Marilao, The Province of Bulacan, Central Luzon Region, Philippines

🇵🇭 Marilao, officially the Municipality of Marilao, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines.

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is part of Manila's built-up area which reaches San Ildefonso on its northernmost part. Marilao is 22 km (14 mi) from Manila and 23 km (14 mi) from Malolos City.

Marilao is one of the 21 Philippine municipalities that have met the requirements for cityhood set by the Constitution and Local Government Code of the Republic of the Philippines and as agreed upon by the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

History Long before the establishment as an independent town, Marilao traces its origin as little as a barrio. It was initially a barrio of its neighboring town Meycauayan and the Franciscan missionaries from Meycauayan built a visita (chapel) dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.

Marilao, just like Pangil, a town in Laguna, Philippines, was under the stewardship of the Franciscan order.

On April 21, 1796, the Barrio of Marilao was established as a pueblo as approved by the Alcalde Mayor of Bulacan and the Franciscan friars of Meycauayan, with the approval of Archbishop of Manila, the visita of San Miguel Arcangel became a town church where Padre Vicente de Talavera served as its parish priest. In 1913, Marilao completely became an independent town.

Barangays Marilao is politically subdivided into 16 barangays, all classified as urban.

Loma de Gato is now the most populous village both in Bulacan and in Central Luzon upon the division of Muzon in the neighboring city of San Jose del Monte after a plebiscite in March 2023.

Education The Pambayang Dalubhasaan ng Marilao Municipal College of Marilao is a public college in Marilao. The public primary and secondary schools in Marilao are governed by the Department of Education-Provincial Schools Division of Bulacan. Several private schools in Marilao also provide education services.

Public High Schools • Assemblywoman Felicita G. Bernardino Memorial Trade School(AFGBMTS) • Prenza National High School(PNHS)

Religion National Shrine of the Divine Mercy It was elevated to the status of National Shrine by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The first mass was held at the site on February 2, 1992, the Feast of the Presentation. Located in Barangay Santa Rosa I.

On the occasion of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in 2017, a 38-meter Statue of Merciful Jesus was built here.

San Miguel Arcangel Parish Church The Parish celebrates its patronal feasts on May 8 and September 29. Its 28th Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Alberto D.J. Santiago succeeded Fr. Avelino G. Santos. Under Parochial Vicar, Fr. Francis Protacio S. Cortez III,OSA. It is hundred years old spiritual edifice in Poblacion I considered as “place marker” and serve as “point of orientation” to the local residents and visitors.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church Located in Barangay Loma de Gato.

There are also a presence of other religions in Marilao like the Iglesia ni Cristo,Jehova's Witnesses, Born Again Christians, Members of Church of God International, etc.