Malolos
Malolos is a city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines.
Understand
Malolos is the capital and second most populous city of the province of Bulacan, with more than 260,000 residents (2020). It was the site of the constitutional convention of 1898, known as the Malolos Convention, that led to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, at the sanctuary of the Barasoain Church. The convent of the Malolos Cathedral served as the presidential palace at that time. Malolos gave birth to the first constitutional republic in Asia.
Get in
By car
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) provides access from Manila and Angeles, and exits near Malolos are Tabang and Santa Rita. Tabang exit is best used from Manila, while Santa Rita exit is best used from the north.
The MacArthur Highway passes through the city between Calumpit and Guiguinto.
By bus
Golden Bee and First North Luzon Transit has buses between Manila and the towns of Hagonoy, and Masantol and Macabebe (the latter two in southern Pampanga). The main bus stop is on McArthur Highway, near the flyover.
By train
There are no trains to Malolos since the main line to La Union closed in the 1980s.
As of 2019, there is ongoing construction of an electrified standard-gauge railway to Clark International Airport in Angeles, Pampanga, and New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The first segment of that rail project will run up to Malolos. As of 2023, the line is still under construction, with opening estimated by 2025.
Get around
Public transportation in Malolos is served by buses, jeepneys, and UV Express AUVs. The city is also served by tricycles, which offer their services on a for-hire basis.
Malolos is known for its Karatig Jeepneys which serves as an intra-city public transportation. The name came from the word karatig, which means nearby places or barangays. The Karatig jeepney is the smaller version of the jeepneys which usually have the size of about 3 meters long and can board 8-10 commuters at the back plus 2 passengers in the front seat. Longer models can accommodate about 10-12. Its capacity varies according to the jeep’s length and size. There are two Karatig routes around Malolos.
See
- 1 Bulacan Provincial Capitol View Park, Manila North Road. City park. Free.
- 2 Malolos Cathedral (Immaculate Conception Parish Cathedral & Minor Basilica (Diocese of Malolos)), Estrella Street.
- 3 Emilio Aguinaldo Monument - Malolos, Barasoain Church Compd., Paseo Del Congreso.
- 4 Museo ng Republika ng 1899, Paseo del Congreso, Plaza Rizal (in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Barasoain Church).
- 5 Kalayaan Tree, Estrella Street (Malolos Cathedral (Immaculate Conception Parish Cathedral & Minor Basilica) (Diocese of Malolos)). Open 24 hours. Historical landmark. Free.
- 6 Old Malolos City Hall, Jacinto Street, ☏ +63447916891. 8AM–5PM.
Historical sites
- 7 Barasoain Church. Erected in 1885, was the site of the very First Philippine Congress on September 15, 1898, and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899. In this church the Oath of Office of Emilio Aguinaldo and Joseph Estrada as Philippine presidents took place. Within the premises of Barasoain Church, there are other historical markers installed by National Historical Commission, such as the Universidad Literaria y Scienifico de Filipina at Malolos Convent, General Emilio Aguinaldo Monument at Barasoain patio, and First Philippine Republic marker installed at left side of the main lateral wall of the church.
- 8 Casa Real, Paseo del Congreso, Plaza Rizal. 9AM-4PM. It was built in 1580 as Casa Tribunal and Casa Presidencia of the town gobernadorcillo. It became Spanish treasury in 1673. Declared National Shrine on October 4, 1965. Now it is the Museum of Philippine Political History.
- 9 Museo ng Kasaysayang Pampulitika ng Pilipinas - Casa Real Shrine, Paseo del Congreso, Plaza Rizal, ☏ +63 44 662 6135. 8:30AM–4:30PM. National museum about Filipino political history in a former printing press building.
Do
- 1 Malolos Sports & Convention Center, #10 MacArthur Hwy, ☏ +63 44 796 3326. Convention center.
Buy
- 1 Robinsons Malolos, MacArthur Hwy. 10AM–9PM.
- 2 WalterMart Shopping Center - Malolos Branch, KM 45, MacArthur Hwy, Longos, ☏ +639190649811. 9AM–8PM. Mall, Food Stores, Supermarket.
- 3 South Supermarket Malolos, Feliza Bldg, 110a MacArthur Hwy, Sumapang Matanda, ☏ +639955556790. 8:30AM–8PM.
- 4 Malolos Public Market, Lucero Street. Open 24 hours.
Eat
- 1 Fortune Hong Kong Seafood, MacArthur Hwy, ☏ +63 932 891 4152. 10AM.
- 2 Tutong’s Laksa - Malolos, Capitol View Park Subd, Diamond.
- 3 McDonald's-Malolos Bayan Branch, Sto. Nino Street corner Estrella Street. Open 24 hours.
- 4 Bistro Maloleño, Capitol View Park, Santo Nino Street, bistromalolenyo@yahoo.com.ph. 10AM-10PM. Opened in April 2013, Bistro Maloleno is a casual dining restaurant serving Heirloom Bulacan Dishes. This concept restaurant does not only bring dining entertainment to its guests, but it also serves as a living museum of culinary tradition where the guests learn and experience Bulacan's heritage cuisine.
- 5 Lioming’s Rice Noodles Corner, Lucero Street, ☏ +639757146044. Open 24 hours. Thai restaurant.
Drink
- 1 Steak and Wine Unlimited Malolos Branch, Seaoil, MacArthur Highway. 11AM–9PM. ₱₱.
- 2 Kape Kapitolyo - Malolos, Caltex BSU, Guinhawa, ☏ +63 44 760 5908. 9AM-6PM.
- 3 Cafe Congreso, G/F Don Mar Building, Paseo del Congreso Street, Catmon, ☏ +63 44 306 5742, congresocoffee@gmail.com. 11AM-8PM.
- 4 Coffeenity Co., km41 MacArthur Hwy, ☏ +63 44 764 5205, coffeenitycompany@yahoo.com. 9AM-10PM.
- 5 The Ugly Mug Cafe Bulacan, 192 A Mabini. 10AM-8PM.
- 6 Bo's Coffee - Malolos, San Francisco Square, Estrela Street Sto Nino (beside Malolos Cathedral), ☏ +63 962 943 2298. 7AM-11PM.
- 7 Cafe Rese, cafereseph@gmail.com. always open.
- 8 Fifteenth Café, Blas Ople Diversion Road, Bulihan, ☏ +63 995 062 1534, fifteenthcoffeegroup@gmail.com. 10AM-11PM.
- 9 Kopi Brood Cafe, Luisa St. Rufina Homes subdivision Bagong Bayan, ☏ +63 939 908 0208, kopibrood@gmail.com. 8AM-7PM.
- 10 1995 Studio Cafe, Km 44, MacArthur Highway, Longos, ☏ +63 917 179 8221. 11AM-9PM.
- 11 Dear Joe Malolos. 10AM-9PM.
Sleep
- 1 The Grove Resort and Hideaway, #955 Enriquez Street, ☏ +639058411707, jhtorrijosmariadolores@gmail.com. ₱₱.