DiscoverCalumpit
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Calumpit.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Calumpit
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Calumpit
- The town of Calumpit, located in the core of Bulacan, is known to have some of the oldest colonial traditions dating back to the 16 th century.
- This location between the river Pampanga and Angat rivers has served as the natural intersection of traders and travellers over centuries.
- Such holidays to Calumpit, Bulacan show us a town that has never been bashful of its history, which has in proud possession battlefields, stone churches, and traditions of the river.
- Even nowadays, people living in the town are influenced by the rhythm of two rivers, as people are flooding their farms and fishermen are going out at the very beginning of the day.
- The fact that there is a strong Catholic faith which dominates the community is reflected in the centuries-old church and the numerous colourful fiestas illuminating the streets.
- Anyone who goes to the region will discover that even the air is filled with whispers of heroes and saints and the soft murmur of waters that have been rocking the town since time immemorial.
- Capital: Calumpit looks after itself in Bulacan
- International airport: Manila airport roughly 1 hour distance
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official languages: Filipino and English; Tagalog talked here
- Major religion: Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- St. John the Baptist Parish Church is a monumental structure made of stone that is a testament to the architecture of the Spanish colonialism and its walls are filled with prayers that have echoed through generations.
- The Calampit Bridge and the newly constructed Calampit Bridge are monuments which are made of stone and were in the past the battlefields of the local warlords during the Philippine-American war.
- The meeting of Angat and Pampanga rivers is not just a geographical wonder but also a market place where traders and locals can be found jointly.
- The contrast between nature and history is brought to the fore with these, holidays to Calumpit, Bulacan to provide a panoramic view of the heritage with the beauty of water.
- The low location of the town exposes it to seasonal floods, yet it is the low location that reminds them of the strength and adaptability of the human beings in the town.
- To observe the soft movement of the water, which has set the fate of the town, one should take a walk along the banks of the river on a sunset.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The most suitable dates are November to May when the roads are clear and the weather is pleasant in the best place to plan a visit to holidays to Calumpit, Bulacan.
- The weather is very hot in March until May and in early mornings and late evenings are the best times to visit the historic sites without inconvenience.
- Between June and October there is the wet season which gives the lush greenery and the chances of flooding of rivers though it also gives a tranquil effect to the early bird fishermen.
- The river meet is the liveliest during the rainy months when it fills up making it a spectacular scene to the photography lovers.
- One ought to have a durable pair and a light and breathable attire to wade through the muddy routes that are usually slippery especially during the rains.
- An itinerary plan involving historic tours and river excursions would allow you to see the entire seasonal beauty of Calumpit.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
St. John the Baptist Parish Church
- The immense stone front of the church is worthy of admiration, as a silent observer of religious piety in the town throughout four hundred years.
- It is decorated with elaborate carvings and original retablos in a language that everyone knows to interpret biblical storeys.
- The bell tower, which is seen by visitors miles away, is an invitation to the travellers to climb the narrow steps to have a panoramic view of the fields around.
- This is where there is quiet contemplation in a place with a moment of peace in the the middle of the busyness of daily life.
- Beside the church, there is a small museum with relics and photographs of the involvement of the town in the Philippine-American War.
- The feast day of St. John the Baptist is celebrated by the church every year, attracting faithful as well as curious tourists in large numbers.
Calumpit Bridge (Old & New)
- The stone arch of the old bridge narrates an engineering marvel of Spanish times which is robust even today.
- The newer bridge, built to suit modern traffic, is a smooth reminder as to how the town strikes a balance between heritage and progress.
- And there are walkways on either side which give the visitor a peep into the river beneath, where the fishermen are casting their nets, or the boats sliding silently by.
- It has a plaque close to the core which honours the bloodshed of local volunteers in the Philippine American war.
- Pedestrians are also shielded by the roof of the bridge against sudden rain making it a good place to unwind and savour the scene.
- Lanterns are also placed along the bridge at night giving a warm glow and thus ideal to do evening photography.
