San Ildefonso, Bulacan

History

Bulak was then a barrio of San Rafael. There were only about 3,000 inhabitants. The early inhabitants were people from neighboring towns and provinces who preferred to settle in this place because of its good agricultural prospects.

When the Spaniards came, the name Bulak was changed to Hacienda San Juan de Dios because 15,500 hectares of grazing and farming grounds were claimed by the friars. The people were told to pay tribute. Proceeds from the rentals were used to finance the operation of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Manila. The Spanish friars, though antagonistic toward the Filipinos, admired the beauty of the natural scenery. They changed the name to Hacienda Buenavista (which means beautiful scenery in Spanish).

As the population grew, a chapel was constructed under the parochial jurisdiction of San Rafael. In 1809, Father Juan dela Rosa was named the first Filipino priest of the town. He held the position until 1811. He was responsible for changing the name Bulak to San Ildefonso in honor of Alfonso XII, then the king of Spain, and San Ildefonso, its patron saint. By the time it was given this name, a tribunal was created finally making it a town in 1877. Between 1903 and 1906, San Ildefonso was merged with San Miguel due to its low income and inability to finance its expenditures in operating the local government.

As years went by, more and more people were induced to live in the town. The growth of population promoted an increase of income. The town became capable of meeting its expenses, so it ceased being a barrio of San Miguel and became once again an independent town.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942, the mansion Bahay na Pula of the Ilusorio family was confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Army and used as barracks and became a place where local so-called comfort women were forced to work.

Geography

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is the northernmost part of Manila's built-up area.

San Ildefonso is 43 km from Malolos and 66 km from Manila.

Barangays

San Ildefonso is politically subdivided into 36 barangays, as shown in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of 7 puroks and some have sitios.

There are 6 urban and 30 rural barangays.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, was 115,713 people, with a density of {{sigfig|115,713/128.71|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

;Major industries:

• Cement
• Pyrotechnics
• Feed mills
• Food/food processing
• Garments
• Hat making
• Wood crafts
• High-yield crops
• Marble/marble processing
• Metalcraft

;Major products:

• Bakeries and sweet preserves
• Chicharon
• Poultry and livestock
• Rice
• High value crops
• Marbles
• Vegetables
• Fruits

Elected Officials

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Education

There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are San Ildefonso North District Office, and San Ildefonso South District Office.

Public Schools

Elementary Education

The town has numerous public schools offering elementary and high school education. Some of the elementary public schools are:

;South District

;North District

Secondary Education

Some of the public high schools are:

Tertiary and College Education

Some of the tertiary schools are:

Private Schools

Some of the private schools offering education

Notable personalities

• Yuka Saso – 2021 U.S. Women's Open Golf Champion. Filipino Japanese amateur golfer. Two-time Asian Games gold medalist in individual and team events.
• Cardozo Luna – politician; Undersecretary of Department National Defence.
• Joyce Ching – Filipino-Chinese actress

Gallery

File:FvfSanIldefonsoHall7714_01.JPG|Municipal hall File:Sessionhalljf.JPG|Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall File:FvfSanIldefonso7695_09.JPG|San Ildefonso (MPS) - PNP Police Regional Office 1 File:FvfSanIldefonso7970_19.JPG|St. Ildephonsus of Toledo Church (Poblacion)

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (October 8, 1903). "An Act Reducing the Twenty-five Municipalities of the Province of Bulacan to Thirteen".
3. "Bulacan, Philippines: San Ildefonso, Bulacan: History".
4. (16 June 2016). "The house where the Philippines' forgotten 'comfort women' were held". BBC News.
5. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".