One Day in Malolos, Bulacan

Malolos, Bulacan is something that almost no one will consider visiting, except if one wants to feel the Spanish colonial period vibe while avoiding the mainstream Intramuros in Manila. Let me tell you that Malolos is more than that by presenting my very own DIY Malolos Bulacan itinerary!

I have been to Bulacan province a few times already, primarily for family outing activities because there are a bunch of nice resorts in this area which serves as one of the nearest escapades from the city. Moreover, I pass by this province every single time via NLEX whenever I go somewhere up north. As a History Professor who is super passionate about teaching the subject with original photos and more accurate information, I decided to pay a visit and check some things to do in Malolos, Bulacan.

I hopped on a bus at Victory Liner Terminal in Caloocan bound for Apalit, Pampanga. In order to access the Bulacan Town Proper, make sure you alight before this flyover.

MALOLOS BULACAN ITINERARY

So, without further ado, here is a list of the things of things to do in Malolos, Bulacan:

DINE IN AT CAFE CONGRESO

This Wes Anderson-ish restaurant is totally worth visiting, especially for serial IG-worthy places hunters like me! They serve a lot of good dishes, but since I arrived there in the morning, I ordered an English Breakfast and a mixed berries shake.

Visit Cafe Congreso’s Instagram page for more details.

VISIT THE BARASOAIN CHURCH

This beautiful church, the Barasoain Church, was the site of the First Philippine Republic, hence the name Malolos Republic,  in 1899.

Also, check out the interior of the church and more pilgrimage sites in Bulacan.

APPRECIATE PHILIPPINE HISTORY AT THE MUSEO NG REPUBLIKA NG 1899

Beside the Barasoain Church is the Museo ng Republika ng 1899. It houses several informative exhibits and memorabilia from the Malolos Republic. You will also see here the actual text of the Malolos Constitution. There are wax figures of Philippine History personalities in some galleries.

CHECK OUT EMILIO AGUINALDO STATUE AT THE CHURCH PLAZA

General Emilio Aguinaldo was the President of the Malolos Republic. The Historical Marker says:

Emilio Aguinaldo Y Famy (1869-1964)

Unang Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Dito niya sa Malolos pansamantalang inilipat ang Pamahalaang Rebolusyonaryo mula Bakoor, Kabite dahil sa napipintong Digmaang Filipino-Amerikano, 10 Setyembre 1898 – 31 Marso 1899. Pinulong ang Kongreso ng Malolos sa Simbahan ng Barasoain, Bulacan upang mabalangkas ng Saligang Batas. 15 Setyembre 1898 na nagtatag ng Republika ng Pilipinas, ang Unang Republika sa Asya, 23 Enero 1899.

SEE ALSO: Liwliwa Beach, Zambales: A Beach Destination Near Malolos, Bulacan

HAVE A PHILIPPINE HISTORY PRIMER AT CASA REAL SHRINE

Casa Real Shrine was the former seat of the Spanish Colonial Government in Bulacan and was converted into a museum. If you visit this place, you will have a comprehensive information on Philippine history, from prehistory/precolonial period to present.

DROP BY THE MALOLOS MUNICIPAL HALL

I remember my graduate studies Professor who got weirded out on me when I shared the information that whenever I visit a new place in the Philippines, I make it a point to drop by the municipal/city hall and take a photo of it/pose by it. I mean, come on. Why not? It will give you an idea of the daily hustle of the place. Plus, you can always pay the Tourism Office a visit.

APPRECIATE COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE LIKE THE GOBIERNO MILITAR DE LA PLAZA DE MALOLOS

Colonial buildings like this one are being converted to government offices and museums, and look at this Meralco Building! So beautiful! The historical marker says:

Sa pook na ito dating nakatayo ang kwartel ni Heneral Isidro Torres bilang tagapangasiwa ng kapayapaan at kaayusan ng bayan ng Malolos sa panahon ng Pamahalaang Mapaghimagsik hanggang sa Unang Republika ng Pilipinas 1898-1899.

Ang panandang pang-alaalang ito ay pinasinayaan ngayon, 14 Seytembre 2014, bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang sa ika-116na guning taong pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos, 15 Setyembre 1898.

DROP BY BAHAY PAARALAN NG MGA KABABAIHAN NG MALOLOS

My Philippine History/Jose Rizal students, remember the Ang Sulat Para sa Kababaihan ng Malolos by Jose Rizal? This is where those women of Malolos used to school. The historical marker of this spot says:

Pook na kinatayuan ng paaralan ng mga kadalagahan na nilihaman ni Jose Rizal buhat sa Londres noong ika-22 ng Pebrero, 1889, ng kanyang bantog na sulat ng pinamagatang “Sa Mga Kababayang Dalaga sa Malolos” noong ika-12 ng Disyembre, 1888. Ang 21 dalagang taga-Malolos ay humingi ng pahintuloy sa Gobernador Heneral Weyler na makapagbukas, sa sariling gugol nila, ng isang paaralang panggabi na magtuturo ng Wikang Kastila. Sa kanyang sulat ay pinuri ni Rizal ang mga naturang dalaga dahil sa kanilang pagkukusa, sigasig, at diwang makabayan.

WALK AROUND TO SPOT BEAUTIFUL SPANISH COLONIAL HOUSES

Malolos, Bulacan is the site of so many Spanish colonial houses, and it is a beautiful thing that they were able to preserve these cultural heritage. <3

CHECK OUT MALOLOS CATHEDRAL

The Malolos Cathedral is more than just a Catholic church in Bulacan, but it was also the site of the Presidential Palace of Emilio Aguinaldo during the Malolos Republic.

CHILL UNDER THE KALAYAAN TREE

This historical Siar Tree is known to be planted by President Emilio Aguinaldo and the spot where the historical figures meet and planned things out during the Philippine Revolution.

DROP BY THE BULACAN PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

This is not only where you can find the seat of the current Governor of the Province of Bulacan, but this is also where you can find the statues of Marcelo and Gregorio del Pilar, Filipino heroes during the Spanish colonial period. There is also a souvenir shop at the left side of the building where I was able to buy a fridge magnet of Malolos.

DINE AT BISTRO MALOLEÑO

What’s interesting about this place is that the menu is inspired by Philippine History. Visit Bistro Maloleño to see the menu for yourself. In my case, I attended a work-related event when I dined here but I was able to taste the Santolada Juice. Yum!

If you are looking for a quick historical, gastronomical, and Instagram-worthy escapade near Manila, Malolos is a nice place to go. 🙂

Malolos Bulacan Itinerary and Other Things to do in Malolos: More Suggestions are Welcome!

I hope you enjoyed your day trip by following this Malolos Bulacan Itinerary containing things to do in Malolos. If you think I missed anything that deserve to be included in this list, please let me know! 🙂 Happy travels!

P. S. I recently heard that there was a new Instagram-worthy resort in Malolos, Bulacan: the Cabin Look Resort