April 15, 2009 marked the formal opening of the Dagupan City Bangus Festival 2009. One of the kick-off events scheduled was the Gilon! Gilon! Ed Baley Street Dancing Competition. The contest was open to the local groups particularly the 28 barangays and some schools of Dagupan City.
Gilon Gilon is the street dance extravaganza that depicts and interprets the “Gilon” or harvesting Bangus through vivid visual display, graceful gyrations and well-choreographed dance in groups.
Gilon in the Pangasinan vernacular means the traditional way of harvesting bangus (milkfish) at the fishponds particularly here in Dagupan City.
Barangay Lucao was adjudged the winner in the said event. They received P80,000 as cash prize. Barangay Mangin, last year's champion settled for second place (P60,000). The third, fourth and fifth place winners were Barangay Bolosan (P50,000), Dagupan City National High School (P40,000), and Barangay Tambac (40,000) respectively. Other partcipants were given P3,000 as consolation prize.
The distinguished panel of judges were: Peter De Vera and Franco Velas of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Hilly Vann dela Cruz of Sinukwan Performing Arts; Rebecca Lim-Nulud and Sheila Marie Marquez of Saint Louis University; Romarico Sunga of Angeles City National Trade School and Alfredo Niner of Juan G. Macaraeg National High School in Binalonan.
Here are glimpses of the event (video courtesy of PJay Gutierrez):
Barangay Lucao being this year’s champion will again showcase their winning form in the Festivals of the North street-dancing competition on April 27, 2009. The Festivals of the North street-dancing competition which is touted as the “Biggest Gathering of the Best Festivals of the Northern Philippines” will feature popular festivals in the region, to include those in Pampanga, Ilocos Norte, and Isabela.
Thirty five localities (festivals) will be competing in the two categories (city and town). The champions will each receive P200,000 cash prize.
Guest performers are the Iloilo City's Dinagyang Festival and Mapandan's (Pangasinan) Tribu Pandan who won in last year's Festivals of the North and was champion in Baguio City's Panagbenga 2009.
On the town of Binmaley, beside the town hall stands a statue of a fisherman. A fish basket is tied to its waist, while he carries on his back a huge fish. The statue is an apt symbol of the town. Fishing is the first and foremost livelihood of Binmaley.
Its location: The town lies along the coastline of the Lingayen Gulf. More than one half of its land area is swampy. Binmaley has a land area of 6,120 hectares.
Binmaley is the wet land of Agno Valley. The wide river channel between barangays Naguilayan and Manat is the Agno River on its way to the Lingayen gulf.
The provincial government of Pangasinan, through its Provincial Council for Culture and the Arts, is conducting a survey on Pangasinan Cultural Heritage as part of its agenda to promote, develop and sustain culture and arts in the province.
Relative to this, a survey form is available for download here.
You may also wish to reproduce the questionnaire for distribution to other cultural workers you know and who may help us in our data gathering.
Please send accomplished form at email address, tourismpangasinan@yahoo.com on or before June 30, 2006. For further assistance, contact Provincial Council for Culture and the Arts at (075) 542-8007/6853.
VEERING toward the right at the back is the orientally architectured Princess Urduja House, the Governor’s residence, one of the few buildings in the area at one time. Named after the legendary woman warrior who once was said to rule Pangasinan, it was built 50 years ago.
On the left on the same eyelevel, one could see behind the Capitol, WWII tank and a fighter plane much simpler than today’s F-A18 Hornet or the F22A Raptor, but it did fight in a war. After the Sison Auditorium is a clump of buildings, the Pangasinan State University. An interesting area is the expanse of the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex with running fields and Olympics size pools, and an outdoor grandstand where spectators can watch simultaneous sports events, given the chance, in national sports competition.
