In Bayambang, Jose Palma wrote the lyrics of the National Anthem

From the History page of the official website of the Province of Pangasinan: https://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/history/

"August 1899 – In a barrio in Bayambang, Jose Palma, a staff member of the revolutionary government’s newspaper La Independencia, writes a poem that becomes the lyrics for the melody of the “La Marcha Nacional Filipina” composed by Julian Felipe. This poem is translated later to Pilipino and given the title “Lupang Hinirang” which is now the Philippine National Anthem. It was written in the house of Doña Romana G. vda de Favis. This house served as the “Malacañang” of the Aguinaldo Republic momentarily in November 1899. (The said barrio is now part of Bautista.)"

Note: The barrio in question must be part of the original Telbang.

Panag-Inlubi

Reposting one of the hundreds of files that got rudely deleted for no reason. PANAG-INLUBI (Inlubi-Making) (Category: Intangible Cultural Heritage; Culinary Practices) Inlubi-making is the process of making inlubi, a black rice cake made from cooking deremen in gata or coconut cream. Deremen is the term for immature glutinous rice grains that are toasted until they turn black right at the rice field. It is a delicacy originally associated with Undas or All Saints' Day as deremen is harvested and available only towards the end of October and during the month of November. Making authentic inlubi is thus seasonal. Outsiders often say that it is only in Pangasinan where black rice cake is a preferred delicacy. It may seem that eating black rice is not good or it may be associated with darkness, death and even the devil, but the truth is this black rice cake is just like the regular rice cake called biko, except for its color. As a note to outsiders, it is not actually made of black rice per se, as the term indicates, but blackened rice. It is basically glutinous white rice boiled in freshly pressed coconut milk and sugar (sometimes with a sprinkling of anise) -- except that the rice used is made by harvesting malanguer a pagey (young palay of the sticky rice) of a variety specifically planted for deremen (Milagrosa, etc.), and placed in narrow tubes of bolô bamboo, from which Pangasinan was formerly named (Cabolòan, meaning a place of bamboos). The bamboo is burned from one end, letting the palay fall as the bamboo burns and consumes itself (a process called panag-igub). The now toasted palay is then pounded by a heavy wooden bayò (pestle) in a large stone lasong (mortar) until the husks are discarded through winnowing using a bigao (bamboo winnowing basket). The resulting belas (rice) is soft and chewy (makulnet), almost flat and blackened, giving off a toasted, smoky flavor. After the deremen goes over the fire and is stirred to taste, the resulting rice cake -- now glistening from coconut oil and addictively sweet, aromatic, soft, and delicious -- is called inlubi. This tradition is distinctly Pangasinense, unknown and non-existent outside the province, except probably in other areas of the Ilocos region. But nowadays it seems to be available all year round in the public market, with locals eating it as snack even though it is not Undas, but this commercialized version of inlubi wrapped in little plastic bags may not be as authentic. How to cook inlubi: Ingredients 2 cups deremen 2 cups kakang gata* 1 cup 2nd gata* 2 cups washed sugar coconut strips from 2 buco a few pandan leaves young banana leaves Procedure 1. Soak the deremen in water (about 1 - 1 1/2 cups) and set aside. 2. Pour the 2nd gata in a thick pan and heat. When boiling, mix in the sugar and, if preferred, buco or young coconut strips. Bring back to a boil, stirring occasionally. 3. Strain the deremen and pour into the boiling gata, turning down the heat to medium. Stir constantly. 4. When the mixture is starting to dry up, pour in the kakang gata. Keep stirring to evenly distribute the kakang gata and to keep the inlubi from burning. 5. Add the pandan leaves. 6. The inlubi is cooked when the gata has been fully absorbed (about 30-45 minutes of muscle-wrenching stirring). It should be consistently sticky. Remove from fire and pick out the pandan leaves. 7. Pass the banana leaves over fire, then brush lightly with cooking oil. Use this to line a flat-bottomed, shallow plate, oiled side up. (Traditionally, the bigao or bamboo winnowing basket is used.) 8. Transfer the inlubi to the leaf-lined plate, distributing evenly to make it an inch thick. Let cool. Good for about 8 people. The inlubi is best eaten cool. It will keep for about two days, longer if refrigerated. It can be eaten straight from the ref, or if preferred, heat in an oven/toaster on low for about five minutes and let cool prior to serving. *To make gata: Ingredients manually grated (using an igar or manual coconut grater) or machine-ground meat from 2 mature coconuts 4 cups water heated to boiling point Procedure 1. Put the coconut meat in a big pan or basin. Pour 2 cups boiling water and mix thoroughly with a ladle. Let stand for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is cool enough to the touch. 2. Express the gata by getting fistfuls of the coconut meat and squeezing them thoroughly by hand. Repeat until all the gratings have been pressed. 3. Separate the expressed gata from the meat by straining carefully through a fine sieve. The strained liquid is the kakang gata or 1st gata. 4. Put the ground coconut meat back into the basin and pour the remaining boiled water, preferably reheated to boiling point. When the mixture has cooled, repeat steps 2-3. The 2nd strained liquid is the 2nd gata. Lola Masyang is one of the makers of inlubi in our barangay of Buenlag 2nd. Inlubi-making is also done mostly by the lolas of each family in the barangay. Inlubi-making is one of oldest culinary traditions known in the town of Bayambang, probably since the 1930s or even further back. It was learned from the lolas of the locals. As mentioned, deremen is basically pinipig (young glutinous rice) toasted in its husk and pounded, so that when cooked into inlubi, it smells and tastes not only of the green rice fields during the rainy season, but of the burning rice fields after harvest as well, making it exotic to outsiders. Locals love to share their own version of inlubi with their neighbors, making it a point of socialization and turning the local celebration of Undas unique and more memorable. Yes, there are different versions -- a soupy one in which fresh deremen is steeped in boiling water and coconut milk is called ginaataan ya deremen, while an inlubi topped with latik (coconut reduction) is called latik ya deremen. The culinary practice of inlubi-making is firmly established and growing until now, because it continues to be conveyed from one generation to another by other living practitioners in many parts of the town. However, the rapid advancement in technology poses a threat to this tradition as nowadays most of the children do not want to learn anymore this tedious practice, including deremen-making, because their time is occupied by their usage of different gadgets. NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER: Cherry S. Alipin, Bayambang National High School, Senior High School ADVISER: Mr. Christopher Q. Gozum DATE PROFILED: September 23, 2018 KEY INFORMANT: Mrs. Gregoria Soriano, one of the well-known inlubi-makers in Buenlag 2nd REFERENCE: bayambangmunicipalnews.blogspot.com Editor: Resty S. Odon Photo: Sharlene Joy G. Gonzales Deremen supplier: Vernaliza M. Ferrer (Brgy. Amanperez)

