% |
| 2007 | 105,817 | +2.74% |
Bocaue (Filipino:Bukawe) is a first-class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. The municipality of Bocaue lies 24.5 kilometers northeast of Manila through the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Highway and is located at the mid-southwestern portion of Bulacan. The town is bounded on the north by the municipalities of Balagtas and a portion of the municipality of Santa Maria; by the municipalities of Marilao and Obando on the south; a larger portion of Santa Maria on the east; a portion of the municipality of Bulacan on the extreme southwestern side; and a portion of Balagtas on the western side.
The town's name comes from the old Tagalog word "bokawe" which refers to a type of long bamboo. The town was established in 1606 by Spanish friars and was carved out from the nearby town of Marilao. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 105,817 people.
There are three road crossings in town that are heavily congested during the rush hours: Lolomboy, Wakas and Bocaue road crossings. The Bocaue River runs through most of the town, and the Bocaue Museum is located near the center. The Bocaue River Festival is celebrated on the first Sunday of every July. During the river festival of July 2, 1993, tragedy struck when around 500 people rode the floating pagoda of the Virgin Mary way beyond its capacity, causing it to sink, killing more than two hundred people. Despite the lives lost, no one has been made accountable for the tragedy. This incident became known as the Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy.
Bocaue is about 27 kilometers north of Manila through the North Luzon Expressway (where it has its own exit). Its major industry is fireworks, making it the Fireworks Capital of the Philippines. It is also an education center in the Marilao/Sta. Maria/Balagtas municipalities area with the college education at St. Paul College (town center) and Dr. Yanga's Foundation College and Hospital; and private high school and elementary education at St. Paul College (Igulot district)---like its town center college unit, operated by the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres---, Sto Niño Academy, and Jesus Is Lord College Foundation operated by the Jesus Is Lord Church.
A small art gallery called Twenty-Twenty (owned by the town's ophthalmologist and her art photographer husband and located beside the town's McDonald's restaurant) sells local Bulacan painters' works. Nationally-known people in the arts include choreographer Francisca Reyes Aquino, TV actress Jewel Mische and poet/fiction writer/blogger Vicente Soria de Veyra (also known as Tandang Soria of the online band Groupies' Panciteria). Pro basketball player Billy Mamaril and pastor and two-time presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva are also from the town.
Bocaue is also famous for its Bocaue liempo (bacon) roast, crispy pata (beef brisket and shank), rellenong bangus (stuffed milkfish) and all sorts of rice cakes.
Part of Manila's built-up area
With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the town is now included in the metropolis' built-up area, which reaches San Ildefonso, Bulacan at its northernmost part.
Barangays
Bocaue is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.
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Civic administration
Mayors of Bocaue, Bulacan
Eduardo Villanueva, Jr. (2007 - Present)
Serafin dela Cruz (2004 - 2007)
Eduardo Villanueva, Jr. (2001 - 2004)
Jose Santiago, Sr. (1998 - 2001)
Serafin dela Cruz (1992 - 1998)
Lorenzo Gonzales (1988 - 1992)
Maran David (1986-1988)
Cesar N. Nicolas (1988)
Moises E. Nicolas (1962-1969)
Evangelino Mendoza (unknown year)
- Other names to follow -
Vice Mayors of Bocaue, Bulacan
Jose Santiago, Jr. (2007 - Present)
Kennedy Valdez (2004 - 2007)
Peter Christopher Gonzales (2001 - 2004)
Rogelio " Maestro " Ramos (1998 - 2001)
Serafin dela Cruz (unknown year)
Cesar N. Nicolas (unknown year)
- Other names to follow -
See also
Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy
December 2007 Bocaue Fire
External links
 Province of Bulacan | |
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| Municipalities | |
| Component cities | |
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