Meycauayan, Philippines
Region: Bulacan
Geographic Coordinates: 14.733300, 120.950000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 225673
Language: Tagalog
Meycauayan, Located in the province of Bulacan in the Philippines, Is a city with a rich history and culture. The name Meycauayan originated from the Tagalog words may kawayan, Which means with bamboo. This is because during Meycauayan’s early years, Bamboo was abundant in the area. One of Meycauayan’s most notable landmarks is its historic church, Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish Church. This Baroque-style church was built in 1626 and has been standing for almost four centuries. It has undergone several renovations over time but still retains its original architecture and design.
Aside from religious heritage sites, Meycauayan also has a thriving jewelry industry. It is known as one of the country’s major producers of fine gold jewelry. The city houses numerous jewelers who create intricate designs using high-quality materials such as gold, Silver, Diamonds and other precious stones. Another attraction that draws visitors to Meycauayan is its annual fiesta celebration called Kneeling Carabao Festival. This festival features colorful parades with carabaos (water buffaloes) adorned with vibrant decorations and kneeling before the altar as part of their tradition to honor St. John the Baptist.
Meycauyan also takes pride in its local delicacies such as pastillas de leche (milk candies), Puto seko (biscuits), Bibingka (rice cake), And empanada (savory pastry). These treats are made by locals who have been perfecting their recipes for generations. Moreover, This bustling city offers various recreational activities such as sports facilities like basketball courts or swimming pools. For those seeking outdoor adventures can go hiking at nearby mountains or explore natural wonders like rivers or waterfalls within an hour drive from Meycuauyan. Overall, Visiting Meycuauyan is a great way to experience the rich history, Culture, And traditions of the Philippines.
From its historic landmarks to its thriving jewelry industry and delicious local delicacies, Meycuauyan has something for everyone.
Important Landmarks
- Meycauayan College
- Our Lady of Mercy Parish Church
- San Francisco de Asis Parish Church
- Bahay na Tisa Heritage House
- Immaculate Conception Parish Church
- St Augustine Parish Church
- Sto Nino Chapel
- The Orchard Golf & Country Club
Primary Industries
- Meycauayan is a city in the Philippines that has a primarily industrial economy, with manufacturing and trade being the main drivers.
- The city is home to several major industries and businesses, including:
- Jewelry manufacturing
- Food processing
- Garment manufacturing
- Metalworking
- Trading
- Real estate development
- Service-oriented businesses
- Jewelry manufacturing is particularly prevalent in Meycauayan and has earned it the nickname of jewelry capital of the Philippines.
- The city also boasts numerous food processing companies that produce a variety of products such as snacks, canned goods, and condiments.
- Garment factories are another significant industry in Meycauayan that produce clothing items for export.
- Additionally, there are many metalworking plants in the city that manufacture various metal products such as automotive parts, machinery components, and construction materials.
- Trading is also a bustling industry in Meycauayan with its commercial district where traders buy and sell various goods such as textiles electronics and household items.
- Real estate development has been on the rise in recent years due to Meycauayan’s strategic location near Metro Manila and growing economy. Several residential subdivisions have been built to accommodate this growth.
- Finally there are also service-oriented businesses like banks convenience stores gas stations hotels among others operating within the city limits.
Noteable History
- The Battle of Meycauayan in 1899 was a significant event during the Philippine-American War, where Filipino revolutionaries fought against American forces.
- Mariano Ponce was a prominent Filipino nationalist and one of the founders of La Liga Filipina, an organization that aimed to unite Filipinos and fight for independence from Spanish colonial rule.
- Gregorio del Pilar was a young general known for his bravery in battle during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine-American War, particularly in the Battle of Tirad Pass.
- Manuel Luis Quezon was the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and one of its most influential figures in history.
- Meycauayan is known for its thriving jewelry industry that dates back to Spanish colonial times when jewelers would create pieces for local nobility and religious orders.
- The Meycauayan Church, also known as St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church, is a historic church built by Augustinian friars in 1578 that has undergone several renovations throughout its history.
- The Balagtas Monument is erected in honor of Francisco Balagtas, one of the greatest Filipino poets whose works include Florante at Laura and Orosman at Zafira.
- Meycauayan College was founded as a Catholic school for girls in 1947 but has since expanded to include co-educational programs up to tertiary level education.
- Jose Corazon de Jesus or Huseng Batute was an influential poet who wrote about social issues such as poverty, corruption, oppression among others during his time.
- The Meycauayan River is considered one of Bulacan’s major rivers flowing through different towns including Calumpit until it reaches Manila Bay.