Named after Narciso Ramos, distinguished diplomat, five-time congressman of the 5th District, the organizer with Joaquin Elizalde of the First Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., he is also the father of President Ramos and Senator Shahani. A stone’s throw away is Maniboc where the famous Lingayen ‘bagoong’ or anchovies is cured in rows of clay jars lined behind ‘bagoong’ magnates’ nice homes. These same anchovies are exported to all pars of the world where Filipinos are found. In the same neighborhood, coconut candies called ‘bucayo’ are gathered from coconut palms facing the sea and cooked to the confectioning specialty food indigenous to Lingayen like ‘tulapo’ predating the Lapid chicharon, and the Spanish-legacy recipe of masa rich ‘tameles’ help the local economy. These staples are sought after by native Lingayen folks and often times find their way to their homes across oceans hand carried like precious precious nuggets of gold having had survived the scrutiny of immigration officials.
TIME holds parallel perspectives. Years ago when we first brought our children home from Washington, D.C., an incident at that time stands out in memory. A little boy of 5 or 6, one of twin boys had this to say about a well-loved old hometown.
"Mom," he said as we drove our children around Lingayen the very first time. "Is this the Lingayen of all your stories?" "One and the same, son." "This one?" "We’re here!" "The one you said had all these heroes walking the streets? I don’t see any…" "At some time in the past, yes, they did. Not your superheroes…" "Oh…" his voice trailing off a little disappointed. "Real heroes found in historic books."
Still unimpressed, he asked more. "The one you said is… beautiful?" he questioned as he looked around when my husband drove the length of the boulevard turning the bend behind the Capitol. Upon seeing the expanse of the beach, he agreed. "The beach is there, all right." "It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Silence. "Well… Mom…" he answered after some pause… "I guess so, if you love it." Minutes later, overheard as he sat scrounged beside his twin brother and his siblings… "Looks a rotten egg to me…" he said in a whisper.
"Rotten egg" in the developing vocabulary of a 6-year-old means undeveloped. And time marched on, ready or not. During the spurt of time it took to develop a boy into manhood, symbolically and in parallels, was the time it took a town to evolve into a city-worth town.
On November 13, 1899, Santa Barbara had a five-hour brush with history long before 1945 when General Douglas Macarthur set up his first land command post in Santa Barbara after his Lingayen Gulf landings.
The story of this earlier brush with history is based on a reading of a diary of Telesforo Perez Carrasco, a junior officer in General Aguinaldo's army. The diary was translated from Spanish and published in English in 1986 in Manila by the noted Filipino writer, Nick Joaquin. Mr. Joaquin appears to be a Carrasco descendant.
Back in 1899 the United States of America, then a new emerging power, decided to try its hand in colonialism. It refused to leave the Philippines after its navy demolished the Spanish fleet on Manila Bay. Filipinos, thru their leader, General Aguinaldo, did not foresee this, thinking that America was their ally in driving the Spaniards out. Not surprisingly,
Filipinos were incensed and dared the might of a well trained, sophisticated (for its time) American army.
Enter the story of Telesforo Perez Carrasco as can be gleaned from Nick Joaquin's translation of Carrasco's diary. A Spaniard, Carrasco was a non-com in the Spanish army. Fleeing from a love affair he volunteered for service in the Philippines where he married instead a Filipino girl in Tanauan, Batangas. On June 1, 1899, eight years after he arrived in the Philippines, he was captured by Filipino revolutionary troops in Bulacan.
Carrasco not only waived repatriation to Spain but he even joined General Aguilnaldo's peasant troops, who, after defeating the Spaniards, were now facing a new enemy, the United States of America. Eventually, among various assignments and missions, Carrasco became a part of Aguinaldo's rear guard at Tirad Pass. There he witnessed the death of his commander, General Gregorio del Pilar, who was felled by an American sniper.
Rewinding to Santa Barbara's brush with history…
… It was November 12, 1899. The US army has been relentlessly chasing General Aguinaldo who fled from Bulacan to Pangasinan. From probably Calasiao or Dagupan he headed to Binalonan. Before Binalonan is Manaoag where Lieutenant Carrasco was sent to observe enemy movements.
