A Mother’s Stuff

Profile of Agno City

Land Area:
16,521 hectares alienable/disposable lands
150 hectares - irrigated rice-farming area
3,540 hectares - rain-sustained lowland area
3,087 hectares - cropland
4,027 hectares - pasture area
12 hectares - fishpond area

Historical Roles
Agno used to be the center of trade and education in Western Pangasinan during the Spanish era. Ships and boats then called “viray” transported rice, copra and other farm products from Agno to nearby towns and then sold them in Manila and Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Don Vicente Martinez, a pharmacist-medical practitioner, and Maestro Teodorico Espinosa taught young boys not only from Agno but also from neighboring towns. The two teachers patiently tutored these children. Graduates were eligible to enter college.

Schools

• Agno National High School
• Bangan National High School
• St. Catherine Learning Center (Elementary School)
• United Methodist Church Learning Center (Elementary School)

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Agno City’s 17 barangays

Agno is politically subdivided into 17 barangays as follows:

• Allabon
• Aloleng
• Bangan-Oda
• Baruan
• Boboy
• Cayungnan
• Dangley
• Gayusan
• Macaboboni
• Magsaysay
• Namatucan
• Patar
• Poblacion East
• Poblacion West
• San Juan
• Tupa
• Viga

Agno, Pangasinan

Agno is a 4th class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,077 people in 5,493 households.

The town is characterized by beautiful rolling terrain and rainfed rice fields which one traverses on the way to the town proper. As one nears the poblacion, or town plaza, the road passes along the beautiful Mabini river which in turn meets with the South China Sea further west. The town shares borders with the town of Bani to the north, the town of Mabini and Alaminos City to the East and with Burgos to the South.

It is a quaint little town whose main livelihood is fishing and agriculture, although a number of her sons and daughters work as doctors, nurses, engineers and accountants in numerous countries around the globe. The town plaza is home to a centuries old Roman Catholic church, as well as one of the first congregations of the Philippine Independent Church.

The town boasts of natural attractions such as the Mabini river, the Umbrella Rocks in Sabangan, as well as several beaches — Agno Beach being the longest and most popular. There are several other beaches hidden along the coast such as the Macaboboni cove (which features a small cave) as well as a white beach in Brgy. Gayusan. To the southern end of Agno Beach, the brave of heart can dive from a two story high rock amidst crashing waves and end up in a beautiful coral garden below. Also, a Japanese gunboat is said to have sunk a few hundred meters away from Agno’s shores, awaiting discovery by curious divers. The summer months of April and May are a good time to go as the town’s market abounds with fruit such as mangoes and duhat, as well as fresh catch such as tuna, flying fish, grouper, lobsters and other treasures of the sea.

Urdaneta’s 35 barangays

Urdaneta City has 35 barangays namely:

Alexander * Anonas * Bactad East * Bayaoas * Bolaoen *  Cabaruan * Cabuloan * Camanang * Camantiles * Casantaan * Catablan * Cayambanan * Consolacion * Dilan-Paurido * Labit Proper * Labit West * Mabanogbog * Macalong * Nancalobasaan * Nancamaliran East * Nancamaliran West * Nancayasan * Oltama * Palina East * Palina West * Pedro T. Orata (Bactad Proper) * Pinmaludpod * Poblacion * San Jose * San Vicente * Santa Lucia * Santo Domingo * Sugcong * Tipuso * Tulong

Urdaneta City’s historical background

There are many versions on how Urdaneta City officially became URDANETA. One theory suggests that its original name was ORGANITA, roughly meaning “little organ or unit.” This is possible as it was then compose of portions of barrios of the adjacent towns where they converged to create one compound pueblo. Some of the theorists, the so-called purists, believed this by saying that the Spanish root word is organo; therefore, the right word should be organito. These theorists cite education at that time was centered in the Poblacion and the people in the hinterlands were neglected, thus resulting to bad grammar.

