A Mother’s Stuff

Dasol’s beaches, festivals, destinations & more

The town of Dasol celebrates the annual feast of its Catholic patron Saint Vincent Ferrer every first Friday of Lent (after Ash Wednesday) and follows the tradition of every Filipino fiesta.

The 18 barangays that compose the town: Alilao * Amalbalan * Bobonot * Eguia * Gais-Guipe * Hermosa * Macalang * Magsaysay * Malacapas * Malimpin * Osmeña * Petal * Poblacion * San Vicente * Tambac * Tambobong * Uli * Viga

There are great places too that the town has to offer to its local and foreign visitors:

• Colibra Island (also known as Snake Island)
• Polo Camaso Islet
• Tambobong Beach
• Osmeña Beach
• Macalang Beach
• Salabusuban Falls
• Rongaab Cave

Calasiao’s barangays, attractions & fiesta

BARANGAY

Calasiao has 24 barangays and it enjoys its success due to the central location and proximity to Dagupan City. Businesses have more potential for success since the town is traversed by the national highway (MacArthur).

Ambonao * Ambuetel * Banaoang * Bued * Buenlag * Cabilocaan * Dinalaoan * Doyong * Gabon * Lasip * Longos * Lumbang * Macabito * Malabago * Mancup * Nagsaing * Nalsian * Poblacion East * Poblacion West * Quesban * San Miguel * San Vicente * Songkoy * Talibaew

ATTRACTIONS

Calasiao is only a few minutes ride to the Bonuan Blue Beach and the Hundred Islands and about an hour ride to Baguio City and a four hour ride to Manila. The town is known for its “puto” (a soft rice cake), “suman” (sweet coconut and sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves) and “bagoong” (fermented fish paste). Many pilgrims from neighboring cities/towns and provinces visit Calasiao to pray at the Senor Divino Tesoro shrine. The statue of a crucified Jesus Christ is believed to grow in size and grant miracles.

FESTIVALS

The town celebrates its fiesta every May 2 and 3, the feast day of Señor Divino Tesoro. Also in the same month, Calasiao annually celebrates its “Puto industry festival.”

Bolinao beaches and more…

The Cape Bolinao Lighthouse was built by the Americans during 1903 with a 300 feet (91 m) high promontory at the western part of Cape Bolinao. The lighthouse still sends signals to vessels passing by the area.

Sea urchins or “uni” are regularly harvested in Isla Silaki, Bolinao, Pangasinan. It is one of the most expensive dishes in Japanese restaurants.

Sunny white beach at Rock Garden Resort, Bolinao, Pangasinan.

The “Treasurers of Bolinao“, Pangasinan.

The Patar White Beach is only a walking distance from Cape Bolinao’s Lighthouse”, Pangasinan.

Tourism in Agno, Pangasinan

Agno offers different places of interest to nature lovers and beachgoers. There is the Sabangan Beach where you can find natural umbrella rocks and the Aloleng Beach, simply called “Agno Beach,” with its fine sands.

Photos below are full views of Agno Beach in Aloleng. Private beach rest houses dot the shoreline and vacant beach lots with array of coconut trees are ideal for camping and bonfire.

Agno Beach is also a good place for swimming, snorkeling and diving for it is rich with underwater beauty and marine life. You can find the splendor of marine treasure such as undisturbed corals, edible seaweeds and multicolored fish.

Living along the seacoast gives us sigh of relief and heals the wounds of loneliness. The roaring sound of Bangol Crag gives lullaby music during stormy nights.

If you love the game of hide-and-seek, just confine yourselves at Sabangan Beach under its huge boulders of umbrella rocks adorned with crawling plants. These rocks are like caves. Boy Scouts used to camp overnight under the umbrella rocks as part of their training. You can also make a visit to the lighthouse on the hillside nearby and watch those birds flying from one tree to another.

