The Best of Pangasinan Attractions

As the situation improves and tourist sites slowly open up to travelers and visitors, here are some of the best that Pangasinan has to offer. 

Alaminos and the Hundred Islands National Park, has been one of the jewels in the crown of tourist destinations in Pangasinan for a few decades now. Although it had faced deterioration sometime in the 80's and 90's, this national park had undergone a massive rehabilitation program and a major facelift that almost deems it unrecognizable. See more... 

Anda is the so-called "Mother of the Hundred Islands." because of its proximity to the popular destination. However, it boasts of its own white sand beaches and even a sand bar. On low tides, the water recedes so far out that it is possible to walk in shallow water for more than a hundred meters. See more...

Conveniently located near the TPLEX and McArthur Highway, Balungao is home to Mt. Balungao, an extinct volcano that has become a popular destination for hikers and mountain climbers due to its challenging vertical assault. It is also home to a few hot springs, extreme adventure activities and a 1.4 kilometer zipline. See more...

Bani is one of the towns located at the western edge of Pangasinan facing the West Philippine Sea. It offers its own charming beaches and caves. See more...

Another tourism jewel of this province is Bolinao, hosting a myriad of attractions and activities that won't conveniently fit in one day - beautiful beaches and waterfalls, a lighthouse, caves, and even a fun river cruise. See more...

Burgos, another coastal town facing the West Philippine Sea has become well known for it's "Death Pool", a hole in a part of its rocky coastline that seems to push and suck the waters because of the surging of the waves. It also offers beautiful blue waters and beautiful sunsets. See more...

Dasol is known of its white sand beaches, amazing blue waters that get calm like a lake at certain parts of the day and Colibra island for a fun day out at sea. See more...

The capital of Pangasinan, Lingayen, especially the capitol grounds is a sight to behold, especially at night. a few hundred meters is the historical Lingayen Beach where Gen. Douglas McArthur landed as he returned to fulfill his promise. See more...

Natividad, one of the more inland towns, makes Pangasinan a province of variety and not just all about beaches. Here, you can take a short yet breathtaking trek to Maranum Falls. Another short climb will take you to its Sky Plaza that hosts a massive statue of a replica of Christ the Redeemer, overlooking the town and its neighbors. See more...

Tayug has recently come into the travel and tourism radar after its Sunflower Farm went viral on social media. See more...

Pangasinan Attractions: Hundred Islands National Park

For a province that has so much to offer, from breathtaking beaches, crave-worthy food, and historical significance, it is difficult to imagine Pangasinan without its famous Hundred Islands National Park. 

Famous in the ’70s and 80’s, destroyed by dynamite fishing and went through a slump in the ’90s and re-emerged with a major facelift and aggressive transformation in the 2000s, The Hundred Islands National Park has seen tourists coming back in droves, not just from the country but from many parts of the world.

Gone are the lousy straw huts, dirty island bathrooms and disorganized boat assignments. These have been replaced by world-class, concrete cabanas, a massively organized tourism administration, a beautiful boardwalk and tons of exciting modern activities that make it the jewel of all Pangasinan travel destinations.

Check out the awesome pictures below.

From the start, you will be greeted by a beautiful park

And a pleasant boardwalk

Where you can see boats waiting to take you to the islands

There is even a relaxing koi garden

Various activities await the adventurous traveler. Banana boat rides...

Jet skis

After a fun swim, rest in one of the solid concrete cabanas 

The various developed islands have gone a world-class facelift and makeover

It has become safe enough to pitch a tent and spend the night

Calm and pristine lagoons are waiting at every corner

While in many others white sand beaches and turqouise blue waters invite for a cool swim

Before heading home, drop by the caves for a selfie with the stalactite and stalagmite formations 

Tourists flock to Hundred Islands even during rainy days

Tourists flock to Hundred Islands even during rainy days

ALAMINOS CITY, Aug. 16 (PNA) -- Tourists continue to flock to the Hundred Islands in droves notwithstanding the rainy season.