Buro-Making, Bayambang-Style

PANAGBURO (Buro-Making)

(Category: Intangible Cultural Heritage; Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events; Cuisine/Culinary traditions; Food processing)

“Panagburo" (or buro-making) is practiced in Bayambang, Pangasinan, especially in Brgy. Manambong Parte in District II.

Because of their proximity to Mangabul Lake, which used to teem with various species of freshwater fishes, the main ingredient of buro, the residents there learned to prepare to this product to preserve the abundant catch, not just for their personal use but also as a means of livelihood. Other barangays in the district where there is a sizable number of buro-makers are Langiran, Bongato East, Bongato West, and San Gabriel 2nd.

Bayambang's buro is considered the best in quality in the whole of Pangasinan. Freshly caught gourami, tilapia or dalag (mudfish) is drenched in salt and stuffed with ba-aw (Pangasinan for cooked rice) and fermented in a banga (earthen jar) for two to three weeks. Buro's smell is considered detestable by many, especially outsiders, but for locals who have acquired the taste for it, it is most tasty and delicious. What is unique about the buro made in Bayambang is that, compared to those made in other towns, bubor (fermenting agent) is not used to ferment the fish and rice. Instead, salt is used as the curing agent.

There is a variety of buro using smaller gourami and an even smaller variety (reportedly introduced by the Japanese?) called siringan, and this particular buro is called mulantong by locals.

Nowadays, because of modernization, people make use of plastic containers as storage for fermenting buro instead of banga, which may or may not affect the quality.

Making buro is not easy. One must clean the fish thoroughly, ensuring blood and all internal organs are removed. Then the fish stuffed with rice must be arranged properly inside the banga, making sure the whole thing is not contaminated by flies or other insects.

Lola Francisca Medrano, one of the oldest practitioners of panagburo in Manambong Parte, learned the process by observing her elders in San Gabriel 2nd when she was 23 years old. Lola Francisca has passed on her knowledge in making buro to her relatives, including her sons and daughters, and her neighbors.

