MUNICIPALITY OF LINGAYEN (PANGASINAN), History and Cultural Life of Part I

In compliance with General Memorandum No. 34 s. 1952, we have the honor to submit the HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN OF LINGAYEN.

(SGD.) TOMAS DE LEON Chairman, Poblacion	(SGD.) PROCOPIO B. DAGDAGAN Chairman, Whole Municipality
(SGD.) ESPERANZA B. POSADAS Chairman, Baay	(SGD.) PASTORA RAMOS Chairman, Basing, Alewekwek and Malaya
(SGD.) TEODORICO QUIRAIMAN Chairman, Balococ and Talogtog	(SGD.) ANDRES MANGASI Chairman, Balangobong and Malimpuec
(SGD.) SILVINO P. RUFINO Chairman, Domalandan	(SGD.) SISSENANDO P. MANUEL Chairman, [unreadable]
(SGD.) SIMEON AQUINO Chairman, Lasip and Rosario	(SGD.) FELICIANO ALIMA Chairman, Libaong
(SGD.) TOMAS JOVES Chairman, Matalaya and Quibaol	(SGD.) TARCELO PARAGAS Chairman, Naguelguel and Dulag
(SGD.) FELIPE DE GUZMAN Chairman, Namolan	(SGD.) MARCIANA E. PADILLA Chairman, Pañgapisan
(SGD.) SISENANDO RIVERA Chairman, Sabangan	(SGD.) GUADALUPE VILLANUEVA Chairman, Tonton
(SGD) MAGDALENA SISON Chairman, Tumbar

The town of Lingayen is rich in historical events. First, it was captured by Limahong, the Chinese pirate who wanted to have his kingdom established here. Had not Juan de Salcedo, the young Spanish adventurer, driven him away from this region, the history of Lingayen would have been different from what it is today.

Second, when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded the Philippines in December 1941, they landed on the shores of the Gulf of Lingayen; and then, they proceeded on their historical march toward Bataan.

Third, when the Liberation Forces came in January 1945, Lingayen Gulf was again chosen as the natural gateway to enter the central plains of Luzon. There was little or no opposition to all when they landed because the Japanese Army in this town had already moved to the eastern towns. So, from Lingayen, the American forces marched southward towards Manila for the liberation of that capital city of the Philippines.

The teachers who were assigned at the beginning of the school year to gather information from old folks about the history of the barrios did their work well; by they were handicapped by the lack of records to make their reports authentic.

Their attempts to write on the beliefs, superstitions, and folktales are just a mere scratch on the surface of a hidden underground treasure which, when dragged up from its very depth by future writers, may yield untold and written Filipino folktales.

It is hoped that future writers may find this brief history of Lingayen a handy reference when they attempt to write and exhaustive work on the subject.

(SGD.) JOSE O. FERRER
District Supervisor

Part One: History		Page 1
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.	Poblacion Aleoecoec Baay Balañgobong Balococ Basing Domalandan Dulag Estanza Lasip Libaong Malawa Malipuec Maniboc Matalava Naguelguel Namolan Pañgapisan Quibaol Rosario Sabañgan Talogtog Tonton Tumbar	1 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 21 22 23 25 25 26 27 28 28 29 32
Part Two: Folkways		Page 34
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.	Birth Baptism Courtship Marriage Death and Burial Visits Festivals Punishments The Origin of the World The Origin of the Sea The Origin of Rivers The Origin of Trees The Origin of the Sun The Origin of the Moon and the Stars Eclipses Earthquakes	34 35 35 36 37 38 39 39 40 40 41 41 41 41 42 42

17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Lightning and Thunder The Formation of Clouds The Origin of Rain The Origin of Wind The Origin of Stars The Legend of the Nipa Palm Why the Sea is Salty Beliefs and Superstitions Popular Songs Games and Amusements Puzzles and Riddles Proverbs and Sayings Special Ways of Measuring Time Other Folktales Why a Part of the Barrio of Pañgapisan Became a River Akin et Say Arum ya Pasem Na Barrio Na Pañgapisan et Nam Malao ya Ylog

