MALABON'S TOURISM INNOVATION by Dianne Alvarez

Malabon is a city well-known for its ancestral houses, special pancit, old churches, and different kinds of kakanin. These structures and products spiced up Malabon's Tourism. That's why tourists can't help coming back for more!

We had a great tour in this place under the torching heat of the sun even though summer is over. The thing I like most about Malabon is that the tourist spots here are still well-preserved and that the City Government is developing new ways of attracting tourists.

Their positive attitude of advancing tourism in Malabon come up with a new product called Boneless Bangus. In infrastructures, the Oreta administration also plans the New Malabon City Sports Complex Building, which is one of its kind in the CAMANAVA area; and the New 11-storey Government Center Building with scenic elevator and parking space facility.* Great things are yet to come in this place!* 

Meeting Pastora M. Haber Ursal, the OIC of the Tourism Office was such a privilege. She said that unlike before, tourism in Malabon is now growing. In fact, their team managed a tour plan if a group of people wants to visit the place – a special tour to its tourist spots and to different well-known restaurants.

Well, if you are not familiar in the place, you need not to worry because they will guide you.

But first you have to coordinate with Pastora Ursal so she can schedule you for a tour.

          Furthermore, I also appreciate the people in Malabon because they are so friendly and accommodating.

          Well one thing I can assure you - Malabon is worth visiting with all its unique tourist spots, friendly people and good-tasting products!

Want more? Click below for Malabon City's website:

*http://www.malabon.gov.ph/profiles.html

*http://www.malabon.gov.ph/tourism.html

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Malabon Old Houses By: Catherine Ramirez

     Malabon, a city image immediately associated with flood.Yet it is much more a city where old Filipino and traditional houses during Spanish period still exist. From the Conception Church of Malabon, old and fascinating houses are very noticeable. 

     The first one is the house in front of the Conception Church known as Farmacia Borja; built in 1923,two storey house owned by the Rojas-Borja Family. It is said to be one of the most preserved stone and wood house in the city.Due to the efforts of the present owner, the house still shows the structure, art nouveau.Unfortunately were not able to enter the house due to Dr. Raymundo Gonzales (owner) clinic time.

     

Benedicto Luna house under construction

     Next house is the Benedicto Luna House of the Santos Family; a three storey Filipino colonial period illustrado house built in the 1960's. The house is located at General Luna corner Paez St. Barangay conception. The house is said to be abandoned, but as what we learn from the some of the residents it is actually under construction for rental purposes.

    Another Luna House is the Paez Luna House which is said to be the treasure of Malabon. It is a two storey Filipino Spanish colonial period Illustrado House , has an art nouveau elements and an outstanding period ornate facade. The most fascinating about the house is the two rooms with ceiling paintings done by Fernando Amorsolo. Word is, Amorsolo was courting one of the Lunas residing in the house and had painted the ceiling with art Nouveau- styled drawings of women and flowers as symbol of his love.

     Below is the David Ignacio House; a 1930s two storey Filipino colonial period Illustrado House. The front of the house is along C. Arellano St. and to its rear is a river.The interior is said to have an ornate carving despite the exterior's quite unpreserved look.

     The oldest house in the city is the Raymundo House, built in 1861. It has a wall structure, especially standing out on its wall gateway which inscribed with a Hapsburg Eagle. Unfortunately, were unable to capture the House, since were already carried by a jeep going to our next stop. But, when I actually saw it. I immediately remember the wall city- Intramuros because of quite similar structure of the two.

     Moreover, the Malabon Torism Office described that such Old Houses land property are mostly in large  measures because Malabon used to be a huge vast of agricultural land. Old Houses of Malabon are mostly named after some Filipino heroes neither their families specifically Juan Luna and Jose Rizal who used to visit some of the old houses.


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A Trip to Malabon by Yrwyn Policarpio

As the group finds another spot for their historical trip, they targeted the City of Malabon for it's numerous old houses and churches preserved. For someone who's not "tubong Malabon" efforts must be made to fully understand and appreciate the beauty and the history of the city.

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The city is situated in the Northern Sector of Mega Manila, bounded on the North by the City of Valenzuela, on the West and Southwest by the City of Navotas, and on the East and Southeast by Caloocan City.

