Gapan, officially the City of Gapan ( fil, Lungsod ng Gapan), is a 4th class
component city in the
province
A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions out ...
of
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija, officially the Province of Nueva Ecija ( tgl, Lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija , also ; ilo, Probinsia ti Nueva Ecija; pag, Luyag/Probinsia na Nueva Ecija; Kapampangan: ''Lalawigan/Probinsia ning Nueva Ecija''), is a landlocked province ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 122,968 people.
Gapan is nicknamed the "Footwear Capital of the North" due to the thriving footwear making industry in the city.
History
Old records called the town Ibon. Gapan was founded by the Spanish curates and officials who, in their early occupation, exercised great influence over the people and the things they were doing. History places Gapan as one of the first towns of
Pampanga
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...
founded sometime in the middle part of the sixteenth century. Records of the first Catholic mission to the far east indicated that in 1595, Fathers Contres Tendilla, Caballo and Salazar were responsible for clearing the forest which later became a pueblo. In this pueblo, a church, presedencia and residential houses made of bricks and lime were constructed, now the age-old landmarks of the city.
Its foundation in 1595 makes Gapan the oldest town in Nueva Ecija and one of the oldest in the Philippines. It was likewise a big pueblo embracing an area as far as
Cabanatuan City in the north, which was its barrio with the name Cabanatuan before it separated in 1750: the
Sierra Madres in the East,
San Miguel,
Bulacan
Bulacan, officially the Province of Bulacan ( tl, Lalawigan ng Bulacan), is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Malolos. Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578, and part of the Me ...
in the south and
Candaba,
Pampanga
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...
in the West. Gradually as the Spanish power waned and economic progress caught up in the area, the pueblo disintegrated into many pueblos until it remained to comprise only the towns of
Peñaranda,
General Tinio and
San Leonardo (formerly called Manikling) all of Nueva Ecija province. In fact the Patron Saint Divina Pastora had its origin or residence in Barrio Callos, Peñaranda.
Cityhood
By virtue of
Republic Act No. 9022 and its ratification in a plebiscite subsequently held on August 25, 2001, Gapan was converted into a
component city of
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija, officially the Province of Nueva Ecija ( tgl, Lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija , also ; ilo, Probinsia ti Nueva Ecija; pag, Luyag/Probinsia na Nueva Ecija; Kapampangan: ''Lalawigan/Probinsia ning Nueva Ecija''), is a landlocked province ...
. Ernesto L. Natividad became the first city mayor of Gapan.
Geography
Gapan is located in the southern part of the province. It is bounded to the north by
Peñaranda and
San Leonardo, to the east by the
Gen. Tinio, to the south by
San Miguel in neighboring
Bulacan
Bulacan, officially the Province of Bulacan ( tl, Lalawigan ng Bulacan), is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Malolos. Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578, and part of the Me ...
province, and to the west by
San Isidro.
Gapan City is from
Cabanatuan
Cabanatuan, officially the City of Cabanatuan ( fil, Lungsod ng Cabanatuan; ilo, Siudad ti Cabanatuan), is a 1st class component city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 327,325 p ...
, from
Palayan, and from
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populated ...
.
Climate
Barangays
Gapan is politically subdivided into 23
barangay
A barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as barrio (abbreviated as Bo.), is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. In metropolita ...
s.
Demographics
Economy
Current major sources of income include farming, slipper making, fishponds, poultry and piggery, and commercial establishments.
The city of Gapan held tremendous promise not only in its natural resources but also in its potentials in agri-base industries and in footwear industries which help sustain its virtual role in agricultural and industrial production. Commercial and trade activities in the city are further accelerated by the influx of financing lending institution and new businesses.
Like its sister city Cabanatuan, Gapan City also houses major shopping hubs in the province. The two major Philippine mall chains,
Walter Mart and
Robinsons Malls, has already established its presence in the city. Currently, major shopping centers in the city include: Walter Mart Gapan;
Robinsons Gapan, Primark Town Center Gapan, RCS Gapan, and AllHome Gapan. Gapan has also several local grocery, department, and hardware stores.
Transportation
Gapan City serves many bus companies operating provincial and regional routes. Jeepney operators serve routes within the province with some reaching as far to nearby towns in Nueva Ecija. Much of the city's population rely on public transportation such as tricycles and jeeps to get around the city.
Two main highways serve the city of Gapan:
Maharlika Highway
The Pan-Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway ( tl, Daang Maharlika; ceb, Dalang Halangdon), is a network of roads, expressways, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao i ...
and
Jose Abad Santos Avenue.
Maharlika Highway
The Pan-Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway ( tl, Daang Maharlika; ceb, Dalang Halangdon), is a network of roads, expressways, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao i ...