The following is the basic process of buro-making:

Ingredients:
• tilapia or dalag (mudfish)
• cooked rice
• salt
• sliced bamboo shoots

Procedure:
• Clean the tilapia/dalag very well.
• Marinate the fish with salt overnight.
• The next day, prepare the banga, making sure it is clean and dry.
• Steam rice until cooked.
• Mix the salt and the rice well.
• Put some rice with salt at the bottom of the banga to serve as the bedding.
• Put some amount of rice in the fish belly. Sliced bamboo shoots may be added as an option.
• Arrange the fish and rice inside the banga one by one: After placing a piece of whole fish inside, put some salted rice on the top of it, and so on until all the fish have been placed inside.
• Put the remaining rice on top.
• Cover the banga with clean cloth then tie it around the rim.
• Place the banga in a place away from insects like ants and flies.

As relish, buro is typically sauteed in a lot of garlic, onion, and tomatoes.

Historical records show that the practice of making buro or panagburo dates back to the Spanish times. It is said that during Semana Santa (Holy Week), people abstained from eating meat as part of their religious devotion. Instead, they ate fish and vegetables, and buro was one of the dishes served on their table.

Today, the extent of buro-making in Manambong Parte is not what it used to be, after the supply of fish drastically dwindled when Mt. Pinatubo buried much of Mangabul Lake under lahar in 1990.

MAPPER: Jonas Ringor Medrano, Bayambang National High School, Senior High School
ADVISER: Mr. Christopher Gozum
KEY INFORMANTS: Lola Francisca M. Medrano and Mrs. Sonia R. Medrano
DATE PROFILED: September 23, 2018
REFERENCES: http://bayambangmunicipalnews.blogspot.com/…/fish-buro.html…, /https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234688/

Bayambang Milestones: A list of firsts

We recall here the various historic firsts, as far as the town of Bayambang is concerned.

This list was compiled by Dr. Clarita D.G. Jimenez and the rest of the Pista'y Baley 2014 Research Committee, with a few updates from LGU Bayambang's Public Information Office.

1880 - Bayambang operates one of the first three rice mills in Pangasinan installed by Smith, Bell and Company, a British firm.

1908 - Bayambang becomes one of the first Postal Savings Bank branch offices that operate in the province when the Philippine Postal Savings Banked opened business in 1906.

1926 - Farmacia San Rafael, Bayambang’s first drug store, is established.

1935 - Bayambang’s first private school, Saint Vincent Catholic School, is founded with the name Mary Help of Christians Institution under the administration of the Religious of the Virgin Mary or RVM sisters.

1950 - The Bayambang Municipal Library is established and operates under the Mayor’s office through the assistance of USIS Library.

1958 - Bayambang’s first optical clinic and store owned and managed by the Urbi Family is established.

1960 - Bayambang's first cold storage rises up in Bayambang.

April 22, 1961 - Inauguration of two orchestra stands inside the Public Plaza Auditorium of Bayambang under the charge of the Bayambang Civic Club, Inc.

December 27, 1969 - Bayambang holds its first Inter-Color Basketball Tournament at the Bayambang Open Court.

February 15, 1970 - Birth of the first community paper of Bayambang, the “Bayambang Post,” with Atty. Geruncio Lacuesta as publisher.

1970 - The Philippine Police Commission designates Bayambang as one of the screening centers in Pangasinan to approve applicants to take Patrolman Civil Service Examination for municipal and chartered cities. Atty. Ruperto de Guzman, the Chief of Police, chairs the screening committee.

April 5, 1974 - Blessing and inauguration of the belfry tower beside the Catholic church that houses the old bells.

1976 - The Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (CENPELCO), a non-stock electric cooperative starts its operation and extends services in Bayambang.

~1978 - First air-conditioned structure: Homeowners Savings Bank

1980 - Bayambang Water District (NAWASA) starts operation.

1980 - Digitel installs the first telephone system in Bayambang and constructs a building for its office.

July 16, 1980 - Bayambang Emergency Hospital opens its door to the public. It is temporarily housed at the Municipal Annex Building.

1983 - The construction of a large concrete version of the Wawa bridge is finished by the DPWH and opened to the public with a new name, Carlos P. Romulo Bridge, in honor of the former UN Secretary General, Foreign Affairs Secretary, and writer Carlos P. Romulo, who had roots in both Camiling and Bayambang towns

July 1, 1985 - Bayambang District Hospital (the new name of Bayambang Emergency Hospital) is built in Barangay Bical Norte and offers medical services. The lot on which it is built was donated by the family of Teofilo Matabang. Dr. Ernesto Matabang is the first Director of the hospital.

