Pangasinan Heritage Watch

[johnniewalker]

Very nice postal!!!

Originally Posted by saintm

http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/wp-cont...h-by-mon-3.jpg

[saintm]

^THANK YOU!

FVR, Espino pay tribute to World War II heroes

Published : Thursday, January 12, 2012 00:00 Article Views : 83
Written by : Christian D. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan --Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. and former President Fidel V. Ramos have jointly paid tribute to the brave and gallant men and women of World War II during the celebration of the 67th Lingayen Gulf Landings and Pangasinan Veterans’ Day at the Veterans’ Memorial Park here.

In their separate messages, the two leaders challenged the present generation of Pangasinenses to display heroism just like the veterans in winning the war against modern day enemies of our society today such as poverty, ignorance, diseases, climate change, joblessness, and cultural and moral destroyers.

Governor Espino urged Pangasinenses to put their acts together as they get inspired from what the veterans did 67 years ago in exchange of freedom that we enjoy today and to be enjoyed by the future generation.

As a tribute to the defenders of freedom, the governor said that the provincial government has exerted all efforts to put in place bits of history since 2008 from the collection of vintage photographs taken by an American soldier named Charles De May to the testimonial of former Governor and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella for the first time in public that General Douglas MacArthur actually landed in Lingayen beach right at the back of the capitol as stated by the general himself during his ”sentimental journey” to Urduja House in 1961.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/...-war-ii-heroes

[saintm]

Pangasinan to restore old Casa Real, ‘carsel’

Sunday, January 15, 2012

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Two important landmarks are set to be restored in the capital town of Lingayen as part of the cultural renaissance program of Pangasinan seeking to revive past glories and pride of the province.

These are the old Casa Real, a dilapidated two-story building beside the Lingayen Municipal Hall which once served as the seat of the Provincial Government during the Spanish regime; and the adjacent “carsel” which continues to this day as the provincial jail of Pangasinan.

These twin projects are expected to be finally realized soon as Representative Leopoldo Bataoil (Pangasinan, second district) agreed to allocate part of his priority development assistance fund this year to help make this dream come true.

Bataoil, speaking during the Media in Action forum of the Pangasinan Press Club on Wednesday, admitted he already initially discussed with Governor Amado Espino Jr. about his intention to give part of his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) in support of the two projects.

The plan is to restore the Casa Real to its old Spanish beauty and for the present provincial jail to be relocated somewhere for it to be restored too to its old look to become a new tourism pride of Pangasinan.

Many people have observed that the provincial jail is already out of place in the downtown area of Lingayen which is now developing into a big commercial area due to its almost 24-hour economic activities.

Bataoil stressed, however, that his PDAF would not be enough to complete the projects, thus he personally wrote the Department of Tourism (DOT) to extend help until these two landmarks are back in their old shape.

As a result, DOT officials are coming to see the two structures soon and probably prepare a comprehensive restoration plan in order to bring to the present and future Pangasinenses a glimpse of their past.

Realizing the importance of these twin projects, the Provincial Government included the restoration of Casa Real and the old Spanish Carsel as its priority for the incoming years starting in 2012.

Espino believes that if these two Spanish edifices are restored, similar to what he did two years ago with the old Sison Auditorium here, he can preposition Pangasinan as biggest crowd drawer in Ilocos Region, if not the whole country.

The Casa Real used to be the seat of the Pangasinan Provincial Government.

The Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission headed by lawyer Gonzalo Duque, through the Pangasinan Historical Society led by Arabella Arcinue, is seeking the restoration of the two edifices to remind Pangasinenses of their gloried past.

Old folks said when the present Provincial Capitol was built during the American Regime, the Casa Real was relegated as mere justice building of the province and later as an extension of the Lingayen Municipal Hall.

But because of its present dilapidated state, the Casa Real was eventually abandoned and left to the mercy of the elements. (Leonardo V. Micua)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on January 16, 2012.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/loc...-carsel-200708

[saintm]

If only we could turn back time...

Originally Posted by riles28

Picture courtesy to goriob in flickr

[saintm]

One of many Pangasinan folk dances..

KONAN : Philippine Folk Dance from Pangasinan

The name of the dance is derived from the old Spanish-era silver coin the "conant".

It is notable that Pangasinan folk and traditional dances are fond of dance props. Popular among these props are the bangko, coconut shells with lighted candles inside, fans, wine glasses, sticks, takuko, and even earthen pots filled with water or camote. And for these dance- a coin!

The konan is in fact a game for children played in the same way as the 'cookie snatch game' where a small cookie placed in the forehead must reach the mouth by making all sorts of facial contortions.

The dance could have been derived from this game.

KONAN

INTRODUCTION
Music Intro.

Partners face each other holding coin with the R hand.

a. Take a four-step turn R in place, arms down at sides swinging slightly sideward R and L alternately with shoulder raise in every count.....[2M]
b. Stamp R foot across L in front, arms in fourth position L arm high, fist closed, thumbs sticking out (ct 1), step R in rear (ct 2); point L foot in front ; reverse position of the arms (ct 1), transfer weight on L foot in front (ct 2).....[2M]


FIGURE I
Music A.