(or Pan-Philippine Highway) is the main highway traversing the city where most vehicles going to Cagayan Valley pass through. It links Gapan to its nearby city of Cabanatuan and town of San Miguel in the province of Bulacan. It also allows travelers to reach towns of Sta. Rosa and San Leonardo. On the other hand,
Jose Abad Santos Avenue is the highway that links Gapan to the towns of
San Isidro and
Cabiao
Cabiao, officially the Municipality of Cabiao (Tagalog: ''Bayan ng Cabiao''), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,862 people. Cabiao is the 3rd most popu ...
, where the road continues straightforward, again turning westward then eastward, entering
Pampanga
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...
, and passes through
Pampanga River.
One proposed expressway will pass through Gapan City if built: it would be the
North Luzon East Expressway (
Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
to Cabanatuan).
Tourism
;National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora: The center of Marian pilgrimages during the months of April and May is the
National Shrine of Virgen La Divina Pastora as declared by the Catholic Bishops Conference in 1986. Little Vigan, Gapan.
Education
* Divina Pastora College
Asian Institute of E-commerce (AIE) - Gapan Campus* Gapan Computer Technical Institute
* ACLC College (Gapan Campus)
* Allen Institute of Technology
* College for Research and Technology
* Gapan City College formerly
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology – Gapan Academic Extension Campus
* Gapan City Technical School
* Provincial Manpower Training Center (Technical School)
* SKD Academy Gapan Campus
Healthcare
*Good Samaritan General Hospital - a private hospital located at Don Simeon St, Gapan City.
*Gapan District Hospital - a public hospital located at Divina Pastora Street, Divina Pastora Subdivision, Gapan City.
*Dr. J.P. Cruz Cancer Clinic
*other clinics (dental, skin, etc.)
Notable personalities
*
Mariano Llanera
Mariano Núñez Llanera (born Mariano Llanera y Núñez; November 9, 1855 – September 19, 1942) was a Filipino revolutionary general from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija who fought in his aforementioned home province, and also in the neighboring provinces ...
, the Revolutionary General of the battle Cry of Nueva Ecija in
Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
Cabiao, officially the Municipality of Cabiao ( Tagalog: ''Bayan ng Cabiao''), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,862 people. Cabiao is the 3rd most ...
.
*General
Pantaleon Valmonte, the capitan municipal of Gapan who, together with General Mariano Llanera, capitan municipal of Cabiao, launched the "First Cry of Nueva Ecija" against the Spanish rule on September 2, 1896.
*
Juan Liwag
Juan Ramos Liwag (1906-1983) was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as senator in the 5th and 6th Congress of the Philippines.
He was among the few Filipino officials who have served in all three branches of the government.
Early li ...
- former Senator of the Philippines
*
Nida Blanca - award-winning actress
*
Ryza Cenon - actress
*
Eula Valdez
Maria Julia Amorsolo Valdes (; born December 11, 1968), professionally known as Eula Valdes, is a Filipino actress, best known for her role as Amor Powers in the original version of ''Pangako Sa 'Yo'' (2000) and as Janice in the '' Bagets'' fi ...
- actress
*
Joe Taruc - DZRH news anchor
*
Frankie Evangelista
Francisco "Frankie" Fermin Evangelista (July 24, 1934 – February 18, 2004) was a Filipino newspaper columnist, radio and television broadcaster of Manila Chronicle (1956–1975), IBC (1975–1986), and ABS-CBN (1986–2004).
Early life an ...
Former TV Patrol News Anchor
*
Coleen Perez - actress
* Daniel Figueroa
- actor
* Deo Macalma - Radio and Television Anchor
MBC and
DZRH
DZRH (666 AM) is a radio station owned and operated by Manila Broadcasting Company, which serves as the flagship station. The station's studio is located at the MBC Building, Star City, Vicente Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pas ...
Sister cities
*
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
*
Cabiao
Cabiao, officially the Municipality of Cabiao (Tagalog: ''Bayan ng Cabiao''), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,862 people. Cabiao is the 3rd most popu ...
, Nueva Ecija
Images
File:Gapancityjf.JPG, Rice fields, Santo Cristo
File:Gapancityjf456.JPG, City Hall
File:Gapancityjf221.JPG, City park
File:Gapan City Wet Market in Nueva Ecija.jpg, Wet market
File:Gapanmalljf.JPG, Dry Market and the Water District
File:Gapancoliseumjf.JPG, Cockfighting Coliseum
References
External links
Gapan City Official Website*
Philippine Standard Geographic Code
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
Philippine Census InformationLocal Governance Performance Management System
{{Authority control
Cities in Nueva Ecija
Populated places established in 1732
1732 establishments in the Philippines
Component cities in the Philippines