43 43 43 43 43 44 45 45 47 48 48 49 49 50 50 50

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE
TOWN OF LINGAYEN AND ITS
BARRIOS

Part One: History

The history of Lingayen, the capital town of the province of Pangasinan, reveals the intrepid adventures of many a gallant Spanish missionary and soldiers of fortune as the native warriors of "try me if you can" fame, whose bulldog tenacity and unflagging zeal constitute an epic chapter of many wars. There was the invasion of Limahong, the bloodthirsty, the struggle of the missionaries against the remaining soldiers of King Kasikis of the Luyag na Cabaloan Pangasinan Kingdom, the revolutionary war, the Filipino-American War, and the recent war of liberation, when more Filipino blood than foreign was spilled.

Lingayen cannot forget Limahong, the Chinese pirate and corsair who built in Domalandan a channel bearing his name and through which he and his men and women escaped into the open sea. Driven from China by the forces of the Chinese emperor, he came to the Philippines, first in Manila, and then to Lingayen by way of Lingayen Gulf in the year 1575, with a view to establishing a kingdom of his own. He succeeded in establishing a throne in Domalandan, a fortress, a pagoda, and even dwelling places for his soldiers. His kingdom, however, was ephemeral and brief, because after about seven months' reign of self-aggrandizement and terror, he was driven away by the Spaniards under Juan de Salcedo.

What is also important is the founding of Lingayen. The Augustinian missionaries were already in Pangasinan long before the province was under the Spanish government in 1611. They founded town after town, and when they were at Lingayen, the people were already peaceful and law-abiding, receiving word as they did from King Kasikis that they should welcome the missionaries with open arms, save only for some soldiers who refused to submit to the foreign yoke, but after a brief struggle, they finally gave in. Lingayen was founded by the Augustinian fathers in 1614, and the name given Lingayen was at the suggestion of the natives themselves.

Early Spanish writers such as Fr. Manuel Buzeta and Fr. Felipe Bravo, in their work "Diccionario Geografico, Estudistico Historia de las Islas Filipinas," tell us that "Lingayen" means, in the vernacular, "having to look back," and the following traditional account could explain this.

There was a certain corpulent tamarind tree in the province town plaza. It was so exceptionally big and spreading that its neighboring trees were but dwarves in comparison. Passers-by began to develop the habit of looking back and back again at the corpulent tamarind tree until it would vanish from their view. When they would arrive at their homes and would be asked what way they took in returning, they would simply say, "through Lingayan" (Lingayen). This was how Lingayen got its name. (See also Casiano Jimenez, Datos Historias del Municipio de Lingayen, 1911, 13.)

Among the early executives of the town was the Master of Camp Francisco Padilla. During the revolution of 1896, Lingayen was wrested from the Spaniards by our revolutionary force under Pedro Rayos in Cuesang, Martin Domingo in Maniboc, Santiago Balbino in Baay, and Francisco Sino in Libaong. According to Felipe Quintos in his work "Sipi Awaray Gelew Diad Filipinas," the following officials were then elected to run the government of the town: Municipal Captain - Catalino J. Palisoc; Delegate of Revenue - Antonio Noble Jose; Delegate of Justice - Nazario del Castillo; and Delegate of Public Police - Jose T. Lopez.

The revolutionary government in Lingayen was short-lived, as it gave way to another government during the American war when the Filipinos lost many a good battle. Builders as they were, the Americans introduced many improvements in this town. They made Lingayen the educational center of Pangasinan. The first secondary school in Pangasinan was established in Lingayen in 1902 when the Hon. Macario Favila was the governor. The Pangasinan Trade School was likewise established in Lingayen under the initiative of Gov. Juan Alvear. Since then, other schools were organized and established, such as the normal school, the vocational and academic schools — all cloistered in the school campus immediately behind the beautiful and picturesque Lingayen beach. It would not be amiss to mention here also the Colegio Santisimo Rosario in Lingayen for girls founded in 1890 by the Dominican Sisters. Together with other private schools here and the public schools, the are making Lingayen the educational center of Pangasinan, a veritable seat of culture and learning of the province. A branch of the National Library is, at present, located in Lingayen.

