|
Pangasinan Wedding Destinations
Pangasinan - Hundred Islands
and A Hundred Flavors
“A place where salt
is made” is the etymological background behind the name
Pangasinan which is based from its main word, asin or salt.
The province is famous as the home of bagoong, or fermented
fish sauce. Beyond bagoong and Dagupan’s bangus or milk
fish, the province has 100-in-1 natural wonder that make tourists
stay longer: the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City. Moreover,
it can also brag of its historical significance particularly
during the World War II.
Demographic
1. Population – 2,645,
395 (as of 2007 census)
2. Land Area - 5,368.82 sq. km.
3. Capital – Lingayen
4. Language/Dialect - Ilocano, English, Filipino, Pangasinense
5. Divisions
Cities (4)
- Alaminos City
- Dagupan City
- San Carlos City
- Urdaneta City
Municipalities (13)
- Agno
- Aguilar
- Alcala
- Anda
- Asingan
- Balungao
- Bani
- Basista
- Bautista
- Bayambang
- Binalonan
- Binmaley
- Bolinao
- Bugallon
- Burgos
- Calasiao
- Dasol
- Infanta
- Labrador
- Laoac
- Lingayen
- Mabini
- Malasiqui
- Manaoag
- Mangaldan
- Mangatarem
- Mapandan
- Natividad
- Pozorrubio
- Rosales
- San Fabian
- San Jacinto
- AG. San Manuel
- San Nicolas
- San Quintin
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Maria
- Santo Tomas
- Sison
- Sual
- Tayug
- Umingan
- Urbiztondo
- Villasis
Famous For...
Hundred Islands National
Park
Location: Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Tour Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: P50.00 (to be paid at the Philippine Tourism Authority
office at Lucap proper.)
Composed of 123 islets that resemble little emeralds in the
pristine sea, this natural wonder is marked by legends of its
origin. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy water activities such
as snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, bird watching, and of
course, swimming.
Bangus Dagupan
Dagupan is popular for the Bonuan Bangus. This type of milkfish
has a short arched belly, fat, with fine, shiny white scale,
short tailed and has small head. Most locals are involved in
the bangus industry either through culturing, retailing, or
processing. With this, Dagupenos owe what they have to the bangus.
Shrine of Our Lady
of Manaoag
Location: Manaoag, Pangasinan
The Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario de Manaoag
is one of the most revered images of the Virgin Mary here in
the country and all over the world. Our Lady is the patroness
of the sick, helpless and needy. The ivory image of Our Lady
was brought to the country during the 16th century and has survived
several earthquakes, fires, and bombings during the war. Yearly,
thousands of pilgrims visit the site in the hope of receiving
a miracle from the Virgin Mary.
Places of Interest...
Cultural
Bolinao Museum
Location: Bolinao, Pangasinan
Museum Days: Monday – Saturday
Museum Hours: 8:00 am – 12:00pm, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
The National Museum assumed management of the Bolinao Museum
in 1976. Here, visitors will be spellbound with this rich collection
of archeological, ethnographical, geographical and zoological
artifacts found in Pangasinan.
Sison Auditorium
Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan
Built during the World War II, the auditorium has served as
a popular venue for events sponsored by the local government.
It is located near the provincial capitol and the World War
II Museum.
Historical
Limahong Channel
Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan
This channel was created by orders of Lim A Hong or Lin Feng,
a notorious Chinese pirate who spread terror in Southern China
and Northern Luzon. He established a kingdom in Pangasinan near
Agno River. The Spaniards tried to capture the pirate but was
able to escape towards the China Sea.
Red Arrow Monument
and Villa Verde Trail
Location: Brgy. Sta. Maria East, San Nicolas, Pangasinan
The 32nd US Infantry Division was the first army unit to engage
in combat with the Japanese forces in the Pacific, including
in the Philippines. These American soldiers had the longest
combat record of any army during the WWII. The Marker is in
honor of these American soldiers who took part in the liberation
of the country. Trekking is the main activity in this area.
Lingayen Public
Beach
Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan
This public beach served as one of the landing sites of the
Liberation Forces on January 9, 1945, that paved the way for
the Liberation of Northern Luzon.
Bonuan Blue Beach
Location: Dagupan City, Pangasinan
This is also one of the landing sites of the Liberation Forces
on January 9, 1945. It is a favorite picnic ground for locals
and tourist. The MacArthur Landing Marker is located here.
Tambobong White Beach
/ Colibra Island
Location: Brgy. Nibaliw Vidal – Brgy. Mabilao, San Fabian,
Pangasinan
On Christmas Eve of 1941, Lt. General Masaharu Homma landed
here and began occupation of the country. This also became of
the landing sites of the Liberation Forces in 1945.
Home Economics Building
of the West Central Elementary School
Location: Dagupan City, Pangasinan
This building served as the official headquarters of General
MacArthur. The local government plans to turn it into a museum.
