San Jose del Monte

San Jose del Monte is a city in Bulacan, Philippines, stretching from flat plains up to the foothills of the Sierra Madre. Built-up neighborhoods alternate with farmland and wooded hills, while roads link the different districts together.

The city formed in 1752 after hunters discovered a statue of Saint Joseph in a forested area. Over the centuries the settlement grew from a small village into one of the largest local units in Central Luzon.

The name traces back to a wooden statue of Saint Joseph that hunters found in the mountains centuries ago and which remains venerated today. Pilgrims visit the grotto chapel, where worshippers light candles and rest on benches beneath old trees.

The North Luzon Expressway runs straight to the capital and makes onward journeys easy, while local buses and jeepneys connect the neighborhoods. The city covers a large area, so it helps to check in advance which districts you want to visit.

Despite its proximity to the capital region, farmers in the upland areas continue to grow cassava, vegetables and coffee beans. Small markets in the neighborhoods sell these products directly to residents and visitors.

Location: Bulacan

Inception: March 2, 1752

Elevation above the sea: 122 m

Shares border with: Santa Maria, Rodriguez, Norzagaray, Marilao, Caloocan, Quezon City

Website: https://csjdm.gov.ph

GPS coordinates: 14.81020,121.04741

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03