Partners face each other.
a. Transfer weight on L foot and take 8 walking steps forward R and L alternately to meet partner at center. Arms as in (a) in Introduction.....[4M]
b. Step R sideward, arms in 4th position, L arm high (ct 1), point L foot in rear of R, lowere and raise elbows and 'bend and raise' knees slightly ( and 2).....[1M]
c. Repeat (b) three times more.....[3M]
d. Repeat (a) moving backward.....[4M]
e. Repeat (b) twice (R, L).....[2M]
f. Repeat (b) of Introduction.....[2M]



FIGURE II
Music B.

Girl faces audience, Boy faces away from audience.
a. Take four walking steps forward, arms in fourth position, L arm high. Raise elbows on very count.....[2M]
b. Three-step turn R about, arms as in (a) (cts 1, 2, 1), point L close to R, reverse arm position (ct 2).....[2M]
c. Repeat (a and b) starting L, moving to opposite direction. Reverse arm positions. Finish facing front, arms down at the sides on the last count.....[4M]
d. With the R foot leading, take twelve walking steps obliquely forward R, hands as in Figure I (a). (End up close to each other).....[6M]
e. With the L foot leading, take three gallop steps obliquely backward L to proper places (cts 1, and, 2, and 1, and). Point R foot forward and place coin on forehead (ct 2).....[2M]

[saintm]

Beyond the churches and the beaches of Pangasinan

By VINCE G. LOPEZ

MANIlA, Philippines -- Like grains of salt in the palm of your hand, the surprising wonders of nature in the province of Pangasinan are truly immeasurable.

The province was named after its leading product which is salt or asin in Filipino. Just like its famous product, the number of discoveries waiting for tourists in the province is spread out in more than just one municipality.

There are many ways to describe Pangasinan. For its famous landmarks, others describe the province as “the land of romance and miracles”. There are also those who describe it based on its etymological definition which is “the place where salt is made”.

Most Filipinos are familiar with Pangasinan because of the Hundred Islands. And who hasn’t been to Manoag for a religious visit? But now, the province is mapping out new activities and tourist destinations to entice tourists to discover its other wonders.

Recently, the province celebrated the Pista’y Dayat festival which showcased the culture and other destinations in Pangasinan.

“We have float parades which showed the different themes and culture of the province’s towns. Also during the celebration, we held beach concerts as well as water activities. The celebration ushers in the season of summer when our beaches will be filled with people,” said Malou Elduayan, Head of the Tourism Office of the province of Pangasinan.

Pista’y Dayat literally means sea festival and with the province’s fine beaches, Pangasinan has a good reason to welcome the summer season.

“We have wonderful beaches that range from white to brown soft sands. Most of them have shallow depths which are perfect for swimming. There are also resorts within the province that offer great water activities. But our public beaches which are very accessible are already good enough for most of our guests who just want to have a good time and enjoy a refreshing dip,” added Elduayan.

But aside from the beaches and the other familiar destinations within the province, Pangasinan is also trying out new things with the help of local municipalities.

“Our local government units or LGUs are being strengthened and are being given the chance to identify and showcase their own attractions. Aside from that, we are also setting up tourist assistance centers and we are improving our local tour guides through seminars. Aside from the Hundred Islands, we are really not that well-known as a tourist destination and we want to change that; our province has really a lot more to offer,” shared Elduayan.

She added, “Now we are trying to educate the municipalities that even without the traditional tourist attractions, they can still create something interesting which can attract tourists. There are things such as the historical and cultural side of the province which have their own market of tourists and we have that here. The prov¬ince is definitely rich when it comes to history and culture.”

From waterfalls, enchanting caves and historical sites, Pangasinan indeed is just waiting to be discovered by both local and foreign tourists.

“Right now we have some foreigners coming in and touring our province most notably Koreans. There are also balikbayans who come to the province in big groups wanting to explore more of our province. Aside from Alaminos, they also go to Bolinao as well as the capital of the province which is Lingayen,” relayed Elduayan.

Pangasinan is also looking at the agricultural side to help boost local tourism. According to Edluayan, they are trying to integrate agriculture into their tourism sites. She explained: “It’s something like rural-tourism where guests can experience the local side as well as the coastal towns which have scenic places. We are also developing other components such as the fishing culture and the mango growing sites. We are planning to capitalize on these things and promote them as a unique experiential tourist destination.”

“We have 48 towns and each of them has its own unique culture and beautiful scenery. The number of old churches alone in the province is enough to have a pilgrimage tour. The CBCP has even endorsed us for the Visita Iglesia because of the history that comes with it. Pangasinan is really a diverse province. Here, tourists can explore and discover new places and do a lot of new and interesting things.”

