Lakbay Norte 2021: Exploring Bulakan and Malolos Bulacan

Bulacan is popularly known as the gateway of Northern Philippines. It's the home to many of the country's greatest artists and national heroes. Aside from that, the province is a perfect quick destination where you'll find forest-covered mountains, hiking trails, beautiful resorts and old churches. 

Continuing NLEX Corporation's tradition of fun-filled and gastronomic trips to the North,  Lakbay Norte jumpstarted the fun with a day tour in the province of Bulacan. The tour began in the NLEX Bocaue Barrier. The NLEX Patrol crew discussed the safety programs being implemented in NLEX-SCTEX. The team shared that they ensure the 24/7 safety of an expressway accommodating over 269,000 motorists per day- from the use of speed guns, regular patrolling, handling distressed motorists, to responding quickly to accidents. 

Casie's Restaurant

After the  NLEX Bocaue Barrier tour, we headed to Casie's Restaurant to take our breakfast. It's a casual fine dining Italian-American restaurant in Malolos that offers menu items ranging from hefty servings of anti pasti to savory main courses and pasta. Another attraction is the plane situated at the back of this dining spot for visitors to take pictures at.

Casie's Restuarant Malolos

Address: McArthur Highway, Malolos Bulacan ( Beside STI Malolos and. few steps from Robinsons Mall)

Contact Number: 09674111841

Barasoain Church

More than just another historical Roman Catholic Church, the Barasoain Church holds significant importance in Philippine History. It is the site of the Constitutional Convention of the first Philippine Republic, making the very first Asian Government to promulgate a constitution. It also boasts of a light and sound museum under the management of National Historical Institute. 

In the museum, we are welcomed by Ms. Rheeza Hernandez, a traditional artist, who shared another gem of Malolos, the Puni art. Ms. Hernandez demonstrated the art of coconut leaf. She turned every weave into decors, toys and fashion accessories. 

Casa Real Shrine 

One of the oldest standing structures in the provinces, Casa Real Shrine preserves the printing press during the Malolos Republic. The site was restored in 1852 and converted into a municipal library. Casa Real Shrine is the home relics and memorabilia during the Philippines Revolution that is under the management of the National Historical Institute. 

Malolos Historic Town Center

Visiting old houses is one of the exciting to do in Bulacan. We visited the Malolos Historic Town Center or the Carnestisuhan or Pariancillo District. It's a long stretch of Spanish and American-era houses and government structures. Our first stop was at the Don Jose Bautista House, a Neoclassical mansion that showcases female sculptures on its facade. 

Another worth dropping by is the Alberta Uitangcoy-Santos House. Also, known as the museum of Women of Malolos, the 1914 ancestral house exhibits traditional Filipiniana dresses, photos and some of the possessions of the 21 brave and notable women of Malolos. 

During our Historic Town Cente tour, we tried the most classic and authentic kakanin of Gorio and Mimi's Special Kakanin. It was established in 1979 which offers a variety of kakanin from the City of Malolos, Bulacan. For delivery, you may contact them at 09430958884. Another must-try is the Flaky Chicken Empanada of Catalina's Kitchen. It's crunchy and tasty! For order, you may dial 09175606763. 

Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum

Located in the cultural neighborhood of Malolos, Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum is the home to a collection of valuable relics, mementos, articles, documents and handicrafts of the Philippine Revolution. 

Marcelo H Del Pilar Shrine

Not too far from Malolos is the municipality of Bulakan that safeguards another historical site- the Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine. Aside from being the home of patriot and editor of La Solidaridad, the property also has two storey house that serves as the museum for historical pieces related to Del Pilar and other Philippine heroes. Marcelo H Del Pilar Shrine is under the management of National Historical Institute.

Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church

Aside from Barasoain Church, the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church is must visit destination in Bulacan. Declared as the National Cultural Heritage site last 2007 by the National Museum of the Philippines, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church is a 19th-century Neo-Byzantine -Romanesque stone church situated in the municipality of Bulacan. The church, which displays Moorish features was where Gregorio Del Pilar secretly distributed anti-Spanish pamphlets written by Marcelo H. Del Pilar. 

Our friends from Bulakan treated our team to mouth-watering food from Bessies. They served special Seafood Black Pancit, Fish Nuggets, Chicken Pasta and a lot of delicious pastries. For delivery, you may contact them at 09057343500.

Kalye Mabini

Our last destination was at Kalye Mabini. It's a family-owned dining hotspot in the city of Malolos that offers a fusion of European and Filipino cuisines. We met the owner and chef Jerome Mina who shared the humble beginning of his restaurant. We tried their best sellers dishes like Lomo Ribs, Vegetable Salad, and Tomato Ribs Pan Pizza and Turon Square. The restaurant also sells coffee, sauces and dining kit.

Address: 214 A Mabini Street, Malolos Bulacan 📞 09175184242

New normal, new travel rules, new destinations to discover! NLEX Lakbay Norte is an NLEX Corporation initiative that aims to promote safe and fun travel by highlighting destinations in the North. As tourism starts to recover, NLEX Lakbay Norte hopes to help the industry spark that wanderlust dream and once again satisfy the travel itch. Let's together pull out our backpacks and revive the bucket list, one trip at a time.