My Wish for Local History, Culture, and Arts Field

My Wish for Local History, Culture, and Arts Field

If you search for traditional Pangasinan culture or cultural markers, will you find them among Pangasinenses today or at least in places where you'd expect them to be found, preserved, protected?

I answered my own thoughts like a fool with a long list of questions and answers.

First, if I or any other researcher and enthusiast wanted to learn about Pangasinan's wealth of folk songs apart from the two most well-known, where would he go? YouTube is a big help to some extent, but based on my research, there is at least one book (by Prof. Elsa Quinto et al.) that compiled dozens and dozens of notated songs with lyrics, thus saving these works from permanent erasure from collective memory. But my big problem is most of these songs, as recorded in various platforms, are nowhere to be found -- no recordings that can be played and heard and enjoyed again and again, no YouTube videos, and no resource persons to refer to, nor cultural practitioners nor random Pangasinense or resident informant.

Next, if you want to learn about Pangasinan folk dances, it is the same story of hide-and-seek, if not loss. Based on my own efforts, I have learned of a manuscript by Prof. Januario Cuchapin notating a long list of dances, but since I am not a folk dance choreographer, I would prefer to see actual live performances or at least settle with video recordings of them, but they come like rain during a drought. A lot are nowhere to be found. And I can't find Jovita Sison-Friese's book either.

If you want to research on traditional Pangasinan words, there are luckily a number of ancient dictionaries that survived, thanks to Spanish missionary priests and later on, other, native lexicographers. Cosgaya's work is downloadable online, and Benton's dictionary is easily accessible as well. But these works are all slim pickings. If you want to find a comprehensive Pangasinan dictionary, it is yet to be built.

There is no published comprehensive dictionary yet of Pangasinan idioms, so I thought of making one, and I made sure it is available online -- for free, for all to see.

I am also trying to do the same thing for traditional riddles, sayings, and peculiar beliefs, but I am just getting started with very few compared with the documented number of them. 

As for folktales, the pattern is clear by now. The Perla Nelmida collection is largely inaccessible. And so I dream of the day that they will be found intact, complete, and published widely for all to enjoy. Marina Sabangan's collection is nowhere to be found either. I believe the provincial government must act on the pressing need to hunt these down and make them widely available.

If you want to peruse the scripts for zarzuelas, I have no idea where to refer you to. According to one source, there are existing copies but all in crumbling state. 

If you want to read Pangasinan novels published in yesteryears, good luck if you can find an extant copy.

The rare books in Pangasinan language that I know of are all in delicate stage and crying out to be digitized for the greater public and next generations, but copyright laws make this quest impossible, or so it seems.

Recently, I rediscovered a Pangasinense musical composer by the name of Anastacio Mamaril. I was struck that he was once called "the pride of Pangasinan." And yet Googling his name yielded a measly couple of decent-length articles. Fortunately, his music has survived in the Internet age, but who else has heard of it? I was also hard put at finding anything about him, his life, or his family. Apparently, his memory is not that important to Pangasinenses of today, just like the memory of the reported composer of "Malinac lay Labi" Julian Velasco and the imprtance of folk singers of yesteryears such as Perlita Radam, Juvy Resultay ("Matalag ya Agew"), Rosie Evangelista, Corazon Caldona, et al.

If I want to access Pangasinaniana (publications on Pangasinan history and culture) in one place, where should I go? I know provincial, municipal, and city libraries are a good start, but I would have to hop from one place to another. Maybe the Center for Pangasinan Studies would be the better choice? I am not sure about that.

Okay, let me downgrade my wish by limiting it to 'Bayambangiana.' Will I even find what I am looking for in the local public library and school libraries and museum aside from what I've seen? I don't think so. Local museums and libraries are a good start, but inadequate.

Still on the local scene, I have always wondered for the longest time: Why does Bayambang have no historical society when it is a highly historic town? Why does it have no historical markers for notable structures such as the two PSU Gabaldon buildings, two Bayambang Central School Gabaldon buildings, Bayambang National High School Main Building, and St. Vincent Ferrer parish church and convent? 

I, therefore, wish for the creation of a Center for Pangasinan Culture of sorts, in my town or elsewhere, where all of the above are made possible. I envision it as a hub of sorts that would not just help preserve and promote Pangasinan history, culture, and traditional arts, but also serve as a fount of creativity and ingenuity for present-day creative types and engines of native-born commerce and industry. 

I wish for products and brands and jobs created out of our own ideas, inspired by our own insights. 

I hope my wish is not too much to have. I know how much funding and gargantuan effort this will all entail, but it is not impossible either. With a lot of concerned people pitching it, it can be done.

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO! - SAAN MAAARING MAG-PARK SA BAYAMBANG?

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO!

SAAN MAAARING MAG-PARK SA BAYAMBANG?

 (Gabay sa Pagpaparada ng Sasakyan)

‎Upang maiwasan ang kalituhan at mas mapagaan ang daloy ng trapiko, inilatag ng Pamahalaang Lokal ng Bayambang ang mga itinalagang parking spaces para sa iba’t ibang uri ng sasakyan.

Ito ay bilang pagsunod na rin sa pinakahuling road-clearing guidelines ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ayon sa Memorandum Circular No. 2024-053.

Narito ang kumpletong gabay:

 I. FREE PARKING AREAS

‎Ito ang mga lugar na maaaring pagparadahan nang walang bayad:

‎1. Old Central School Ground

‎—Para sa lahat ng private vehicles. Ito ay nagsisilbing temporary free parking area habang nagpapatuloy ang mga proyekto sa bayan.

‎‎2. Tabi ng Highway Public Assistance Desk o HI-PAD (Harap ng Dating Yellow Building)

‎—Para sa motorcycles, e-bikes, at private vehicles. Malapit ito sa HI-PAD station kaya madaling ma-access ng mga motoristang dadaan o pansamantalang hihinto.

‎‎II. LGU PARKING AREA

Para sa mga kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan:

‎‎1. Old Central School Ground (Near Municipal Engineering Office)‎—Para sa LGU employees lamang. May nakalaan nang espasyo para sa kanilang mga sasakyan upang hindi na dumagdag pa sa mga public parking zones.

‎III. PAY PARKING AREAS

‎Ito naman ang mga lugar na may corresponding parking fee, partikular na para sa mas mataong bahagi ng bayan:

1. Harap ng Caragan Mini-Mart (Harapan at paligid ng Balon Bayambang Events Center) at Harap ng Rural Bank of Central Pangasinan hanggang Royal Mall (Harapan at paligid ng Municipal Plaza)

—Four Wheels (Private Cars and Similar Vehicles). Ang mga lugar na ito ang itinalaga bilang pay parking dahil mataas ang foot traffic at dami ng sasakyang pumaparada.

‎2. Truck Parking (Harapan ng Royal Supermarket)

‎—Katabi ng HI-PAD, bago pumasok sa Bayambang Tricycle Terminal. Ito ay eksklusibo para sa mga delivery trucks at malalaking sasakyan. Ito ang itinalagang pay parking area upang hindi nakaharang sa pangunahing kalsada ang malalaking sasakyan.

‎‎PAALALA SA PUBLIKO!

‎—Sundin ang nakatalagang signage at huwag basta-basta pumarada sa “No Parking Zones.”

‎—Ang maling pagparada ay maaaring magdulot ng abala, trapiko, o posibleng violation.