Another contention was that the first “cura parroco” of the town, Fr. Nicolas Alonzo Manrique, during the organization of the publeo in January 8, 1858, named the town “Urdaneta”, in honor of another friar, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta. Fr. Urdaneta was the spiritual adviser of the expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi which arrived in Cebu to explore the country on April 27, 1565. However, doubts still exist on to whom the town is named. Was it after Father Andres de Urdanteta or Fr. Miguel de Urdaneta or Fr. Simon de Urdaneta? The archives of the National Library state that it was after Fr. Miguel de Urdaneta. The historian Fr. Jose Ma.Gonzales, in his book “Labor Evangelica y Civilizadora de los Religioso Dominicos en Pangasinan”, was silent on this. Some articles on the town’s history say that it was after Fr. Simon de Urdaneta while others claimed it was after Fr. Andres de Urdaneta.

The first inhabitants of the town were mostly Ilocanos. They established nearby settlements that occupy portions of the barrios of surrounding towns, namely Asingan, Villasis, Malasiqui, Sta. Barbara, Mangaldan, Manaoag and Binalonan. The settlers joined together and petitioned the Spanish government to allow them to form a separate pueblo for greater ties and stronger unity. Their petition was granted and Urdaneta was formally founded on January 8, 1858.

The City of Urdaneta

The City of Urdaneta is a 2nd class city in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 120,785 people.

The City of Urdaneta celebrates fiesta every eighth of December. This is in remembrance of the city patron Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception. Festivities are held from the 1st to the 8th of December. Activities include a parade, drum & lyre competition, teachers’ night, balikbayan night, ABC-SK night, ballroom and Miss Urdaneta City coronation night. A carnival is also put up every December as a part of the yearly event.

Urdaneta became a city through Republic Act 8480, otherwise known as “An Act Converting the Municipality of Urdaneta, Province of Pangasinan into a Component City to be known as the City of Urdaneta”. This was signed on January 10, 1998 and was voted affirmatively by the people of Urdaneta City on March 21, 1998.

Faith of San Carleñians

The patron saint of the San Carlos City is Saint Dominic de Guzman. He is the founder of the Order of Preachers and credited for performing miracles in the city. Among them was the minimal damage to the city caused by the return of the Americans to the islands during the close of World War II. The parish church built in his honor was once the biggest in Luzon. The parish of San Carlos is the oldest in Pangasinan.

Roman Catholicism remains the faith of majority of San Carleñians, although there are other denominations that co-exist peacefully in the city. Discrimination of religion is discouraged, though religious practices that seem bizaare and unacceptable by society is widely looked down upon.

• Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church
• Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Soledad
• Our Lady Queen of the Holy Family Parish Church
• Iglesia ni Cristo - Lokal ng San Carlos
• Iglesia ni Cristo - Ano
• Iglesia ni Cristo - Salinap
• United Methodist Church
• San Carlos Baptist Church
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Faith Assembly of God

Mango-Bamboo Capital of the Philippines

San Carlos City is called the “Mango-Bamboo Capital of the Philippines.” It has the largest number of fruiting mango trees - their fruits are among the most delicious in the country - and a flourishing bamboocraft industry. An agro-industrial city, San Carlos also engages in livestock raising, crop production, inland fishing, pottery, food processing, tourism, and commerce. The city is said to have an ideal investment potential because of its large land area, big population and strategic location, being in the center of Pangasinan. Those are the reasons why San Carlos is considered as among the liveliest places in the Province of Pangasinan in terms of economic activity.