This was disclosed by Alaminos City Administrator Wilmer Panabang who estimated the daily arrival in the province's number tourist spot to 200 and more than 1,000 during weekends.

In fact, he said, the number of tourist arrivals in the Hundred Islands improved this year as compared to last year and in 2008 and 2009 which were marked by down trend in tourism due to the effects on the industry wrought by Tyhoons "Ondoy" and "Pepeng".

Thus, even during the rainy season, tourists--mostly domestic, are arriving in droves, he added.

The number of foreign tourists arriving has not increased though but there was no downtrend in their number too. Most of the foreign tourists are Koreans and Japanese and a few Americans and Europeans.

Panabang said that more tourists will come to the Hundred Islands if they can cut their travel time in going to Alaminos from Manila which is five hours to only 40 minutes by means of air travel.

This can only be realized, he said, if the Pangasinan Airport, which is now undergoing construction, will soon be completed.

The project, initiated by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, has the backing of President Benigno S. Aquino III and Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas.

To date, land acquisition and earth movement are now ongoing at the proposed Pangasinan Airport using initial P200 million released by DOTC.

Panabang said of the amount, P50 million formed the first trance and the second trance amounted to P150 million. All these were used to acquire 80 hectares of land that will form part of the airport's runway of 150 hectares.

"Hopefully, the third trance of another P60 million will be released in the next few weeks, good for another 60 hectares of land to be acquired," Panabang said.

If completed, the Pangasinan airport will first serve domestic tourists and later expanded to an international airport. With a 150-hectare runway, excluding its access roads, the Pangasinan Airport will be bigger than the Laoag International Airport which is only 70 hectares.

He said a foreign investor is also keen on building an 18-hole golf course in Alaminos to complement the airport project. (PNA)

Abagatanen, Agno, Pangasinan, Philippines.2010

Umbrella rocks

Crescent beach

Reena point

Pangasinan Pista’y Dayat 2009: A Summer Spectacle with social relevance

LINGAYEN — Pangasinan Pistay Dayat 2009 offers a complete summer spectacle here that caters to children, teenagers and adults, as the provincial government prepares a series of fun-filled activities infused with social relevance from April 25 to May 2.

Check out the  SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

The Lingayen beach will host most of the events aimed at raising awareness on environmental concern and preserving the culture and tradition of Pangasinan.

The weeklong celebration is set to kick off with a fluvial parade along the Agno River at eight in the morning of April 25 and a boodle fight at lunchtime in Salasa, Bugallon.

Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo will also open on the same day at 4:00 a.m. featuring the best product of every municipality and city in the province which will also coincide with Drum & Lyre/Drum and Bugle dubbed as “Banda Parada” exhibition from Capitol Plaza to Lingayen beach.

Music will take center stage in the evening during the semi-final of the “Konsyerto sa Gulpo,” a concert featuring the original composition of local bands advocating environmental awareness. The six districts will each have two representatives to compete in the concert.

Children will have a full day of fun flying kites or sculpting sand castles on April 26 during the Children’s Day or “Gantilan na Ugugaw ed Dayat.”

At 4:00 p.m., the multi-awarded Calasiao Children’s Choir, which is set to join international choir fest, will render a concert at the Lingayen Beachfront. The Bingo Socials will also be simultaneously held to raise funds for the Choir.

They will also be treated to a world class performance of amazing acrobatic show and visually stunning dance number by the Wanders International Circus on April 29 at 7:00 p.m.

After its successful debut last year, the Grand Orchestra and Ballroom Dancing Showdown now dubbed as “Sangkabalegan ya Suwayan tan Sayawan” will return on April 27 with a bigger number of participants from four last year to 10 this year.

The loveliest ladies of Pangasinan will vie for the coveted title of Limgas na Pangasinan 2009 Talent competition on April 28 at 4:00 p.m.

The yearlong search for Cleanest River and Coastal Municipality/City will have its awarding ceremony on May 1 at the Lingayen Beachfront. The search is a brainchild of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. aimed at protecting the coastal and rivers in Pangasinan.

