Plaridel

Etymology

The name of the municipality during the Spanish and American colonial periods was Quingua. It is derived from the Kapampangan phrase "Quing wawa ding Tagalog" (meaning "at the river [mouth] of the Tagalogs"), which Spanish friars repeatedly heard from local natives when asking who deserved credit for a local construction work.

On December 29, 1936, the town's name was officially changed to Plaridel, after the pen name of Marcelo H. del Pilar, a prominent hero from Bulacan and a key figure in the Philippine Propaganda Movement during the Spanish colonial period.

History

Plaridel's history can be traced through records back to 1581 in the early years of the Spanish colonization. The Augustinian friars from the Malolos Convent discovered a vast forest in 1581 then named as Binto; this would later be known as Quingua. As per the history of the Parish of St. James the Apostle (2001 issue) Quingua was established by the Augustinian Friars of Malolos who initially named it "Encomienda Binto" (Barangay Bintog got its name from this settlement). They built a visita (chapel of ease) and placed it under the jurisdiction of Fray Mateo Mendoza, the prior of Malolos.

The visita of Binto was elevated to an independent parish named Parroquia de Santiago Apostol, and the whole of Quingua was separated from Malolos and was created as a new pueblo on September 27, 1602.

Plaridel is crossed by the Angat River, also called Quingua River, which flows to Calumpit, Bulacan, and connects with the Pampanga River. Before, the town was also crossed by the Tabang River, a branch of the Angat River. The word "tabáng" means fresh water. This river used to pass through the town proper and split into two in the middle of today's poblacion. Later, it was connected to the South Main Canal of the Angat-Maasim Irrigation System (AMRIS) from Bustos Dam, called Lateral J. From there, it flowed through Guiguinto and Bulakan until reaching Manila Bay.

At first, only a few people lived in the area, most of them related to each other. Each small group was led by a "tandis." They spoke different languages, such as Pampango, Pangasinan, Ilocano, and Tagalog. Priests from Malolos often visited to spread the Catholic faith, traveling on the Angat River using a bamboo raft called "balsa." The missionaries later cleared the land and started building settlements so they could unite the people. To do this, each "tandis" was asked to make a plan.

The groups of people labored, so much so that when the priest returned seven years later, he found the area completely cleared. The priests' party inquired among the natives as to whom the credit should go, and the Pampangos exclaimed, "Quing wawa". Thereafter, every now and then, to every question of the friars the people would reply "Quing wa". As a consequence, the place had come to be referred to as Quingua.

Geography

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, Plaridel is part of Manila's built-up area which reaches San Ildefonso, Bulacan at its northernmost part.

Plaridel is 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Malolos, 41 kilometres (25 mi) from Manila, and 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Guiguinto.

Barangays

Plaridel is divided into 19 barangays, as shown in the matrix below. These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years. Each barangay consist of 7 puroks and some have sitios.

In 1954, sitio Mayamot in Barrio Banga was changed to Bagong Silang while a sitio in the eastern part of barrio Tabang, called Bagong Silang, was created.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Plaridel, Bulacan, was 114,432 people, with a density of 3,500 inhabitants per square kilometre or 9,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Plaridel

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Tourism

Parish Church of Santiago Apostol

The Plaridel Church was initially a mission chapel built by the Augustinians in Malolos made of light materials. The chapel was located near River at Lumang Bayan and transferred to present site. It is clearly evident why the said Barrio named Lumang Bayan means-Old Poblacion. From 1590 to 1602, Quingua was administered by Friar Curate from Malolos Church which close at hand.

The present church was built in 1602 and established as the town church of the newly created Pueblo de Quingua.

Plaridel is one of the earliest settlement to be established at around 1590 as Encomienda. Its Parish Church of Santiago Apostol has one of the unique Moorish architectural style among the Augustinian Churches in the province. It was here that the money and jewels of san Agustin in Intramuros, Manila were kept during British Occupation in 1762–63.

The church is small and its two level facade is bare. However, the crowning pediment is elaborate consisting of a pair of volutes with the inner space filled with triangular patterns and floral embellishments that first glance can be mistaken as having a Moorish influence because of the minaret like dome formed. In between the volutes are a series of spaced relieves of cherubs, ramilletes, two saints including that of St. Augustine and the pierced heart which is the symbol of the Augustinian Order. The octagonal and tapering belltower on the other hand sits on a quadrilateral base and rises 4 levels.Visita Iglesia: The old churches of Bulacan, Part 1 of 2

The Parish Church of Santiago Apostol is the location of GMA Network's Fantaserye Darna (2009), Zaido (2007), Iglot (2011) and afternoon drama series, Nita Negrita (2011), Broken Vow (2012). And the Judy Ann Santos-Sarah Geronimo Movie Hating Kapatid in July 2010.

And recently, ABS-CBN's drama anthology Maalaala mo kaya: Toga, starring Albie Casiño and Erich Gonzales and the episode of Police Uniform" starring Empress and Joseph Marco.

Salubong Festival or Horse Festival

The Salubong Festival is celebrated annually every December 29. It is called salubong or welcome because they welcome the St. James the Greater's equestrian replica from Sipat. It is also called Horse festival because they parade calesas, tiburins (non-roofed calesa) and equestrians and hold horse racing in the afternoon.

Other Attractions

Battle Of Quingua Monument

Plaridel Airport

Education

The Plaridel Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.