San Carlos’ 86 barangays

San Carlos City has 86 barangays:

Abanon * Agdao * Anando * Ano * Antipangol * Aponit * Bacnar * Balaya * Balayong * Baldog * Balite Sur * Balococ * Bani * Bega * Bocboc * Bugallon-Posadas Street (Pob.) * Bogaoan * Bolingit * Bolosan * Bonifacio (Pob.) * Buenglat * Burgos Padlan (Pob.) * Cacaritan * Caingal * Calobaoan * Calomboyan * Capataan * Caoayan-Kiling * Cobol * Coliling * Cruz * Doyong * Gamata * Guelew * Ilang * Inerangan * Isla * Libas * Lilimasan * Longos * Lucban (Pob.) * Mabalbalino * Mabini (Pob.) * Magtaking * Malacañang * Maliwara * Mamarlao * Manzon * Matagdem * Mestizo Norte * Naguilayan * Nelintap * Padilla-Gomez * Pagal * Palaming * Palaris (Pob.) * Palospos * Pangalangan * Pangoloan * Pangpang * Paitan-Panoypoy * Parayao * Payapa * Payar * Perez Boulevard (Pob.) * Polo * Quezon Boulevard (Pob.) * Quintong * Rizal (Pob.) * Roxas Boulevard (Pob.) * Salinap * San Juan * San Pedro-Taloy * Sapinit * PNR Station Site * Supo * Talang * Tamayo * Tandoc * Tarece * Tarectec * Tayambani * Tebag * Turac * M. Soriano St. * Tandang Sora

San Carlos City of Pangasinan

San Carlos City is a 3rd class city in the Province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 154,264 people in 28,025 households. This figure shows the city is the most populated land area in Pangasinan except for its density.

The place now called San Carlos City was already a flourishing community since pre-colonial times. It was previously part of a former town called Binalatongan. Binalatongan was the capital of Luyag na Caboloan, an ancient kingdom (now comprised by the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet) ruled by King Ari Kasikis. The name of Binalatongan was derived from the abundance of mongo (mung bean) plants along the San Juan riverbanks.

Caboloan is the name of the primitive Pangasinense dialect, of which its purest form was spoken by the natives of Binalatongan.

In 1718, Binalatongan was renamed (the Municipality [town] of) San Carlos. During the 1960’s, the Municipality of San Carlos diversified into two precincts. In 1965, the smaller precinct became legally incorporated as the Municipality of Basista by virtue of RA 4866. In 1966, the larger precinct became legally incorporated as San Carlos City by virtue of Republic Act No. 4487.

On April 28, 2007, San Carlos City’s former mayor, Julian V. Resuello, was assassinated during an event at the city’s plaza. He later died after two days. Ex-Mayor “Jolly”, as everyone called him, was the best mayor San Carlos City has ever produced. He engineered San Carlos City into one of the economic tigers of northern Luzon. His legacy will remain forever!

Dagupan’s dining, transportation & destinations

Dining

Charged with the existing aroma of various cuisines, the city cradles a variety of restaurants and fast foods joints, an evidence of people’s passion for food. In Bonuan-Tondaligan area alone, there are about 30 seafood diners, which serve the famed Dagupan Bangus any way one wants it: inihaw (roasted/broiled), sinigang, kilawin and daing. For those with adventurous palate, they can try the local favorites “pigar-pigar” in Galvan Street and “kaleskes” in Herrero Perez.

Special Destinations

Bonuan Blue Beach

McArthur Park

The 72-hectare Tondaligan People’s Park where the Bonuan Blue Beach is situated is ideal site for swimming, jet skiing, sailing and other relaxing activities to lift the mind out of the noise and doldrums of urban living.

Here, one may visit MacArthur Park, the landing site of the famous American General in 1945; the Japan-Philippine Friendship Garden and the Shrine of the Unknown Soldier. One may want to see the old St. John Cathedral in the busy downtown area where Leonor Rivera, Jose Rizal’s long-time girlfriend, tied the knot with British Engineer Henry Kipping.

Transportation

Five bus companies operate to transport passengers from Metro Manila to Dagupan City. These are Victory Liner, Five Star, Dagupan Bus, Fermina Express and Santrans. The nearest airport, Loakan Airport in Baguio City is only 65 kilometer away while the nearest seaport, Poro Point in San Fernando La Union is 80 kilometers of Dagupan City Boundary.

