Malolos City Bulacan Philippines

Brief History of Malolos

Malolos is one of the historic towns of the Philippines that played a prominent role in the Filipinos'revolutionary struggle against the Spanish colonizers. Its origin can be traced to a small settlement initiated by the Spanish missionaries. When the first Spanish missionaries reached the area, a priest asked the natives of a riverside barrio, which is now Canalate, the name of the place. Misinterpreting that the Spaniard was asking about the direction of the flow of the river, the natives answered "paluslos," the flow of the river was downward.

The Spaniards pronounced this as "Maluslos." The town through the years thus became known as Malolos. The settlement grew with the clearing of forests and virgin lands. Tagalogs made up the majority of the populace. The place was a made a town after a big church was constructed. Malolos was officially founded on December 8, 1580. The Gatchalians and Manahans were among the prominent families who led the town. The people of Malolos took up arms against the Spanish oppressors. In 1643, Pedro Ladia led a local revolt against the Spanish government. The women of Malolos were the addressees of Rizal's letter on February 22, 1889.

The Balangay Apuy, an affiliate of the Katipunan, was organized in Malolos in 1896 to lead local struggle against the Spanish oppressors. Among its leaders were Gen. Isidoro Torres, Ramon de Leon and Luis Gatmaitan. They led a general uprising against the Spaniards on May 31, 1898. Although armed only with bladed weapons and some firearms, they were able to drive out the Spanish forces. Malolos was named capital of the first Republic on September 11, 1898. The Revolutionary Congress was inaugurated at Barasoain on September 15, 1898. The first elected officers were Pedro A. Paterno as President, Benito Legarda as Vice President, Gregorio Araneta and Pablo Ocampo as secretaries. The Malolos Congress ratified the act declaring the independence from Spain on September 29, 1898.

The Malolos Constitution was approved on January 20, 1899 and the First Philippine Republic inaugurated on January 23, 1899. The site of the government was shortly transferred to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. On March 30, 1899, the American Forces captured and occupied Malolos. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippines' independence on June 12, 1899 at Kawit, Cavite. A main factor in the growth and development of Malolos is the opening of the Manila-Dagupan railways in 1892. New ideas from Manila and other places came to Malolos with the advent of the railroad. Aside from agriculture and fishing, the people of Malolos were engaged in carpentry and woodwork, cottage industries and crafts. President Diosdado Macapagal by virtue of EO No. 173 declared the Casa Real a National Shrine in October 4, 1965. President Marcos by virtue of PD No. 26 declared the Barasoain Church a National Land Mark on August 1, 1973. A major boost in the development of Malolos is expected since the promulgation for the city hood has came up to a decision favoring its proponents by October 8, 2002.