August 28, 1986 - 454 Bayambangueños led by Dr. Orlando M. de Guzman sign and address a petition to President Corazon C. Aquino for the concreting (cementing) of the Bayambang-Camiling Road.

November 17, 1986 - February 1988. For the first time, a Bayambangueño holds a position in the Provincial Board when Dr. Orlando M. de Guzman is appointed Provincial Board Member.

March 17, 1987 - The petition for concreting Bayambang-Camiling Road is approved and Phase I Funding in the amount of PhP2.04 million is released.

October 1987 - The cementing of the Bayambang-Camiling Road starts.

1989 - Mayor Calixto Camacho cuts the ceremonial ribbon for the formal opening of a Bayambang Mini-Museum established through a joint venture of the Municipality and the Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus. The Museum is housed at the former Municipal Jail.

September 25, 1996 - The first private hospital in Bayambang, the Señor Sto. Niño General Hospital, is established. It has a 25-bed capacity and is located along Juan Luna Street.

2000 - College of Information Technology is established in PSU.

March 2003 - First private memorial park: Hands of Heaven, Brgy. Bani

March 19, 2004 - First resort: Rock Island Nature Resort, Brgy. Telbang

June 2004 - Institute of Nursing opens in PSU.

2004 - Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc. is established.

2012 - First ATM (Landbank) is installed, located in front of the Local Civil Registrar's Office of the Municipal Hall.

2012 - First mall: Royal Mall

2012 - First structure with escalator: Royal Mall

2014: Jess and Gene Benebe's Highlands Golden Bean Cafe opens, the town's first cafe.

August 11, 2018 - PSU-DOST I Food Innovation Center is inaugurated.

March 18, 2019 - Papal appointment of a Bayambang-born priest, Fr. Fidelis Layog, as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, making him the first Catholic bishop from Bayambang

Sources: Pista'y Baley Souvenir Program 2014 and Pista'y Baley Souvenir Program 2018

(For many other historic firsts, we can use the compilation of accomplishment reports of Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao since he assumed office in June 2016: https://bayambangmunicipalnews.blogspot.com/2019/08/continuously-waging-revolutions-with.html)

Adan tan Eba (Adam and Eve) Chapel with Underground Altar: A Tanolong Curiosity

ADAN TAN EBA/ADAM AND EVE CHAPEL WITH UNDERGROUND ALTAR

(Category: Significant Tangible Immovable Heritage; Churches, Temples and Places of Worship; Church)

The Adam and Eve Chapel is a private Roman Catholic chapel located in Sitio Bengal, Barangay Tanolong, Bayambang, Pangasinan. It is a 400 sqm structure inside a 5,000 sqm lot originally owned by Mr. Simplicio Junio and his wife Mrs. Emelia Iglesias Junio. The church was constructed in 1946, and it was first sanctified in 1947, thus it is estimated to be 71-73 years old.

Maria Magdalena Junio, the daughter of Simplicio Junio, is the current owner of the church.

Surrounding the church are trees and ornamentals such as bamboo, mango, calamansi, and santan. There is a heart-shaped grave that mystify visitors in front of the church. On the right side of the heart is where Mr. Junio's (head of the Junio family) grave is located, while on the left is his wife's. The grave's shape is said to symbolize the dedication of the married couple to their faith.

On top of the grave, 4 crosses and a shell serving as holy water font (stoup) can be found.

A number of smaller graves can be found on the front left side of the church. A combination of blue and white paint coats the church. The church is made out of blocks of cement and bricks and shines with white tile flooring. There is a stoup of holy water located on the right side of the entrance of the church. The stoup is made of a giant shell, symbolizing that the church welcomes everyone.

Above the ground, the church has a nave with long wooden benches. On the altar are images of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit, four angels, saints and Jesus Christ at the center.

On the upper part of the Jesus Christ image, a globe can be seen, a depiction of God's unbounded love for humanity.

The underground part of church is like a passage. Upon entry, an antique bell beckons. It is struck each time a mass is held as a way of calling parishioners together.

The passage is 6 feet and 8 inches in height, and at the end is also an altar. The image of the Holy Spirit is placed at the center of the altar, while a naked Adam and Eve are positioned on both sides. There are two ways to get out from underground, and these both lead to the altar of the aboveground church.

Every 2nd Saturday of the month, a mass is held here, presided by the parish priests from the town.

