Bocaue is a town of about 141,000 (2020) in Bulacan. It is noted for its fireworks industry, its famous fluvial parade, the largest indoor stadium in the world. Bocaue is nicknamed the "Fireworks Capital of the Philippines", with its many local manufacturers and fireworks stores.
Understand
[edit]Bocaue and its neighboring towns form the large conurbation that surround Manila. It is 27 km (17 mi) north of Manila, and 18 km (11 mi) southeast of Malolos.
Bocaue's name is derived from a Tagalog word for a species of long bamboo. Like Marilao, it was founded a barrio of Meycauayan, until it was made a town in 1606. Bocaue's poblacion (downtown or town center) hosts a historic church dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, which also hosts the Mahal na Krus ng Wawa, a Catholic relic which is paraded through the Bocaue River which cuts through town.
Get in
[edit]Bocaue lies along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the old, congested MacArthur Highway, which skirts downtown Bocaue. Bocaue has its own exit on NLEX. Upon entering from Manila, take a left turn going to downtown Bocaue along Governor Fortunato Halili Avenue.
By bus
[edit]- 1 North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET), Ciudad de Victoria Way, Duhat. A partially complete bus station inside the Ciudad de Victoria complex, intended to be used as the new terminal for long-distance services to Ilocos, the Cordilleras and Cagayan Valley. It opened in 2020, intended as a diversion terminal for northbound buses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but has been announced as another bus station to complement the Valenzuela Gateway Complex.
As of July 2020, the following bus companies operating provincial buses have routes out of NLET:
- Baliwag Transit: NLET from San Jose City (via Angeles/Dau and Guimba).
- Cisco Bus: NLET from Cabanatuan (via San Simon, Santa Ana, Gapan)
- Genesis: NLET from Baler (via Angeles/Dau, Tarlac City, and Cabanatuan), Mariveles.
- Philtranco: NLET from Santa Cruz
- Saulog: NLET from Olongapo via San Fernando
NLET is served by one city bus line, route 5, which goes through Manila proper and connects with Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). Metro Manila North Transport operates luxury express services to NLET from Clark Airport, San Fernando (La Union) and Diliman Quezon City. Local bus route 22 (North EDSA-Angat) stops near the Puregold supermarket at barangay Parada in Santa Maria, but you must take a jeepney first and the local bus is a somewhat slower option if headed for Manila.
A point-to-point bus service from Trinoma in Quezon City to Santa Maria also has a stop near NLEX Bocaue Exit. Other commuter buses running between Metro Manila and coastal Bulacan traverse MacArthur Highway.
By jeep
[edit]Jeepneys ply MacArthur Highway. The main jeepney stop is Bocaue Crossing, underneath the flyover at the intersection of MacArthur Highway and Halili Avenue, where transfers to barangays leading to Santa Maria and NLEX can be made, although this is not necessary if taking a jeep heading to Santa Maria or Angat. Tricycles leading to downtown Bocaue also congregate at Crossing.
By jeepney
[edit]Local transportation from NLET is sparse, but there are jeepneys to Santa Maria. Onward to Bocaue town proper, you need to transfer along the bypass near the town's boundary with Santa Maria.
The jeepney service from Monumento in Caloocan to Santa Maria also passes through Bocaue.
By car
[edit]The fastest route to Bocaue is via North Luzon Expressway, with two exits: Bocaue (exit 27) and Tambubong (exit 27A). Another exit (exit 26) leads to Ciudad de Victoria and a bypass road, but is generally open only during events.
From within the province, other highways are the MacArthur Highway which passes near downtown, and Governor F. Halili Avenue from nearby Santa Maria.
By train
[edit]Bocaue will be served by the future railway to Clark Airport.
See
[edit]- 1 Philippine Arena, Ciudad de Victoria, ☏ +63 44 931-8169. With a 55,000 seating capacity, the arena is the biggest domed indoor arena not only in the Philippines but in the world. Built by local Christian sect, Iglesia ni Cristo for their centennial, the Philippine Arena hosts several events including sporting events, church events and concerts.
- 2 Philippine Sports Stadium (New Era University (NEU) Stadium), Ciudad de Victoria. Also part of Iglesia ni Cristo's Ciudad de Victoria complex. The stadium is mainly for football events. It also hosts a blue athletics track.
