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Valenzuela

Philippines · Asia

Valenzuela, Philippines
Valenzuela, Philippines. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

About Valenzuela

Valenzuela, officially the City of Valenzuela (Filipino: Lungsod ng Valenzuela), is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. As of the 2024 census, Valenzuela has 725,173 residents, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the Philippines.

Valenzuela ranks as the 7th-most populous city in the National Capital Region and is the 11th-most populous city in the Philippines. Located approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) north of Manila, it is categorized as a highly urbanized, first-class city under the Republic Acts No. 7160 and 8526, which are based on categories of income classification and population. It is located on the island of Luzon, and is landlocked. The city is bordered to the north by the province of Bulacan; to the east by Caloocan and Quezon City; and to the southwest by Malabon. It also shares a boundary with Malabon along the Tullahan River. The city covers a land area of 45.75 km2 (17.66 sq mi) and has a predominantly Tagalog population.

Valenzuela began as the town of Polo, established in 1623 following its separation from Meycauayan, Bulacan. The 1899 Battle of Malinta, during the Philippine–American War, was fought in Polo. In 1960, President Carlos P. Garcia ordered the split of Polo's southern barangays to form another town named Valenzuela, after Pío Valenzuela, a physician and member of the Katipunan, a secret society that fought against the colonial government of Spain. However, in 1963, the split was revoked by President Diosdado Macapagal after political disagreements, and the merged town retained the name Valenzuela. The modern borders of Valenzuela were established pursuant to its city charter when it became a highly urbanized city on December 30, 1998.

Valenzuela travel guide

Understand

Orientation MacArthur Highway, a four- to six-lane highway, is the main road of Valenzuela, with the city hall and most shopping centers being around here. Polo forms Valenzuela's historic center, and has the Spanish-era San Diego de Alcala Church ("Polo Church") and the town plaza. Barangay Paso de Blas (or formerly Malinta) has the main exit from the North Luzon Expressway and the Gateway Complex.

Getting there

By bus 1 Valenzuela Gateway Complex (VGC), Maysan Road, Paso de Blas (near NLEX Paso de Blas exit). Buses by operators headed for the Malinta (Paso de Blas) area terminate here. It is expected that it will receive all northbound provincial buses that now terminate at Manila, Caloocan, Cubao, or Pasay. (updated Jul 2019) Valenzuela is served by 2 city bus routes:

14 Balagtas–Monumento. Runs between Caloocan and Balagtas (Bulacan) via MacArthur Highway. 51 VGC–Cubao. Runs from Araneta Center in Cubao (Quezon City) via Katipunan, Luzon, Congressional and Mindanao avenues and NLEX.

By jeepney If you are from the south, there are Jeepneys around Manila have their destination until Malanday, Valenzuela. But if you are from the north, Jeepneys ply from Malolos up to Malinta, Valenzuela.

By taxi Taxis can be found everywhere in Metro Manila or Bulacan. You can take taxi and plot your destination. Fares depends on your destination. Other public vehicles bound for Valenzuela like pedicabs, and tricycles are available in any nearby city of Valenzuela.

Getting around

By jeepney Jeepneys can be found in major and minor roads of the city. They have a fixed fare and route like buses. Fare ₱8-20.

By pedicab/tricycle Pedicabs (also called trike or side-car) can be found anywhere (except in major highways) in the city. Pedicabs and tricycles can travel streets which is not covered by jeepneys and buses. Fare ₱10-50.