***

Associated stories

Simplicio’s family was known in the locality for being Godly. In their house, there was a room where they gathered around and worshiped together. There was also an altar where they placed the statue of the different saints. They were also known for being a landed family, having a 35-hectare real property. Due to Simplicio's devotion, he decided to build the said place of worship.

At the age of 11, Maria Magdalena witnessed how his father dedicated his time, effort and even life in constructing the church. Due to her advanced age, she barely remembers what year the church was finished. She said that, for the past decades, the statues in the church came from different places and were blessed by the bishop.

The story goes that, when Mr. Simplicio Junio went out one day to find his missing horse, he met a man who was known to be in the habit of 'being possessed by the Holy Spirit.' Mr Junio was shocked when the man called him by name and instructed him to construct a place of worship. The story goes further that, according to the Holy Spirit, the church should be named Adan tan Eva or Adam and Eve and would have an underground area that would serve as a holding place for the saints. All the details of the arrangement of the parts of the church were reportedly according to the Holy Spirit's instructions.

Moreover, people living near the church say that, in the early days, there used to be a 'ghost snake' in this place of worship that’s why people sometimes avoided going here, but as time passed by, the story about the ghost snake waned. When Maria Magdalena was asked about this story, she kept mum on it.

***

The Adam and Eve Underground Church is being maintained by Maria Magdalena’s family. If there is an unexpected damage, her family takes care of fixing it. However, the owners have made some alterations to the tile flooring and the exterior and interior have been renovated to strengthen the structure.

The surrounding community which avails of the chapel services routinely take off their shoes or slippers before getting inside as a sign of respect and to maintain cleanliness.

Vandalism (some unruly youth play basketball near the area and leave trash), earthquake, and flooding are the major threats to this structure. There were times when the statues had to be evacuated away from the flood.

NAME OF PROFILERS/MAPPERS: Bryan Bugarin, Jake Friaz Marlon Mangrobang, John Jeremy Ong, Mark Kian Sabado, Jerica Barboza, Fatima Boado, Chenie Lei Cayabyab, Zarina Carcha, Rehine Calderon, Rose-Ann de Jesus, Joy Ann Gonales, Angelica Junio, Lhealine Junio, Andrea Magalong, Angelica Morales, Enna Sofia Nonato, Krizza Kae Poso, Monica Sales, Angelica Soriano; Bayambang National High School, Senior High School

DATE PROFILED: October 2, 2018
ADVISER: Mrs. Lanie Bautista

KEY INFORMANT: Maria Magdalena Junio, Sitio Bengal, Barangay Tanolong, Bayambang

Bayambang PNR Station (Estacion na Tren) was once the publishing house of "La Independencia"

BAYAMBANG PNR STATION (ESTACION NA TREN)

(Category: Significant Tangible Immovable Heritage; Government Structures, Private Built Structures and Commercial Establishments)

[owner of photo to be determined]

The Bayambang PNR Station, then popularly known as Estacion, is located in Zone VII, Bayambang, Pangasinan. It occupies a total land area of 75 m x 12.5 m, but the structure itself is 75 m x 6 m x 10 m.

By virtue of Republic Act No. 4156, it was constructed on November 24, 1892, making it 126 years old today.

The only parts that are left of the publicly owned train station are the walls that are made up of bricks, which comprise nearly half of the original structure.

Informal settlers now occupy the station and the surrounding areas. The establishment has been altered and now sports a red and brown color and serves as a dwelling place and a place for business. When you enter, the first thing you will notice is a store and a computer shop on the right side. The interior of the station is subdivided using lumber, creating rooms. Some features, such as the ticketing area, remain intact, while some parts are totally abandoned. The rail tracks are now converted into a road. You can also still see the foundations of the huge water tank that the trains used before and was located just across the road.

The Bayambang Station opened in November 24, 1892 with the name of Bayambang Pasajeros. Constructed during the Spanish colonial period in the  Hispano-Philippine style, the station signaled the efficient delivery of goods and services and fast transportation for a massive number of people. It took eight hours to reach Manila from the Bayambang station and the trains stopped for 15 minutes at every station.

On December 8, 1902, the first Railroad Legislation Act (Philippine Commission Act No. 554) was passed, granting the Manila Railroad Company (MRRCo) the right to construct branch lines. On June 20, 1964, Republic Act No. 4156 was enacted, changing the corporate name of MRRCo to Philippine National Railways (PNR).

According to Mr. Narciso Bravo, a former print clerk at the Bayambang PNR Station, the station was originally a two-story building. The first floor consisted of offices for the employees of PNR, the ticketing area, and a room that served as a lounge area for first-class passengers, while the second floor served as a resting area and extra room for the employees that lived from distant places. Passengers had their own waiting area outside the station, where some vendors of snacks also did brisk business.