The recent World War II destroyed, however, a great many of the public and private buildings of Lingayen. Among them could be mentioned the pride of Pangasinan, the capitol building, overlooking the Lingayen Gulf, which the late Don Daniel Maramba helped build, not to mention yet the high school and presidencia buildings and the Lingayen church which is reputed to have one of the highest towers in the Philippines. These are the mute reminders, however, of the ravages of war, of the Japanese forces, and of welcoming the American liberators, whose landing in Lingayen in January 1945 has placed on the map of the world the name of this brave historic town.

The Census of the Philippines states that Lingayen, a second class municipality, has a population of 30,655 with 23 barrios as follows: Alioecoec, Baay, Balañgobong, Balococ, Basing, Domalandan, Dulay, Estanza, Lasip, Libaong, Malaoa, Malimpuec, Maniboc, Matalava, Naguelguel, Namolan, Pangapisan, (Poblacion), Quibaol, Rosario, Sabangan, Talogtog, Tonton, and Tumbar.

During the Spanish time, there were two distince forms of government in this town, namely – Gremio Mestizo and Gremio Naturales. The half-breed like mestizo Spanish and mestizo Chinese composed the Gremio Mestizo,

Taxes paid by these mestizos were always higher than those paid by the naturales or natives. The Gremio Mestizo held higher positions in the government than the Gremio Naturales. Doroteo Solis and one by the name of Camagay held the position of Capitan Municipal of the Gremio Naturales, while Don Joaquin Sayson held the same position in the Gremio Mestizo. No other credible records or reliable information could be obtained as the names of gobernadorcillos or other capitanes municipal.

During the American regime, some of the officials who served in the government were the following:

Sr. Nazario del Castillo Sr. Mariano Camagay Sr. Marcelino Mendoza Sr. Andres Castro Sr. Alvaro Viray Sr. Cesario Magsanoc Sr. Victor Tomaldan Sr. Teodorico Austria Sr. Wenceslao Pecson Sr. Toribio Peson Sr. Toribio Quintos Sr. Jose C. Ramos Sr. Roman Bernabe

Presidente hasta Nov. 1900 Vice President Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Tesorero Municipal Secretario Municipal

Sr. Catalino Palisco Sr. Mariano Camagay Sr. Marcelino Mendoza Sr. Andres Castro Sr. Alvaro Viray Sr. Cesario Magsanoc Sr. Victor Tomaldan Sr. Teodorico Tomaldan Sr. Toribio Quintos Sr. Wenceslao Pecson Sr. Jose B. Ramos Sr. Roman Bernabe

Presidente hasta Abril 1901 Vice-President Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Tesorero Municipal Secretario

Sr. Nazario del Castillo Sr. Gabriel Abalos Sr. Casiano Jimenez Sr. Antonio Ma. Fortich Sr. Victor Tomaldan Sr. Cesario Magsanoc Sr. Jose Lopez Sr. Numeriano Macasieb Sr. Sisenando Uson Sr. Wenceslao Pecson

Presidente Vice-Presidente Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal

Sr. Antonio Fernandez Sr. Gregorio Flor Mata Sr. Pastor Sari Santos Sr. Eliseo Jimenez Sr. Roman Bernabe Sr. Fernando Castro Sr. Jose C. Ramos Sr. Vicente Corleto

Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Secretario hasta Deciembre 1903 Sec. desde October 1903 Tesorero Municipal Juez de Paz

Sr. Victor Tomaldan Sr. Gregorio Flor Mata Sr. Juan Dengaon Sr. Filomeno Basilio Sr. Jorge Castro Sr. Graciano Altro Sr. Andres Castro Sr. Leodegario Cabriana Sr. Jose Lopez Sr. Lorenzo Posadas Sr. Venancio Amor Sr. Urbano de Guzman Sr. Eliseo Jimenez Sr. Jose B. Santos Sr. Serapio Arischo Sr. Nazario del Castillo Sr. Fernando Castro Sr. Jose C. Ragos Sr. Vicente Corleto