The Mabini River offers a habitat for bangus (milkfish) fry and a variety of fish. It is also a perfect place for boating and boat racing. Swimmers who prefer fresh water stay at the river. And those experienced ones swim across the wide river.

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

Alaminos City and Barangay Fiestas

Filipino fiestas are busy, festive and vibrant and when its turn to celebrate comes around, Alaminos City is one that can be counted upon to do so with gusto. The weeklong celebration (that usually starts on March 17) is often buzzing with activity, with events and fairs decorating the whole city before, during and after the actual date of the fiesta. Alaminians can choose between concerts of famous artists, beauty pageants and sports competitions to keep them on their feet. Food and product fairs entice everyone to sample the ingenuity and distinct quality of the city’s resources. The action and spectacle continues till the wee hours of the evening, sometimes with grand finales like fireworks.

With all these better entertainment treats, people still flock to the carnival and enjoy the rides like the Ferris Wheel or Merry-Go-Round, and can never forget to venture around the tiangges, hoping to score a coffee mug 50% off or a bunch of pillowcases on sale or indulge themselves to a few breaks in the many different games that promise a winning night. Children especially enjoy going to the circus, chomping and gulping treats as their eyes silently gape at trapeze artists, magicians and sword eaters.

A barangay fiesta in Alaminos is city fiesta scaled down. Amazing local bands take the place of famous recording groups, pageants for ladies and gays and sometimes mini fashion shows decorate the evening, while basketball competition is a popular day event. Tiangges cannot be left out and sumptuous food overflows from each household, ready to welcome guests from neighboring barangays.

Giant Clams or Taklobos of Alaminos

A part of the diverse marine ecosystem that was largely affected by the depletion of the coral reefs in the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) was the Giant Clams, locally known as taklobos. This marine resource regarded as the world’s largest bivalve mollusks, their shell length extending over a meter and can weigh over 225 kg, is the faithful ally of the coral reef in supporting the marine life in the Park. Its massive size and interesting hues that gleamed underwater proved to be a magnificent attraction, marveled at by visiting tourists who either dive or snorkel in the area. Its soft flesh is coveted the world over for its delectability.

Sadly, they began to be wiped out through the indiscriminate harvesting of people who intends to profit from selling them as delicacies, and as decorations in aquariums and home ornaments. This was made even worse by illegal fishing.

A new surge of hope dawned on HINP through the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI). They greatly help the City in rehabilitating this vital marine gem, replanting them in parts of the park, which is currently strictly protected. No diver or snorkeler is allowed in those parts. With this revitalization, valuable marine food resources are given new lives, ensuring a continuing dynamic marine ecosystem for the Park. With the joint efforts of UPMIS and Alaminos City, the Giant Clams would soon flourish and aid in the City’s goal of a fully restored Hundred Islands National Park, with a thriving marine life and ready to thrust forward the city’s economy and tourism potential.

Hundred Islands National Park

The Hundred Islands National Park (Pangasinan: Kapulo-puloan or Taytay-Bakes) is in the province of Pangasinan in northern Philippines. It is located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan. The islands (124 at low tide and 123 at high tide) are scattered along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of 18.44 square kilometres (4,557 acres). They are believed to be about two million years old. Only three of them have been developed for tourists: Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children’s Island.

Sparkling like diamonds, the waters glisten as the sun’s golden rays touch the pristine sea. Delightful in one’s eyes is the powdery blue sky casting a bright gleam beneath. The spread of white sand shimmers against the stream that changes hue—from emerald green to turquoise and azure—as the briny deep goes unfathomable. A stroll along the beach ends up with a dip into the soothing warm waters. Colorful tropical fish glide in somewhat orchestrated manner among a many coral gardens. Out of the water, is a discovery that envelopes not only one isle but a throng of numerous islands ambling along each other.

Public bus lines, namely Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philippine Rabbit have scheduled rides from Manila, Baguio, Dagupan, Subic, Tarlac, and Zambales bound straight to Alaminos City and vice versa.