See

1 Arkong Bato, M.H. Del Pilar Street (at the boundary with Malabon). A stone arch built by the Americans in 1910. It served as a boundary marker for Bulacan (where Valenzuela, then Polo, belonged), and Rizal. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Libingan ng mga Hapon (Japanese Cemetery). 500 m2 (5,400 sq ft) cemetery for the thousands of Japanese soldiers killed during the final years of World War II. (updated Jul 2019) 3 Dr. Pio Valenzuela Museum, Kapitan Vililia corner Pascual Deato Street. 9AM–4PM. The ancestral home of Pio Valenzuela, one of the leaders of the Katipunan and the namesake of the city, then the town of Polo. It is now fully renovated as of September 2023. (updated Jul 2019) 4 San Diego de Alcala Parish (Polo Church), M.H. Del Pilar Street (near the plaza). This parish church, part of Valenzuela's old downtown, was built by locals in 1632 using the polo y servicio system of forced labor. The Spanish-era church was destroyed during World War II, but its old belfry survived. (updated Jul 2019) 5 Valenzuela City People's Park, MacArthur Highway. 5AM–midnight. A park beside the Valenzuela City Town Center and City Hall of Valenzuela in McArthur Highway. (updated Oct 2023) 6 Museo Valenzuela, #2 Fatima Avenue (inside the Our Lady of Fatima School compound). (updated Sep 2023) 7 Valenzuela City Family Park, #62 Karuhatan Road. 5AM–10PM. (updated Sep 2023) 8 Polo Mini Park, F. A. Sebastian Street, Polo. Open 24 hours. (updated Sep 2023) 9 Tagalag Mini Park, Tagalag Road. Open 24 hours. Boardwalk with a stunning view of sunset. (updated Sep 2023)

Buy

1 SM City Valenzuela, MacArthur Highway. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023) 2 One Mall Valenzuela, #6045 Gen. T. de Leon Street. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023) 3 South Supermarket-Valenzuela City, MacArthur Highway. 8:30AM–8:30PM. South Supermarket has many to offer and you can eat, grocery, do arcade or have a massage. (updated Oct 2023)

Eat

1 Maricopa Restaurant, 3 Maysan Road, Maysan (beside Our Lady of Fatima University annex), ☏ +63 2 292-0406. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su closed. Filipino cuisine, salads, and mini sandwiches. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Little Beijing Chinese Cuisine, 186 MacArthur Highway, Karuhatan (near SM Center Valenzuela), ☏ +63 2 432-1352. 10AM-11PM. Now a local chain, with a branch in Marilao. Dim sum, congee, soups, noodles, and rice, and some Filipino-Chinese dishes. (updated Jul 2019) 3 Lola Nena's, #165 MacArthur Highway, ☏ +63 289254623. Sweet desserts, pastries, baked cake, cupcake, cookies. (updated Sep 2023) 4 SM Foodcourt Valenzuela, 3/F SM City Valenzuela, MacArthur Highway. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023) 5 Okinawa Japanese Ramen House, MacArthur Hwy (across from SM City Valenzuela). 2PM–2AM. ₱570-1,400. (updated Sep 2023) 6 Kuya J's Restaurant, SM Valenzuela, Mc Arthur Highway. 10AM–9PM. Kuya J is comprised of favorite Filipino food that has affordable prices, great taste, and excellent service. They cater to families and groups, offering them a casual dining experience. “Our type of cuisine is Filipino, essentially what your mother would cook because she loves you. (updated Sep 2023) 7 Arca Yard Food Park, #286 MacArthur Highway, ☏ +63 917 527 3304. noon–2AM. different food stores and restaurants. (updated Sep 2023) 8 Kuya Bob Pares/Mami On the Go, Saint James Street. 6AM–6:30PM. Decent tasting and very affordable Pares in Valenzuela. Better to dine here early, their best sellers are usually out of stock. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

1 MEACO Hotel Karuhatan, MacArthur Highway, Karuhatan, ☏ +63 2 443-9021. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Air-conditioned rooms, free parking and WiFi, and bar. No free meals. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Cariño Resort, #11 San Baraquiel Street, ☏ +63 2 8283 4009. Resort type lodging with big pool. May appeal to locals. ₱1733. (updated Dec 2020) 3 Hollywood Suites & Resort, MacArthur Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.

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