Beside the station was the paradaan na karumata (calesa station), which passengers from Manila used to ride in getting back home back in the day.

When a train arrived, someone would stop the vehicles crossing the railroad by pulling down the bamboo poles on both sides. There was also a “banderado” whose task was to wave a green and red flag to signal whether a train was coming or going. But sometime in 1988, the station slowly closed down due to the natural calamities that destroyed PNR's bridges and railways located in other towns. Inadequate government funding for restoration works dealt the final blow to the station.

Associated Stories

It is believed that there are spirits inhabiting the area. There were also rumors saying that there was gold hidden underneath the station, and treasure hunters lost no time in excavating it, but found nothing. According to Marina Molina De Vera, owner of the house behind the water tank that served as the water stop of the trains, around 1996-1997 one of the former mayors of Bayambang bought the tank from PNR because of the gold rumors, but unfortunately found nothing inside apart from rocks. De Vera also stated that cranes from Calasiao were even used due to the tank’s heaviness.

Historical Significance

According to historian Jaime B. Veneracion, when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's revolutionary government fled to Bayambang on November 12, 1898, “the Bayambang railroad station served as the publishing house of the newspaper La Independencia, whose editor was Antonio Luna and among whose staff included Rosa Sevilla, Cecilio Apostol and Jose Palma.”

Thus the train station was not just the first-ever transportation system that offered fast, straight travel to Manila; it was also a witness to Filipinos' fight for independence.

Economic Significance

The Estacion na Tren was not only a pit stop for an efficient transportation system, but also facilitated trade with other towns. For example, fish freshly caught from Mangabul Lake were brought to the train station to be delivered to other municipalities.

Being a gathering place for passengers, it naturally attracted a lot of vendors inside and outside the trains and offered other livelihood opportunities to the enterprising. The closing of the station therefore left a lot of people unemployed.

Aesthetic Significance

The structure apparently took inspiration from the Hispano-Philippine design of the bahay na bato, which typically features open ventilation, elevated apartments (usually made of wood) used as living space, and a ground floor (made of bricks or hewn adobe stones) used as storeroom, cellar and other business purposes.

Socio-Political Significance

The Bayambang Station became a place that fostered social interaction among the majority of the townsfolk as people from all walks gathered. The station was once a happy place for different people as the trains kept on loading and unloading their passengers amidst the chronic blaring of horns.

Scientific Research

According to Mrs. Emily Miranda, many researchers have already come over to conduct a study and document the Bayambang Station because of its significance in our history.

According to Mrs. Elisa Ferrer Cayabyab, her father, Mr. Eulogio B. Ferrer, used to be the chief of the train station, and when the station closed down, their family took care of the place. But after her father died, many people took interest in the materials. Some of them have salvaged the railway or iron tracks and any metal scrap that could be sold, thus leaving only the brick wall, travesa (which is made of yakal lumber and forms part of the railway that is placed underground for support), and water stop post, which is made of steel and cement. These are reportedly the same people whose lives were badly affected ever since the station, which was their source of livelihood, closed down.

Natural disasters like earthquakes and other calamities and man-made disasters such as fire will remain as the top threats to what remains of the Bayambang PNR Station.

As of now, there are no conservation measures that protect the Bayambang Station.

NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER: Mari Jonette T. Frias
DATE PROFILED: September 23, 2018

TEACHER: Christopher Q. Gozum
SCHOOL: Bayambang National High School, Senior High School

KEY INFORMANT/S: Mrs. Elisa Ferrer Cayabyab, Zone VII, Bayambang, Pangasinan; Mr. Narciso Bravo, Mrs. Emily Miranda, Mrs. Marina Molina De Vera
               
EDITOR: Resty S. Odon

 

REFERENCES:

https://www.pnr.gov.ph/
Jaime B. Veneracion, "A Guide to Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur, and the Heroes’ Trek" (SAMPAKA Inc., 2003)

Editorial July 2019 - SB: Ang Boses ng Mamamayan

Editorial July 2019

SB: Ang Boses ng Mamamayan

Ang ating Sangguniang Bayan (SB) ay tinaguring isang "august body." Ito ang kalimitang sinasabi kapag tinutukoy ang legislative branch ng gobyernong lokal, at ito ay nararapat lamang sapagkat, sa isang demokrasya tulad ng ating bansa, sa SB naka-atang ang isang mabigat na tungkulin bilang kaagapay ng liderato ng isang Punong Bayan: ang magpasa ng mga batas na makabubuti sa mas nakararami at sa buong bayan.

