San Ildefonso, officially the Municipality of San Ildefonso (, Kapampangan: Balen ning San Ildefonso) is a municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
History The early inhabitants called the area Bulak because of the abundant kapok or bulak trees (Ceiba pentandra), which grew on the hill on which the present town was built.
Bulak was initially a barrio of San Rafael, with only about 3,000 inhabitants, who came from nearby towns and provinces who preferred to settle the land because of its good agricultural prospects.
In the Spanish era, the site was renamed Hacienda San Juan de Dios after 15,500 hectares of grazing and farming grounds were claimed by friars. The people made to pay tribute, with the money from the rentals used to finance operation of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay. The Spanish friars, though antagonistic toward the natives, admired the beauty of the natural scenery, and so renamed the place Hacienda Buenavista (which means beautiful scenery in Spanish).
As the population grew, a visita was constructed in the area under the parish of San Rafael. In 1809, Father Juan de la Rosa became the first Filipino priest of the town, having the position until 1811. He was responsible for changing the name Bulak to San Ildefonso in honor of Alfonso XII, the reigning King of Spain, and the patron saint, Ildefonsus of Toledo. By the time it was given this name, a tribunal was created finally making it a town in 1877. Between 1903 and 1906, San Ildefonso was merged with San Miguel due to its low income and inability to finance its expenditures in operating the local government.
As years went by, more and more people were induced to live in the town. The growth of population promoted an increase of income. The town became capable of meeting its expenses, so it ceased being a barrio of San Miguel and became once again an independent town.
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942, the mansion Bahay na Pula of the Ilusorio family was confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Army. It became their barracks and a place where local so-called comfort women were forced into sexual slavery.
Geography With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is the northernmost part of Manila's built-up area.
San Ildefonso is from Malolos and from Manila.
Barangays San Ildefonso is politically subdivided into 36 barangays, as shown in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of 7 puroks and some have sitios.
There are 6 urban and 30 rural barangays.
Climate
Demographics
In the 2020 census, the population of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, was 115,713 people, with a density of .
Economy
Major industries Cement Pyrotechnics Feed mills Food/food processing Garments Hat making Wood crafts High-yield crops Marble/marble processing Metalcraft
Major products Bakeries and sweet preserves Chicharon Poultry and livestock Rice High value crops Marbles Vegetables Fruits
Elected Officials
+ 2025-2028 San Ildefonso, Bulacan OfficialsPosition Name Party Mayor Fernando S. Galvez Vice Mayor Chariz G. Cabande Councilors Joselito G. Bautista Jr. Jaycel C. Domingo Teemee I. Miguel Andrea Lindsey B. Duran Alexander J. Galvez Krizia Jewel V. Silverio John Paul S. Magbitang Michael D. Angeles Ex Officio Municipal Council Members ABC President TBD SK Federation President TBD
Education There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are San Ildefonso North District Office, and San Ildefonso South District Office.
Public Schools Elementary Education The town has numerous public schools offering elementary and high school education. Some of the elementary public schools are:
South District NoName 1 Pinaod Elementary School 2 Malipampang Elementary School 3 Maasim Elementary School 4 Palapala Elementary School 5 Gabihan Elementary School 6 Akle Elementary School 7 Sapang Putik Elementary School 8 Basuit Elementary School 9 Upig Elementary School 10 Bagong Baryo Elementary School 11 Alagao Elementary School 12 Matimbubong Elementary School 13 Casalat Elementary School 14 Sitio Pag- Asa Elementary School 15 Narra Elementary School 16 Sitio Biga Elementary School 17 Pasong Bangkal Elementary School (Satellite School)
North District NoName1 San Ildefonso Elementary School2 Anyatam Elementary School3 Bubulong Malaki Elementary School4 Bubulong Munti Elementary School5 Bulusukan Elementary School6 Calawitan Elementary School7 Makapilapil Elementary School8 Pulong Tamo Elementary School9 Sumandig Elementary School10 Santa Catalina Mat. Elementary School11 Umpucan Elementary School12 Nabaong Garlang Elementary School13 Calasag Elementary School14 Lapnit Elementary School15 San Juan Elementary School16 Mataas na Parang Elementary School17 Buhol na Mangga Elementary School18 Garlang Elementary School19 Santa Catalina Bata Elementary School20 Telapatio Elementary School
Secondary Education Some of the public high schools are:
NoName 1 San Ildefonso National High School 2 Calawitan National High School 3 Akle High School 4 Santa Catalina High School 5 Upig High school 6 Gabihan High school
Tertiary and College Education Some of the tertiary schools are:
NoName 1 Bulacan State Agricultural University
Private Schools Some of the private schools offering education NoNameNursery & KindergartenElementarySecondarySenior High SchoolTertiary / College 1 AMG Skilled Hands Technological College (ASHTEC) Yes Yes Yes 2 Motessori De San Ildefonso Yes Yes Yes 3 Saint Paul School of San Ildefonso Yes 4 Saint John School Yes Yes Yes 5 Liceo De Buenavista Yes Yes 6 Goldenville School of Montessori Yes Yes Yes 7 Veritas Learning Center Yes 8Solagracia Alliance School, Inc.Yes 9Colegio De La Santisima Eucaristia (CDLSE) Yes Yes
Notable personalities Yuka Saso – 2021 U.S. Women's Open Golf Champion. Filipino Japanese amateur golfer. Two-time Asian Games gold medalist in individual and team events. Cardozo Luna – politician; Undersecretary of Department National Defence. Joyce Ching – Filipino-Chinese actress
Gallery
References
Further reading
External links
[ Philippine Standard Geographic Code] San Ildefonso municipal website 2007 Philippine Census Information