The official page of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Isidro Labrador, which is located at National Rd., Poblacion, Pulilan, Bulacan, under the guidance of Rev. Formerly called San Isidro, Pulilan is described in Ilustración Filipina as a plain bounded by Pampanga and the swamp of Candaba, and by the towns of Baliwag, Malolos, and Calumpit, with the swamp of Hagonoy to the southwest.
In earlier centuries, Pulilan was part of Quingua (now Plaridel), and the faithful had to cross the Angat River to attend liturgical celebrations. However, during inclement weather, participating in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, became difficult, if not impossible. In 1794, this challenge was met with divine providence: under the ministry of the Augustinian friars, a parish was established, and the town was formally founded under the patronage of San Isidro Labrador. The faithful, who once had to travel great distances for Mass, now had their own place of worship—a modest chapel built of bamboo, local wood, and nipa. Around 1810, a larger church and rectory were constructed, only to be devastated by a powerful earthquake on June 3, 1863. Slowly and steadily, they rebuilt their church, now using more durable materials like adobe, tisa (terracotta tiles), and trozo (cut stone). Galende, OSA, notes that Pulilan, originally called San Isidro, eventually took its name from one of its most prominent barrios. This new name is attested by Fr. Ignacio Manzanares, parish priest of Hagonoy in 1871, and by Fr. Simon Barroso in 1873, who referred to the town as San Isidro de Pulilan. The first cura párroco (parish priest) of Pulilan was Fray Vicente Villamanzo, OSA. While the church's structure evolved through the years, the core of its original design has endured, symbolizing the same resilience found in the Pulileños themselves. This enduring faith culminated in a significant milestone on February 7, 2013, when the parish church was solemnly dedicated to God in a ceremony led by His Excellency, the late Most Rev. Jose Francisco Oliveros, D.D., the fourth bishop of Malolos. A clear expression of Pulileños’ devotion to San Isidro Labrador is seen annually in the Kneeling Carabao Festival, held on the eve of the patronal feast. Originating as a ritual offering of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests, the festival is marked by a procession of farmers and their carabaos, some of which famously kneel in front of the church as a sign of reverence. While the celebration has become a major cultural attraction drawing tourists from across the country, its heart remains deeply spiritual, honoring San Isidro for his intercession and God for His providence. Over time, the festival also evolved as part of the parish's nobenary tradition, with May 15 itself reserved for the solemn liturgical celebration of the fiesta. In 2018, following the recommendation of the Diocese of Malolos and of Bishop Oliveros, the church underwent structural restoration and retrofitting to preserve its integrity. Under the vision of Rev. Ladra, the church’s 50th parish priest, the Parish of San Isidro Labrador was envisioned not only as a sacred space but as a living symbol of God's grandeur and the faithful's deep devotion. Enhancements were made to almost every aspect of the structure—from the main door and baptistry to the pulpit, stained-glass windows, and the major and minor retablos. In 2019, further work elevated the interior's liturgical dignity. On December 13, 2019, in recognition of its spiritual and cultural significance, the church was declared a Diocesan Shrine by Bishop Dennis Villarojo. Today, the Parish of San Isidro Labrador stands not only as a historical landmark but as a living testimony to God's enduring faithfulness and the unwavering devotion of the Pulileños. However, with such a rich and layered past, there arises a corresponding responsibility to preserve and celebrate this heritage for future generations.