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/313647/beyond-churche

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INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON
Knowing original Ibaloi settlements thru gold trading
By Roland Rabang
Inquirer Northern Luzon
January 17th, 2012

There was a village in Ibaloi lore called “Tonglo” where the trading of gold was said to be brisk and thriving. An account by Michael Armand Canilao in his book, “Of Gold, Spanish Conquistadors and Ibaloi Generational Memory” (Cordillera Studies Center, University of the Philippines-Baguio, 2011), has it that a Spanish punitive expedition in 1759 razed this village, killing hundreds of Ibaloi who fought the invaders.
This event, Canilao writes, had come to be known as the “Tonglo Massacre.”
But apart from a general direction of the place given by Spanish friar named Vivar in 1755 as “four leguas (24 km) east of Cava (La Union),” no one exactly knows where Tonglo is, only that it is vaguely recalled in Ibaloi oral traditions.
The event’s discussion is regarded as “taboo … to mask the absence or lack of credible evidence that such a massacre really took place,” says Canilao.
The evidence could be surfaced through archaeology, suggests Canilao, a senior lecturer in the archaeological studies program and Center for International Studies of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. “Perhaps [it] can offer a breakthrough in confirming if this massacre indeed took place or not,” he says.
The important consideration is where to begin the archaeological survey because while Vivar described a general direction of its location, the place could be anywhere in Benguet because Tonglo no longer exists in the contemporary listing of Benguet towns and villages.
Canilao says what can be deduced from Vivar’s description is that Tonglo would fall in the vicinity of present day Barangay Irisan in Baguio City.
Could it be that Tonglo is today’s Barangay Monglo of Sablan, Benguet, a direct artery to Irisan? Canilao says “there could be a big margin of error in Vivar’s estimate of Tonglo’s location at the time [because] it was unlikely that [he] traveled on a straight line.”
Canilao, however, believes that despite the presence of “background noise,” oral tradition is still important in the project that is the subject of his book, which is to trace the origins of the peopling of Benguet through the trading of gold.
The engagement of Ibaloi in gold trading, he says, dates back to precontact with Spanish colonizers because of lowland demand for gold bartered with “fish paste (bagoong), wax, honey, rice, salt, pigs, cows, carabaos, blankets, mats and abel (Ilocano cloth).”
The value of gold, on the other hand, was discovered through contact with pan-Southeast Asian seafarers, including the Chinese who exchanged gold for porcelain jars with dragon designs, which were valued for their role in rituals.
Canilao seeks to unearth these artifacts through the discipline of archaeology, and by extension explain the establishment of Benguet settlements using the evidence of “material culture.”
In his book, he starts the inquiry by looking into oral accounts written by scholars as ethnohistory, which suggests that the peopling of Benguet began as lowland dwellers, particularly from Pangasinan, followed the trails of Agno and Amburayan rivers to the eastern hinterlands.
Canilao suggests that gold is central to Ibaloi ethnohistory. However, the latter alone could not establish a pattern that links gold to present-day Ibaloi settlements.
He says this is because oral traditions’ earliest recollections point to the 18th and 19th centuries where wetland agriculture was already prevalent in Benguet and where later generations sought to interpret as happening at an earlier time.
Separating “background noise” from facts, Canilao had engaged in “surface archaeology” in selected places identified in ethnohistory to be the original settlement areas of Ibaloi in Benguet.
These are in Chuyo (Green Valley, Tuba), Palaypay (Pongayan, Kapangan) and Imbose (Kabayan). He says the surface method, which investigates grid areas that were plowed through, addresses questions on “human population history to expand settlement patterns and land use databases.”
In the three survey areas, only Chuyo yielded potsherds (pieces of broken pottery), an indication of previous human activity. Canilao says Palaypay and Imbose “did not show archaeological evidence.”
While archaeology did not confirm the ethnohistorical accounts of the original Ibaloi settlements, he says this is not surprising because wetland agriculture already obscured historical time lines in oral traditions, where informants are generally the landed Ibaloi elite called the “baknang.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/129883/...u-gold-trading

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http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/wp-con...NG-HISTORY.jpg

SUPPORTING HISTORY—Representative Leopoldo Bataoil of the 2nd District pledges to allocate part of his Priority Development Assistance Fund this year for the restoration of Casa Real, the old capitol building in Lingayen, and the adjacent Carsel, during the Media in Action Forum of the Pangasinan Press Club Wednesday. The buildings are potential tourist attractions. (PIA-Pangasinan)

[saintm]

Binasuan is very colorful and spectacular dance from Bayambang, Pangasinan. Baso means drinking glass. Binasuan in Pangasinan means with the use of drinking glass.

In this dance, the dancer displays good balance, graceful movements and unusual skill. She dances with three glasses half-full of water, one on her head and one each held on the palms of her hands. She shows her skill in maneuvering the glasses, particularly when she executes continuous fast turns, sitting and rolling on the floor without spilling the water or dropping the glasses.

