The Untold Story of PSU-Bayambang: A Teacher of Teachers

The Untold Story of PSU-Bayambang: A Teacher of Teachers

Before it was known as the Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus, it used to be called by other names.

According to the account of its former college dean, Dr. Clarita DG. Jimenez, PSU-Bayambang “first came into being as the Bayambang Normal School in 1922, one of the only 10 or so normal schools in the country. It offered then the secondary normal course which prepared much needed teachers for the country. The school closed in 1935 due to inadequate funds but opened up in 1948 under a new name -- Pangasinan Normal School, which offered the two-year collegiate teacher education program. It was in 1952-1953 that the college like any other regional normal school began offering the four-year bachelor’s degree program for elementary teachers."

"In 1953, the normal school with the elementary schools in the District of Bautista and the Bayambang National High School were merged to become the Philippines-UNESCO National Community Training Center (PUNCTC). It operated as a school division in Pangasinan."

"Republic Act 5705 converted the school into a chartered institution, the then Central Luzon Teachers College on June 21, 1969. As provided in the charter of the college, the major functions of the institution are instruction, research and extension service."

"In 1981, Art and Science courses were also offered in the College of Education in Bayambang. In 1982, the seat of the University Administration was transferred from Bayambang to Lingayen with the completion of the Administration Building there. The College of Arts and Sciences was also formally created in Lingayen with the transfer of some courses from Bayambang.

PSU-Bayambang Campus is a school of many firsts, making it an historic school of national import or significance.

In 1953, when it became the seat of the PUNCTC "by virtue of Republic Act No 1142," "waves of educational dignitaries from all over the country and other countries arrived to attend conferences and visit model communities of the municipality."

In 1955, "the first Child Study Center in the country was put up at the then PNS." "The Center made initial studies on the Filipino child in order for the Philippines to have its own data about its children."

In 1956, it experimented with the country's first pre-elementary school or kindergarten, to "provide a working laboratory for the Child Study Center."

In the same year, it also established the first Opportunity Class for exceptional children.

In 1962, it became the venue of the first National Institute in Physical Education and Recreation in the Philippines.

PSU reportedly also pioneered in child nutrition studies in the Philippines, being the seat of the Applied Nutrition Project, with Sylvia Manlungat as head.

Among PSU's pride are its Pangkat Kawayan and Laboratory High School Rondalla, among nearly a dozen other musical groups, all founded by the prodigious Prof. Rufino Menor, and its Matalunggaring Dance Troupe, founded by Prof. Januario Cuchapin.

In the 1980s, PSU formed the Tambayo Cultural Group featuring Pangasinan folk songs culled from a dissertation of resident professor, Dr. Perla Nelmida, and presented in a concert, "Glimpses of Pangasinan Life & Culture in Songs & Dances," directed by Dr. Natividad I. Parin.

Together with fellow professors, Prof. Elsa F. Quinto edited a book compiling notated Pangasinan folk songs, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino-funded “Cancansion na Pangasinan,” while Prof. Januario Cuchapin focused his efforts on researching Pangasinan dances, to come up with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts -funded compilation of notated Pangasinan dances, “Bali-Balin Pangasinan.” Among Cuchapin’s notable findings is that Bayambang has its own version of Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko, a rambunctious one.

Inside PSU-Bayambang's sprawling campus is the PSU-Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region I's Food Innovation Center (FIC). It was formally launched on August 11, 2018 to serve the region's needs in the area of cutting-edge food processing technology. Even before its formal opening, the PSU-DOST 1 FIC has assisted in the conceptualization of at least three products in Bayambang: peanut butter, rice cracker, odorless buro, etc. On December 19, 2017, 1Food Corp., assisted by LGU Bayambang, entered into a Memorandum of Understading with the FIC for assistance in producing a line of vacuum-fried vegetables (okra, onion, squash).

References: 400th Pista'y Baley Souvenir Program, Unpublished coffee table book on Bayambang by Dr. Clarita D.G. Jimenez, Dr. Annie Manalang, & Dr. Anecita Gloria, Dr./Sr. Natividad Parin