‎—Ang tamang paggamit ng parking areas ay nakatutulong hindi lamang sa motorista kundi sa mas maayos na daloy ng trapiko sa buong bayan.

Samantala, narito ang mga health benefits na makukuha sa PAGLALAKAD: 

1. Pampalakas ng puso

2. Pampababa ng blood pressure

3. Pampababa ng blood sugar

4. Pampabawas ng timbang

5. Pampatibay ng buto at kasu-kasuan

6. Pampaganda ng sirkulasyon ng dugo

7. Pampabawas ng stress at anxiety

8. Pampaganda ng mood (naglalabas ng endorphins)

9. Pampalakas ng baga

10. Pampahaba ng buhay

 

MONDAY REPORT - December 1, 2025

 Newscasters:

Dominador Pascua Jr.

Albert de Vera

 

BAYAMBANGUENEWS – MONDAY VIDEO SCRIPT for December 1, 2025

[SMILE, AURA, VOLUME, ENERGY]

Newscaster 1: “Maabig ya oras, Bayambangueños! Ako po si ____ .

Newscaster 2: At ako naman po si _____, at kami po ay mula sa Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Newscaster 1: Narito na ang ating LGU-Bayambang news update!

Newscaster 2: “...Kung saan hatid namin ang mga kaganapang tunay na nagbibigay kulay at pag-unlad sa ating bayan ng Bayambang!”

Newscaster 1 & 2: Ito ang… BayambangueNews!

[SALITAN NA KAYO RITO.]

1. State of the Children’s Address, Matagumpay na Inilahad

“Nitong November 24, inilahad ni Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao ang kanyang State of the Children’s Address para sa taong 2025. Tampok dito ang mga nagawang programa para sa kalusugan, edukasyon, at proteksyon ng kabataan, kasama ang panibagong mga inisyatibang magtitiyak na tuluy-tuloy ang pag-angat ng bawat batang Bayambangueño.”

2. Earthquake PPEs, Ipinamahagi sa mga Mag-aaral

Kasabay nito, ipinamahagi ni Mayor Niña ang may 25,000 na hard hats, na may kasamang whistle at flashlight, sa mga mag-aaral bilang pananggalang sa panahon ng di inaasahang pagyanig at iba pang  emerhensiya. Ito ay bilang tugon para sa kahandaan, matapos ang sunud-sunod na pagyanig na nangyari sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa kamakailan.

3. DMW Desk, Binuksan para sa OFWs

“Sa parehong araw, opisyal na binuksan ang Department of Migrant Workers Desk sa PESO-Bayambang pagkatapos ng isang paglagda sa isang Memorandum of Agreement. Ang DMW Desk ay magsisilbing tulay para mas mabilis at mas episyenteng matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga OFW at kanilang pamilya.”

4. Potential Investors, Dumalo sa Tuupan Business Forum

 Kinahapunan, idinaos din ang Tuupan Business Forum—isang espesyal na araw kasama ang mga potential investors. Dito ipinakita ang pagyabong ng ekonomiya ng Bayambang at iba’t ibang oportunidad na naghihintay para sa mga gustong mamuhunan sa ating bayan. Ito ay dinaluhan ng kinataan ng iba’t ibang kumpanya mula sa iba’t ibang industriya.

5. SingKapital 2025, Ipinagdiwang

A. Pagkatapos nito ay ipinagdiwang ang SingKapital 2025. Sa isang pormal na seremonyang inorganisa ng Tourism Office, ginunita ang makasaysayang pagbisita ni Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo sa Bayambang at pagdeklara rito bilang ikalimang kabisera ng bansa noong 1899.

(The photos here^ should be about the ceremony per se.)

B. Naging highlight ng SingKapital ang paghahandog ni Mayor Nina ng Singsing ng Serbisyo sa limang konsehal na nakatapos ng kanilang siyam na taong termino, na sina former Councilor Mylvin Junio, Philip Dumalanta, Benjie de Vera, Amory Junio, at Martin Terrado II.  

(The photos here^ should be the faces of the 5 ex-councilors in equal amount of exposure.)

6. Obra ng Local Designer, Tampok sa Magana Fashion Show

Muling umangat ang lokal na sining sa Magana Fashion Show! Tampok dito ang mga obra ng fashion designer na tubong Bayambang na si Glenn Gonzales. Isa-isang inirampa ng mga naggagandahang dilag ng Binibining Bayambang 2025 ang kanyang mga gawa, nagpatunay ng pagkamalikhain at angking galing ng Bayambangueño.

7. Local Singers, Nagtunggali sa HimigSikan

Muling idinaos ng Tourism Office ang singing contest na HimigSikan bilang pagtatapos ng Tourism Month, kung saan nagpaligsahan sa galing sa pag-awit ang mga local singers. Itinanghal na kampeon si Gracia Reigne Rojas, na nag-uwi ng ₱5,000. Nasungkit naman ni Liz Natalie Cabanilla ang 1st runner-up na may premyong ₱3,000, habang si Jaylord Zed Gangano ang nagkamit ng 2nd runner-up na may ₱1,000 na gantimpala.

8. Nutrition Office, May Bagong Tanggapan

Noong November 25, binuksan ang bagong Nutrition Office sa ground floor ng MSWDO Building sa Magsaysay Street. Ito ay magsisilbing mas maayos at accessible na tanggapan para sa nutrition programs ng ating bayan. Ang kanilang lumang opisina ay magsisilbing extension office ng Bids and Awards Committee.

9. Task Force Disiplina, Nagpulong

Noong November 20, muling nagpulong ang Task Force Disiplina upang talakayin ang mga pangunahing isyu sa kaayusan, kabilang ang pagsasaayos ng parking area sa dating Yellow Building at pagpapatupad ng merit system para sa mga vendors. Tinalakay din ang pagpapalawig ng operasyon ng Task Force sa mga barangay, lalo na sa mga rural areas, at ang paglilinaw sa violation fees upang maiwasan ang kalituhan sa pagpapatupad ng mga multa.

10. Mga Kapitan, Pinulong ukol sa Waste Management

Noong November 19, pinulong ng ESWMO ang mga opisyal ng 11 urban barangays upang talakayin ang kanilang compliance sa Solid Waste Management Program, kasama ang mahahalagang alituntunin sa ilalim ng RA 9003. Binigyang-diin sa pulong ang kahalagahan ng maayos na koleksyon ng basura, pagpapatakbo ng MRFs, waste diversion initiatives, at aktibong koordinasyon ng mga barangay para sa mas episyenteng pagpapatupad ng programa.

11. Mga Fisherfolk, Nagtraining sa Hito Production

Sampung fisherfolk ang dumalo sa isang Demonstration and Training on Hito Production sa Brgy. Langiran upang bigyan ang mga nakilahok ng dagdag-kaalaman sa pag-aalaga at pagpaparami ng hito bilang alternatibong kabuhayan.  Ito ay isinagawa noong Nobyembre 25 ng Municipal Agriculture Office sa Covered Court ng Barangay Langiran, kung saan matatagpuan ang Langiran Lake.

12. Iba pang BPRAT Clusters, Tinalakay ang 4Q Accomplishments

Idinaos ng BPRAT ang isa na namang serye ng cluster meetings upang repasuhin ang 4th quarter accomplishments ng mga sektor at tiyaking nasa tamang direksyon ang mga programa ng Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan bago matapos ang taon. Pinangunahan ito ng mga sectoral head ng Agriculture, Environment, at Sociocultural sectors kasama ang iba’t ibang departamento.