Riverbanks of the Confluence
- Angat and Pampanga rivers are united at a very colourful intersection where the traders, farmers and tourists blend.
- Vendors place fresh river fish and local delicacies, and handmade crafts which makes it a vibrant market.
- Sightseeing can also be organised by organising boat tours which offer a different viewpoint of both rivers when at the water level.
- The mangrove trees line the banks and offer shading and harbour a variety of aquatic animals.
- The river overflows during the wet season, and it offers an exciting scenery to the natural enthusiasts.
- Strolls along the riverbanks provide the necessary experience as visitors can hear the quiet murmur of the water and the beating of the town.
Historic Town Plaza
- The plaza is filled with houses of the colonial age, each of them narrating the history of the families which used to inhabit them.
- The plaza has an old fountain in the middle, which keeps the plaza cool in hot afternoons, making visitors come and take a rest.
- The agricultural past of the town is demonstrated in the plaza, which had well-maintained gardens, fruit tree and colourful flowers.
- A small park is located nearby where the annual Libad festival takes place whereby locals pay homage to their patron saint through colourful floats.
- The historical markers also border the walks in the plaza which describe key occurrences in the history of Calumpit.
- Daily, there is a moderate lighting to make the plaza a socialising point where families can exchange storeys.
Reason 05
Discover More
First Municipality Church/Civil Government Building
- This church was built in 1572 and it was the first of its kind in Bulacan with early Spanish colonial design.
- The first local administrative building was the neighbouring civil government building where the initial leaders of the town were housed.
- There are original stone inscriptions that give the dates of foundation and early rule by the visitor.
- The bell tower of the church had been used in the early days to announce the beginning of community gatherings.
- The building has archival documents on display, which provide information about administrative development of the town.
- Guided tours provide explanations as to how the church and government collaborated to create the present-day identity of Calumpit.
Kakanin (Rice-Cake) Delicacy Trail
- The pathway presents a sample of Calumpit, the very popular kakanin or sweet rice cake prepared using glutinous rice and coconut milk.
- On the trail, local bakers provide insights on how it is traditionally prepared and it has been made throughout the years.
- The vendors have different tastes, some with pandan flavour, others with mango on top, and so on, and are luring the palates of the travellers.
- Small stalls with other local delicacies like the buradong gatas and fresh river fish line the path.
- It is a little demonstration booth, where a person can learn how to wrap the rice cake in banana leaves in order to get that original taste.
- Finally, in the end of the trail, there is a communal table that offers visitors to have a meal and learn about the cultural meaning of kakanin.
Riverine Fishing Museum
- The museum exposes the ancient fishing early human tools and boats, and methods which were employed by the river communities of Calumpits.
- There are also exhibits of antique nets, wooden canoes, photographs of the life of fishing in the early 1900s.
- Interactive exhibits enable visitors to know how to cast a net or pilot a small canoe with a life size replica.
- The courtyard of the museum has a miniature fish market where fresh catches are sold to people every day.
- The ecological value of the river ecosystem and sustainable fishing is taught in an educational programme.
- A reading bay furnishes books upon the history of river life in Calumpit to those who may wish to go deeper.
Town Fiesta and Libad Festival Complex, Annually
- It is a complicated structure of which the town fiesta in June 24 is celebrated with grand feast in honour of St. John the Baptist.
- The neighbouring space is transformed into a venue of the Libad festival with boats decorated with flowers and lights floating along the river.
- Local crafts are sold by the vendors and represent an opportunity to buy the souvenirs that remind of the artistic heritage in Calumpit.
- The complex has a dance hall where traditional Tagalog dances are held and these demonstrate the cultural background of the town.
- Children are engaged in pagpag games, which is an amusing method to get acquainted with the traditions of the fest in the town.
- People who attend are neighbours and the event gives them a colourful community feel which seems to be a family reunion.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The arrogant Catholic faith comes out in the daily Mass, the extravagant celebrations during feast days as also the detailed maintenance of the church.
