Alcala, Pangasinan

Alcala
Municipality

Seal
Motto: Kalinisan, Kalusugan, Karapatan (English: Environment, Health, Rights)

Map of Pangasinan showing the location of Alcala
Alcala

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 15°50′50″N 120°31′27″E / 15.84722°N 120.52417°E / 15.84722; 120.52417Coordinates: 15°50′50″N 120°31′27″E / 15.84722°N 120.52417°E / 15.84722; 120.52417
Country  Philippines
Region Ilocos (Region I)
Province Pangasinan
District 5th district of Pangasinan
Founded September 20, 1875
Barangays 21
Government[1]
 • Mayor Jojo B. Callejo
 • Vice Mayor Rodolfo C. Rosquita
Area[2]
 • Total 45.71 km2 (17.65 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 41,077
 • Density 900/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2425
Dialing code 75
Income class 3rd class; partially urban

Alcala (Pangasinan: Baley na Alcala; Ilocano: Ili ti Alcala), is a third class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 41,077 people[3] with land area of 5,508 hectares.

Alcala recently broke the world record for longest grill measuring about 3 kilometres (9,840 ft).

History

What is known now as Alcala was formerly a barrio of Bayambang, formerly called "Dangla", a vernacular term referring to a medicinal shrub which grows abundantly in the place. As a barrio, it was subdivided into several smaller units called sitios, namely: Bugyao, Bacud, Cupi, Bitulao, Guinawedan, Anulid, Cabicalan, Pindangan, Camanggaan and Sinabaan

On April 1, 1873, the settlers established a community. They submitted a petition calling for the cessation of Dangla into a separate township, but it took more than two years for the Spanish Authorities to take notice of the settlers' demands.

Finally, on September 20, 1875, a Royal Decree No. 682 was issued making the place an official municipality to be named Alcala, the name of a town in Spain where the then Governor of Pangasinan hailed from.

During the outbreak of the Philippine-American War, the place was the site of the field headquarters of General Malone of the United States Army.

When the Filipinos and Americans were fighting against the Japanese during World War II, the place was the site for the American Field Headquarters under the command of General Johnathan Wainwright. It is here that the first Guerrilla Combat Training School was established. The same school produced an Infantry Battalion composed mostly of Alcaleneans who played an important role in defending the whole of Northern Luzon from the superior Japanese Forces.[4][5]

Barangays

Alcala is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.[2]

  • Anulid
  • Atainan
  • Bersamin
  • Canarvacanan
  • Caranglaan
  • Curareng
  • Gualsic
  • Kisikis
  • Laoac
  • Macayo
  • Pindangan Centro
  • Pindangan East
  • Pindangan West
  • Poblacion East
  • Poblacion West
  • San Juan
  • San Nicolas
  • San Pedro Apartado
  • San Pedro Ili
  • San Vicente
  • Vacante

Demographics

Population census of Alcala
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 30,684—    
1995 31,974+0.77%
2000 35,734+2.41%
2007 38,934+1.19%
2010 41,077+1.97%
2015 43,402+1.05%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][6]

Local government

The elected officials for the 2016–2019 term are:[1]

Climate

Climate data for Alcala, Pangasinan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31.1
(88.1)
Average low °C (°F) 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 22.8
(72.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 5.1
(0.201)		 11.6
(0.457)		 21.1
(0.831)		 27.7
(1.091)		 232.9
(9.169)		 350.8
(13.811)		 679.8
(26.764)		 733.1
(28.862)		 505
(19.88)		 176.6
(6.953)		 67.2
(2.646)		 17.7
(0.697)		 2,828.6
(111.362)
Average rainy days 3 3 3 4 14 18 23 25 22 15 8 4 142
Source: World Weather Online[7]

Tourism

A tilapia dispersal and barbecue are part of the attractions in Alcala.[8]

The 2012 Red Bikini Open was held in San Juan.[9]

Alcala celebrated the founding anniversary on September 20

Alcala celebrated their fiesta on May 1–3

San Vicente, Alcala has its Backpack Project.

Holy Cross Parish Church

The 1881 Holy Cross Parish Church is a Vicariate of Sacred Heart (with Vicar Forane, Father Hurley John S. Solfelix, 2425 Pangasinan, Philippines. Its Feast Day is May 3, with Parish Priest, Father Domingo M. Catungal)[10] under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan Alcala, Pangasinan Alcala, Pangasinan[11][12]

The January 4, 1881 Spanish Royal Decree of the Spanish Government created the Parish of the Holy Cross and accepted by the Dominicans (House of the Order) on November of 188. Padre Eduardo Saamaniego, O.P., was appointed first parish priest on February 21, 1882. The convent was erected under Fr. Revilla and Fr. Casamitjana but the same was destroyed.[13]

In 1950, Padre Jose V. Ferrer caused the destruction of the old church and instead built a semi-concrete edifice. Aided by Bishop Jesus Sison and Archbishop Mariano Madriaga, the Priest founded the Holy Rood Academy. Fr. Amado Lopez continued the rehabilitation of the Church and school but the 1967 and 1968 Casiguran earthquake annihilated the Church. Thus, Fr. Eusebio Vigilia and Fr. Johnny Tagalicud (1972-1977) rehabilitated the present new Church. (Source, 2007 Fiesta Yearbook of Bani, Pangasinan Church).

Schools

Elementary schools:

  • Alcala Central School
  • South Central School
  • Anulid Elem. School
  • Atainan Elem. School
  • Bersamin Elem. School
  • Gualsic Elem. School
  • Laoac Elem. School
  • Macayo Integrated School
  • Pindangan West Elem. School
  • Pindangan East Elem. School
  • San Juan Elem. School
  • San Pedro Apartado Elem. School
  • San Pedro Ili Elem. School
  • San Vicente Elem. School
  • Vacante Elem. School

Secondary schools:

Private schools:

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Province: PANGASINAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  4. ↑ http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/cities-and-municipalities/alcala/
  5. ↑ http://www.ovguide.com/alcala,-pangasinan-9202a8c04000641f800000000068788e
  6. ↑ "Province of Pangasinan". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Alcala, Pangasinan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". World Weather Online. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  8. ↑ http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/photo-gallery/news-and-events/2011-2/august-2011/tilapia-dispersal-in-alcala-pangasinan/
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV3BnJMjt1k
  10. ↑ http://rcald.org/
  11. ↑ http://www.ucanews.com/diocesan-directory/html/dps-pr_urdaneta_parishes.html
  12. ↑ http://www.church.nfo.ph/list-of-parishes-roman-catholic-diocese-of-urdaneta/
  13. ↑ http://capitalpangasinan.blogspot.com/2008/02/all-churches.html

External links

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