Marquez, Marc Adrienne G.

Plan 201 08/19/2019

I.D. # 201921217 Homework # 0
My Hometown

“He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his
[1] [2]
destination.” , a famous quotation coined by our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Interpretation of said quote may vary, but I expound it as acceptance of debt of gratitude for

all factors culminated one’s character and then to confidently venture forward without leaving

behind any treasured memories of the place we called home. Some can simply define the

place of birth as hometown, [3] but I infer it as the place cradled us and serves as dwelling of

our cherished good and bad reminiscences. I remember reading a study stating humans tend

to form a bond/attachment to their homeplace. [4] I admit that I do also have an attachment to

my hometown as I was born, raised, and accumulated tons of memories there. When I was in

second year of high school, my history teacher delightedly shared to us the rich history of our

hometown Caloocan and how historically significant it is to the Philippine Revolution.

Sometime in 1800s, Caloocan was just a low-land barrio in the town of Tondo. Its

name originated from the Tagalog term ‘look’ meaning bay, however, some people derived its

name from the term ‘sulok’ means corner. In 1815, Caloocan was separated from Tondo and

became an independent municipality. Its original territory extended to the foothills of Marikina,

San Mateo and Motalban in the East; Tinajeros, Tanza and Tala Rivers in the North; San

Francisco Del Monte, Sampalok, Sta. Cruz and Tondo in the South; and Dagat-Dagatan or

Aromahan in the West. [5] During Spanish occupation in 1892, members of La Liga Filipina

(an organization sought reform movements) like Andrés Bonifacio and Deodato Arellano found

out the arrest of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, which made them realize that peaceful agitation for reforms

was not enough therefore establishing a secret organization called “Supreme and Venerable

Association of the Children of the Nation” (Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan

ng mga Anak ng Bayan or KKK in Philippine context). The radical members led by Bonifacio

believed that the welfare of Filipinos won’t be achieved by requests for reforms but by an

armed revolution. [6][7] Secluded mass gatherings were held in Caloocan and it was within the

city’s perimeters where the very first armed conflict between Katipuneros and Spaniards took
1|Page
place. In August 1896, members of Katipunan led by Bonifacio rose up in revolt somewhere

in Caloocan [8] and started the tearing up of Community Tax Certificates in open resistance of

their allegiance to Spanish Empire or referred as the “Cry of Balintawak” (shifted to Pugad

Lawin in 1963). [9] Battle of Caloocan in February 1899 was another battle later fought during

the Philippine-American War. Subjugation of Caloocan granted Americans the tactical and

military advantage as the city was the southern terminal of the Manila-Dagupan Railway during

that time. Two weeks after that, Second Battle of Caloocan which is also called as Second

Battle of Manila occurred. The latter battle served as Filipinos’ counterattack to secure Manila

from the Americans. [10]

Bravery and resiliency of Filipino revolutionaries, led by Andres Bonifacio, grant us the

social and political independence from our colonizers. In commemoration, national artist

Guillermo Tolentino designed and sculptured the acclaimed one of the best monuments in the

world, the Andrés Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan. [11] And there are also other Historic

landmarks in Caloocan. The century-old Tai To Taoist Temple located at 6th Avenue Grace

Park was built by the Chinese community. Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital also

known as Tala Leprosarium located at Tala Barangay 187 and Barangay 188 is the oldest

leprosarium in Asia. Cathedral Parish of San Roque located at A. Mabini St., Barangay 15 was
[12]
erected in 1815 and used by Katipuneros as a meeting place. In 1961, the late Mayor

Macario B. Asistio, Sr., led the people of Caloocan to turn the historic town into a city through

a plebiscite held in accordance with House Bill 6038, which has passed and approved by both

chambers of the defunct Philippine Congress. On February 16, 1962, the Municipality of

Caloocan was inducted into city. [13]

To date, Caloocan City is territorially composed of two (2) Districts, sixteen (16) Zones

and one hundred eighty-eight (188) Barangays. [13] Hon. Oscar ‘Oca’ G. Malapitan is the Mayor

of Caloocan City at the time of writing. Mayor Malapitan’s administration centers on developing

an investment-friendly environment that will create jobs for its constituents, a vibrant public

and private partnership (PPP) that ensures and sustains efficient, timely and responsive

delivery of services. “People First Policy” (Tao ang Una) is an uncompromising delivery of
3|Page
services such as health, education, and infrastructures intended to culminate an orderly

community and healthy environment. [14] Several infrastructure projects have been completed

during Mayor Malapitan’s term. Caloocan City Hall is an eight-storey building which houses all

offices of the executive and legislative departments of the city government. The newly

constructed city hall also has a multi-purpose hall named “Bulwagang Katipunan”. Caloocan

City Complex located at Barangay 180 is a commercial establishment which provides ease

and comfortability to taxpayers as such. Buena Park in Barangay 180 is a place allotted for

residents to spend their leisure and bonding time in the pool and can be used for several

events. Glorrietta Park Tala and Amphitheater at Barangay 188 serves as a perfect venue for

cultural events, entertainment shows, school programs or community activities. And the two

of the emphasized accomplishment of Mayor’s term is the Caloocan Sports Complex and

University of Caloocan. [15]

However, urban growth and various development happening in the city creates a

manifold of social and environmental illnesses that need immediate actions in the context of

regional concerns and challenges. Need for development planning and growth management

are essential in minimizing the negative environmental and social impacts of urban

development. Through certain growth strategies, the Caloocan City Government established

the “Caloocan City Comprehensive Development Plan 2017 – 2019” (CCCDP) vital in

rationalizing long-term urban growth. CCCDP implied that rate of population growth in