- The everyday life is dominated by Tagalog language and customs and most families even have oral histories which trace their ancestry to the 16 th century.
- Riverine culture is incorporated in the community, with fishing, farming, and river festivals being a part of the community.
- The rituals that are performed seasonally like the pagpag in the yearly fiesta are the expressions of thanksgiving to the waters that nourish the town.
- Communal dances are accompanied by traditional music on bamboo flutes and drums and taught since time immemorial.
- Weaving and pottery, manufactured of local clay, are taught by senior artisans, and this guarantees the preservation of traditions.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Suman sa Lihiya, the delicacy of the town, is a moist, spicy rice cake in banana leaf and is a tasty bite.
- Burdong Gatas is a creamy custard-based dessert which makes the mouth sweet with a taste of coconut milk and a touch of vanilla.
- The fish is very fresh river fish, which is caught daily and cooked in simple yet tasteful methods that make the fish have the natural flavour of the waters.
- During the festive events, seafood platters, including shrimp and crabs are served with local rice foods.
- The ingenuity of local cooks is reflected in the varieties of savoury kakanin (sweet to mildly spicy) that are sold in street stalls.
- To put the cherry on the cake, one can also sample desserts (timpladong leche flan), which is a custard that is neither too sweet nor too sour, with a slight caramel touch.
Fun
- The tourist attractions the travellers would get to see with historical sightseeing tours are the preserved Spanish colonial architecture and the war memorials.
- River view tours enable the tour operator to stand on the banks and observe boats passing and capture pictures of this great confluence.
- Food tours include guided tours of local restaurants and include discussions with chefs on how each food is made.
- Street markets are available after the sun goes down in the evenings, where there is a relaxed ambiance of handmade craft and local music.
- The rainy season presents the lush green land on guided boat tours and the shifting river scenery.
- The children and adults are involved in the Calumpit heritage through family friendly activities like fishing lessons and boat races.
Fashion
- The Central Luzon climate is hot and sticky, and light and breathable material including linen shirts, shorts, and sundresses is suitable.
- Stable footwear such as heavy sandals or closed-toe shoes can be used to find a way over wet riverbanks and uneven footways.
- The visitors are expected to wear modest clothing particularly when visiting the historic church, which adds respect to the holy premises.
- The large hat is also useful in covering the head against the sun in the tropics and it also gives elegance to the visits made outdoors.
- In rainy season, a waterproof jacket or poncho is necessary to keep one dry as one walks around the rivers.
- You can keep the souvenirs, snacks, and water bottles in comfortable travel bags, which have many compartments to keep the items.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The river confluence is one of the most important ecological areas in which freshwater species lives in a dynamic environment.
- The soils in floodplains near the rivers are fertile, rice paddies and vegetable gardens can be found there, which support the economy of the country.
- Conservation is done in the mangrove habitats, and these habitats are used to breed fish and also to prevent erosion.
- During the wet season, the wetlands are in full bloom hence the migratory species can be seen by the birdwatchers.
- Nature walks with guidance establish the importance of riverine ecosystem and the harmony that it creates among human beings and wildlife.
- The banks have observation points which also give panoramic views of the rivers and are ideal to have a reflection and take photographs.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The holidays to Calumpit Libad Festival is an event in the river, where there are decorated boats that are painted and have a parade on the water over the sightseeing of the town patron saint.
- Living with families, friends, and visitors, the annual town fiesta on June 24 takes them to feasts, fireworks, and general dancing.
- The Holy Week is celebrated in solemn processions, candlelight vigils and biblical reenactments before the Mass.
- The Christmas festivals in the town illuminate the streets with lanterns and a choir singing traditional hymns.
- Local artisans, live music, and agricultural displays are all part of a spring festival, a celebration of the bounty of the region.
- The pagpag games and river races, which are participated by the community in every summer season, bring community together and create happiness among the residents.