13. LCR, Nagbigay ng Seminar sa mga Medical Personnel

Noong November 25, ang Local Civil Registrar ay nagbigay ng seminar para sa mga personnel na in-charge sa mga ospital, lying-in clinic, at mga Rural Health Unit ukol sa tama at maayos na civil registration at ukol sa mga latest PSA memorandum circular. Ito ay upang maiwasan ang anumang pagkakamali sa papeles para sa registration of birth at makaiwas sa anumang aberya sa hinaharap.

14. Illegal Wiring sa Public Market, Binaklas!

Ang S.E.E. ay nag-umpisang magbaklas ng mga ilegal na wiring sa Pamilihang Bayan upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at kaayusan sa paligid ng palengke. Kasama sa operasyon ang pagtanggal ng hindi awtorisadong koneksyon, pag-ayos ng mga nakalantad na kable, at pagkumpiska ng mga natagpuang illegal na wires na maaaring magdulot ng panganib kagaya ng electrocution, overloading, at sunog.

15. Local Youth Development Council, Nagpulong

Noong November 25, sa 4th quarter na pulong ng Local Youth Development Council, tinalakay ang mahahalagang isyu at programa para sa kapakanan ng kabataan, at iprinisenta ang Local Youth Development Plan para sa 2026. Nagbigay din ng ulat at mga rekomendasyon ang mga SSG at SSC officers mula sa iba’t ibang public high schools upang maisama sa mga programa, proyekto, at aktibidad ng LYD Plan.

16. School Focal Persons sa Kalusugan at Nutrisyon, Nag-training

Sumailalim sa isang reinforcement training ang 50 School Focal Persons sa Kalusugan at Nutrisyon mula sa mga pampublikong elementarya sa Bayambang sa programang pinangunahan ng Nutrition Office noong November 27 sa MSWDO Building. Tinalakay sa pagsasanay ang mga paksang pangkalusugan, annual school monitoring, water hygience guidelines, at hydroponics/school gulayan standards. Dahil dito, higit na napalakas ang implementasyon ng mga programang pangkalusugan at pangnutrisyon sa mga paaralan para sa kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral.

17. Blue Sky, Pinasinayaan ng Pamilya Quiambao-Jose

Noong November 29, nag-soft opening ang Blue Sky Theme Park and Events Center sa BYB Metro, Brgy. Bani, sa pangunguna ng Pamilya Quiambao-Jose at A.I.L.C. at LGU officials at iba pang invited guests. Ang Blue Sky ay isang pribadong enterprise at ang kauna-unahang amusement park of its kind sa buong probinsya ng Pangasinan at buong Region I.

18. SATOM CTQ, Top 1 Stakeholder Awardee ng DepEd Pangasinan I

“Pormal na kinilala si former mayor at SATOM, Dr. Cezar Quiambao bilang Top 1 Stakeholder Awardee ng DepEd Pangasinan I—isang malaking patunay ng kanyang patuloy na suporta sa edukasyon at pangarap ng bawat kabataang Bayambangueño. Kabilang sa parangal ang buong LGU-Bayambang, Local School Board, DepEd Bayambang District I, at ang Don Teofilo S. Mataban Memorial School.

19. DSWD Municipal Operations Office, Umani ng Sari-saring Award

Hindi rin nagpahuli ang DSWD Municipal Operations Office na tumanggap ng iba’t ibang parangal mula sa DSWD Region I dahil sa kanilang pagbibigay ng taos-pusong serbisyo sa mga 4Ps beneficiaries. Kabilang sa mga pagkilala ang Most Institutionalized Municipal Advisory Council Meeting, Most Participative Municipal Operations Office, Beneficiary Data Management Champion, Model LGU Implementing 4Ps, Highest Percentage of Self-Sufficient Household Beneficiaries, Case Management Champion, at iba pa.

20. Bayambang, Z.O.D.-Certified Municipality

Ang Bayambang ay kinilala ng Department of Health bilang tanging Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) Certified Municipality ngayong taon, sa awarding ceremony na ginanap noong November 21, sa Candon City, Ilocos Sur. Sa mg nakalipas na taon, tayo ang ika-33 na munisipalidad sa Pangasinan na umabot sa ganitong antas ng kalinisan at sanitasyon, bunga ng mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng mga programa kontra open defecation.

21. LGU-Bayambang, Pinarangalan ng PhilRice

Ang LGU-Bayambang ay pinarangalan ng DA-PhilRice noong November 25, dahil sa matatag nitong suporta sa rice research for development. Tinanggap nina Councilor Jocelyn Espejo at Agricultural Technologist Alfonso de Vera ang parangal sa ngalan ni Mayor Niña sa aktibidad na parte ng 40th anniversary ng PhilRice. Kabilang ang Bayambang sa mga kinilala sa aktibong pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga proyektong pang-agrikultura na nagtataguyod ng modernong inobasyon at mas matatag na produksyon ng bigas sa bansa.

22. LGU-Bayambang, 3^rd Best Performing LGU in Region I in Fiscal Management

Umangat ang LGU-Bayambang bilang Top 3 Best Performing LGU in Fiscal Management sa Region 1 matapos makakuha ng dalawang parangal mula sa BLGF: 3rd Place sa Highest Locally Sourced Revenues for 1st Class Municipalities for Fiscal Year 2024 at Unqualified COA Opinion. Kinilala ang bayan dahil sa matatag at mahusay na pagpapatupad ng fiscal processes na nagpakita ng disiplina, tapat na pamamahala, at responsableng paggamit ng pondo sa ilalim ng liderato ni Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao.

23. House Bill 127, Aprobado na sa Committee Hearing

Inaprubahan ng Committee on Natural Resources ng House of Representatives ang House Bill 127, na naglalayong ireklasipika ang Mangabul Reservation sa Bayambang bilang alienable and disposable land upang maipamahagi sa mga lehitimong matagal nang naninirahan at nagsasaka. Dumalo ang mga kinatawan ni Mayor Niña sa pagdinig noong November 26, at nagsumite ng position paper upang suportahan ang masusing deliberasyon ng komite. Pinangunahan ni Committee Chairperson Alfredo D. Marañon III ang pagtalakay sa panukalang inihain ni Congresswoman Maria Rachel J. Arenas, na naglalayong magbigay ng mas patas at makataong proseso sa mga benepisyaryo ng lupa.

24. Rotary Club of Bayambang at RC Quezon City, Tinalakay ang Planong Partnership sa LGU 

Nagpulong ang mga pinuno ng Rotary Club of Bayambang at Rotary Club of Quezon City at ang Municipal Administrator, upang talakayin ang planong sisterhood sa pagitan ng Rotary Club of Bayambang at Rotary Club of Quezon City at kanilang partnership sa LGU-Bayambang. Layunin ng ugnayang ito na magbukas ng mas maraming kolaborasyon para sa mga proyekto at programang pangkomunidad. Bilang panimulang aktibidad, napagkasunduan ang pagsasagawa ng “Ukay for a Cause” sa Araw ng Fiesta.

 

 

Newscaster: Kennedy Antonio

[Kennedy: AWRA: VOLUME, SMILE, ENERGY]

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO!