Museums and Things To See
- Meycauayan Museum
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church
- Bahay na Tisa Museum
- Philippine Arena
- San Rafael River Adventure Resort
- Malolos Cathedral (Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion)
- Barasoain Church and Museum
- The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
- Biak-na-Bato National Park
- Meycauayan Jewelry Industry Cluster (MJIC)
Sports Teams
- Meycauayan College (MC) – The MC Stallions is the official varsity team of Meycauayan College. They compete in various sports events such as basketball, volleyball, football, chess, badminton and track and field.
- Meycauayan City FC – This football club was founded in 2015 and competes in the United Football League Division 2. They are known for their aggressive style of play and have earned several victories against other teams.
- Meycauayan Hawks – The Hawks is a basketball team that plays in the Liga Pilipinas league. They were established in 2008 and have been successful in winning several championships over the years.
- Meycauayan Bulacan Skaters – This skateboarding team was formed by local enthusiasts who wanted to promote the sport within their community. They organize skateboarding competitions to encourage more people to take up this exciting sport.
- Meycauayan Warriors – The Warriors is a martial arts club that specializes in teaching traditional Filipino fighting techniques such as Arnis/Kali/Eskrima and Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Cultural Events
- Meycauayan Jewelry Festival is an annual event that showcases the city’s jewelry industry. It features exhibits and sales of locally-made accessories and precious stones.
- Feast of St. Francis Xavier is a religious celebration held every December 3rd in honor of the patron saint of Meycauayan.
- Hiyas ng Meycauayan is a beauty pageant that crowns the city’s most beautiful and talented young women.
- Karakol Festival is a street dance parade featuring colorful costumes and traditional music, held during the Feast of St. John the Baptist in June.
- Buntal Hat Festival is a showcase of hats made from buntal fiber, a local material used for weaving hats and other handicrafts.
- Pinoy Pride Meycauayan is an event that celebrates Filipino culture through music, dance, food, and fashion.
- Pista ng Sambayanan sa Meycauayan is a week-long celebration featuring cultural shows, sports events, trade fairs, beauty pageants, parades, and fireworks displays.
- Sinukwan Festival has been adopted by many towns across Central Luzon including Meycauayan; it features street dancing depicting pre-colonial Philippine life & culture as well as showcasing Kapampangan cuisine & crafts although originally from San Fernando City in Pampanga province (where it is celebrated every December).
Cuisine
- Bulakenyo Kitchen – known for its authentic Bulacan dishes such as adobo sa gata, kalderetang kambing, and lechon kawali.
- Lutong Bahay ni Aling Mila – a home-style restaurant that offers traditional Filipino dishes like sinigang, crispy pata, and pinakbet.
- Amare La Cucina – a cozy Italian restaurant that serves wood-fired pizza, pasta dishes, and other Italian specialties.
- Cafe Sabel – located inside the BenCab Museum in Meycauayan City, this cafe offers organic coffee and tea blends along with light meals like sandwiches and salads.
- Kainan sa Dalampasigan – a seafood restaurant that specializes in grilled fish and other seafood dishes like shrimp gambas and sinigang na hipon.
- Bistro Maloleño – a casual dining spot that serves Filipino comfort food like sisig rice bowls, pork barbecue skewers, and crispy fried chicken.
- Gerry’s Grill Meycauayan – part of a popular chain of Filipino restaurants known for their grilled seafood platters, sizzling sisig plates, and refreshing fruit shakes.
- The Happy Garden Cafe & Restaurant – an outdoor dining destination that features lush gardens along with Asian-inspired fusion cuisine like pad thai noodles and Korean beef bulgogi tacos.
Parks and Recreation
- Meycauayan City Sports Complex – a sports complex with a track oval, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a swimming pool.
- Meycauayan River Park – a park along the Meycauayan River that offers river cruises, picnic areas, and biking trails.
- Francisco Balagtas Park – a park dedicated to the national poet Francisco Balagtas that features his statue and an open-air theater.
- Starmall Meycauayan – a shopping mall with cinemas, restaurants, and an arcade.
- Avilon Zoo – a zoo featuring various animals like tigers, lions, giraffes and more.
- Malolos Cathedral – A historic church located in nearby Malolos City which is known for its intricate design.
- Barasoain Church Museum- A museum located in nearby Malolos City which showcases the history of Philippine revolution against Spanish colonizers during 1898.
- Pio del Pilar Shrine- A shrine dedicated to General Pio Del Pilar who played an important role during Philippine-American war in 1899.
- Meycauyan College Gymnasium – It is also used as venue for sport events such as basketball games or volleyball tournaments hosted by schools or local organizations.
- Meycuauyan College Swimming Pool – The college has its own swimming pool which can be used by students or visitors upon request.