Alaminos City

The City of Alaminos is a 5th class city in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 73,448 people in 15,527 households. Alaminos is home to the Hundred Islands National Park, a tourism destination composed of 123 small islands located in Barangay Lucap, Alaminos City.

Alaminos is undeniably a growing trade, commercial and educational center of Western Pangasinan. Owing to its strategic location and with the presence of the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park, and with its abundant natural resources, the municipality is one of the growth centers in Region I. With such inherent strengths, traders and businessmen continue to come to Alaminos. Investments propelled the economic development of the town.

Related links for Alaminos:

• History of Alaminos
• City Government
• City Information

The Province of Pangasinan

Pangasinan is one of the four provinces that comprise the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. Its provincial capital is Lingayen and is located on the west central area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf. It has a total land area of 5,368.82 square kilometers and a total population of 2,434,086 as of 2000, and projected to be 3,039,500 in 2010. (National Statistics Office, 2000 Census). The Pangasinan Language is the primary language in Pangasinan. The name Pangasinan means “land of salt” or “place of salt-making”. It is derived from the word “asin” which is the word for “salt” in Pangasinan Language. The province is a major salt producer in the Philippines.

Pangasinan province is famous for the Hundred Islands National Park. This is a marine park located off the coast of Alaminos City in the Lingayen Gulf and is composed of some 123 islands, most of which are quite small and uninhabited.

Pangasinan is noted as the birthplace of President Fidel V. Ramos, and former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. The mother of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was from Binalonan, Pangasinan. The father of the late actor and former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. was from San Carlos City, Pangasinan. The maternal great-grandfather of Jose Rizal, a Philippine national hero, was a Pangasinan named Manuel Facundo de Quintos who was a lawyer and the gobernadorcillo of Lingayen in the 1850s.

Pangasinan occupies a strategic geo-political position in the central plain of Luzon, known as the rice granary of the Philippines. Pangasinan has been described as a gateway to northern Luzon and as the heartland of the Philippines. The province is 170 kilometers north of Manila, 50 kilometers south of Baguio City, 115 kilometers north of Subic International Airport and Seaport, and 80 kilometers north of Clark International Airport.

Poro Point Special Economic & Freeport Zone

Approximately 5 hours away from Manila by car and more than an hour from Baguio City, Poro Point a former US military base and home to both an airport and seaport that is located at the northwestern tip of North Luzon, west of the City of San Fernando in the province of La Union.

Strategic in its location at the upper side of the Lingayen Gulf, Poro Point is along the Southeast Asian sea lane, less than an hour by plane from Taiwan, China and Hongkong, and within three hours from Singapore, Japan and South Korea.

Kasay Marine Sanctuary in Barangay Canaoay

The 30 hectares of Kasay MPA- area is designated in Barangays San Vicente and Canaoay for the rehabilitation and replenishment of fishery and other coastal resources. About 100 out of 400 coral species in the Philippines are found in the Kasay MPA. There are 70-100 years old coral growth. The estimated 50 years old giant clam (Tridacna gigas) was found in the MPA.

La Union Beaches

The stretch of white and gray sand beaches along the towns of La Union is the main attraction to tourists.  In the province tourist belts are located along the shores of San Juan, San Fernando City, Bauang and Agoo.  Its calm crystal water is ideal for water skiing, snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, wind surfing and boating.  Its gifted multitude scenic landscape is a tourism haven as well, and eco-tourism development.  The stable peace and order situation and the tourism areas in La Union are the main attractions to local foreign tourists.

 Bauang Beach

 Line along the fine grayish sand of Bauang Beach are establishments providing accommodation and other amenities from Baccuit to Pagdalagan. The beach is 6 kilometers south of San Fernando City.

 San Francisco-Canaoay-Pagudpud Beach

Tourism-related establishments dot the beach area in San Fernando City.

 San Juan Beach

 Approximately 8 kilometers north of San Fernando City, the beach stretching from urbiztondo to Ili Norte is dotted with tourism-related establishments.  The surf in the area is ideal for surfing during the months of November to February.