The other anticipated events are: “Pagalaw na Luyag” or Pangasinan Native Games, GATE Chess Competition Elimination Round and Beach Volleyball (Men & Women) on April 27; Cultural Show or “Labi na Ligliwa” on April 28; Youth Camp or Doypuay Kalangweran” on April 29; Open Family Beach Camp on April 30; Thanksgiving Mass on May 1, Lingayen Beach Woodstock featuring Konsyerto sa Gulpo Finalists and Banda ni Ate at 10:00 a.m. and Governor’s Cup Shootfest on May 3 at the PNP Firing Range in Lingayen. (PIO/Ninia F. Nicolas

Source

Pangasinan town puts up food strip for seafood

DAGUPAN CITY, April 23 (PNA) — Binmaley town will put up a unique seafood eatery strip along the road in Barangay Lomboy to serve exclusively seafood, like bangus, siganid (malaga), shrimps, prawns, crabs and others to tourists and visitors.

Binmaley Mayor Simplicio Rosario said each eatery would cook live seafood which the customers could buy from a common fish buying area nearby, to be cooked in their presence.

Speaking during the “Kapihan sa Lenox Hotel” here on Wednesday, Rosario said this was one way by which Binmaley could promote its rich harvest of aqua-marine products.

“I am looking for a lot where we can set up the area from where diners can buy their live fish to be cooked,” Rosario said.

The mayor lamented that though Binmaley produced more bangus than Dagupan, the latter beat his town in putting up the Bangus Festival and in proclaiming itself as the Bangus Capital of the World.

Nevertheless, Binmaley has its own "Malaga and Sugpo Festival" which is being held during the town fiesta first week of February each year.

Rosario said there were many eateries that were serving exclusively seafood along the Amado Espino Sr. Avenue in Barangay Lomboy that led towards the Agno River dike road, before exiting along the national highway leading to Bugallon town.

Binmaley is a first class town in Pangasinan just west of Dagupan City. The town is famous for its fishponds that produces the tasty bangus, malaga and shrimps, among others.

In setting up the seafood eatery strip, the municipal government would put up decorative lights along the road in front of the eateries as its part in promoting seafood to the Filipinos’ palate, Rosario said.

He said he had already talked to owners of existing eateries in that strip, including future entrepreneurs and exhorted them to clean their surroundings and establishments in preparation for the influx of diners. (PNA)

Pangasinan's Pista'y Dayat grandest holiday ever

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, April 5 (PNA) -- The Pista'y Dayat celebration in the province to be held from April 25 to May 3, promises to be spectacular, fun-filled and the grandest holiday ever.

With heavy preparations now going on, the sea festival is expected to draw thousands of spectators who shall witness must-see events of the grandest festivity in Pangasinan.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. said this year's festivities will showcase his main advocacies -- environment and tourism -- in order to raise the level of awareness among Pangasinenses on the need to save, rehabilitate and promote the eco-tourism industry of the province.

With its theme, “Matuwan Pasimbalo: Gayaga na Luyag Tayo,” the sea festival is expected to serve as a showroom of the various accomplishments of the province notably on environment and tourism.

This also serves as a thanksgiving and unifying event among Pangasinenses in their march to prosperity and progress in order to realize the dawning of the Golden Era in Pangasinan.

The Pista'y Dayat 2009 will have its soft opening on April 17 featuring two exciting events to be sponsored by the San Miguel Brewery Inc. like the Dance Revolution and the Battole of the Band.

It will also feature a fluvial parade of colorful and aesthetically designed bancas which will sail along the Limahong Channel, and the conduct of On-the-Spot Essay and Painting competition.

The festival’s formal opening dubbed “Ilog Ko: Bilayen Ko, Aroen Ko,” will be held on April 25, with the launching of the ‘Pakar Awards’ or the search for the cleanest river and riverbanks.

Pangasinan tourism will take center stage with the holding of a Tourism and Trade Expo meant to exalt all native products thru a showcase, exhibit and sale of prime tourist destinations and other best prime and local produce of different towns and cities.