Binasuan is usually danced only by one girl, but sometimes two or three or more girls may dance it in group formation.

COSTUME. Balintawak costume with tapis and soft pañuelo.

MUSIC is composed of two parts: A and B. it is danced to the tune of Pitoy Oras.

COUNT one, two or three to a measure.

FORMATION. Dancer enters from one side of the room or place where the dance is to be performed and stops at center, facing front.

NOTE: Throughout the dance the glasses are kept in proper places, on head and on the palms of the hands.

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The Lowland Cultural Community of Pangasinan
FE L. ANDICO

Pangasinan occupies the northern part of central Luzon, bounded by the China Sea and Lingayen Gulf. It is 170 kilometers north of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The province is mostly plains and coastal areas, while the remainder is agricultural or forested. Three river systems flow through the province, and the Cordillera, Benguet, and Zambales mountains bounded it. It was noted early on that the province was at a lower elevation than the rest of Luzon. Pangasinan has six districts, and the cities of Dagupan, San Carlos and Urdaneta. It has forty-six municipalities. Provincial population was registered at 2,178,212 in 1995. The average size of households is 5.24, and the literacy rate 96.6%. The voting population in 1995 was 1,147,818.

About 43% of the people speak Pangasinan, and roughly the same percentage, Ilokano. Bolinao-Zambal is spoken in certain areas, although studies reveal that it may belong to another ethnic group. The orthography of Pangasinan has vowels clustered in groups of three to five in all, e.g. linaoa (breath); lioaoa (light). The proportion of people speaking this language seems to be on the decline, however, due to linguistic pressure from Ilokano and Tagalog. The difficulties of mastering the language and the migration of people from other locales have been cited as a factor, although the pervasiveness of Tagalog in mass media and the educational system is also responsible.

Pangasinan derives its name from a phrase meaning "the place where salt is made." An alternative etymological interpretation is from the word caboloan, "the place where bamboo grows." In this case, the species of bamboo alluded to is a particular variety that is known for its smooth texture and ability to take a fine finish, making it suitable for weaving baskets and other crafts. The province was referred to as Feng-Shia-Shih tan in a Chinese manuscript of the sixteenth century. Envoys from the province paid tribute to Emperor Yung-Lo of the Ming Dynasty (1372-1424). Accounts by Ibn Batuta and Chao Ju Kua tell of the flourishing trade between Pangasinan and Arabia, Borneo, Japan and India.

In 1572, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi conquered Pangasinan. Within eight eight years, the province had been established. Lingayen was the first town to be created; except for a four-month long occupation by the Chinese corsair Limahong, in 1575, the pacification campaigns of the Spaniards progressed. Missionaries described the people as "hostile, obstinate, barbarians, the worst, the fiercest and the most cruel of all tribes." By the early 17th century, however, the natives came to be described as possessed of infinite goodness, and "some are of very good intelligence and are ingenious." The facade of a seemingly tranquil province belied the growing intransigence of its people in reaction to the onerous exaction's of the colonial government. The revolts led by Andres Malong and Juan dela Cruz Palaris in 1660-1662 and 1762-1765 ignited a century-long sentiment to be freed from exploitation and impositions.

In the early months of 1898, thirteen western municipalities joined the revolution that broke out two years earlier. During the period following the Filipino-American War, the La Partido was founded. In 1930, Pangasinan was declared financially able to join the Commonwealth. During the Second World War, Filipino guerilla units fought side-by-side with the Americans. With the establishment of the Fourth Philippine Republic in 1946, several prominent politicians from Pangasinan joined Congress. In the EDSA revolution in 1986, General Fidel V. Ramos figured as a leader, and in 1992 was elected President of the Republic.

The province of Pangasinan has a rich and varied folk literature. An example of this is the Aligando, probably the longest local folksong at 563 lines (excluding four quatrains). It is also considered an original Christmas carol, and takes about an hour and a half to perform. Other examples of this ancient oral tradition include 631 proverbs, 465 riddles and puzzles, numerous myths, legends, tales of supernatural creatures, and love songs known as petek. The storytellers, known as tumatagaumen, wove tales for every season. Indicative of the peoples' values and skills too were their dances. Thus, the imunan was a courtship dance, the tagam a war dance, and the kumakaret a test of dexterity. These dances were accompanied by the music of the tulali, a flute used during festivities.

Since ancient times women have played a leading role in their communities. They enjoyed a wide variety of privileges other than those related to religious functions. In courtship, men were subject to a period of servitude, and although marriages were arranged, a bride price was practiced, and women could keep property and initiate divorce. The legendary Princess Urduja was renowned for her intelligence and her enlightened rule. Significantly, the women of the province figured prominently in the agrarian colorum movement of the 1930s and in the women's suffrage movement.