Wika nga ni Mayor Cezar Quiambao sa kanyang habilin sa mga Konsehal, "Let's be serious about our work in this august body, so the people know we mean business."

Kaya naman dapat din lang na respetuhin ang mga nailuklok na Konsehal ng bayan na pinamumunuan ng Vice-Mayor na si Hon. Raul R. Sabangan.

Ayon kay Vice-Mayor Sabangan, kailangan ang pag-iingat sa parte ng SB sa kanilang pagpasa ng mga resolusyon at ordinansa. "Isipin natin na ang lahat ng ating pinapasa na mga ordinansa at resolusyon ay angkop para sa mga pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan, at ito ay tiyak na makakatulong sa bayan ng Bayambang," pagpapayo niya sa kanyang mga kasamahan.

"Sa pag-apruba ng batas ay dapat iwasan ang bahid ng personal na interes na maaaring maka-apekto o makasagasa sa ating mga maliliit na kababayan."

Ang mga nahalal na Konsehal ay may kanya-kanyang training at karanasan kung paano maging isang leader, at tiyak na magagamit nila ang mga ito bilang mga boses ng ating mga kababayan. "Ang ating bayan ay umaasa sa ating suporta. Huwag po nating sayangin ang boses na ibinigay ng ating mga kababayan," pagpapatuloy niya.

"Paano po ba maging isang mabuting leader ng ating bayan? Una, kailangan ay maging loyal tayo sa ating bayan. Kailangan ay maging loyal tayo sa ating institusyon. Lahat tayo ay naging boy scout at girl scout, at lahat tayo ay minsan nang nakapag-pledge of loyalty, kaya magandang ipaalala natin ang panata na ito sa ating sarili at maging gabay para di tayo magkamali," dagdag niya.

"Bilang iisang pamilya ng Local Government Unit, sa halip na tayo ay naghihilaan pababa at naapektuhan ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo dahil sa pagkakaroon ng maraming sagabal, dapat tayo-tayo ang naghahatakan pataas. Isipin natin na kung masira ang isa sa atin ay maaaring ikasira rin ito ng ating gobyernong lokal, at lahat tayo ay maaaring madamay dahil tayo ay parte ng institusyong ito."

"So to all members of this august body, all department heads, barangay officials, sa ating partners sa leadership ng ating mahal na Mayor, ine-encourage ko po na tayo ay maghawak-hawak ng kamay nang maituloy natin ang ating Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan. Ituloy ating ang naumpisahan at pabilisin ang pagsererbisyo sa bayan," pagwawakas niya.

(Hango sa talumpati ni Hon. Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan, SB Inaugural Session, July 9, 2019)

Bayambang was Col. Edwin Ramsey's ECLGA headquarters

In 1943, during World War II, noted American military official Col. Edwin Ramsey set foot in Bayambang to organize Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese.

Read his story here> http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/col-edwin-ramseys-war

According to a US-based old-timer, Mr. Joey Ferrer, "In the [country's] quest for freedom [from Japanese imperialism], Bayambang had been Lt. Edwin P. Ramsey's East Central Luzon Guerrilla Area (ECLGA) headquarters for sometime during the Japanese Occupation. ECLGA encompassed the regions of Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Zambales and La Union. Ramsey's aide de camp was our very own Major Claro J. Camacho of Barangay Nalsian."

How true is it that Col. Ramsey evaded capture by the Japanese by hiding inside a taltagan (giant wooden mortar) in the then barrio of Inirangan(?)? Which family helped him hide? Where is that taltagan now?

Niña’s Cafe: Fine Eclectic Offerings

𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙕𝙚𝙧𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝘽𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝: 𝘾𝙖𝙛é 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙐𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣

The idea of putting up a café in a provincial town used to be not within the realm of possibility, and that’s perfectly understandable. After all, there was virtually no night life in our neck of the woods at the time. If you wanted to unwind after office hours, you and your friends needed to commute or drive to SM Rosales in Carmen town or in Dagupan City. That would take you about an hour or more of travel.

It was only in 2014 when a local couple thought of putting up a proper cafe, and I thought back then that it was an idea whose time had come. It so happened that the proprietors were people I knew from way back, in high school, to be exact: Jess Benebe and Genevieve Uy. Their shop was a franchise of Highlands Golden Coffee Beans located near the Estacion area.