The 'Banda Parada' on April 26 is another activity worth watching as this will be participated in by multi-awarded Drum and Lyre and Drum and Bugle Corps for the delight and enjoyment of the viewing public.

Sports and native games will be offered on April 27 with “Pagalaw na Luyag” via native games like 'palosebo', 'culliot', coconut smashing, arm wrestling and arnis and beach volleyball, both for men and women.

Another highlight of the festival is the Grand Orchestra and Ballroom Dancing Showdown, a 12-hour non-stop music and dance entertainment that will feature the best orchestras of Pangasinan.

Made bigger this year, this electrifying showdown is expected to position the province as the Fiesta Orchestra Capital in the world and the Ballroom Dancing Capital of the country.

Younger generation will have a chance to enjoy the cozy ambiance of the Lingayen beach thru the ‘Doypuay Kalangweran’ (Youth Camp) slated from April 28 to 30 while beautiful maidens vying for the most-coveted title of 'Limgas na Pangasinan' will have a chance to show their skills and crafts via the Talent Competition on the night of the 28th.

The fairest of these beauties will be crowned on May 1.

Labi na Ligliwa Cultural Show is a night of talent and old traditions rolled into one that will display the singing prowess of talented amateur singers back-to-back with a lifestyle-drawn theatrical venue via zarzuela.

Skydiving, street dancing and employees night is a fun-filled respite to be featured on April 29.

The main day, May 1, will be highlighted with a thanksgiving mass and the awarding ceremony for the cleanest coastal municipality/city called Tambuyong Awards which is the banner program for this year’s sea festival.

The adrenaline of the viewing public will rise high with the conduct of the Lingayen Beach Woodstock featuring the finalists of the Battle of the Band and the Banda ni ATE as main performers.

The Coronation Night will cap the weeklong activities.

The celebration will be capped with the holding of different activities on May 2 at the Lingayen Beachfront by corporate sponsors.

Simultaneously, the Governor’s Cup shoot fest kicks off on May 3, while the Trade Fair will have its last day sale. (PNA)

Western Pangasinan teeming with diving sites

DAGUPAN CITY, March 31 (PNA) — A city councilor here, who is a certified diving instructor, confirmed that there are many diving sites in Pangasinan, particularly along the province’s western part.

Dagupan City Councilor Karlos Liberato Reyna IV, president of the Tiblong Diving Association, said divers could explore the underwater sites in Burgos, Anda, Surip in Bani; Bolinao and the Hundred Islands off Alaminos City.

Unfortunately, according to Reyna, Dagupan is not a diving site, because the beach is of black sand and does not have any rock corals, which are what the divers really explore.

When candidates for Miss Earth visited the Hundred Islands late last year, Councilor Reyna was invited by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza to guide the Miss Earth beauties on how to scuba dive.

”Since most of the Miss Earth candidates wanted to learn how to scuba dive, I taught them only the basics of diving just to showcase to them the underwater beauty of the Hundred Islands”, said Reyna is the grandson of former Dagupan City Mayor Liberato Reyna Sr., once a be-medalled swimmer of the University of Sto. Tomas.

Tiblong Diving Association, said Reyna, was organized not only to promote diving and tourism in Pangasinan, but also to support the campaign for environmental awareness on the need to protect underwater resources.

Legal officer and co-founder of Tiblong is Lawyer Jose Netu Tamayo, also a councilor of Dagupan City, who is an army reservist with the rank of captain. (PNA)

Source

The Beaches of Agno, Pangasinan

The town of Agno is characterized by beautiful rolling terrain and rainfed rice fields which one traverses on the way to the town proper. As one nears the poblacion, or town plaza, the road passes along the beautiful Mabini river, which in turn meets with the South China Sea further west. The town shares borders with the town of Bani to the north, the town of Mabini and Alaminos City to the East and with Burgos to the South.

It is a quaint little town whose main livelihood is fishing and agriculture, although a number of her sons and daughters work as doctors, nurses, engineers and accountants in numerous countries around the globe. The town plaza is home to a centuries old Roman Catholic church, as well as one of the first congregations of the Philippine Independent Church.



