Bayambang Municipal Hall

Bayambang Municipal Hall

Bayambang’s municipal building was built in 1937 to serve as “abong na baley,” literally the town’s house. A fusion of California Mission Revival style and bahay-na bato features, the fusion architeture was based on a standard plan known as Narvacan Type by Juan Arellano that was adopted for other similar edifices (called Presidencia at the time) around the country. Through the years, the municipal building has undergone structural changes under different administrations. The most significant changes had been made in its facade.

In spite of the changes, there is one spot in the old municipio which has not been altered and remains the symbol of the past. This is the tower atop the building.

Going to the tower, one has to go up the second floor of the municipio. Left of the stairway is a narrow door leading towards an anteroom where the stairs going up the tower is found.

The tower is actually part of the rooftop of the old municipio where one could see an overview of the whole Poblacion, particularly the plaza and its environs.

In front of the Municipal Hall is a bronze statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo made by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. This is in commemoration of the declaration of the former President of the Philippine Republic of Bayambang as the fifth capital of the country during the Revolutionary Period.

(Dr. Clarita D.G. Jimenez, Resty S. Odon)