SAAN MAAARING MAG-PARK SA BAYAMBANG?

 (Gabay sa Pagpaparada ng Sasakyan)

‎Upang maiwasan ang kalituhan at mas mapagaan ang daloy ng trapiko, inilatag ng Pamahalaang Lokal ng Bayambang ang mga itinalagang parking spaces para sa iba’t ibang uri ng sasakyan.

Ito ay bilang pagsunod na rin sa pinakahuling road-clearing guidelines ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ayon sa Memorandum Circular No. 2024-053.

Narito ang kumpletong gabay:

 I. FREE PARKING AREAS

‎Ito ang mga lugar na maaaring pagparadahan nang walang bayad:

‎1. Old Central School Ground

‎—Para sa lahat ng private vehicles. Ito ay nagsisilbing temporary free parking area habang nagpapatuloy ang mga proyekto sa bayan.

‎‎2. Tabi ng Highway Public Assistance Desk o HI-PAD (Harap ng Dating Yellow Building)

‎—Para sa motorcycles, e-bikes, at private vehicles. Malapit ito sa HI-PAD station kaya madaling ma-access ng mga motoristang dadaan o pansamantalang hihinto.

‎‎II. LGU PARKING AREA

Para sa mga kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan:

‎‎1. Old Central School Ground (Near Municipal Engineering Office)‎—Para sa LGU employees lamang. May nakalaan nang espasyo para sa kanilang mga sasakyan upang hindi na dumagdag pa sa mga public parking zones.

‎III. PAY PARKING AREAS

‎Ito naman ang mga lugar na may corresponding parking fee, partikular na para sa mas mataong bahagi ng bayan:

1. Harap ng Caragan Mini-Mart (Harapan at paligid ng Balon Bayambang Events Center) at Harap ng Rural Bank of Central Pangasinan hanggang Royal Mall (Harapan at paligid ng Municipal Plaza)

—Four Wheels (Private Cars and Similar Vehicles). Ang mga lugar na ito ang itinalaga bilang pay parking dahil mataas ang foot traffic at dami ng sasakyang pumaparada.

‎2. Truck Parking (Harapan ng Royal Supermarket)

‎—Katabi ng HI-PAD, bago pumasok sa Bayambang Tricycle Terminal. Ito ay eksklusibo para sa mga delivery trucks at malalaking sasakyan. Ito ang itinalagang pay parking area upang hindi nakaharang sa pangunahing kalsada ang malalaking sasakyan.

‎‎PAALALA SA PUBLIKO!

‎—Sundin ang nakatalagang signage at huwag basta-basta pumarada sa “No Parking Zones.”

‎—Ang maling pagparada ay maaaring magdulot ng abala, trapiko, o posibleng violation.

‎—Ang tamang paggamit ng parking areas ay nakatutulong hindi lamang sa motorista kundi sa mas maayos na daloy ng trapiko sa buong bayan.

Samantala, narito ang mga health benefits na makukuha sa PAGLALAKAD: 

1. Pampalakas ng puso

2. Pampababa ng blood pressure

3. Pampababa ng blood sugar

4. Pampabawas ng timbang

5. Pampatibay ng buto at kasu-kasuan

6. Pampaganda ng sirkulasyon ng dugo

7. Pampabawas ng stress at anxiety

8. Pampaganda ng mood (naglalabas ng endorphins)

9. Pampalakas ng baga

10. Pampahaba ng buhay

 

***

CLOSING

Newscaster 1: “Punô na naman ng tagumpay at kaganapan ang ating bayan!

Newscaster 2: Kaya’t abangan pa ang mas marami pang balita at proyekto dito lang sa Balon Bayambang Monday Update.

Newscaster 1: Muli ako po si ____ .

Newscaster 2: At ako naman po si , at kami po ay mula sa MDRRMO-Bayambang.

Newscaster 1: Paspas ya serbisyo, tuluy-tuloy ya progreso!”

Newscaster 1 & 2: Ito ang… BayambangueNews!

 

 

Food Tripping at Bayambang Food Bazaar 2025 and Beyond

Food Tripping at Bayambang Food Bazaar 2025 and Beyond

The local food scene, however humble it may be, continues to open doors to new flavors and cuisines.

Here are the things I noticed and items I have tried:

- Shawarma is popular as ever.

- Cheese corn too.

- Senyora Violeta's puto bumbong continues to get a beeline of customers.

- Suddenly there are lots of stalls selling takoyaki. (I noticed, however, something missing in those I have tried so far: the ultra-thin shaved dried bonito flakes on top together with tiny nori bits.) Now when will someone with Japanese connection introduce okonomiyaki?

- Biryani seems to be popular too. I wonder why. Must be another OFW influence.

- Amng the novelties this year: There is panipuri at Fardin's Biryani House -- one of the Indian street foods made popular by food vloggers lately. I tried some, and found the dish a pretty sight and thus appetizing, but I am not sure how to describe what I just inhaled together with a watery sauce I couldn't figure out (tamarind?). And I am not sure if there were chickpeas in those pastry shell, as indicated in the recipes I Googled.

- I love the super-tasty chicken schnitzel at Gan Eden! Owned by our former colleague, Ces Martinez, and her Indian-born Israeli husband, Gan Eden is a new restobar in Brgy. Mangayao that fuses Middle Eastern with Southeast Asian cuisines. "We use authentic spices and ingredients directly sourced from the Middle East, and all our sauces are home-made," professes Ces, who we used to work with at the Nutrition Section until she quit and worked in Israel. "Try our specialty, chicken biryani," she urges me on. Of course I will, in situ, one of these days.

- I also noticed something new: a stall selling tiramisu, so I had to order one, which I hadn't sniffed for years and years. The delicate balancing act of flavors and textures between ladyfingers cookies, coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone cheese brought back memories of dining.

- Much earlier, I was looking for red dragonfruits in the market, but they seemed to be out of season. So when someone reported there were dragonfruits in one stall selling non-artificial powder fruit shakes at the bazaar, I ordered one (forgot to take a photo). It turned out to use only the bland white dragonfruit variety, but good enough for me.

- From other people's photos, I saw a stall selling those bright-orange Ilocano empanadas, and I also spotted a Chinese noodles and ramen stall which seems authentic, but that's for another day.

***

Outside the Food Bazaar, I tried an amusing Filipinized version of the Thai mango sticky rice: it used pirurutong rice, which is naturally violet, so it is a Pinoy-Thai fusion, you could say. Truth be told, long before Thai mango sticky rice, we were already being amused by what we thought back then as Antipolo's weird suman-at-mangga pairing and Lemery's shocking pancit+dinuguan. ...And what we considered hampaslupa people's favorites: ice cream in buns and stir-fried noodles in buns -- until we learned that these weird combos were so normal in Japan they could be bought at 7-11, haha.

Also, I spotted another stall selling Hungarian sausage, a peppery variety of European-style sausage which became a thing lately.

***

Now when will the great cross-pollination between regional cuisines happen? There are hundreds and hundreds of Filipino dishes that are basically unknown outside certain towns, cities, and regions.

***

Once again, thanks to those who gave me the other treats (in photos) this month. You know who you are.

***

Off-topic, but it's about food supplement, so it is still about food:

Who else has tried Swanson's ashwagandha food supplement? (Mine contains magnesium stearate too.) Kindly DM me your experience so far.

