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Gapan is a city in Nueva Ecija. Although overshadowed by Cabanatuan to the north, it retains a number of significant heritage sites while retaining its status as the economic center of southern Nueva Ecija.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Situated between the boundary with Bulacan to the south and the banks of the Peñaranda River to the north, Gapan is the oldest known settlement in Nueva Ecija, having been founded by the Spanish in 1595. It was originally part of Pampanga until it was transferred to Nueva Ecija province in 1846. Gapan became a legally-designated city in 2001. It is the commercial center of southern Nueva Ecija, and is one of the three metropolitan areas of Nueva Ecija, alongside Cabanatuan and San Jose.
It is home to about 130,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]Gapan is a key terminus for buses originating from Metro Manila. It lies along the Maharlika Highway, also known as Asian Highway 26 (AH 26) and Cagayan Valley Road, and is also the terminus of the Gapan-Olongapo Road, which connects Nueva Ecija with Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales provinces and has a junction with Maharlika Highway in downtown Gapan. The road then leads east towards Minalungao National Park and the towns of Peñaranda and General Tinio.
Jeepneys also connect Gapan with Tabang in Plaridel, Bulacan, just off the Santa Rita Exit of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). There are also jeepney and minibus connections to Cabanatuan and Cabiao, from where transfers can be made to San Fernando in Pampanga. There are also services branching out to various towns in southern Nueva Ecija such as San Isidro, Jaen and San Antonio.
Get around
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Tricycles are the main form of transportation between barangays. Fares start at ₱40. The main terminals are in front of Primark, WalterMart and Robinsons Gapan.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Tagpuan sa Lumang Gapan (Little Vigan), Delos Reyes corner Jacinto Streets, San Vicente (beside Gapan Church). Meaning "Meeting-Spot in Old Gapan", it is a cluster of well-preserved colonial-era houses concentrated around two perpendicular cobble-stoned streets beside Gapan Church. During major holidays, the street is closed off to vehicles and becomes a pedestrian-friendly zone complete with stalls.
- 2 Gapan Church (Minor Basilica and National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora, Three Kings Parish Church), H. Malgapo corner Delos Reyes Streets, San Vicente, toll-free: +63 44 486 0471, threekingsparishofficial@gmail.com. Gapan's main Roman Catholic church. Built in 1872, it is the oldest church in Nueva Ecija and is one of the few remaining Spanish-era structures in the province. It also hosts a venerated image of the Virgin Mary.
- 3 Gapan City Plaza, Tinio Street, San Vicente (in front of Old Gapan City Hall). Gapan's main public space, featuring civic monuments, trees and a Ferris wheel. A fine spot for recreational activities, finding some shade from the weather or just people-watching. On weekends, the area hosts a night market.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Casa Batik, Gapan-Cabiao Bypass Road, Bayanihan, ☏ +63 912 344 8820, casabatik.ph@gmail.com. 8AM-7PM. A 7 hectares (17 acres) garden and farm filled with (mostly) bougainvilleas and other flowering plants, some of which are also on sale. There is also a cafe onsite. Also a popular venue for weddings and photography sessions. ₱100, ₱80 concessions for senior citizens and disabled persons and ₱50 for students, free for children below 3 feet (0.91 m).
Buy
[edit | edit source]Gapan is home to a thriving footwear industry that earned it the title of "Footwear Capital of the North".
- 1 Robinsons Gapan, Maharlika Highway, Bayanihan. 10AM–9PM.
- 2 WalterMart Gapan, Maharlika Highway, Bayanihan. 9AM-8PM.
- 3 Primark Center Gapan, Maharlika Highway, San Vicente, ☏ +63 919 086 0591, +63 908 818 8999, toll-free: +63 44 611 0932. 8AM-8PM.
- 4 Gapan City Public Market, Santo Niño De Praga Street, San Vicente.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Truffle Cafe, Divina Pastora Building, E. Jacinto Street, San Vicente, ☏ +63 933 813 8700, trufflecafe2012est@gmail.com. 10 AM–9 PM Mon-Thu, 10AM-10PM Fri-Sun. Serves coffee, pasta and other comfort food.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Asia Jem Hotel, Magno Street, San Vicente (at the back of Novo Department Store), ☏ +63 917 567 8917, asiajemhotels2023@gmail.com.
- 2 La Victoria Hotel and Resort, Mangino Street, Puting Tubig, ☏ +63 917 145 0051, lavictoria.hotelresort@gmail.com. An out-of-the way accommodation in the fields southeast of downtown Gapan.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The city's postal code is 3105.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Gapan |
| Cabanatuan ← San Leonardo ← | N  S | → San Miguel → Baliwag |
| END ← | E  W | → San Isidro → San Fernando |