Lingayen Gulf War
Memorial
Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan
Located near the provincial capitol, this area houses several
World War II relics like Japanese suicide bomber planes, tanks,
and anti-aircraft guns.
Man-made
Cape Bolinao Watchtower
Location: Punta Piedra Point, Brgy. Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan
This 103-year old structure was made by Filipino, American and
British engineers in order to guide ships and vessels sailing
along the South China Sea.
Natural
Cape Bolinao Beach/Patar
White Beach
Location: Brgy Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Entrance Fee: P5.00
Although the sand is not actually white, the 2-3 kilometer beach
has stayed untouched by modernity. Visitors enjoy swimming,
snorkeling and surfing at the beach.
Cacupangan Cave
Location: Brgy. Tagudin, Mabini, Pangasinan
The cave can be quite a challenge for explorers. Stalactites,
stalagmites, columns, flowstones and a few crystal formations
are present throughout the cave. In December of 1999, a 6.8
intensity earthquake paved the way for new cathedral like chambers
with skylights.
Villacorta Cave
Location: Brgy. Villacorta, Mabini, Pangasinan
This is the longest cave in Mabini, Pangasinan, stretching at
200 meters long, 20 meters high and 20 meters wide. Explorers
are advised to discover its pools, waterfalls, terraced rock,
and palace-like chamber during summer.
Santiago Island
Location: Bolinao, Pangasinan
This is a considered as a good spot for scuba diving. Divers
enjoy the rich marine life found in the island.
Manleluag Spring
National Park
Location: Brgy Malabobo, Mangatarem, Pangasinan
This 1,935-hectare is a Protected Landscape since 1940. This
is one of the sanctuaries of the Philippine Duck. Trekking,
camping, picnic is recommended here.
Agno Umbrella Rocks
Location: Sabangan Norte., Agno, Pangasinan
This series of mushroom-shaped rocks are covered with ferns
and vines. They lie on the shores of Agno Beach, which is a
good place for swimming, snorkeling and diving for it is rich
with underwater beauty and marine life.
Mount Balungao
Location: Balungao, Pangasinan
This extinct volcano hosts series of hot and cold spring. Due
to the sulfuric content of the water flowing throughout the
mountain, visitors plunge to its waters for its alleged medicinal
benefits. The springs, despite numerous visitors, are still
covered with lush greenery.
Antong Falls
Location: Sison, Pangasinan
The falls is enveloped in lush greenery and rice fields which
make it ideal for picnics and outdoor recreation.
Religious
Our Lady of Manaoag
Museum
Location: Manaoag, Pangasinan
Tour Days: Monday, Wednesday – Sunday
Tour Hours: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free admission (donations are accepted)
Inaugurated on May 10, 2002, the museum contains religious artifacts;
some even dating as far as the 17th century. Notable items include
original vestments, jewelries, haloes and crowns of the Our
Lady, and Pre-Vatican II chasubles, capes and a dalmatic.
Festivals...
Pista’y Dayat
Place: Lingayen, Pangasinan
Date: April 25 - May 1
The center of celebration is at the Lingayen Public Beach. In
this event, locals celebrate through series of fluvial parades,
cultural events, beauty pageant, and street dancing.
Bangus Festival
Place: Dagupan, Pangasinan
Date: April 16 – May 4
The annual Bangus Festival is held in celebration of the milkfish
industry in Dagupan. Various events comprise the fiesta like
the Bangus Harvest Dance Fest (Gilon! Gilon! Ed Dalan), Bangus
Cookfest, float parade, street dancing competition, and the
Barbeque Street Part where thousands of milkfish will be cooked
along A.B. Fernandez Ave., and will be consumed by everyone
for free.
Hundred Islands Festival
Place: Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Date: May 1
This annual event combines sport, adventure, and agro-tourism.
Activities like sky diving competition, sports competition,
cooking demos, fluvial parade, and island adventure race attract
local and foreign tourist to this festival.
Talaba Festival
Place: Alaminos City, Pangasinan
Date: Second to Third week of March
Talaba (oyster) is one of the aquatic blessings of Alaminos.
During the feast, here is an annual oyster grill which runs
throughout the city where oysters are served for free. The highlight
of the event is the oyster-sucking contest where contestants
eat as many oysters as they can.
Galicayo Festival
Place: Manaoag, Pangasinan
Date: First to Second Sunday of December
In honor of the patroness of Pangasinan, the Galicayo Festival
commemorates the blessings and miracles brought by the Our Lady
of Manaoag. Galicayo, when translated means ‘come here’
recalls the apparition of the Nuestra Señora in Manaoag
as She calls the people to come and build a church. The image
of the Our Lady is paraded throughout the town. Marian dances,
lantern parade and other activities follow after the procession. |