He was about to leave Manaoag when he was informed that Americans were coming from the direction of Binalonan! He quickly went with his troops into the opposite direction to warn General Aguinaldo's party. Thus warned, everybody turned back.
They arrived at Santa Barbara at 1:00 a.m. of the 13th. After about five hours they left for Pozorrubio. There is an anecdote about this supposed flight to Pozorrubio but that's another story from a Santa Barbara writer and historian, Resty Basa of Banaoang.
So there it is for Santa Barbarans to be proud of: the hometown's brush with history was General Emilio Aguinaldo's stopover for a mere five hours!
THERE is a phrase in the Pangasinan lingo which says ‘tangay-tangay ed Pozorrubio’.
This may be rendered in English, literally thus: looking upwards in Pozorrubio.
Over the years, the phrase has acquired a new meaning which is a far cry from the literal interpretation.
Its new connotation refers to a person whether he be in Pozorrubio or anywhere else, who goes about aimlessly. One who moves about seemingly without a sense of direction, or without an apparent purpose.
To dig into the origin of the saying, I asked my friend Mel Valenzuela Jovellanos, how the phrase came about.
I consider Mel an authority on the subject. Mel is supposed to be a Dagupeño. His grandfather, a great Dagupeño, was Don Toribio Jovellanos, the first presidente municipal of Dagupan (1900) under American colonial rule.
His father, Don Jose Villamil Jovellanos, was town mayor of Dagupan for two terms (1919-1925). His father, an accomplished writer in Pangasinan language (he was also a good writer in Spanish and English) erected the Rizal monument in the town plaza of Dagupan during his watch as town mayor.
By every sensible reason, Mel should have been born in Dagupan. It was an aberration of history that he was born in Pozorrubio. So now he’s Pozorrubio’s pride to the envy of Dagupan.
To be fair, his mother Leonor Magno Valenzuela, was born in Pozorrubio. And Mel belongs to the elite of both Dagupan and Pozorrubio.
In Dagupan, he belongs to the famous Fercolla clan. In Pozorrubio, he belongs to the ruling Magno clan.
So I asked Mel: How did the phrase ‘tangay-tangay ed Pozorrubio’ come about?
His explanation was this: During the Pacific war years (1941-1945), the United States Armed Forces of the Philippines in the Far East (USAFFE) commandeered all motor vehicles in civilian hands. The new term for commandeered is ‘sequestered’, courtesy of the Corazon C. Aquino rule.
The army commandeered all motor vehicles at the start of the war. These were used to ferry Filipino and American soldiers to Bataan. (Remember the USAFFE took its stand against the Japanese army invaders in Bataan in 1942.)
So the only vehicles that served the transport needs of the civilian populace were in government hands. And there were few of them that were in harness because there were no gasoline supplies to run them.
The buses that were in harness were fuelled by charcoal.
The most common vehicle for transport at the time was caromata, the bull cart and the bicycle.
Pangasinenses, who had to travel to Baguio during the war years, had to go to Pozorrubio. The only ride to Baguio from Pozorrubio was the government-owned Benguet Auto Line (BAL), a sister company of the Manila Railroad Company. Pozorrubio was the main terminal of the BAL bound for Baguio from Pangasinan.
Only a few BAL buses were in harness to serve the Pozorrubio-Baguio line.
So if a traveller bound for Baguio missed the last trip, he would be stranded in Pozorrubio. He would have to spend the night in the town plaza.
The alternative was ‘mantangay-tangay’ to search for homes of relatives, if there be any kinsmen of his who were residents of Pozorrubio.
He would have to look up to the houses in the town, perchance he may have a kinsman who could accommodate him for the night.
That was how the phrase ‘tangay-tangay ed Pozorrubio came about. So my friend Mel V. Jovellanos explained.
