Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan With more than a hundred coral islands and islets, Pangasinan looks like a mini archipelago in the West Philippine Sea. The Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City claims dominion over province's many natural marvels, most of which are sheltered within the Lingayen Gulf. But as the national park beguiles the most number of travelers exploring the area, the other uncharted sections of the province pulse with a rustic vibe, without the tourism hype.
Places to stay
Attractions
Travel notes
Pangasinan
Overview
With more than a hundred coral islands and islets, Pangasinan looks like a mini archipelago in the West Philippine Sea. The Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City claims dominion over province's many natural marvels, most of which are sheltered within the Lingayen Gulf. While the national park entices the majority of travelers exploring the area, little do they know that there are a number of other amazing destinations nearby, without the tourism hype.
Alamino's close neighboring town, Bolinao, is a spectacle to some of the finest beaches in Pangasinan. The golden Patar Beach displays the most scenic of sunsets, and is host to a small surfing community. Rock View Beach is a bit more dramatic with its waters crashing on limestone formations. Enchanted Cave delights visitors with its natural pools of cool water and fossilized giant clams displayed on its walls. Two cultural sites in Bolinao include the 100-year-old Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, one of the tallest in the country, and the 400-year-old Spanish colonial church, St. James the Great Parish.
In between Alaminos and Bolinao, Anda's coast paves way to more undeveloped islands such as Pannalacan Island, Tanduyong Island, and Cory Island. Camp by the beach and play survivor in these islands, as well as in Tondol Beach, where you can dip your toes in one of the softest sands in the province. Agno town, meanwhile, has an intriguing kilometer-long white shore, and unique rock formations eaten away by the violent waves. These can be seen in Bangol Crags and Umbrella Rocks.
More white beaches can be found in Burgos, such as Paratec Beach, Pao Nambalan Beach, and the pristine Cabangaoan Beach. Dasol has its own set of virgin islands, such as Colibra Island and Crocodile Island, which have shallow seawater pools by the rock formations along the shore. Other highlights in the province include Lingayen's two-kilometer long white beach, Capitol Beach Front, and Mabini's two cave systems Cacupangan and Sta. Rosario, some of the largest in the province. Derived from the word "asin" or "salt", Pangasinan is not just a place of salt-making, but an accessible salt-water paradise to bustling cities in Luzon.
Culture
Pangasinan's distinct culture blends indigenous Malayo-Polynesian (which it shares with Malaysia and Indonesia), western Hispanic, American, and Chinese. Its tradition and architecture manifests a long history of Spanish and American influences. Several huge, centuries-old churches like that of Calasiao Church are found throughout the province, and majority of the population adheres to Christianity.
People
The Philippines' third most populous province, Pangasinan is home to about 3 million people. Half of this population comprise of native Pangasinenses, while the rest are descendants of ethnic groups Bolinao and Ilocano. Being close to the sea, Pangasinenses thrive on making salt and cultivating milkfish, oysters, and sea urchins. Other Pangasinenses make a living from growing rice, mangoes, corn, and sugarcane. Other than farmers and fishers, a majority of its people are traders and businessmen and women.
Festivals
Celebrated every May 1st, Pista'y Dayat is the province's grandest and biggest festival where colorful boats cruise in Lingayen Gulf, paying tribute to the sea and its bounties. Every April, the Bangus (Milkfish) Festival glorifies Dagupan City as having the best tasting milkfish in the country. Two other notable festivals are the Hundred Island Festival held every February, and Galicayo Festival every December, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Manaoag.
Language
Pangasinenses speak a language also called Pangasinan. It shares many similarities with other Malayo-Polynesian languages in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Madagascar. Two other main languages are Iloko, which derive from the province's northern neighbor La Union, and Bolinao, which is closely related to Ibaloi language spoken in its northeastern neighbor Benguet. In the face of mass media and growing education today, many Pangasinenses understand and can speak Tagalog and English.
Climate
The best time to visit Pangasinan is between January and March, when the province isn't lulled by heat spells or harrassed by typhoons. Locals and tourists alike flock its islands and beaches most during the summer months of April and May. During the rainy months between June and December (off-peak season), airfares and accommodation rates are at their cheapest, and flights are sometimes delayed due to bad weather.
Season
During the Amihan Season from November to April, the prevailing winds come from the northeast. The waters surrounding Pangasinan's islands and beaches are relatively calm and relaxing. This is reversed during the Habagat Season from May to October when the prevailing winds come from the southwest. At this time, waves are at their most violent, crashing on the shores and limestone rocks.
Geography
The crescent-shaped province of Pangasinan is located on the west central area of the Philippines' largest island, Luzon. With 44% of the land dedicated to agriculture, it occupies a central plain known as the rice granary of the Philippines. While most of Pangasinan is flat, it has five inactive volcanoes and a few hilly mountainous areas. The province is home to Lingayen Gulf, where the famous Hundred Islands is found.
Getting to Pangasinan
Getting to the Pangasinan from another country
If you're coming from outside the Philippines, the fastest way to get to Pangasinan is to book a flight to Clark International Airport in Pampanga. From there, take a bus to Pangasinan (2.5 - 3 hours). The bus route to Pangasinan is just several meters away from the airport.
Alternatively, a longer route is to take a plane to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila. From there, take a taxi to Five Star Bus in Pasay City Terminal (phone numbers: (02) 851 6613, 851 6614). By bus, traveling to Pangasinan takes 5 to 8 hours, depending on the traffic, for about P450.
Getting to Pangasinan from outside Luzon
If you're coming from outside Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, book a flight to Clark International Airport in Pampanga. From there, take a bus to Pangasinan (2.5 - 3 hours). The bus route to Pangasinan is just several meters away from the airport. The following airlines take flights to Clark:
|
AIRLINE |
PHONE |
WEBSITE |
|
Philippine Airlines |
(+632) 855 8888 |
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|
Air Asia |
(+632) 742 2742 |
|
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Cebu Pacific Air |
(+632) 702 0888 |
Getting to Pangasinan from within Luzon
From Metro Manila, hop onto a bus bound for Pangasinan (5 - 8 hours, depending on the traffic, for about P350 non-air-conditioned, P460 air-conditioned). It's best to book your trip at night, which makes for a faster travel time, and sleep on the road. You can choose among the following bus lines:
|
BUS LINE |
PHONE |
WEBSITE |
|
Victory Liner (Cubao, Quezon City) |
(+632) 727 4534, 727 4688 |
|
|
Dagupan Bus Line (Cubao, Quezon City) |
(+632) 727 2330, (+63) 927 712 4349 |
- |
|
Five Star Bus (Pasay City Terminal) |
(+632) 851 6613, 851 6614 |
From Other Cities
From Dagupan City - 1 hour
From San Fernando - 2 hours
From Baguio City - 3 hours
From Subic - 4 hours
Getting Around Pangasinan
Going to an island or a group of islands, you can charter a boat from P500 to P2,000, depending on the boat's seating capacity. Traveling within a town utilizes tricycles and jeepneys, while traveling to different towns makes use of jeepneys and buses.