- 3 St. Martin of Tours Parish Church (Bocaue Church), Poblacion. One of the oldest churches in Bulacan, established in 1578. The church is the home of the Cross of Wawa, a Catholic relic, which is paraded in the Pagoda Festival. Its pointed-edge altarpieces resemble those in medieval European churches.
- 4 Francisca Reyes Aquino Shrine, Morales Street (in Lolomboy Elementary School). Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Shrine built in honor of Philippine National Artist Francisca Reyes Aquino, who was credited for her contributions to Philippine art and culture in the field of native dance. The place is managed by the National Historical Institute.
- 5 The Garden. A leisure area within the Ciudad de Victoria which features a variety of plants. It also hosts the Animal Kingdom, a mini-zoo with various wild animals, and a merry-go-round.
- 6 Bunducan Welcoming Arch, L. Gonzales Extension Road. Open 24 hours. Historical landmark.
- 7 Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim, Garahe Street, Barangay Lolomboy (enter Mendoza Street at the back of McDonald’s Lolomboy and follow the signage at Villa Modesta leading to Garahe Street to the right. The street itself is narrow and difficult for vehicles larger than a tricycle to maneuver, although parking at the site is spacious). 8AM-5PM Tu-Sa, closed Su. A Catholic shrine dedicated to Andrew Kim Taegon, a 19th century Korean priest who served in the area before returning to his homeland, where he was martyred for his beliefs. The chapel resembles an East Asian pagoda, while the gardens have been manicured on the same lines. PHP20, parking fees of PHP20 for cars and PHP10 for motorcycles, tricycles and bikes..
Do
[edit]- Bocaue Pagoda: Every first Sunday of July. An annual fluvial parade, also part of the annual Feast of the Holy Cross, where the Krus ng Wawa, which is believed to have saved an old woman's life who drowned, is paraded on the Pagoda, a gaily structure mounted on large wooden boat (banca), which is then paraded through the Bocaue River.
Buy
[edit]You can buy fireworks and firecrackers in Bocaue for a relatively cheap price, especially during the Western and Chinese New Year seasons, although it can get crowded during those times.
Chicharon, a pork rind snack that makes for a safer (except for cardiovascular reasons) and edible souvenir, can be found along Halili Avenue leading to Santa Maria.
- 1 CityMall Bocaue, Manila North Road. 9AM–9PM.
- 2 Bocaue Public Market, MacArthur Highway, Caingin (beside Bocaue Bridge).
Eat
[edit]- 1 Plaza Centralle, Plaza Centralle, Ciudad de Victoria Bypass Road, ☏ +63 917 630 9282. Open 24 hours. Food court.
- 2 Embrace Cafe & Restaurant, The Garden - Ciudad de Victoria, Ciudad de Victoria. 10AM–10PM.
- 3 Rancho’s Barbeque - Duhat, Duhat Street. 4–9PM.
- 4 Padrino Food Park, #25 Duhat Street, ☏ +63 916 557 9551. 3PM–2AM. Food court.
- 5 McDonald's Lolomboy Branch, MacArthur Highway, ☏ +63 448 154 842. Open 24 hours.
- 6 Harana at Joey’s Bar & Grill, MacArthur Highway. 7PM–5AM.
- 7 Cristina's, #002 Mendoza Street, ☏ +63 923 687 9487. Open 24 hours.
- 8 The HangOut FoodZone by MangCook-an, 320 L. Gonzales Extension Road, ☏ +63 975 433 2178. 11AM–10:30PM. Fast food restaurant.
Drink
[edit]- 1 BigBrew Lolomboy Branch, #1780 La Trinidad Street. 7AM-7PM. affordable Milk Tea and Coffee.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Dream Wave Resort, Igulot Road, Brgy. Tambobong, ☏ +63 917 548 3255, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 2 Gitna Ng Nayon Resort & Pavillion, 40 Gitna Street, Brgy. Duhat, ☏ +63 917 884 3978, +63 945 193 8643.
Stay safe
[edit]Do not bring lighters or any flammable material near a fireworks store. Likewise, do not buy illegal firecrackers (any device with an excessive amount of gunpowder) as any adverse incident involving them will bring negative effects on the town's fireworks industry, including legitimate producers and traders, as a whole.
A low-lying town, Bocaue is highly-vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season, which can be exacerbated during typhoons and high tide from Manila Bay.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Bocaue |
| San Fernando ← Malolos ← | N  S
|
→ Balintawak → Continues south as 
|
| Malolos ← Balagtas ← | N  S
|
→ Marilao → Caloocan |