PASS-yal Museo Bulacan Pamana Pass

 

Situated in Central Luzon, the Province of Bulacan has always been a mecca as far as events in Philippine history is concerned, as clearly evidenced by the numerous local holidays, connected to either key historical figures or events, which shaped our nation to what it is right now.

Due to this fact, it would not be surprising if heritage enthusiasts continuously flock towards this tourist destination, especially during the dry season.

Way back May 2023, the Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO) at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center in Malolos, Bulacan, launched the so-called "Bulacan Pamana Pass", which allowed participants the opportunity to visit 20 heritage structures in the province.

Successfully generating a good following on this tourism-related undertaking, last June 2025, PHACTO then released the second installment aptly entitled the “PASS-yal Museo Bulacan Pamana Pass”, focusing now on 24 various old and modern museums in Bulacan, worth taking into account.

PASS-yal Museo Bulacan Pamana Pass

For those who want to experience this new journey, the mechanics of which is that, for every designated museum within a given municipality, make sure that the Pass be officially stamped on-site.

Do acquire your free Pamana Pass at the following venues: Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum (Malolos), Museo de San Miguel (San Miguel), NHCP Museo ni Mariano Ponce (Baliwag), Museo de Pulilan (Pulilan), NHCP Museo ni Marcelo H. del Pilar (Bulakan), and Museo ng Pamanang Meycaueño (Meycauayan). Better to contact your preferred venue first to make sure if they still have available passports in stock, as well as their operating days/hours.  

Anyway, my group, the Larga-Bistas, began our trip last July 2, 2025 and ended August 7, 2025. We all come from Malabon, Cavite, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City.

Here was the chronological order on how we finished the “PASS-yal Museo Bulacan Pamana Pass” journey. 

Museum #1: Museo de San Miguel (San Miguel) 

The museum is a repository of old artifacts, documents, sculptures, and objects of religious, cultural, and historical value about the Municipality of San Miguel that educate and inspire its faithful.

Museo de San Miguel

Museum #2: Pambayang Museo ng Bustos (Bustos) 

A cultural center dedicated to promoting knowledge, history, and the arts in the town of Bustos.

Pambayang Museo ng Bustos

Museum #3: Museo ni Mariano Ponce (Baliwag)

Built on the birthplace of Mariano Ponce, who managed the reformist periodical “La Solidaridad”, the museum presents his extraordinary life and achievements.

Museo ni Mariano Ponce

Museum #4: Museo ng Baliwag (Baliwag)

Due to ongoing maintenance of the actual museum, as of this posting, participants could only pose next to a pocket exhibit inside the Tanggapan ng Sining, Kultura, at Turismo within the Baliwag Business Center Complex.

Museo ng Baliwag

Museo ng Baliwag (2024 Photo)

Museum #5: Museo Central ng Pulilan (Pulilan)

Established in 2024, this reconstructed 1919 Post-Gabaldon building-turned-museum showcases the history and heritage of Pulilan Central School using old documents, photos, memorabilia, and artworks.

Museo Central ng Pulilan

Museum #6: Museo San Ysidro de Pulilan (Pulilan)

Founded in 1997, the museum comprises artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, and documents, most of which are ecclesiastical, like the century-old scriptures of saints.

Museo San Ysidro de Pulilan

Museum #7: Museo de Pulilan (Pulilan)

Restored in 2013, this 1908 Gabaldon building-turned-museum serves as a repository of Pulilan’s historical and cultural materials, and promotes the town’s local history.

Museo de Pulilan

Museum #8: Museo ni Marcelo H. del Pilar (Bulakan)

The museum located at the birthplace of Marcelo H. del Pilar contains various galleries related to the life of del Pilar. His remains can also be found inside the compound.

Museo ni Marcelo H. del Pilar

Museum #9: Museo de Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion (Bulakan)

Located inside the second oldest church in the Province of Bulacan, the museum houses two sections: (1) the Oratorio ng Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, and (2) the Museo ng Kasaysayan at Arkibo ng Simbahang Naglalakbay at ng Bayan ng Bulakan.

Oratorio ng Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion

Museo ng Kasaysayan at Arkibo ng Simbahang Naglalakbay at ng Bayan ng Bulakan

Museum #10: Bahay Makabayan (Marilao)

This houses Filipiniana Collection dedicated to our national heritage, which is owned by Bulacan historian and academician Jaime Salvador Corpuz.

Bahay Makabayan

Museum #11: Pulong Kabyawan (Pulilan)

This is the first-ever protected, community-based, agri-ecotourism heritage zone located in Barangay Inaon, Pulilan, Bulacan.

