Bustos, officially known as the Municipality of Bustos (Bayan ng Bustos in Tagalog), is a second-class municipality located in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. Situated within the Greater Manila Area, extending up to San Ildefonso, Bulacan in the north, Bustos holds a significant place in the region. With a population of 77,199 people according to the 2020 census, it remains an important community.
The town was named after Jose Pedro Perez de Busto(s), a mining engineer from Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain. Notably, he served as the trusted right-hand man of Simón de Anda y Salazar and was appointed as the Provincial Governor (teniente general alcalde) of Bulacan.
History
During the Spanish Period, Bustos was a barrio of Baliuag. However, a tragic incident led to their separation. In the 1860s, a group of Bustos natives, carrying babies in their arms, was on their way to the St. Augustine Parish Church of Baliuag for baptism when a planceta (raft) they were on capsized in the powerful current of the Angat River. This heartbreaking event prompted the people of Bustos to establish their own parish church, ensuring the safety of their community. As a tribute to the infants who lost their lives in the river, the locals chose the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño) as their patron saint.
Bustos gained independence from Baliuag on April 29, 1867, thanks to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of its residents. This liberation included the integration of the barrios Bonga Mayor and Bonga Menor. However, on October 8, 1903, it was returned to Baliuag, along with the merging of San Rafael into the municipality.
Bustos officially became a separate municipality on January 1, 1916, during the Philippine Assembly, with Assemblyman Ricardo Lloret Gonzalez representing the Bulacan–2nd congressional district. A year later, on January 1, 1917, the town proudly inaugurated its municipal hall. Leon Prado served as the inaugural Municipal Mayor from 1917 to 1919, while Gabriel Alvarez became the first parish priest of the newly established Santo Niño de Bustos Parish Church.
During the American period, Bustos once again became part of Baliuag. It played a significant role in the history of World War II in the Philippines, serving as the military headquarters for soldiers in Bulacan province in 1945. Under the leadership of Bustosenyo, then Captain Alejo Santos, Bustos became a key strategic location.
In 2017, Bustos celebrated its 100th founding anniversary with the theme “Bustos Sentenaryo: Isang Daan tungo sa Ikasandaan” (Bustos Centenary: One Way Towards One Hundredth). This milestone coincided with the 150th founding anniversary of the Santo Niño de Bustos Parish Church as an independent parish church of the municipality. To commemorate the town’s centennial anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corporation issued a special commemorative stamp.
Geography
Bustos is located at the heart of five neighboring towns in Bulacan: San Rafael to the north, Pandi and Plaridel to the south, Baliuag to the west, and Angat to the east. The land areas primarily consist of rice fields dedicated to the cultivation of various crops and agricultural products. Some farmlands are equipped with irrigation systems managed by the National Irrigation Administration, drawing water from Bustos Dam and Angat Dam along the Angat River. Bustos is situated 29 kilometers (18 mi) away from Malolos and 52 kilometers (32 mi) from Manila.
Bustos is divided into 14 barangays, comprising six urban and eight rural areas. Each barangay is further subdivided into puroks, and some also have sitios.
Culture
Experience the vibrant Minasa Festival, the official festival of Bustos, celebrated every January. This lively event showcases various activities including street dances, dance showdowns, cooking contests, singing contests, running events, beauty pageants, live band concerts, and captivating variety shows. Indulge in the delicious locally-made delicacy called minasa while savoring the crispy wafer-like treat known as *barquillos*. Since its inception in 2011, the Minasa Festival has become an annual televised spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors alike.
In addition to the Minasa Festival, immerse yourself in the vibrant Manok-Manok (Chicken) Festival held in Barangay San Pedro every June, and the Hito (Catfish) Festival celebrated in Barangay Camachilihan every August.