Agoo Beach

 It was the stretch of beach fronting the Agoo Playa Hotel and which is a part of Agoo – Damortis National Park was where the Japanese traded with the native during the pre – Spanish time earning for Agoo the name “Puerto de Japon”.

 Caba Beach

 San Carlos and Santiago Norte beaches are becoming to be the favorite sites fro private beach houses and resorts. The snd is nearly black beach house resort.  The sand is nearly black beach because of the metallic deposit of iron. When not using a private vehicle, stop at the town proper of Caba then take a tricycle to the beach.

City Beach

Splendid beaches adorn the City’s coastline, supplementing these are resorts and a wide raw picnic sheds. One can skin or cuba dive, snorkel, surf and swim or just soak in the water offshore.

La Union Botanical Garden

The La Union Botanical Garden is situated on a hilly twenty-hectare land, eight kilometers east form the city proper of San Fernando, La Union, with fully maintained concrete roads. The first of its kind in the Philippines, a scientific garden and the center for laboratory research in Northern Luzon was inaugurated on March 2, 1996.

The Garden as main tourist destination is meant to give an accurate impression of the various plant worlds, which grow in tropical, sub-tropical and desert climates. All plants are labeled in their local and scientific names with their origin. It is a country-style garden where plant life and wildlife, ornaments and oddments go hand in hand. The resulting harmony, together with the solitude and peace naturally give the Garden a great therapeutic effect.

• Shade Garden     : displays the shade-loving  plants
• Sunken Garden   : which has natural terrain of the area
• Fragrance Garden : especially for the blind
• Children’s Garden : which has natural playground
• Medicinal Garden : where dozens of herbs and medicinal plants are cultivated and neatly arrange serves also as a butterfly sanctuary that can surely catch a visitor’s eye.
• Chinese Garden  : with a complete scenery of ornamental plants which leads the way up to the White Garden and a View Deck.
• Banana Area and the Garden of Native species which all could be reached through the Mabolo Avenue, lined with opposite rows of Mabolo or Kamagong, (Diospyros philippinesis), a tree specie native to the Philippines.
• Japanese Garden : which gives fitting honor to the Japanese Peace Corp Volunteers, whom planted about 1,500 mango trees in the area about twenty eight years ago.
• Arid Paradise : where several species of cacti and succulents are found.
• Friendship Garden : located just above the Picnic Ground.
• Evergreen Garden
• Palmery
• Arid Collection
• Heliconia Collection
• Small Mulbery and Pineapple Plantations
• Mango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18 bamboo specieMango Avenue and the Bambusetum : has at least 18 bamboo specie.
• Aviary : where exotic birds like talking mynah, monkeys, eagles, iguana and other friendly animals were displayed.
• Doña Corazon Ortega Orchidarium : a place of different orchid specie.

Seven Hills of San Fernando, La Union

 

 Heroes Hill & Freedom Park Stairway

Situated at the eastern portion of the Capitol Hill. To be found are Nine (9) statues of our National Heroes, signifying the people’s reverence to their works and sacrifices in attaining the freedom of our nation. There are a total of 153 steps located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

 

 Capitol Hill

Located in Barangay II (Poblacion) and serves as site of the Provincial Capitol.

 

 Pagoda Hill

It is where the Chinese-Filipino Pagoda stands, commanding a panoramic view of the city and the San Fernando City Bay located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

 Bethany Hill

Location of Bethany Hospital that was built by Protestant Missionaries in the early 1920’s and located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

Mirador Hill

 The highest point of the city where the capitol water reservoir stands located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

 Miracle Hill

The home of the New Miracle Mission chapel, atop a cliff facing the sea located in Barangay Pagdaraoan.

Mariner’s Hill

 Located in Barangay Catbangen, San Fernando City that served as a navigational reference point to guide ships and seafarers sailing the San Fernando City Harbor