Pulong Kabyawan

Museum #12: Parola Museum (Plaridel)

The first museum in Plaridel offers history and verdant views in a modern setting. It displays the Parulan history, notable Paruleños, World War II Parulan Veterans, and the life of Commodore Ramon Alcaraz.

Parola Museum

View on top of the Lighthouse

Museum #13:Museo ni San Andres Kim Taegon (Bocaue)

Situated at the place where the first Catholic priest in South Korea stayed in the Philippines, the museum houses various historical aspects on the life of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon.

Museo ni San Andres Kim Taegon

Museum #14: Museo ng Pamanang Meycaueño (Meycauayan)

Established in 2022, the museum contains materials related to Meycauayan history, tradition, heritage, arts, and culture.

Museo ng Pamanang Meycaueño

Museum #15: Arkeolohiya sa Kaligiran ng Biak-Na-Bato (San Miguel/Doña Remedios Trinidad)

The museum is an exhibition and representation of the history, archaeology, and diversity of the Biak-Na-Bato National Park.

Arkeolohiya sa Kaligiran ng Biak-Na-Bato

Museum #16: Bocaue Institute for History and Information (Bocaue)

Dr. Yanga's Colleges Inc. (DYCI)-BINHI is an interactive Learning Center for Bocauenos that envisions to provide a deeper understadning and appreciation of the history, religiousity, arts, and culture of Bocaue, Bulacan.

Bocaue Institute for History and Information

Museum #17: Museo ni Maria (Santa Maria)

Built in 2018 in honor of the Patroness, La Purisima Concepcion, for devotees, the “Museo ni Maria” holds a vast collection of vestments, jewelry, and antique pieces of the Virgin.

Museo ni Maria

Museum #18: Museo de Marileño (Marilao)

Opened in 2024, the museum displays old household items, photos of leaders and notable personalities from Marilao, as well as other memorabilia and collections.

Museo de Marileño

Museum #19: Museo de la Parroquia (Obando)

The museum showcases the cultural treasures that shaped that shaped and formed the spiritual and communal life of the people of Obando from the establishment of the Parish of San Pascual in 1754 up to the present.

Museo de la Parroquia

Museum #20: Museo ng Kasaysayang Pampulitika ng Pilipinas (Malolos)

Located at the Malolos Casa Real, the exhibits trace the evolution of the Filipino nation-state and the emergence of its system of government and democratic traditions amid the backdrop of long struggles for independence.

Museo ng Kasaysayang Pampulitika ng Pilipinas

Museum #21: Museo ng Republika ng 1899 (Malolos)

Housed inside the convent of the historic Barasoain Church, the museum contains historical photographs of Bulacan and different rooms relate how democracy was established in the country.

Museo ng Republika ng 1899

Museum #22: Bulacan Cultural Material Laboratory (Malolos)

Located inside the Bulacan State University is a research laboratory that develops and applies scientific methods to the study and preservation of important cultural materials.

Bulacan Cultural Material Laboratory

Museum #23: Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum (Malolos)

Located inside the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center is a museum featuring galleries narrating the history of the Province of Bulacan.

Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum

Museum #24: La Casa Azul: The Nava Cruz Gallery (Calumpit)

Conceptualized by an OFW writer working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this museum, the first “Filipino-Arabian Cultural & Heritage Home” in Calumpit, showcases collections from different parts of the world.

La Casa Azul: The Nava Cruz Gallery

Awarding of Tokens and Certificates (Malolos)

Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center in Malolos, Bulacan on August 7, 2025.

Posing with PHACTO Officers

The main challenge in completing the “PASS-yal Museo Bulacan Pamana Pass,” would be aside from the traffic and weather, on how the participant could make himself available in order to visit each museum because each venue has its own scheduled days and times of operation.

Nevertheless, the whole experience was so worth the effort for the entire group, since this tourism-related undertaking allowed us to "forcibly" travel towards various destinations, wherein several of them, we have not visited yet, as well as basic historical know-how were printed on the Pass, which greatly added to our knowledge, and lastly, the priceless conversations with local museum guides, which added more flavor towards the journey.

Hats off to all those who have spearheaded this type of project…again. Kudos!

More reasons indeed na babalik-balikan ang lalawigan ng Bulacan. Explore Pinas!

GBR Museum (General Trias, Cavite)

During the rainy season, a lot of local and international outdoor enthusiasts here in the Philippines would most definitely frown upon scenarios involving storms, typhoons, floods, and the like, all of which provide expected nightmares as far as destination enjoyment would enter the picture.

