history
Bounded by Tullahan River on south and Rio Grande de Pampanga, Valenzuela is not that difficult to distinguish as this populous city lies within the premises of metropolitan area and lies beside the province of Bulacan. There’s no wonder that this place has a touch of both worlds.
Valenzuela was originally called as Polo. It was formed due to religious separation movements from parishes of Meycauayan, Bulacan. It was invaded by Spaniards and Americans and later on was owned also by Britain and Japan.
Valenzuela was originally called as Polo. It was formed due to religious separation movements from parishes of Meycauayan, Bulacan. It was invaded by Spaniards and Americans and later on was owned also by Britain and Japan.
Valenzuela was named after Pio Valenzuela, a doctor and a member of Katipunan. Dr. Pio was appointed as the first president of the town during peace negotiations of the Spanish-American war on September 6, 1899.
In 1975, Valenzuela was considered as an independent municipality and was incorporated under the administration of Metropolitan Manila Authority. President Diosdado Macapagal ordered the creation of Valenzuela from the provincial of Bulacan in 1960. |
However in 1963, another law was issued ordering the reversal of the previous law unifying other towns under single name of Valenzuela.
On February 14, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed the Republic Act 8625 which stated of Valenzuela as a highly urbanized chartered city. The Philippine National Archives showed first parochial records as early as November 7, 1621 and was decided to adopt as the Foundation Day of the city later on. In 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proclaimed July 11 as Valenzuela Day as to remember Dr. Pio’s birthday but was transferred to February 14 in 2008. |
LANDMARKS
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
(Pambansang Dambana ng Birhen ng Fatima) is a Philippine apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima in Fátima, Portugal which is recognized by the Philippine Roman Catholic Church. The shrine is located inside the Our Lady of Fatima University campus in Marulas, Valenzuela City. The shrine is declared as one of the three major pilgrimage sites aside from the National Shrine of St. Anne in Hagonoy and the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao.
(Pambansang Dambana ng Birhen ng Fatima) is a Philippine apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima in Fátima, Portugal which is recognized by the Philippine Roman Catholic Church. The shrine is located inside the Our Lady of Fatima University campus in Marulas, Valenzuela City. The shrine is declared as one of the three major pilgrimage sites aside from the National Shrine of St. Anne in Hagonoy and the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao.
Bell tower of San Diego de Alcala Church
It is over four hundred years old, and is a cultural and religious relic of the bygone Spanish era. The tower, along with the entrance arch, is the only remaining structure of the original church built in 1632. The main structure of San Diego de Alcala was destroyed during Japanese rule and has since been rebuilt and renovated, serving as an aesthetic counterpoint to the largely unchanged tower.
It is over four hundred years old, and is a cultural and religious relic of the bygone Spanish era. The tower, along with the entrance arch, is the only remaining structure of the original church built in 1632. The main structure of San Diego de Alcala was destroyed during Japanese rule and has since been rebuilt and renovated, serving as an aesthetic counterpoint to the largely unchanged tower.
MUSEO NG VALENZUELA
Museo ng Valenzuela is one of the city’s main historical and cultural landmarks, and houses a vast collection of artifacts and memorabilia that traces Valenzuela’s rich history and immense progress. The sprawling Museo, with its impressive architecture and preserved Spanish aesthetics, is a shining symbol of Valenzuela’s heritage, and is likewise a choice venue for cultural and artistic events, as well as public seminars and conventions.
Museo ng Valenzuela is one of the city’s main historical and cultural landmarks, and houses a vast collection of artifacts and memorabilia that traces Valenzuela’s rich history and immense progress. The sprawling Museo, with its impressive architecture and preserved Spanish aesthetics, is a shining symbol of Valenzuela’s heritage, and is likewise a choice venue for cultural and artistic events, as well as public seminars and conventions.
Valenzuela City Convention Center
Valenzuela’s Convention Center is well-known among Valenzuelanos as the city’s center for the performing arts, as well as a popular venue for concerts, art shows and exhibits, and conventions.
Valenzuela’s Convention Center is well-known among Valenzuelanos as the city’s center for the performing arts, as well as a popular venue for concerts, art shows and exhibits, and conventions.
Residence of Dr. Pio Valenzuela
Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the revered member of the Katipunan’s triumvirate and our city’s namesake, was born in this house on July 11, 1869. Found along Velilla Street in Barangay Pariancillo Villa, this house has become a tourist attraction, and more importantly, a valuable part of the city’s heritage.
Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the revered member of the Katipunan’s triumvirate and our city’s namesake, was born in this house on July 11, 1869. Found along Velilla Street in Barangay Pariancillo Villa, this house has become a tourist attraction, and more importantly, a valuable part of the city’s heritage.
ARKONG BATO
This stone arc, found along M.H. Del Pilar Street, was built by the Americans in 1910, and served as the boundary between Rizal and Bulacan province. Before the existence of MacArthur Highway and NLEX, Valenzuela was already the gateway to the north, albeit with M.H. Del Pilar being the main road to Northern Luzon. Today, the Arkong Bato marks the boundary between Barangay Santulan in Malabon and the arch’s namesake, Barangay Arkong Bato in Valenzuela.
This stone arc, found along M.H. Del Pilar Street, was built by the Americans in 1910, and served as the boundary between Rizal and Bulacan province. Before the existence of MacArthur Highway and NLEX, Valenzuela was already the gateway to the north, albeit with M.H. Del Pilar being the main road to Northern Luzon. Today, the Arkong Bato marks the boundary between Barangay Santulan in Malabon and the arch’s namesake, Barangay Arkong Bato in Valenzuela.