Quick History: Bayambang under 9 Years of Quiambao-Sabangan Administration

Look at what kind of accomplishments an honest leadership and good governance can do. This is just the latest chapter in the updated history of our town that I have been endeavoring to keep track of since 2016 in my capacity as the designated LGU information officer and a resident who happens to be a history buff.

***

Quick History: Bayambang under 9 Years of Quiambao-Sabangan Administration

Background Story

1994

Indonesia-based businessman Cezar T. Quiambao went back to the Philippines for good and initiated, together with his batch-mates from Bayambang National High School Class of 1965, a program called “Baley Ko, Pawilen Ko, Aroen Ko, tan Tulungan Ko” (“My hometown – where I shall come back to, to love and to help”) conceived out of a dream to create a lasting legacy by bringing economic progress to their hometown.

1999

On January 18, Quiambao put up the CSF Rural Bank of Bayambang to provide microfinancing programs to help small entrepreneurs.

2004

The Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc. was established by Cezar T. Quiambao in Brgy. Amanperez offering a variety of livelihood training programs to tens of thousands of residents, especially out-of-school youth and the unemployed. The foundation would eventually win a string of awards from the National Literacy Council for this feat.

2007

Bayambang received P5,000,000, a one-time payment by a single Bayambangueño taxpayer in the person of Mr. Cezar T. Quiambao, President and CEO of Stradcom, an IT company.

2012

The town’s first proper mall, Royal Mall, rose at a major corner. Owned by Cezar Quiambao, it was also the first establishment to have an elevator. Locals also got to have a taste of Jollibee fast-food products, shop for groceries at SM’s Savemore (later replaced by Puregold), and buy any needs 24/7 at 7-Eleven right in their hometown.

Quiambao then transferred the headquarters of his Manila-based businesses -- Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc. (SAHI), Land Registration Systems Inc. (LARES) Philippines, and Stradcom Corp. (an IT firm) -- to Bayambang. The move became all the more a huge source of funds for the local government through the taxes paid in millions of pesos by said companies.

2015

Cezar Quiambao initiated, through CS First Green Agri-Industrial Development, Inc., the development of an extensive bamboo farming industry in seven towns in Western Pangasinan, an ecologically sustainable, inclusive growth project. For this, he set up a trial production facility for bamboo products in Brgy. Amanperez.

***

2016

Successful businessman and philanthropist Cezar T. Quiambao went home in Bayambang, ran for Mayor, and won. He introduced new politics in town with the battlecry, “No to political dynasty, corruption, poverty and criminality.”

His first year of public service together with Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan was marked by many firsts all at the same time. The Municipal Councilors included Mylvin ‘Boying T. Junio, Benjamin Francisco S. de Vera, Joseph Vincent R. Ramos, Philip R. Dumalanta, Amory M. Junio, Martin E. Terrado II, and Dr. Ma. Catalina ‘Cathy’ de E. Vera, with Rogelio Dumalanta, Association of Barangay Captains President, and Gabriel Tristan Fernandez, Sangguniang Kabataan President, as ex-officio members. Rodelito Bautista eventually replaced Dumalanta after the latter’s term ended, when the office was renamed as Liga ng mga Barangay.

Atty. Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino, a former Miss Bayambang, was appointed Municipal Administrator, thus becoming Bayambang’s first female municipal administrator.

A CCTV Command Center with an emergency hotline number (#4357) was opened.

The St. Vincent Dialysis Center, a private enterprise, was opened.

An air-conditioned Events Center with Tarraflex rubberized flooring was built, replacing the old multipurpose covered court.

Satellite markets (talipapas) were built in eight barangays.

Municipal employees were provided with free uniforms, enabling
them to save their clothing allowance.

A registered nutritionist-dietician was hired for the first time by the municipal government to head the nutrition section of the Municipal Health Office, now called the Municipal Nutrition Action Office, and to oversee a comprehensive program for malnourished children.

Additional police precincts were built, to ensure strong police presence in all nine districts.

Barangay roads were concretized at a fast pace like never before using the LGU's 20% Development Fund earmarked for rural infrastructure.

Operation Birthright was launched, giving free late registration birth certificates from the Philippine Statistics Authority to residents who did not possess such a basic legal document as proof of identity and existence.

The annual municipal budget rose to unprecedented levels.
Quiambao’s companies were among the town’s top five taxpayers, and this feat would be repeated annually.

He also took up the fight to reclaim the old Bayambang Central School campus. Among other things, he discovered the land swap deal to be lopsided in favor of the private landowner.

He likewise asserted the local government’s right to sell off government land in Magsaysay to long-time occupants, knowing the political risks of such a move.

He also created the following new offices: Public Order and Safety Office, General Services Office, Public Information Office, Information and Communication Technology Office, Nutrition Office, Public Employment Services Office, and Tourism Office.

He went all out on his tax education campaign, despite its being an unpopular and politically risky cause, by asserting that paying one’s taxes means good citizenship, one’s contribution to community-building and not government’s instrument of oppression.

A new official website and the Balon Bayambang Facebook page was launched by the ICT Office, and the official newsletter, Balon Bayambang Newsletter, was published in September, edited by retired PSU professor and now Media Affairs Officer, Dr. Leticia B. Ursua, and Public Information Officer Resty S. Odon.

The ICT Office took the lead in the computerization of all major LGU operations, making work processes more efficient and unsusceptible to irregularities and paving the way for Bayambang to become a ‘smart town.’

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office was institutionalized through ordinance after its creation in 2011.

Mayor Quiambao donated his annual salary from the local government to the Local School Board, from the start of his term until 2022, a gesture of generosity that his wife would emulate herself as next mayor.

On October 13, after 20 long years of litigation, the local government unit (LGU) of Bayambang demolished an illegal structure built by Homeowners Savings & Loan Association Inc. on municipal plaza grounds. The ceremonial demolition was led by Mayor Quiambao himself together with all members of the Municipal Council and residents who had filed the petition against the structure: Dr. Henry Fernandez, Feliciano Casingal Jr., et al.

A proper bagsakan or drop-off point for retail and wholesale produce was inaugurated.

The Tourism Office improved the Municipal Public Plaza by creating a flower garden and erecting a giant ‘Balon Bayambang’ signage, now a favorite spot of locals and visitors alike to take selfies. The town was actively promoted by dubbing it as “the country’s 5th capital during the 1st Philippine Republic,” “home of the binasuan dance,” “makers of the best-tasting fish buro,” “corn belt of Pangasinan,” and “onion capital of northern Luzon.”

The town's children were treated to an annual animated Christmas display, the Paskuhan sa Bayambang, the biggest in the country according to the Rosario family of the COD Mall Christmas display fame in Cubao in the '70s. A personal gift of the mayor and his family, this project was repeated annually with varying themes: Filipino traditions, Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan (poverty alleviation program), Disney World characters.

A Mini-Amusement Park with fun rides was built inside the plaza through the public-private partnership mode of procurement.

The first official Bayambang Hymn, “Baley Ko, Tawir Ko," (My Hometown My Heritage) was composed by Jane Frances Ambat van Doorn of Brgy. Nalsian Sur and originally interpreted by the composer's own mother, Gilconida Ambat van Doorn. (“Pinablin Baley,” (Beloved Hometown) another hymn, had been composed earlier by Oscar Ora but it was not institutionalized through legal or official recognition.)