As an avid outdoorish kind of an individual, during this specific time of the season in this archipelago, several of my travels then would most likely revolve around indoor venues such as shopping malls, unique regional restaurants, heritage villages, and museums.

Speaking of museums, as far as I see it, the most popular ones would be the National Museum of Fine Arts, Ayala Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Anthropology, and many more, which have been constantly flocked by various art-loving tourists. As you can see, a huge majority of frequently visited museums reside in the Metro Manila area, especially in the historic City of Manila.

Lo and behold, situated around 45 kilometers from Manila, is an underrated museum quietly hidden inside the Gateway Business Park at Barangay Javalera in General Trias, Cavite, brimming with loads of very unique historical artifacts, which is so worth the visit.

The privately-owned Geronimo Berenguer De Los Reyes Jr. Museum, popularly known to avid history advocates as the GBR Museum, provides the viewing public with a plethora of rare materials connected to history, culture, and the arts.

Facade of the GBR Museum

Arriving at the Reception Area, the entrance fee is P100 for regular visitors, and P80 for senior citizens and students (with IDs). Student tour groups can avail of a special discount.

Reception Area

Consisting of six areas centering on various moments in Philippine history and the evolution of air transportation, this establishment aims to help tourists see our country in a new perspective.

Pavilion-A contains the various achievements and memorabilia belonging to GBR. 

Various GBR Memorabilia

Space Exploration Memorabilia

Moving on to the Pavilion-B, visitors could view several photos linked to the Pre-Spanish Revolution.

Old Structures

Old Philippine Attires

The General Aviation A room contains model planes and paintings depicting old aviation, while the General Aviation B room houses model aircraft and artworks too, but showcasing the modern ones.

General Aviation A

General Aviation B

Various unique memorabilia revolving around the Spanish Revolution and Phil-American War can be found in Pavilion-C. An enlarged replica of the authentic Jose Rizal Execution photo, which they have at their custody, but prohibited for public viewing, is one of the main highlights in this museum. 

Replica of the Jose Rizal Execution Photo

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Memorabilia

Lastly, the Pavilion-D displays items and paintings depicting The Second World War, Liberation, Peacetime, The Philippines after July 4, 1946, and as Asia's First Republic.  

Photos of World War II & the Japanese Occupation

Gen. Douglas MacArhur Memorabilia

By the way, in front of museum is the Monument of Crisanto Mendoza De Los Reyes with Maximino Inocencio and Enrique Paraiso. A "Cavite Mutiny of 1872" granite memorial can be seen at the background.

De Los Reyes Monument & "1872 Cavite Mutiny" Memorial

Given all of these, the GBR Museum is definitely worth the trip especially for history buffs out there. Explore Pinas!

Bulacan Pamana Pass

 

The Province of Bulacan has always been a treasure trove possessing loads of aspects mostly related to the history of the Philippines. 

Situated in Central Luzon, Bulacan takes pride in being the birthplace of various noble heroes, as well as locations of pivotal events that have shaped the course of the archipelago, as evidenced by the numerous local holidays occurring annually in order to help preserve this region's culture and promote national identity. 

As far as heritage is concerned, we could not discount the fact that aside from the above-mentioned facets, old structures reflecting the past should also be taken into account since they also immensely exude historical and cultural value, quietly assuming the role of silent storytellers.

Launched way back May 9, 2023 by the Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO) located at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center in Malolos, Bulacan, and implemented on December 1, 2023, the "Bulacan Pamana Pass" is basically a guide to 20 heritage structures in the province, such as the Barasoain Church, specifically aimed for the local tourist market.

Bulacan Pamana Pass

For those who are interested to embark on this journey, the mechanics of which is that, for every tourist attraction visited on a given destination, make sure that the Pass be stamped, verifying your site presence after showing photo evidence at an assigned Tatak Center.

As an avid heritage advocate, I started my trip last August 19, 2024 and ended December 19, 2024. Here was the chronological order on how I completed the Pamana Pass experience, but first things first, participants must visit the Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center, accomplish a Registration Form, and sign a Waiver before officially claiming the Pass. Claiming only happens on weekdays from 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

Structure #1: Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center (Malolos)

Inaugurated on August 30, 1971, this serves as the center of Bulacan's history, arts, culture, and tourism.

Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center

Structure #2: Kapitolyo ng Bulacan (Malolos)     

Built in 1930.

Kapitolyo ng Bulacan

Structure #3: Simbahan ng Barasoain (Malolos)

- Built in 1885.