The people of Pangasinan are noted for their piety; both the Virgin of Manaoag and the Son of God (Divino Tesoro) are said to have worked miracles. However, they also maintain a deep-seated belief in supernatural beings beyond the fold of the Church. These include the pasatsat, a gruesome ghost rolled up in a mat, and dikay dalen, literally, 'grass of the earth," dwarves who form a band and parade around at midnight, riding on bamboo twigs that sway with the wind. In pre-Christian times, the supreme deity was "Ama-Gaolay." The people believed anitos or spirits lurked everywhere, capable of inflicting pain and suffering, or of granting rewards. The Pistay Dayat (Feast of the Sea) is an ancient ritual offering to the spirits of the waters to pacify the gods. Old women known as amiteras were priestesses, who performed ceremonies called maganitos to secure favor from the heavens. They believed in an afterlife. Death, for them, was a voyage, thus, food and other needs were buried with the dead. Mourning rites required an abstinence from rice, wine, meat and fish. A gold chain or a piece of rattan worn around the neck symbolized mourning attire with a great banquet marking the end of mourning.

The people of Pangasinan are something of a paradox. They count among their fold the fiercest rebels against colonial rule, taking pride in calling themselves amputi layag or "white ear," in allusion to the ears of Spaniards that they severed as tokens of victory. Pangasinan is one of the few provinces in the country whose people, both the elite anacbanua and the dependent timawa joined hands in revolt against the Spanish colonizers while keeping to the Catholic faith. They have been seen as exclusive, attempting to remain ethnically distinct yet they have absorbed a substantial Ilokano ethnic community. However, they are not regionalist. No presidential candidate has obtained a majority vote from the province. The people have also proved to be both traditionalist yet progressive quoting a statement: "while it is not an established fact that Urduja and her kingdom were in Pangasinan, let us keep her as belonging to the Pangasinense."

http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture...hp?igm=4&i=250

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MacArthur's landing place in 1945 still subject of unending debate

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 8 — The 67th Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary on January 9 has spawned another spirited debate over the still unsettled issue on where General Douglas MacArthur first landed when he began the liberation of the entire Luzon from three years of Japanese occupation.


It is during the commemoration of this important event in Philippine history that Lingayen and Dagupan City usually renew their long boiling rivalry over the issue on where MacArthur first set foot in Luzon on that fateful January 9, 1945 when he spearheaded allied troops in the final campaign to oust the enemy from Luzon.

The debate further exacerbated when last year, former Pangasinan Governor Conrado Estrella Sr,, as the guest of honor and speaker during the 66th landing anniversary, who was then more than 90 years old, made public his personal conversation with General MacArthur himself when he and his wife Jane made a sentimental visit to Lingayen in 1961.

At that time, Estrella was the governor of Pangasinan and had the privilege of welcoming the MacArthur couple at the Tarlac-Pangasinan boundary and in tendering a welcome luncheon for them at his official residence, "Urduja House" in Lingayen, only a stone's throw from the beach.

Estrella said it was raining due to a stormy weather when the MacArthurs came to Pangasinan riding in the limousine of President Carlos Garcia. But despite the rain, pupils and students lined up the highway from Carmen, Rosales to Lingayen, waving the Filipino and American flags.

Estrella said before throngs of Pangasinan officials, World War II veterans and their espouses and children and others that gathered at the War Memorial Shrine at the back of the provincial capitol last year, and after finishing their lunch, he asked MacArthur the question long been unanswered on where he first landed when he came to Luzon in 1945.

Instead of answering Estrella, Mac rthur scanned the environment and without batting an eyelash, pointed to the provincial capitol as understandably his point of reference to indicate where he first landed when he came ashore with the troops.

Then MacArthur reportedly said, "It was here," pointing at the adjacent beach.

Thus finally belied a statement purportedly attributed to MacArthur and passed on to many generations of Pangasinenses that the general landed "five air miles east" (meaning, Dagupan) from the veranda of the Urduja House.

Estrella, the grand old man in politics in Pangasinan who, aside from becoming governor of the province, also served as agrarian reform minister, died few months after gracing last year's celebration of the Lingayen Gulf landings.

However, Estrella's personal testimony of his intimate talk to MacArthur in 1961 was questioned by Restituto Basa, a foremost historian of Pangasinan who had made a position that it was in Dagupan where MacArthur landed first.

"That was inaccurate and baseless," said Basa of Estrella's personal account of his conversation with MacArthur in 1961. Basa questioned why it took so long for the grand old man in Pangasinan politics to make public his personal conversation with MacArthur.

Although no one questioned that Estrella really made an intimate conversation with MacArthur, Basa surmised it was possible that the former governor merely told this to please a highly partisan audience that had strong biases for Lingayen in the still unsettled debate over the issue.

Basa insists that Estrella's assertion is wrong because it cannot just be erased in the history book that MacArthur first landed in Dagupan during the liberation of Luzon as confirmed by no less than the National Historical Commission (NHC) and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) which officially recognized this fact.

Both the NHC and the VFP agreed that the monument of General MacArthur be built in Bonuan Blue Beach, Dagupan which they did in the early 1970s in cooperation with the veterans to mark the first landing place of MacArthur in Luzon in January 1945.