“Lanceros na Bayambang” was declared the town’s first official social dance, and it was choreographed by Prof. Januario Cuchapin.

2017

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao continued to bring Bayambang to greater heights with new feats.

He installed the town’s first traffic lights.

He expanded the drainage system in Poblacion area to address perennial flooding problems.

He built a proper tricycle terminal for an estimated 2,000 tricycle drivers in the center of town.

On February 4, the ‘Komprehensibong Serbisyo sa Bayan’ was launched in Brgy. Warding, a project that sent all municipal government services, not just medical, for one day to a chosen barangay located far away from the center, benefiting hundreds of thousands of residents since then.

The local government bought a fleet of vehicles and rescue equipment, which would eventually include a coaster (small bus) and aluminum rescue boats.

The Municipal Cooperative Development Office was created to help develop local cooperatives as engines of local economic growth.

SingKapital or the commemoration of Bayambang as the country's fifth capital during the 1st Philippine Republic was institutionalized through an ordinance.

Binasuan dance was adopted as Bayambang’s official folk dance.
The first-ever official tourism jingle was released.

In the week-long fiesta celebrations, then first lady Niña Jose-Quiambao, with Mayor Quiambao's support, started to organize a grand and glittering version of the Binibining Bayambang beauty pageant, complete with free professional training-workshops for the lucky ladies, creative costumes, superb stage preparations, awe-inspiring performances, and a star-studded list of judges and guest performers.

The first-ever official Binibining Bayambang jingle was released.
A mural painting contest transformed the Agno River dike into an elongated canvas.

The first-ever Cutest Baby Contest was held.

The Quiambao family also began sponsoring concerts of the day's biggest names in local show biz I including rock stars, pop divas, balladeers, stand-up comics, and other performers.

The first Matalunggaring Awards were also held as part of the town fiesta in honor of Bayambangueños who have brought pride and honor to the town. It would be subsequently held yearly and eventually institutionalized. Among the distinguished individuals accorded the town’s highest honor were the pioneering feminist and activist Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Tour of Luzon organizer Atty. Geruncio Lacuesta (posthumous), fashion designer Rusty Lopez, actor Carlos Salazar (Rustico Roldan), national scientist Carmen Velasquez (posthumous), former Labor Secretary Onofre Guevara (posthumous), and Commission on Higher Education Chairman, Dr. Prospero ‘Popoy’ de Vera.

On September 16, the concrete Balaybuaya Footbridge was inaugurated.

On October 12, world-renowned urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. and his staff from Palafox Associates were hired by Dr. Quiambao to help the local government updated its Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

On October 30, first lady Niña Jose-Quiambao launched the Bayambangueña Pasalubong and Tourist Assistance Center at the Mini-Bus and Van Terminal.

Niñas Café opened at SVV, ushering in a café culture in town after dozens of cafés and restaurants sprouted around not just the Poblacion area but even in the far-flung barangays of Bayambang in the succeeding years.

A smart card called ‘Community Service Card’ was issued to citizens as proof of being bona fide residents.

Louise Anne C. Calimlim was crowned as the first Ms. Palarong Bayan.

A municipal canteen, Kusina na Balon Bayambang, was put up beside the repurposed NAWASA water tank. It was envisioned as a self-sustaining facility that would provide funds in feeding the town’s undernourished children. It stopped operations in 2019 due to challenges.

Mayor Quiambao faced a series of legal battles from political opponents, all of which turned out to be nuisance cases and were promptly dismissed by the courts.

2018

Mayor Cezar Quiambao declared an all-out war against poverty in the program called “Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan” (Revolution Against Poverty) and gave the marching order to Municipal Administrator, Atty. Rodelynn Rajini Sagarino, who happened to be formerly with the National Anti-Poverty Commission, to draft the Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Plan 2018-2028.

The Municipal Library, known for its collection of rare Pangasinan books, got its own building using the repurposed water tank beside the Municipal Hall.

ANCOP Ville, a free housing project with at least 30 units for selected indigent families, rose in Brgy. Sancagulis, sponsored by the Mojares family of Canada and Couples for Christ – Answering the Cry of the Poor (CFC-ANCOP).

RHU III in Brgy. Carungay opened on April 3, and was built on a lot donated by Punong Barangay Virgilio Romano's family. It was first headed by Dr. Adrienne Estrada, then by Dr. Roland M. Agbuya in 2020.

In July, Atty. Sagarino left for Australia with her family. She was replaced by Atty. Raymundo Bautista, formerly the Municipal Legal Officer, after he was appointed as Municipal Chief of Staff, then eventually, officially took over as Municipal Administrator a year after.

On August 11, the Pangasinan State University-Department of Science and Technology Food Innovation Center was inaugurated. Among its inventions were bottled odorless buro, vegetable (okra, squash, onion) chips, and bagoong powder.

In August, St. Alexander M. Sauli Catholic School started operations in Brgy. Sapang.

On September 10, the Bayambang Culture Mapping Project commenced, through the collaboration between Tourism Office, Bayambang National High School through Mr. Christopher Gozum, and Center for Pangasinan Studies of the provincial government. The project, which was a thorough inventory and cataloguing of the town’s cultural resources, won a major award from the Department of Tourism and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines.
On November 18, Mayor Quiambao’s closest aide, Councilor Levin N. Uy, was murdered by unidentified gunmen while jogging near his home in Zone II.

The Quiambao-Sabangan administration was accorded with a long list of awards from all levels, including the highest form of recognition from the national government, the Seal of Good Local Governance.

One by one, various LGU held benchmarking activities in LGU-Bayambang.
In December 20, Local Council of Women President Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose-Quiambao opened the Abong na Aro (House of Love) halfway house for abused women and children and other individuals in need of special non-medical emergency assistance at the Wawa Evacuation Center.

2019

The Quiambao family inaugurated the Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park in Brgy. Bani, by unveiling the engineered bamboo statue of St. Vincent Ferrer, which earned for Bayambang its second Guinness record: the tallest bamboo sculpture (supported) in the world.

Coinciding with the official opening of St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park was the 2019 Cristo Rey celebration, with no less than Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, leading the rites in the SVF Prayer Park Chapel in Brgy. Bani, with church and municipal officials and other dignitaries in attendance together with devotees from 39 parishes, 17 municipalities, 15 Catholic schools, 9 vicariates, 8 pastoral stations, 3 chaplaincies, and 3 seminaries.

On March 25, LGU Ville, a low-cost housing development of the local government, broke ground in Brgy. Sancagulis.

On May 8, Fr. Fidelis Layog of Bayambang was appointed by Pope Francis as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, the first priest from Bayambang to become a bishop.

In July, the construction of a mini-dam in Telbang began.

Mayor Quiambao launched his farm modernization program with a purchase of a suite of farm machineries (rice planter, combine harvester, etc.) and other supporting activities.

Bayambang's first coffee-table book was published, as part of the 400th year celebration of the town’s parish church. Its title is "Parokya nen San Vicente Ferrer: Subol na Pananisia" and was authored by former Pangasinan State University-Bayambang college dean, Dr. Clarita D.G. Jimenez. “Subol” details the history of the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church from the time it was founded in 1619.

Forest Lake offered an alternative to Hands of Heaven as memorial park.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) opened its Bayambang Extension Office in J.P. Rizal, Poblacion Sur on December 18.