- Malolos Congress held here on September 15, 1898.

- First state university founded here on October 19, 1898.

- Site of the First Philippine Republic inaugurated here on January 23, 1899.

Simbahan ng Barasoain

Structure #4: Casa Real de Malolos (Malolos)

- Former office of the Gobernadorcillo during the Spanish colonial period.

- Demolished in 1965 and restored in 1980.

Casa Real de Malolos

Structure #5: Aguas Potables de Malolos (Malolos)

Built to provide clean drinking water to downtown Malolos in 1923.

Aguas Potables de Malolos

Structure #6: Katedral ng Malolos (Malolos)

- Founded by the Augustinians in 1580.

- Convent functioned as the Presidential Palace of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.

Katedral ng Malolos

Structure #7: Tahanan ni Dr. Luis Uitangcoy Santos(Malolos)

- Built in 1933.

- Once a clinic for the wounded during World War II.

Tahanan ni Dr. Luis Uitangcoy Santos

Structure #8: Saint John of God Parish (San Rafael)

- Built in 1877.

- Place of a bloody battle between the Katipuneros and Spaniards on November 30, 1896.

Saint John of God Parish

Structure #9: Saint Augustine Parish (Baliwag)

- Built from 1769 to 1774.

- Became a refuge for American soldiers during the Philippine-American War in 1898.

Saint Augustine Parish

Structure #10: Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint John the Baptist (Calumpit)

Founded in 1572, it is the oldest church in the Province of Bulacan.

Diocesan Shrine & Parish of St. John the Baptist

Structure #11: Alberta Uitangcoy House (Malolos)

- One of the Women of Malolos who petitioned to establish a school for women in 1888.

- Built in the late 19th century.

Alberta Uitangcoy House

Structure #12: Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion (Bulakan)

- Built in 1885.

- Spanish forces in this church surrendered to Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, paving the way to the liberation of Bulacan in 1898.

Diocesan Shrine & Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion

Structure #13: Saint Francis of Assisi Parish (Meycauayan)

- Built in 1668.

- Notable for its isolated bell tower connected by a bridge.

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish

Structure #14: Old PNR Meycauayan Station (Meycauayan)

- Built in 1891.

- Witnessed battles between Filipino revolutionaries and Americans invaders (1899-1901) and the Japanese forces (1942-1944).

Old PNR Meycauayan Station

Structure #15: Constantino Ancestral House (Balagtas)

- Built in 1840.

- Jose Rizal stayed here when he visited Malolos in 1892.

Constantino Ancestral House

Structure #16: Old PNR Guiguinto Station (Guiguinto)

- Built in 1891.

- Site where the uprising of 200 Katipuneros against the Spaniards took place on May 27, 1898.

Old PNR Guiguinto Station

Structure #17: Old Municipal Building (Baliwag)

Built in the late 19th century.

Old Municipal Building

Structure #18: Santiago Apostol Parish (Plaridel)

- Founded in 1602.

- Known for the onion-shaped pediment that resembles the mosque of Muslims, drawing inspiration from Saint James the Moor-slayer.

Santiago Apostol Parish

Structure #19: Cemetery Chapel of Quingua (Plaridel)

Served as a mortuary chapel of the old parish cemetery or camposanto of the town of Quingua (now Plaridel).

Cemetery Chapel of Quingua

Destination #20: Gabaldon School (Pulilan)

- Built in 1908.

- First primary school in Pulilan during the American era.

Gabaldon School

Awarding of Tokens and Certificate (Malolos)

Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center in Malolos, Bulacan on December 23, 2024.

Posing with Billy Joe B. Marciano (History Coordinator, PHACTO)

The main challenge in completing the Bulacan Pamana Pass, for me, aside from traffic, would be on how the participant could make himself available in order to visit each specific structure displayed in the Pass because each site has its own scheduled days and times of operation.

Nevertheless, the whole experience was so worth the effort, since this tourism-related undertaking allowed me to "forcibly" travel towards various destinations, wherein several of them, despite being an avid traveler, I still have not visited yet, and on top of that, basic historical details can be seen on the Pass, which greatly added to my knowledge as a heritage enthusiast.

Hats off to all those who have spearheaded this project. Kudos!

The sites indicated in the Bulacan Pamana Pass could just be appetizers on what travelers can experience more as they continuously hop from town to town, further checking out loads of local and natural wonders, and observing the uniqueness of several festivals in the region.

More reasons indeed na babalik-balikan ang Bulacan. Explore Pinas!