However, Basa claimed that the monument of MacArthur was placed near the property of Major Moises Maramba, now deceased, who was instrumental in convincing higher Philippine officials in building MacArthur's monument.

It should have been built in the premises of the present Ayusip Road, where MacArthur actually landed, which was just a few meters away from the place chosen by a battalion of American troops to camp after landing from the Lingayen Gulf.

In his book "Story of Dagupan," Basa included rare photographs of MacArthur, one of which was taken by his official photographer while he and his general staff were walking in the sand dunes of Bonuan.

He recognized the photograph to be taken in Bonuan whose background were some thorny plants called cantaromas, the kind of undergrowth known to grow only in the beach of Dagupan during those times.

Another photograph in his possession showed MacArthur walking while conducting an inspection of downtown Dagupan along with the provincial treasurer of Pangasinan. At that time, the seat of the provincial government of Pangasinan was moved to Dagupan from Lingayen.

As can be gleaned from the photograph, MacArthur's khaki pants was wet from knee down, indicating he had just waded the shore before coming to downtown Dagupan.

MacArthur went on to establish his first command post in Luzon at the Home Economics building of the West Central School in downtown Dagupan.

The building, where the utensils used by MacArthur were being kept, is now one of the many historical sites that can be shown to tourists in Dagupan.

Dagupan became a city in Pangasinan sometime in 1947, just two years after the Lingayen Gulf landings. (PNA)

http://bayanihan.org/2012/01/09/maca...ending-debate/

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http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/wp-cont...e/dsc_0564.jpg

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The Historic St. John the Evangelist Cathedral (now Sanctuario de San Juan Evangelista) and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist (formerly St. John the Evangelist Parish) on the background. Photo by Alistair Gonzales

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Photo showing Filipino rebel leaders led by Emilio Aguinaldo upon arrival in Dagupan aboard a "Ferrocarril de Manila a Dagupan" train. (From left: Gregorio del Pilar, Wenceslao Viniegra, Emilio Aguinaldo and Vito Belarmino. At extreme right is Pedro Paterno)

Emilio Aguinaldo and 36 other Filipino rebel leaders arrive in Dagupan, Pangasinan Province, in a railcar on December 27, 1897. From Dagupan, the exiles proceeded to the port of Sual, Pangasinan, where they boarded the merchant steamer SS Uranus; bound for Hong Kong.

http://filamwar.blogspot.com/2011/08...cas-entry.html

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The Philippines' north: Land of baroque churches (Feature)

By Honor Blanco Cabie

Up here in northern Philippines, foreign tourists wanting some escape from the congested metropolis more than 450 kilometers due south can find great company in serene beaches in the country's far northwest facing Luzon Bay.

They can start at the Hundred islands in Pangasinan, near the gulf where Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his allied forces landed on Jan 9, 1945 as part of the liberation of the archipelago from Japanese Imperial troops.

Then they can drive farther north and stay for some time at the Nalinac Beach in the calm waters of Bauang town just south of the provincial capital of San Fernando City in La Union.

Not far from Nalinac is the Pug-os Beach in the coastal town of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, which will host next summer one of the biggest conventions of Ilocano writers at home and abroad.

Near this garlic-producing town, where warriors walked at the turn of the 20th century and during the Japanese occupation, is Sadiay Baybay beach resort in Badoc, the town of Antonio and Juan Luna, the general of the Revolution and the country's foremost painter.

Due north are several beaches which have hosted regional and international conferences.

But beyond the beaches of the Ilocos Region, which stretches from Pagudpud town in this province near the boundary with Cagayan facing the Babuyan Channel to Rosales in Pangasinan near Tarlac, are yet other tourist come-ons.

And residents have reason to be proud of these attractions.

Two of these are baroque churches, which have made it to the World Heritage List.

They are the Roman Catholic Church in Paoay town -- birthland of the Galaritas, the Blancos, the Villanuevas, the Toledos, the Valenzuelas, the Baysas -- and the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church which is nestled on a hill in Santa Maria, rich in myth and folklore.

The Paoay Church, also called Simbaan ni San Agustin, was built in 1704 from coral stones, mortar and molasses. Historians call the church structure "earthquake baroque."

It is only a few kilometers from the inland Paoay Lake, which was mercilessly inundated during the onslaught of typhoon "Pepeng" in northern Philippines in 2009.

The lake, according to legend, took shape when the community north of the town proper exploded in much the same manner as the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah.

Old hands in the town, inheritors of the silky smooth oral tradition, say Filipino builders adopted a foreign architectural design and style which complemented local conditions.

Sitting on an earthquake-prone region, the builders apparently propped up the church's nave with thick stone buttresses.

They feature a scroll motif capped by intricately carved pinnacles.

While other concrete buildings and other church structures in the region have succumbed to earth shocks -- the Philippines straddles the Pacific belt of fire -- the Paoay Church has remained standing without a scratch.