Caloocan City is alarmingly increasing for the last ten years, much faster than its economic

resources. The effect of this unrestrained rate of population growth leads to high incidence of

dire poverty, ballooning unemployment, waste management problems, flooding problems, and

traffic congestion. Furthermore, scope of basic urban services like housing, school facilities

and health services cannot cover the requirements of the rapidly growing sectors of the

population. Increase in poverty incidence implies that families cannot sustain their minimum

basic food and non-food needs, families cannot meet the minimum basic food needs to satisfy

the nutritional requirements and development of lands occupied by Informal Settler Families
[14]
(ISF) were hindered into more productive usage. Office of the Mayor, through the CCDP,

5|Page
are planning major development and growth management in social, educational,

environmental, infrastructure and utilities, economic, and institutional/administrative. Large

amount of budget share will be allocated for infrastructure and utilities project which should

lessen the degree of negative impact of urban growth. The following are the prospect

infrastructure and utilities projects but not limited to: Road Link Improvement Project (Roadway

and Drainage Improvement), and three (3) years planning, programming, construction and

rehabilitation of city roads under road development; Design, construction and installation of

jeepney and tricycle terminals, loading and unloading bays, pedestrian facilities and waiting

sheds along six (6) major roads under Public Transportation Services; reconstruction of

covered portion of creeks and river into open surface drainage, and clearing of illegal

structures along easements of creeks and rivers under drainage and flood control; lastly, land

acquisition for the proposed Bus Terminal Complex with Mix-Used Development NLEX West

Service under Urban Development Land Use. [14] It only shows that the City Government are

seriously trying to fix or mitigate the arising obstacles and challenges of rapid urban growth.

But when can a person consider the place he/she lives as hometown? I believe that a

person can refer the place he/she lives as hometown when that person proudly embodies the

culture, resembles the traits encompassing the citizens, gives importance to the historical

events, contributes to societal progress, and protects the place he/she lives. I am proud to say

that my hometown is Caloocan City. Together with other residents of my hometown, we

encompass brave, camaraderie, and resiliency to fight poverty, social, socio-economic and

economic dilemmas, just like how our victors courageously fought to reclaim our social and

political independence during their time.

Caloocan City government have been finalizing and advocating the implementation of

CCCDP. In regards, l am looking forward for its attainability as we, citizens of Caloocan City,

are fully supporting the city government given that we elected them to be our leaders in the

first place. Caloocan City might not have the best urban development plans and solutions, but

I believe that my hometown’s development progress will be attained through quintessential

implementation of the planners and full cooperation of my hometown’s constituents.

7|Page
 “American Forces waiting order to advance on Caloocan”

“Road to Caloocan – Aftermath”

Source: Miles, Nelson Appleton, (1899) “Harper’s pictorial history of the war with Spain”

url: https://archive.org/details/harperspictorial00milerich/page/490

2|Page
 “Barangay Map of North Caloocan City”

“Barangay Map of South Caloocan City”

Source: http://caloocancity.gov.ph/images/pdfs/Caloocan-City-2017-2025-LCCAP.pdf

4|Page
“Caloocan City Hall” (left) and “Caloocan City Complex” (right) located at 8th St., 8th Ave.
Grace Park, Barangay 103

“Buena Park” located at University of the East Subdivision, Barangay 80 (left)

“Glorrietta Park Tala and Amphitheater” located at Barangay 188 (right)

“Caloocan Sports Complex”

located at Barangay 171 (up)

University of Caloocan (down)

Source: http://caloocancity.gov.ph/images/CATO/social-venues.pdf

6|Page
REFERENCES:

[1]
“Rizal’s Famous Quotation” cited in http://www.joserizal.ph/qt01.html
[2]
Reference and Research Bureau Legislative Research Service, House of Congress.
"Selection and Proclamation of National Heroes and Laws Honoring Filipino Historical
Figures" (PDF) Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2016.
[3]
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hometown
[4]
Giuliani, M. V. (2003). Theory of attachment and place attachment. In M. Bonnes, T. Lee, and M.
Bonaiuto (Eds.), Psychological theories for environmental issues (pp. 137-170) Aldershot:
Ashgate.
[5]
http://caloocancity.gov.ph/about-us/history
[6]
M.C. Halili (2004), Rex Bookstore Inc. “Philippine History”,
[7]
Teodoro A. Agoncillo; Oscar M. Alfonso (1969), “History of Filipino People”
[8]
Ambeth R. Ocampo (1995), “Bonifacio’s Bolo”, Page 8, ISBN 978-971-27-0418-5.
[9]
Borromeo-Buehler, Soledad M. (1998), “The cry of Balintawak: a contrived controversy:
a textual analysis with appended documents”, Ateneo De Manila University, ISBN 978-
971-27-0418-5.
[10]
Miles, Nelson Appleton, (1899) “Harper’s pictorial history of the war with Spain”
https://archive.org/details/harperspictorial00milerich/page/490

[11]
Lorna Fe P. Lopez, Romulo J. Pangan, McDonald D. Beldia, (2005) “The Dynamic
Teeners of the 21st Century”
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=q89VMcqV3W0C&printsec=frontcover&source=g
bs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

[12]
“Tourist Destinations in Caloocan”
http://caloocancity.gov.ph/images/CATO/Tourist-Destinations.pdf
[13]
“2017-2015 Local Climate Change Action Plan”
http://caloocancity.gov.ph/images/pdfs/Caloocan-City-2017-2025-LCCAP.pdf

[14]
“Caloocan City Comprehensive Development Plan 2017-2019”
http://caloocancity.gov.ph/images/pdfs/CC-CDPlan-2017_2019.pdf

[15]
“Social Venues in Caloocan”
http://caloocancity.gov.ph/images/pdfs/social-venues.pdf

8|Page