Dagupan City’s barangays, tourism & recreation

31 Barangays

Bacayao Norte * Bacayao Sur * Barangay II * Barangay IV * Bolosan * Bonuan Binloc * Bonuan Boquig * Bonuan Gueset * Calmay * Carael * Caranglaan * Herrero-Perez East * Lasip Chico * Lasip Grande * Lomboy * Lucao * Malued * Mamalingling * Mangin * Mayombo * Pantal * Poblacion Oeste * Barangay I * Pogo Chico * Pogo Grande * Pugaro Suit * Salapingao * Salisay * Tambac * Tapuac * Tebeng

Tourism and Recreation

Bureau Of Fisheries And Aquatic Resources (BFAR) * Dagupan City Plaza / Museum * Tondaligan Beach * Bonuan Beaches * Dagupan City People’s Astrodome * CSI STADIA (Jimmy Fernandez Complex) * CSI The City Mall * CSI Market Square * Star Plaza Hotel * Luxor Hotel * BHF Family Plaza * Nepo Mall * Magiclub

Dagupan City

The City of Dagupan (Pangasinan: Lunsod na Dagupan, Tagalog: Lungsod ng Dagupan, Ilocano: Ciudad ti Dagupan) is a 1st class city in the Philippines. It is an independent component city of the province of Pangasinan. According to the 2000 census, Dagupan City has a population of 130,328 people in 25,921 households. Located on Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon, Dagupan is the chief port and commercial and financial center of Northern Luzon; an active trade is conducted in sugarcane, corn, rice, copra, salt, and an alcoholic liquor produced from the nipa palm. The city is known as the bangus (milkfish) capital of the Philippines because of its abundance of fresh bangus. The city’s name is derived from pandaragupan in the local Pangasinan language meaning ‘gathering place’ as the city has been a regional market center for centuries.

The longest barbecue measured 1,007.56 m (3,305.64 ft) —it was created by the people of Dagupan City on May 3, 2003 as part of the city’s Bangus Festival. Dagupan City broke Canchia, Peru’s 613 meters long record set in November 1999. Dagupeños grilled Bonuan bangus at the “Kalutan ed Dagupan” street party.

Dagupan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 170, authored by Speaker Eugenio Perez. It was signed into law by President Manuel Roxas on June 20, 1947.

Alaminos’ Bagoong

Bagoong, like the rest of Northern Luzon, Alaminos cooking wouldn’t be the same without it. It is the uniquely ideal dip for fried fish and fresh fruits like green mangoes. You can also add some chili or garlic to spice it up or blend it with some vinegar for added zing.

It is also a vital ingredient to many recipes, bringing out or complimenting the natural and distinct flavors of many vegetable and meat dishes. You can also let bagoong simmer in garlic and cooking oil. Then, once cooked, pour it over some steamy rice and presto, perfect comfort food, especially during the rainy season.

Basic ingredients:
3 cups fresh alamang, 1-cup salt

1. Wash alamang in running water in a strainer. Drain well.
2. Mix alamang and salt thoroughly in a bowl.
3. Pack mixture in a clean container. Cover with either muslin cloth or thick paper, then seal with a rubber band.
4. Keep it in a clean warm place for a week to hasten fermentation, then refrigerate or transfer to a cooler place until the odor and flavor distinct to bagoong is reached.

Arosep and Potpolo seaweeds

In the Philippines especially in Alaminos, aside from island picnic with sumptuous tropical desserts, it won’t be complete without a bunch of arosep on your picnic mat. Just wash it thoroughly and remove a few stray roots. And you can pair it with fresh, sliced tomatoes and dip in bagoong or garnish it with alamang, either way, it compliments any tropical meal.

AROSEP

This edible, small, grape-like seaweed is a regular at tropical meals. You can toss it into a salad or enjoy it at its raw delectability. Or even try including it in old-time favorite dishes like sinigang.

Fresh Arosep
1. Wash the arosep thoroughly, removing stray roots.
2. Then serve, either with tomatoes or green mangoes, then serve, paired either with fresh, sliced tomatoes or green mangoes, dip in bagoong or garnish it with alamang.

Sinigang na Arosep

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