Happy TravellerWelcome to Meycauayan, a historic city located in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. With a population of over 225,000 people, Meycauayan is one of the oldest towns in the province and has a rich history dating back to the Spanish colonization of the country. The city is located just 19 kilometers north of Manila and 26 kilometers south of Malolos City, the provincial capital city. Meycauayan is bounded by the town of Marilao to the north, the two Metro Manila cities of Valenzuela to the south and Caloocan (North) to the east, and the town of Obando to the west.
The name Meycauayan comes from the words ‘may kawayan’, which means ‘with bamboo’ in English. The city got its name from the abundance of bamboo in the area. Meycauayan was established as a settlement by a group of Spanish priests belonging to the Franciscan Order during the Spanish colonization of the country. In 1578, its early inhabitants came into contact with Christianity. In that same year, Father Juan de Placencia and Diego Oropesa built the first church structure, which was believed to be made of nipa and bamboo. Common to all Spanish settlements in that period was the adoption of a patron saint for the newly opened town. Meycauayan has St. Francis of Assisi as the Patron Saint.
During the revolution, which was set off by the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal in 1896, Meycauayan contributed its share in the fight against the Spanish conquistadores. Among her sons who figured prominently in the revolution were: Andres Pacheco, Ciriaco Contreras, Guillermo Contreras, Guillermo Bonque, and Liberato Exaltacion. There were many others who had joined the revolution and had displayed their exceptional heroism until 1898, when the country gained its independence from Spain.
Today, Meycauayan has transformed into a major economic and industrial hub in the Province of Bulacan and the rest of Region III. The city is known for its jewelry and leather industries. For years, Meycauayan has been the hub of jewelry production in the Philippines and in Asia. It is known for its low-priced jewelries. The locality also produces leather goods. Shoes, bags and every kind of leather product has been traditionally manufactured here. A number of leather tanneries still operate in Meycauayan, which over the years have converted the city into a hub for leather goods.
Meycauayan is administratively subdivided into 26 urban barangays. The City of Meycauayan is generally surrounded with plain land and gentle rolling hills. Meycauayan is named to Filipino phrase may kawayan that means with bamboo. Comfortably above sea level, this terrain is an interweaving of greenery and concrete road network. The slope of the land dips towards a west to north westerly direction. River, natural lake and drainage waterways envelope and criss-cross the area. Today it is bordered by the town of Marilao to the north, towns of Bocaue and Bulakan, Bulacan to the northwest, Valenzuela to the south, Northern part of Caloocan to the east, and the town of Obando to the west.
Meycauayan is a city that is rich in history and culture. From its Spanish colonial past to its thriving jewelry and leather industries, there is something for everyone in this charming city. Whether you are a history buff, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, Meycauayan is a destination that should not be missed. Come and discover the many treasures of Meycauayan for yourself!