Presidente Vice Presidente Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Secretario Tesorero Juez de Paz

Sr. Nazario del Castillo Sr. Fernando Castro Sr. Catalino J. Palisoc Sr. Lope Silos Sr. Andres Castro Sr. Sisenando Jimenez Sr. Panfilo Lopez Sr. Antonio Ramos Sr. Numeriano Macasieb Sr. Victor Tomaldan Sr. Leodegario Cabriana Sr. Wenceslao Pecson Sr. Antonio Majarries Sr. Antonio Ungaon Sr. Filomeno Basilio Sr. Mauro Navarro Sr. Mauro Navarro Sr. Mauro Navarro Sr. Leoncio Tuazon

Presidente Vice Presidente Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Secretario 1906-1907 Secretario 1907 Vice Presidente 1907 Presidente 1908-1908 Secretario

Sr. Jose C. Ramos Sr. Vicente Corleto

Tesorero Juez de Paz

Sr. Casiano Jimenez Sr. Julio O. Santos Sr. Antion N. Jose Sr. Pedro de Guzman Sr. Eusebio Arias Sr. Jorge Castro Sr. Teodulo Sugayan Sr. Vicente Posadas Sr. Onofre Manaltao Sr. Antonio Bengson Sr. Benedicto Santos Sr. Cesario Magsanoc Sr. Antonio de Ocampo Sr. Eustaquio Ferrer Sr. Teodorico Austria Sr. Domingo Ocampo Sr. Gabriel Abalos Sr. Jose C. Ramos Sr. Vicente Corlato

Presidente Vice Presidente Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Secretario Municipal Secretario Municipal Juez de Paz

Sr. Casiano Jimenez Sr. Benito Abalos Sr. Fernando Castro Sr. Mariano Franco Sr. Cecilio Bataoil Sr. Pablo Cabornay Sr. Pablo Aquino Sr. Pedro de Guzman Sr. Eusebio Arias Sr. Antonio N. Jose Sr. Claudio Sison Sr. Onofre Macaltao Sr. Jorge Castro Sr. Eliseo Jimenez Sr. Jose C. Ramos Sr. Vicente Corleto

Presidente Vice Presidente Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Concejal Secretario Tesorero Juez de Paz

Sr. Eliseo Jimenez Sr. Rafael Hidalgo Sr. Rafael Monserrat Sr. Juan Bengson

Presidente Vice Presidente Juez de Paz 1911 Juez de Paz 1912-1933

Sr. Pastor Moran Sr. Sisenando Jimenez

Presidente Vice Presidente

Sr. Benigno Sison Sr. Ricardo del Pilar Sr. Juan Bengson

Secretario Tesorero Juez de Paz

Sr. Panfilo Lopez Sr. Marcelo B. Santos Sr. Placido Macaraeg Sr. Benigno Sison Sr. Juan Bengson

Presidente Vice Presidente Tesorero Secretario Juez de Paz

Sr. Sisenando Jimenez Sr. Miguel Castillo Sr. Eufracio Viray Sr. Placido Macaraeg Sr. Emiliano Ramos

Presidente Vice Presidente Secretario Tesorero Juez de Paz

Mr. Sisenando Jimenez Mr. Marciano C. Cruz Mr. Mamerto Molano Mr. Gerardo Sison Mr. Emiliano Llamas Mr. Amado Dizon Mr. Fortunato Ocampo Mr. Teodulo Soriano Mr. Calixto Ramos

Presidente Vice-Presidente Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Mr. Sisenando Jimenez Mr. Mariano Ulam Cruz Mr. Mamerto Molano Mr. Francisco Peralta Mr. Gerardo Sison Mr. Emiliano Llamas Mr. Amado Dizon Mr. Fortunato Ocampo Mr. Teodulo Soriano Mr. Calixto Ramos

President Vice President Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Mr. Sisenando Jimenez Mr. Marciano Posadas Mr. Gerardo Sison Mr. Angel Lopez Mr. Filemon Soriano Mr. Ireneo S. Baltazar

Mayor Vice-Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Transcribed from:

History of Infanta, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.