Mayor Quiambao represented LGU-Bayambang as he graced the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Panata Ko sa Bayan Awards ceremony on February 15 at the Landbank Plaza, Malate, Manila. LGU-Bayambang was chosen by the DSWD as GAPAS or Gawad sa Paglilingkod sa Sambahayan awardee for being the country's Model LGU in the Implementation of DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (Microenterprise Development Model).

In a year-end assessment celebration of the LGU, the mayor raffled off a brand-new car as the grand prize.

2020

A survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that Bayambang had a population of 120,000.

Horror, panic, and sadness gripped the whole town during the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of its earliest casualties were the town’s “duktor ng bayan” Dr. Henry Fernandez and wife Julie. Mayor Cezar Quiambao and wife Niña were among the thousands who were struck down by the disease and got hospitalized.

The local government built the Bayambang Commercial Strip in front of the parish church under a public-private partnership scheme.

A new Municipal Annex Building was inaugurated at the back of the Municipal Hall compound.

RHU I got its own Department of Health-certified Animal Bite Treatment Center.

RHU IV in Brgy. Macayocayo opened on November 25, and was built on a lot donated by the Macayocayo Barangay Council under Punong Barangay Mario Cariño.

Construction of the Municipal Warehouse began in Telbang across the Municipal Motorpool.

2021

Mayor Quiambao’s petition for the Philippine government to convert Mangabul Lake into alienable and disposable land reached Philippine Congress and Senate with the help of Congresswoman Rose Marie ‘Baby’ Arenas and Senator Miguel Zubiri.

An attempt was also made to have Bayambang declared as a city, but it lacked one major requirement: a population of at least 150,000.

RHU V in Brgy. Pantol opened in February. It was built using funds donated by 3rd District Congresswoman Rose Marie 'Baby' Arenas.
“Beauty and the Beast: The Musical” was staged for the first time in Region I. Sponsored by the town’s First Couple, it was staged at the Balon Bayambang Events Center showcasing local talents.

On March 16, Mayor Quiambao launched the Bayambang’s Best longanisa brand at the Public Market.

On April 14, 2021, a newly constructed Bayambang Municipal Fire Station was opened at its old location in Brgy. Zone VI.

On May 17, P22.4-million worth of heavy equipment were purchased by the LGU to revive the town's 8-km inland fishery. The equipment included one wheel loader, two chain excavators, two dump trucks, one tractor head, and one 40-ft two-axle lowbed trailer — all brand new.

Quiambao’s 1Food Corporation started its food manufacturing operations in Brgy. Dusoc. Their initial products included OKrantz assorted vegetable chips and tomato salsa using local farmers’ produce and employing the technology of the DOST-PSU Food Innovation Center after Quiambao discovered its existence.

Silver Concha Wavepool Resort, a water-based resort with artificial waves, was inaugurated in Brgy. Malimpec.

On May 15, Sta. Lucia Land Inc. broke ground for its Centro Verde Bayambang residential estate development across the St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park.

Sun Plaza Mall rose in Brgy. Telbang.

Forest Lake Memorial Park opened in Brgy. Nalsian Sur.

Mayor Quiambao created two additional departments: Municipal Legal Office and Internal Audit Unit/Service.

2022

Mayor Cezar Quiambao launched the E-Agro app, a digital platform that addresses the various needs of farmers, especially loans, at their fingertips. Eight agricultural warehouses were constructed per farming district as supporting infrastructure.

On March 24, a tourism enterprise proposal of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Brgy. Amancosiling Norte was the grand prize winner of Mayor Quiambao's Bayambang Millennials’ Challenge. Patterned after Bloomberg's Mayors Challenge, the competition sought to solicit and reward the most innovative ideas from the youth that could solve one of their own community's problems. The winning team experimented with transforming a moribund river dike area into an Agno River cruise type of attraction.

On March 30, the biggest post-harvest facility complex in Northern Luzon was inaugurated by the Jose-Quiambao family in Brgy. Amancosiling Sur. It was operated by the Agricultural Infrastructure and Leasing Corporation or AILC with office at St. Vincent Village, Brgy. Bical Norte.

The main output of the Bayambang Culture Mapping Project was produced, the book “Say Nanlapuan.”

Mayor Cezar Quiambao ended his second term with the release of a detailed LGU-Bayambang Annual Report.

In May, two women made history by being the first women to get elected as Mayor and Vice-Mayor of the town: Mary Clare Judith Phyllis ‘Niña’ Jose-Quiambao and Ian Camille ‘IC’ Castillo Sabangan. The Municipal Councilors included former Vice-Mayor Mylvin ‘Boying T. Junio, former Vice-Mayor Jose ‘Boy’ Ramos, Benjamin Francisco S. de Vera, Philip R. Dumalanta, Amory M. Junio, Gerardo ‘Gerry’ Flores, Martin E. Terrado II, and Levinson Nessus M. Uy, with Rodelito Bautista, Liga ng mga Barangay President, and Marianne Cheska Dulay, Sangguniang Kabataan President, as ex-officio members.

In May, a mini-dam funded by Senator ‘Koko’ Pimentel was built in Dusoc.

On June 10, the Bayambang Dairy Farm started operations in Brgy. Mangayao.

The Bayambang Polytechnic College (BPC) was established on June 27 by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 05, S-2022, later on approved through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 586-2022. An LGU-owned and operated college but initially funded privately by the Jose-Quiambao family, it initially opened in 3F Royal Mall and offered a ladderized program on tech-voc courses and four-year courses in Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness in response to the town’s pressing needs.

On July 4, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Pantol-to-San Gabriel Farm-to-Market Road with Bridge Project, a grant worth P126,478,000.00 from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project-World Bank.

On August 3, the Municipal Bonery beside the Bayambang Fire Station was constructed.

On September 19, the Municipal Hatchery opened in Brgy. Langiran.

On October 20, the northernmost span of Wawa Bridge, which was built in the 1980s, collapsed after two overloaded trucks drove through it at the same time. On November 8, a bailey bridge was constructed by the DPWH to restore traffic in the area.

A Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays was conceptualized by Mayor Quiambao long before the Department of the Interior and Local Government introduced this form of recognition for barangay local government units.

Joseph Anthony F. Quinto, General Manager of San Fernando City Water District (La Union), was hired as the town’s first Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer or MENRO. Under his term, the Municipal Nursery was transferred to the Materials Recovery Facility in Brgy. Dusoc, Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao’s intensive clean-and-green campaign, Bali-Bali’n Bayambang, was launched, he was elected as President of the Pangasinan Association of Environment and Natural Resources Officers, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Office received several awards.

2023

On January 22, the Bayambang District Hospital's operating room became the largest among district hospitals in the province, after Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation, Inc., Niña Cares Foundation, and the provincial government expanded and improved it together with upgraded equipment.

On February 15, the Balon Bayambang Museum: Home of Innovation was formally opened to the public after a soft launch on October 14, 2022.

RHU VI was built in Brgy. Mangayao on a lot donated by Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and opened on February 22.

On May 5, former Mayor Quiambao, through CS First Green Agri-Industrial Development Inc., entered into a memorandum of agreement for two solar power plants worth $503-million with a 321-megawatt capacity to be built in Infanta and Dasol towns in western Pangasinan. In the presence of Gov. Ramon Guico III, he signed the MOA in Lingayen together with URIT Limited Philippines Corp., China Energy International Group Co., and the China Energy International Group Co.

