Bayambang, officially the Municipality of Bayambang (Pangasinan: Baley na Bayambang; Ilocano: Ili ti Bayambang; Tagalog: Bayan ng Bayambang), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census it has a population of 129,011.[4]
Bayambang is the former seat of the 5th Capital of the Revolutionary Philippine Republic. It celebrates its Malangsi Fishtival (1st week of April, "Kalutan tan Gayaga ed Dalan"). Bayambang is the seat of the Pangasinan State University and the Colleges of Nursing and Education.
Etymology
The name of this town according to the legend, came from the name of a plant called "balangbang" (Bauhinia acuminata) which grew in abundance during the early days. "Culibangbang" leaves were used for bulalong Iloko or sinigang. The verdant hills of Bayambang were almost covered by these plants. The people made pickles out of them. As the years passed by these plants became extinct in the vicinity but the name "Bayambang", which sounds like an echo of the plant's name, was retained as the town designation.
Others believed that the name of the town came from the once numerous "Culibangbang" trees which were misunderstood as "Bayambang" by Spanish colonizers.[7]
Telbang (Erythrina variegata), also known as Bagbag in Ilokano and Dapdap in other dialects, was the original Bayambang. Bayambang is not a tree but actually a plant named Celosia.[8]
History
Benaldo Gutierrez and Honorato Carungay claim Bayambang was founded in the early 16th century by an Aeta named Agalet. Bayambang was inside Inirangan and Hermosa but was re-located to Telbang and southern Poblacion in Old Bayambang.
In 1897, the first "Juez de Cuchillo" executed residents and burned houses. In November 1899 Emilio Aguinaldo designated Bayambang as the Pangasinan capital during the Japanese Regime and the seat of the short-lived Philippine Republic. It was captured by Gen. Arthur MacArthur of Tarlac on October 12, 1899. Jose P. Rizal visited Camiling, Tarlac's Leonor Rivera, since it was formerly a part of Bayambang. Antonio Luna built a camp in Bayambang. Dr. Diaz became Governor under the Japanese Imperial Government and held Office in Bayambang at the Eulogio Dauz residence (junction of Quezon Blvd. And M.H. Del Pilar streets).
Bayambang was the seat of the UNESCO National Community Training Center. Gobernadorcillo Vicente Cayabyab was the first Chief Executive of the town during the Spanish Regime followed by Cabeza de Barangay Mauricio de Guzman. He was succeeded by Honorato Carungay Lorenzo Rodriguez, Julian Mananzan and later Saturnino Evaristo Dimalanta as president.
Lauriano Roldan became the first Civil Government Presidentd succeeded by Alvino Garcia, Mateo Mananzan, Gavino de Guzman, Marciano Fajardo, Agustin Carungay, Emeterio Camacho and Enrique M. Roldan.
The Mayors were Gerundio Umengan, Leopoldo Aquino Sr., Ambrosio Gloria (appointed by the PCAU of the Army), Bernardo Lagoy, Leopoldo Aquino Sr. (reelected), Eligio C. Sagun (1952-1955), Don Numeriano Castro (appointed), Salvador F. Quinto (1956-1959), Miguel C. Matabang (1960-1963), Jaime P. Junio (1964-1986), Feliciano Casingal Jr. (OIC), Don Daniel Bato (OIC), Domingo Tagulao, Calixto B. Camacho, Leocadio C. De Vera Jr and Engr. Ricardo M. Camacho.
Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao is the incumbent Municipal Mayor.[7]
On April 5, 2014, in celebration of its 400th anniversary, Bayambang was declared winner of the Guinness World Record for the longest barbecue grill wherein an 8.106-kilometer-long (5.037 mi) interconnected grill pads simultaneously grilled 24,000 kilograms (53,000 lb) of tilapia, beating Turkey's 6.166 kilometers (3.831 mi).[9]
Cojuangco claim
The Cojuangco's Central Azucarera de Tarlac Realty Corporation (CAT) claims ownership of 386.8-hectare estate in 12 barangays in Bayambang, including the site of the 289-hectare (710-acre) Camp Gregg Military Reservation (declared on October 13, 1903, by the US colonial government, turned over to the Philippines on March 27, 1949, and particularly to the Bureau of Lands on September 29, 1949). The Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL, Peasant Alliance in Central Luzon) opposed the Cojuancos.[10]
Bayambang is proposed to become the 5th city in the province of Pangasinan. An approved resolution unanimously passed by the members of the municipal council and the office of Pangasinan 3rd District Representative Rosemarie Arenas, who filed a bill in Congress for the enactment of a Republic Act (RA) converting the municipality into a component city of the province.[11]
House Bill No. 8826 was filed on March 1, 2021 by Arenas for the conversion of the municipality of Bayambang into a component city.[12] The bill is currently pending with the committee on local government since March 2, 2021. It was repetitioned as House Bill No. 384 on June 30, 2022 by her daughter and successor, Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas, prior to the start of the succeeding 19th Congress of the Philippines.
Geography
Bayambang is bounded on the north by Malasiqui, Camiling on the south, Bautista on the east and Urbiztondo on the west. Bayambang is the southernmost town in the province of Pangasinan. It is the gateway to Tarlac Province.
The town's terrain varies from rolling hills to plains. The climate is marked by a wet season from June to October and a dry season from November to May.
Bayambang is 40 kilometers (25 mi) from Lingayen and 179 kilometers (111 mi) from Manila.
The town's land area is 16,800 hectares (42,000 acres) that consists of the following:
Total Agricultural Area: 12,225 hectares (30,210 acres)
Bayambang is politically subdivided into 77 barangays,[13] 11 of which are urban barangays and 66 are rural barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
In accordance with the Local Government Code, Bayambang belongs to the third congressional district in the province of Pangasinan. It is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body. The mayor, vice mayor and councilors are elected directly by the people via an election held every three years.
Binasuan is a colorful and lively dance from Bayambang which illustrates the balancing skills of the dancers. The dancers gracefully maneuver glasses half-filled with rice wine which whirl and roll on the floor.
Fish "Buro" is originally made in barangay Bongato. This fermented rice delicacy is made of steamed rice, salt and freshwater fish (either carp, catfish, eel, gurami or "dalag"). Rice Crackers are made in barangay Sangcagulis and has become a popular merienda among the locals.
Tourism
1614 Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer facade
On November 27, 2012, a half-million people witnessed the malangsi-fish festival including the "kalutan ed dalan" street grilling party. Pista’y Baley's theme is "Unified Bayambang, Progressive Bayambaguenos." Bayambang attractions include:
The Farmers parade displayed and corn husk products.[26]
^"Province: PANGASINAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
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