Caloocan celebrates 53rd cityhood anniversary
REPUBLIC Act ( RA) 7550 declared February 16 of every year as Caloocan City Day, a special nonworking holiday, to celebrate Caloocan’s cityhood anniversary. In 1961, RA 3728 declared Caloocan a chartered city. The people of Caloocan ratified the declaration in a plebiscite on February 16, 1962.
Major activities for this year’s 53rd Caloocan City Day are: Inauguration of a Social Development Center; a motorcade with floats highlighting projects and Miss Caloocan 2015 candidates; cultural shows; a senior citizens Valentines’s Party; a mass wedding; the Caloocan Schools’ Athletic League Championship; megacaravan of basic services at Barangay 152 covered court; Outstanding Caloocan Achievers Night; a mega job fair at City Hall North, “Konsyerto sa Monumento” and Chinese New Year countdown and fireworks at Monumento Circle; Miss Caloocan 2015 talents night and coronation; Mobile Passport Services at City Hall South; a bicycle fun ride; and the annual festival of Pamaypay ng Caloocan.”
Known as “The Gateway to the North,” Caloocan City, headed by Mayor Oscar G. Malapitan, used to be a small barrio of Tondo during the Spanish period. It is now the third most populous city, and the only divided city in the country – between Southern and Northern Caloocan.
The city enjoys a high business trust rating that has triggered a building boom. Big projects – a picnic grove, a sports complex, a new commercial complex – are up for bidding this year.
“The administration continues to work directly with investors, opening its doors to a free- flowing monthly dialogue between businessmen and city’s department heads to thresh out problems and gridlocks in businessrelated procedures,” the mayor’s office said.
Rich in history and culture, the city’s top destinations for tourists and students are Tala Leprosarium, built in 1940, and is the oldest leprosarium in Asia; the Bonifacio Monument, the famous landmark built in honor of Andres Bonifacio; and Gubat sa Ciudad Resort, for retreats, campings, birthdays, and company outings.
Caloocan’s former barrio, Balintawak, was the site where the Katipuneros made their historic “Unang Sigaw” to start the revolution against Spain. In 1762, Caloocan became the seat of Spanish Augustinian friars. In 1765, the first Catholic Church was constructed in the barrio. In 1815, Caloocan became an independent municipality.
Legend says Caloocan got its name from Tagalog “lo- ok” (bay) because it is near Manila Bay, while other says it was named after another Tagalog word “sulok” (corner) because it used to be at corner where the old towns of Tondo and Malabon met.