On May 8, CitiHardware opened in Brgy. Buayaen.

A Sewage Treatment and Septage Management System Plan was crafted, based on a nationwide directive from the President Rodrigo 'Digong' Duterte.

LGU-Bayambang accepted its hard-earned ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) Certification from Certification Partner Global - Philippines, at an awarding ceremony held August 16 at the Balon Bayambang Events Center, with all LGU officials and employees in attendance. Thus, the town became the only ISO-certified town/city LGU in Pangasinan aside from LGU-Alaminos City.

On October 12, the local government won the Bayambang Central School case and wasted no time in reclaiming possession of the property.

On December 5, the first 3D LED screen in the country outside of Metro Manila was inaugurated in Royal Mall.

After this, a Christmas attraction inspired by Ghibli Studios’ anime films and characters at the Municipal Plaza attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors and media attention.

LGU-Bayambang scored an "Unmodified Opinion" from the Commission on Audit's Annual Audit Report for the first time, it was announced on June 30.

Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao donated P1-milion for the raffle draw for the LGU’s year-end assessment program.

2024

On January 12, Former Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan was elected as President of the provincial Federation of Liga ng mga Barangay, earning him a seat at the Pangasinan legislative body as an ex-officio Board Member.

On May 15, the National Irrigation Administration started digging in Brgy. Amancosiling Norte.

On June 6, the old Home Economics Building in the old Bayambang Central School campus was renovated and turned into temporary government offices. Soon, another surviving school building was rehabilitated and turned into temporary classrooms of the Bayambang Polytechnic College.

On June 24, BYB Metro broke ground in Brgy. Bical Norte as a new and modern town center that is envisioned to be “the BGC of the North.”

On July 29, Don Teofilo C. Mataban Memorial School opened in Brgy. Ligue, a school constructed by the local government on privately donated land.

On August 8, Bo’s Coffee opened a branch in Brgy. Asin.

On October 18, the seven-story Julius K. Quiambao Medical and Wellness Center was inaugurated in Brgy. Asin with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos leading the ceremony. The tertiary hospital was managed by The Medical City group.

A Christmas attraction inspired by the “Star Wars” film franchise at the Municipal Plaza attracted thousands of visitors. Digital projection mapping technology and animatronics were used in this attraction.

The bougainvillea was declared as the official municipal flower of Bayambang.

In November, a major amusement park broke ground at the site of BYB Metro.

On December 13, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Brgy. Nalsian Norte for the Nalsian Norte Onion Cold Storage, a grant from the Department of Agriculture worth ₱37,372,158.01.

During the year’s SingKapital celebration in November, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a new marker in front of the Municipal Hall stating that Aguinaldo and company were in Bayambang for several days and not just overnight as long thought.

On May 15, LGU-Bayambang received the Excellence Award from the Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Baguio City, in recognition of the LGU’s attainment of an “Unmodified or Unqualified Audit Opinion” based on the 2022 COA Annual Audit Report of the Commission on Audit, a first in the annals of the LGU.

On midnight of May 5, a portion of the Public Market caught fire due to octopus wiring in some stalls. Affected stall owners were immediately given financial assistance from the LGU’s fund and the mayor’s personal fund.

In April, the parish church’s Museo de San Vicente was first inaugurated as a parish exhibit.

The local government officially created the positions of Local Youth Development Officer, PWD Affairs Development Officer, Local Revenue Collection Officer, and Business Permits and Licensing Officer and hired qualified personnel for the purpose.

A book, “220 Tula para sa Bayambang,” was published which compiles all winning and non-winning poems about the town’s history and culture from contests held since 2016. The compilation includes entries about the ‘SingKapital’ celebration.

2025

On February 6, the groundbreaking ceremony for the campus of Bayambang Polytechnic College was conducted in Brgy. Bical Norte beside Bayambang District Hospital on a lot donated by Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao. First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero ‘Popoy’ de Vera led the ceremony together with Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, BPC President, Dr. Rafael L. Saygo, and other dignitaries.

On March 7, Governor Ramon 'Mon-Mon' Guico III and other Pangasinan provincial government officials, together with municipal officials, inaugurated the new CT scan, stationary and portable ultrasound, and X-ray machines at the Bayambang District Hospital, and led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new hemodialysis center there.

On April 5, the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church was officially proclaimed by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop, Most Reverend Socrates Villegas, as an archdiocesan shrine.

This development coincided with the ordination of a new priest from Bayambang, Fr. Alexander I. Martinez, OCarm., after 29 long years.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of Wawa Bridge was held as an opening activity for the town fiesta.

‘Rhianna’ Cerezo Poquiz of Brgy. San Gabriel 2nd was crowned as the first “Binibeking Bayambang.”

The local government won two other major infrastructure projects from DA-PRDP Scale-up and WB: the Pantol-to-San Gabriel Farm-to-Market Road with Bridge Project, a grant worth ₱319,180,000, and the Nalsian Cold Storage Project, a grant worth ₱246,015,000.
Bayambang was recognized by the National Nutrition Council with the CROWN or Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award in the presence of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.

A Central Terminal for big buses was completed on the leftmost side of PSU-Bayambang Campus.

Kangaroo Hill Pavilion and Resort opened in Brgy. Sancagulis.

On May 12, Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao was reelected on her second term after a neck-to-neck 'fight' with Dr. Ma. Catalina E. de Vera. The Municipal Councilors included Nazer Junio, former Vice-Mayor Jose ‘Boy’ Ramos, Gerardo ‘Gerry’ Flores, Levinson Nessus M. Uy, Jocelyn S. Espejo, Engr. Zerex Terrado, Raymund Camacho, and Rhyan de Vera, with Rodelito Bautista, Liga ng mga Barangay President, and Marianne Cheska Dulay, Sangguniang Kabataan President, remaining as ex-officio members.

However, not long after, in June, SK Federation Chair Marianne Cheska Dulay resigned from her post, an unprecedented move. She was replaced by her Vice-President, John Roy Jalac.

In June, Señor Ihaw, a chicken inasal place, and Angkong Noodle House, a Chinese restaurant, opened at the Bayambang Centro, which took over the commercial place formerly occupied by Magic Supermarket at the public market. Soon, Watsons health and beauty care shop opened in Bayambang.

On August 18, two buildings were inaugurated: the MSWDO Bldg., where the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) was transferred, and the ECCD Bldg., where the daycare or Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) focal staff of MSWDO were transferred.

On August 25, the Bayambang Central Terminal and Bagsakan Market were formally opened at the extreme left side of the PSU-Bayambang Campus, with the LGU granted with usufructuary rights by PSU.

In October, the commemorative book, “The Journey: Santuario de San Vicente Ferrer,” was released in connection with the declaration of the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church as a diocesan shrine.

In November, the Blue Sky Theme Park and Events Center at Brgy. Bani was inaugurated, a first of its kind in the province of Pangasinan and in the entire Region I.

Bayambang District Hospital became a “Malasakit Center,” offering 100% coverage or “zero balance billing” and free laboratory tests -- previously an unthinkable feat attributed to Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go.

On November 19, minimum wage in Pangasinan was increased from P468 to P505.

A Department of Migrant Workers desk was opened at PESO-Bayambang.