In case you don’t know it yet, Mel V. Jovellanos wrote the volume entitled A Pangasinan-English, English-Pangasinan Language Dictionary. It sold like hotcakes. But I did not buy my copy. Mel graciously gave it to me as a gift.
Author’s Note: This is not a complete list of resorts in Pangasinan. The resorts and their description included here are personal recommendations and opinions of the author. The author is not an affiliate of any of the featured resorts. This post is the author’s reply to a comment on Pangasinan Tourist Attractions.
Hundred Islands in Lucap, Alaminos is undisputedly Pangasinan’s top vacation spot. The boat ride from Lucap to the island resorts is in itself a treat. The island hopping is such an enjoyable experience. The island facilities have vastly improved. I recommend stargazing by the shore at night. White sand, refreshing beach, shallow water and unadulterated nature! Bring food and necessities. For additional amenities, inquire at the main office at Lucap Island.
A feel of Boracay, Puerto Del Sol is the resort to go to in Bolinao, Pangasinan. The resort is located at Barangay Ilog, Malino, Bolinao, Pangasinan. White sand beach, nice swimming pool, and other club facilities! It’s indeed a treat but could be a bit pricey. Check out the details at their website: http://www.puertodelsol.com.ph/
Said to be a holistic resort, Villa Jireh is a place to visit in Uyong, Labrador, Pangasinan. It is a nice place to relax, soul search and while the time away. It houses the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady. Enjoy the swimming pool! To find out more: Visit www.villajireh.com or call 0063 (0)75 549-5261 to 64, Fax 0063 (0)75 549-5262.
While in Dagupan City, stay at the Leisure Coast. I have always enjoyed the one-hectare Gef's Waterpark with its three- (3) storey slides, kiddie wading pool, lazy river, main pool and the wave pool (only the fourth of its kind in the whole country). The wave pool is a perfect substitute to the Bonuan beach, which is just 1-2 kilometers away from the resort. They offer WI-FI internet for guests via the Airborne Access Network and a 250 yards driving range for golf enthusiasts. Leisure Coast is located at Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. Phone: (075) 523 9361 – 63, (075) 511 5301, (075) 511 5305, Fax: (075) 523 9362. Website: http://www.leisurecoast.com
For me, there are two notable resorts in San Fabian; Sierra Vista Beach Resort and the San Fabian PTA Resort. Sierra Vista Beach Resort, located at Nibaliw West, San Fabian, Pangasinan has a cozy and private-like resort feel. It has a small pool (kiddie and adult pool) and is just beside the beach. For details call these telephone numbers: (+6375) 523-6843, (+6375) 522-3366.
San Fabian PTA Resort is bigger and has a lot of rooms and accommodations. Do you want to feel like a president? Try out the presidential suite, which was made for former president Ferdinand Marcos and wife Imelda. It also has a small pool but has a spacious picnic ground and is very near the beach. It is located at Bolasi, San Fabian (about 10 minutes from the main town). Tel. Nos. (+6375) 523-6502 (+6375) 523-6504
In Urdaneta, stay at Lisland Rainforest Resort. Located at Km 182, San Vicente, Mc Arthur Highway, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, it boasts of its rainforest-like ambience and swimming pool. For a detailed description of the resort, visit http://lisland.com.ph/ or call Tel No. (+6375) 568-2962 or send fax at. (+6375) 568-2938.
A feel of Boracay, 
Said to be a holistic resort, 
While in Dagupan City, stay at the 
For me, there are two notable resorts in San Fabian; Sierra Vista Beach Resort and the San Fabian PTA Resort. Sierra Vista Beach Resort, located at Nibaliw West, San Fabian, Pangasinan has a cozy and private-like resort feel. It has a small pool (kiddie and adult pool) and is just beside the beach. For details call these telephone numbers: (+6375) 523-6843, (+6375) 522-3366.
In Urdaneta, stay at 