Its outside feature is a crossbreed between a medieval Spanish church and a Javanese temple.

Nearly 90 kms south of this town is the other Heritage Lister in Santa Maria which stands on an elevated hill legend suggests is the nipple of the mythical Aran, the energetic wife of Angalo (pronounced Ang-nga-lo).

The church door can be reached by walking up 85 stair flights from the cemented highway, a junction of the MacArthur Highway -- named after Gen. MacArthur -- which meanders through the region.

Historians say it was originally a citadel complex and was a center for Spanish missionaries who made inroads in the 16th century to evangelize the uplands after the arrival of Spanish conquerors in 1521.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=6&rid=400128

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PHL music truly reflects archipelago’s rich culture (Feature)
By Honor Blanco Cabie

MANILA, Jan. 24 (PNA) -- Summer in the Philippines always rings, merrily, with syncopated notes from paid orchestras or bands playing ballroom tunes or their best at what they call "it's showtime."

That's when orchestras display the skills of their best in the group -- chiefly the first trumpet, the reeds or the drums, not to mention a dozen female singers who could sway to any rhythm played by the normally 34-piece orchestra.

Some will not miss out on the different genres of the country’s music on stage, particularly during coronation nights -- from traditional to folk to choral, original Pinoy music to rock to music video, to identify just some.

Verily, any discerning visitor will conclude that the scales in different time signatures of music in this Southeast Asian archipelago, which has the correct ear for any beat, properly belong to the performance arts in different genres and styles.

In the urban centers, where trendy music videos are up, observers and fans will not be out of music bars for the pleasant notes and the latest in rhythm and beat.

One music buff, listening to the musical pieces dished out by a full 34-piece orchestra, which included a 12-all women singers cum dancers, in Moncada, Tarlac during the town fiesta one February, could not help but admit that music enjoyed in this country is a mix of indigenous, other Asian, European, Latin American, and American.

Like him, others note the influence of the Cuban-born Perez Prado in the music of Anastasio Mamaril and Don Podring of Pangasinan and the now defunct Jolly Boys Orchestra of Ilocos Norte, the Latin beat dominant in their various keys.

Every now and then, one enjoys the mellow sounds of the trumpet of Ray Anthony, the clarinet of Acker Bilt or even Artie Shaw and the boogie and swing beats of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

In some areas of the country, in or off fiesta amphitheaters, the Filipino folk music is a dominant character enjoyed by adults.

The popularity of Philippine music and folk songs testifies to how great the Filipino musicians are, many of whom have become arrangers of note, suiting Filipino character and temperament.

Among the traditional music is the "kulintang," which points to a racked gong chime instrument played in the southern backdoor, along with its varied accompanying ensembles.

Experts note the percussive bossed gong ensembles without a melodical gong rack, known as "agung."

These are played throughout most of the archipelago by indigenous groups – like the Mangyan, Lumad, Batak, Tagbanwa and Aeta -- as well as historically by low-land groups as the Bisaya, Bikolnon and Tagalog.

But the kulintang ensembles themselves are only played by groups which were Islamized and engaged in international trade with its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Experts say the kulintang instrument itself could be traced to either the introduction of gongs to Southeast Asia from China before the 10th century, or more likely, to the introduction of bossed gong chimes from Java in the 15th century.

In any case, the kulintang ensemble is the most advanced form of music before the late 16th century and the legacy of Hispanization in the 7,107-island archipelago.

The tradition of kulintang ensemble music itself is a regional one, predating the establishment of borders among the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Experts say it transcends religion, with animist and Christian ethnic groups in Borneo, Flores and Sulawesi playing kulintangan; and Muslim groups playing the same genre of music in Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu archipelago.

It is distantly related to the Gamelan music orchestras of Java and Bali, as well as the musical forms in Mainland Southeast Asia, mainly because of the usage of the same bossed racked gong chimes that play both melodical and percussive parts.

The Harana or Kundiman itself is a lyrical song made popular in the country, which dates back to the Spanish era which began in 1521.

Composed in the Mexican-Spanish tradition, the music is characterized by a minor key at the beginning and shifts to a major key in the second half.

Its lyrics depict a romantic theme, usually portraying love, passion, or sadness.

In other styles of the Harana of the Ilocanos or the Kundiman tradition of the Tagalogs, the music is based on a love story. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=10&rid=400399

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Say Dayew- A Festival of Pangasinan Culture

CSI Citymall, Dagupan City--Dr. Januario Cuchapin, an expert in Philippine folk dances at the Pangasinan State University, School of Education in Bayambang; Sis. Natividad I. Parin, SFIC, a multi-degree professor of linguistics and director of various musical and academic endeavors, also from Bayambang; and Fr. Anthony Layog, a musician himself and team minister of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, nephew of Sis. Parin also from Bayambang, have all been part of the Board of Judges in yesterday's Say Dayew Festival in Dagupan City final competitions.