The town boasts of natural attractions such as the Mabini river, the Umbrella Rocks in Sabangan, as well as several beaches — Agno Beach being the longest and most popular. There are several other beaches hidden along the coast such as the Macaboboni cove (which features a small cave) as well as a white beach in Brgy. Gayusan. To the southern end of Agno Beach, the brave of heart can dive from a two story high rock amidst crashing waves and end up in a beautiful coral garden below. Also, a Japanese gunboat is said to have sunk a few hundred meters away from Agno's shores, awaiting discovery by curious divers. The summer months of April and May are a good time to go as the town's market abounds with fruit such as mangoes and duhat, as well as fresh catch such as tuna, flying fish, grouper, lobsters and other treasures of the sea.



Photo Credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miyks/2536082382/in/photostream/
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/8689050
http://www.pangasinan.org/
www.landroverclub.ph

Where to Stay in Alaminos

MAXINE'S BY THE SEA
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-2537


THE HUNDRED ISLANDS RESORT HOTEL
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-5753
Fax No. (+6375) 551-5754
E-mail: hillvertz@skybiz.com
hillvertz@yahoo.com


100 ISLANDS VIEW
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+63912) 314-6180


ST. MARIE CLUB RESORT
Bued, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-3362


VISTA DEL MAR HOTEL & RESTAURANT
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-4455


BARNY'S LODGE & RESTAURANT
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No.: (+6375) 551-6148
(+63919) 430-6589


HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-2505


OCEANVIEW LODGE AND RESTAURANT
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-2501


SEASIDE HAVEN (L.S. MARINA 100)
Lucap, Alaminos City
Tel. No. (+6375) 551-2711C

DOT: Pangasinan now No. 1 tourist destination in Ilocos

By Leonardo V. Micua

---

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 15 (PNA) -- The province of Pangasinan is now the number one tourist destination in Region 1 based on a survey conducted recently by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The survey showed the province under the leadership of Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. posted a record 41.47 percent tourist arrivals as compared to Ilocos Norte, the former top grosser in tourism in the region, with 35.64 percent.

Two years ago, Pangasinan was the tail-ender among four Ilocos provinces in the number of tourist arrivals, according to the DOT.

Gov. Espino said he is pushing hard to promote tourism in Pangasinan as part of the overall development plan of his administration.

Cited as the main reason for the improved tourism program in Pangasinan was the grand transformation of the capitol building, from an old rickety one built in the early 1900, to become one of the best capitols in the entire country today.

The capitol is now a premier tourist come-on of the province, serving as the official house of all elected provincial officials.

In the early part of his administration, Governor Espino vowed to make the capitol the centerpiece of tourism in Pangasinan.

Also undertaken, aside from the refurbishing of the capitol building, was the repair of the adjacent Kalantiao, Malong and Finance buildings and its component areas such as the Veterans Park and Lingayen beach front.

The provincial government-owned Capitol Resort Hotel has also been refurbished to serve as a venue for the various functions of the provincial government and the public.

To boost tourism, the provincial government bought six eco-tourism buses that could bring tourists to any point in Pangasinan after they had visited the capitol.

Espino said the provincial government's Tour Assistance Program provided tour and escorting services produced seven DOT-certified/accredited tour guides through a first-ever Tour Guiding Seminar.

Aside from these, the province has also 18 active tour guides who are all employees of the provincial government.

About 7,000 visitors and more than 16,000 others, mainly students from private, public, state colleges and universities, have already availed of the tour guiding services from the capitol to the different towns of the province.

Another historic undertaking of the provincial government was the launching and provision of six shuttle buses that ferry employees to and from their point of destination for free.

These buses are also utilized by all provincial employees in their study tours and in the conduct of their “Employees Tour and Team Building ” program.

The Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center was also rehabilitated to enable it to continuously host regional, national and international sporting events.

At the same time, Gov. Espino announced that the province has some 300 hectares of foreshore land in the northwestern part of Lingayen that is set to be converted into a sprawling eco-tourist zone. (PNA)