When I came back home from Manila in 2016, I was, of course, excited to try it. The offerings did not disappoint. I think I had café latte and was only too glad to try their raisin-oatmeal cookie, key lime pie, and red velvet cake with some old friends, among other items on the menu.

I noticed that, by that year, a smallish café whose name I can't recall now was also put up at the entrance of Royal Mall.

From that time on, a thriving scene of cafes and restaurants in that somewhat upscale level that cities offered blossomed in Bayambang town, slowly establishing a cafe culture. The Uy-Benebes' initial venture proved that there was a sustainable market.

The rest followed suit one after another in such a short time, year after year without letup. Maybe the initial attempt created a bandwagon effect? Or maybe the local market and economy allowed it or made it possible?

Pretty soon, there was Niña's Café in St. Vincent Village, Bical Norte, offering not just coffee shop items, but also a surprising variety of cuisines. In 2017, locals got to taste the world’s flavors under one roof right in their hometown. Whether you are going for local fare or foreign dishes, Niña's Café whipped up something for you, depending on the availability of ingredients at the moment. Known for its warm, homey ambiance (the resto was originally a residential unit), it continues to allow guests to savor a cup of brewed coffee, indulge in a mouthwatering pastry, or treat themselves to a satisfying meal. Niña’s Café also offers an event venue and catering services, making it the go-to spot and essential contact for events and celebrations.

Other cafés that sprung up were Buttercup Café along M.H. Del Pilar, Yellow Tree Café along Rizal Ave., and Switch Café in Magsaysay which offers delicious thin black-crust pizzas among other inventive curiosities.

Pook ni Urduja, the long-established local resort, eventually opened its Urduja Cafe, which doubled as Pizza House. After that, it was hard to follow which one came before and after, with the following places sprouting like mushrooms: GeoCafé Restobar in Brgy. Mangayao, He Brews Cafe in Telbang, Snow Cream Café in Telbang, the tiny Coffee Tayo a.k.a. No Doze Café on Quezon Blvd., Kape Luna along Rizal Ave., Hangout Café in Magsaysay, Café De Marcelino at the Bayambang Commercial Strip, Cof/Tea Cafe along Guerilla Rd., among other names.

A new favorite is the small-scale Bistro Cinco along Rizal Ave., whose offerings were conceptualized by a Singapore hotel-trained chef. I once met the friendly owners, the De Veras and Ongpaucos, who run a similar bistro in Quezon City. Bistro Cinco is a nice little piece of a Manila cafe/bistro.

Sadly, Highlands Golden Coffee Beans closed its doors after about 10 years of operation, while some cafes came and went after a short run, such as the Buttercup Café, Café Rui, Jozo Café, and Museum Café, for some reason.

But this year, 2024, a major player dared to open a distance away from the center, in Brgy. Asin, soaring inflation rates and all: Bo’s Café, which has been a familiar brand in Metro Manila and other big cities for years now. It was a bold move on their part, I thought, perhaps testing the waters. I am hopeful this latest development is just a forerunner of other big-name brands where locals can hang out in style, shoot the breeze, think noble thoughts aloud with kindred spirits while sipping something refreshing or invigorating, pass the time by working on their laptop, or even listen to a poetry reading or an acoustic performance.

(Circa 2019 photo borrowed from Highland Highlands Golden Coffee Beans)

Rotary Club of Bayambang: Connecting the World

          The power of civil society organizations (CSOs) like the Rotary Club lies in their ability to connect people in ways that are normally not possible for most. Service-driven without being sectarian, the Rotary Club of Bayambang, just like other Rotary districts, has been gathering individuals of various capabilities from diverse walks of life. With a heart for service rendered with excellence, the projects they line up each year speak for themselves.

          Indigent PWDs in dire need of crutches catch the attention of one member and another member hears of it and takes note. The latter is reminded of a contact in the orthopedics world who had informed her about another group looking for people to help to give away their crutches for free.

          The story of unexpected connections – with wonderful outcomes – replicates itself in every project, which is always a story of beautiful collaboration, be it tree planting, feeding activity, late birth registration, donating shoes, medical mission, blood drive, book donation or some other lightbulb idea.

          This is how Rotarians make a difference by connecting the world.

          People and groups unable to meet otherwise are able to meet together and address a pressing need. Before long, circumstances get auspicious and concrete solutions are made. 

        That’s how important CSOs like the Rotary Club are. To local governments everywhere whose area of influence and available resources are understandably limited, they are certainly, so to speak, a shot in the arm.