The Say Dayew is a festival of dance and song held everey year among the private and public schools in the primary and secondary levels to promote and preserve the Pangasinan culture. The patron of the arts and anything good for Dagupan, Hon. Belen T. Fernandez, Vice Mayor of Dagupan, graciously gave the City Mall, her property, for the occasion. the Department of Education Dagupan City Schools Division is host to the said affair.

Sis. Parin and Fr. Layog's involvement in the said affair is because of the recent Sanengseng project of Archbishop Socrates Villegas where 12,000 students of Dagupan sang in four voices the Pangasinan song "Malinac Lay Labi" to raise awareness among the young in Dagupan.

http://sferrer.blogspot.com/

[saintm]

Pacquiao to inaugurate Pangasinan museum

Thursday, January 26, 2012

BINMALEY, Pangasinan -- Boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao will pay a visit to this town on Saturday morning to inaugurate a newly-renovated museum.

Around 200 policemen, soldiers, and army reservists were tapped to keep crowd control and security as hundreds of Binmaleyans are expected to troop to Poblacion to take a glimpse of the world famous boxer.

Pacquiao will formally open the museum together with Pangasinan's second district Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil and the representative of Governor Amado Espino Jr., Mayor Lorenzo Cerezo said.

The governor will not be able to attend the event as his older brother, the late Bautista Vice Mayor Jose “Pepe” Espino will be laid to rest Saturday morning.

The museum is at the Estacion Triangle Park 1 and the Triangle Park 2 (fronting the Our Lady of Purification Hospital).

Binmaley is currently celebrating its 422nd Founding Anniversary and Town Fiesta, back-to-back with the 2nd Sigay Festival.

Saturday's activities will commence with a fluvial parade early in the morning, and will be capped with the SK Night.

Pacquiao, an army reservist promoted last year to the rank of lieutenant coronel will be arriving on a helicopter.

Accordingly, he will land at the 7th IB, Philippine Army camp at barangay San Isidro Norte where he will be met by Bataoil, Cerezo, and other local officials. It has yet to be confirmed if he will have a conversation with the soldiers and fellow reservists upon arrival or before he flies back to Manila.

Meanwhile, Cerezo said the Estacion Triangle Park 1 and the Triangle Park 2 were designed by Architect Alvin Dimalanta, a native of barangay Papageyan, this town.

Dimalanta placed second in the 2010 Architect Licensure Examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The topnotcher was fellow University of the Philippines graduate Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up.

Accordingly, Dimalanta, Supsup, and another UP classmate who was also among the top five examinees formed an architectural firm.

Meanwhile, Fiesta Executive Chairperson Gertrudes Reyes said Sigay Festival events are scheduled until February 1, culmination of the town fiesta.

Sunday morning, representatives/participants from the different barangays will outskill each other in catching crabs and bangus with barehands in the Kambog ed Kapokokan event. This will be held at the fishpond beside the Bangsal Restaurant here.

Reyes said crabs and bangus will be released at the fishpond before the game, and the participants who catch the biggest crab and the heaviest bangus will be declared winners. Aside from the cash prizes, they will bring home their catch.

The civic parade and Sigay Street Dancing will be held on February 2 while the Binmaleyan's Night will be held on February 3.

The coastal town of Binmaley is known as the "fishbowl" north of Luzon. Accordingly, 60 to 70 percent of the town’s income comes from the fishing industry.

Sigay Festival was first introduced in 2010 by former mayor Sammy Rosario through a grand evening picnic at Poblacion. Grills were set-up, and the townsfolk grilled different seafood while bands performed.

Last year, Cerezo incorporated the Sigay Festival as part and parcel of the annual town fiesta celebration. It was chaired by his wife Marissa.

With the rivers of Binmaley cleared of fishpens and other fishtraps after the massive river clean-up drive introduced by Governor Espino, Cerezo launched last year the first-ever fluvial parade (and competition) participated by a good number of barangays and non-government organizations.

The fluvial parade, Cerezo said, is one of our ways of thanking God the Almighty for the bounty of the rivers and the seas which feeds their kabaleyans. It is also a way for the townfolks to see the beauty of their rivers. (Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre/Sunnex)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan...-museum-202679

[saintm]

repost:

Originally Posted by Whats Up!Dagupan

What's Up Dagupan?
DAGUPAN NOSTALGIA:
Photo of General Douglas Mac Arthur addressing Dagupenos from his General Headquarters (now West Central Home Economics building/ Library). As to the question where did Mac Arthur land first: Isn't Dagupan south of San Fabian? Read on:

On January 9, 1945, American troops landed in Luzon between the towns of Lingayen and Dagupan. That afternoon, General MacArthur himself waded a...shore south of San Fabian. On January 13th, MacArthur moved his General Headquarters to Dagupan. Addressing the residents of Dagupan from this building, MacArthur said: "I am happy to have returned. Thank you and God bless you."

Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...16983015009756