Malabon was founded by the Agustinians on May 21, 1599 and was then known as Tambobong for its numerous bamboo trees and abundant bamboo shoots. Later, during the Spanish era, the place was then called Malabon-- "mala" for the mud that dirtied leather shoes and "bon" for its fresh air and excellent cuisine.

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Malabon was officially made a municipality of the newly-created province of Rizal on June 11, 1901 by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 137. 

When Act No. 942 was promulgated, Malabon was merged with Navotas under a new government. 

On January 16, 1906, Act No. 1441 separated Malabon from Navotas into two distinct municipalities of the Rizal province.

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And on November 7, 1975, Malabon became a part of Metro Manila through Presidential Decree No. 824.

The first mayor of Malabon was Don Agustin Salamante, a Spanish mestizo originally from Cavite. 

With the recent population census, Malabon city has a total population of 347 484 with 21 barangays having commercial fishing as their industry and their known for their "bagoong" or fish paste products.

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The striving city have lots of accomplishments in improving and developing their town together with the infrastructures that have been made for the benefit of the people themselves.

From the 1939 Municipio on the right, to the old city hall in the middle before it became the present City Hall on the left.
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To the Oreta Sports Center built to boost morale, recreation, and welfare for the entire constituencies. The Malabon City Digital Infrastructure Project (MCDIP) which aims to provide efficient delivery of services to its constituents, to ensure effective and efficient collection of taxes and fees, and to institute transparency; as well as to improve business transactions within the LGU. And many more projects and programs of the incumbent mayor and officials. 

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Just So You Know:

The first issue of the La Indenpendencia, the official publication of the revolutionary government, were printed in Malabon's Asilo de Huerfanos on September 3, 1898.

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Asilo de Huerfanos was an orphanage built to house the orphans of the plague in 1882.

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Malabon Churches by Veronica Trubanos

Our group decided to visit the City of Malabon and it’s funny because all of us don’t know how to go there but after trying our luck we finally reached the place. The first stop that we visit was the San Bartolome Church. It is located at barrio San Agustin within the school of saint James Academy. August 24 is their feast day.

The church was first built by the Spaniards in 1621 and finished in 1854.  In 1861 the facade and its twin towers were constructed.  The architecture of San Bartolome Church was simple and elegant but imposing.  With its portico of Ionic columns reminiscent of a Greek temple, it was said to be "one of the most beautiful examples of ecclesiastical architecture that Spain has left the country." The interior was mostly untouched, though, keeping its simple and dignified design with a few flourishes from the era.

Old San Bartolome Church

As you can see in this picture (below) the church seems beautiful on the outside, but when we entered, we're disappointed, the beautiful ceiling of this church becomes ugly. We were sad on what we saw because one of the oldest and beautiful Churches in Malabon turn into unattractive. One of the resident there tell us something on what happen in that church, he told that everything was because of the parish priest named Fr. Ric Torrefiel. Also, he told that Mayor Oreta gave P4 Million to this priest to beautify again this church but nothing happened.

New San Bartolome Church

The second church that we visit is the Concepcion Church; this was near the Imaculate Concepcion Academy. 

The parish of the Immaculate Concepcion was constructed in 1600 by the townspeople of Malabon. The image was installed in the main altar in 1700, and formerly known as the La Purissima Concepcion. It was canonically crowned on December 7, 1896 thorough a Papal Bull issued in September 1986 and it was renamed into Immaculada Concepcion in honor of the Dogma of the Immaculate Copcepcion which declared by Rome in 1854.

They told that that the image of Virgin was miraculous because one story comes up that there a Chinese businessman fell accidentally into the Malabon river in 1880, while waiting for the rescue, he called and prayed to the Virgin and promised to help in building the church near him. He was about to sink when a boat came just to save him. He donated a marble font to the Concepcion Church on which the name of his wife was inscribed.

Also, I was impressed of their big statue of Jesus, it was the asset of this church to get the attention of the people because I know all of us will take a look in that statue.

We cannot enter inside because it was locked. But I think this church looks good. Like the San Bartolome church, it is also old. They celebrate the feast of Imaculate Concepcion during December 8 and some events follows.

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