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HISTORY AND CULTURE

Pray Hard, Play Harder in Pangasinan
Pangasinan

Bernard Supetran | Apr 28, 2014

The charming province of Pangasinan is seemingly a land of extremes.

It is home to notable Spanish-era Roman Catholic churches, and at the same time hosts some of the most
enticing getaways north of the metropolis.

It is said that Pangasinenses pray hard, evident in the massive churches which reflect their piety and
religiosity. In the same vein, they play hard in the natural environments that the Almighty has gifted them.

The Manaoag Shrine is a must-visit for pilgrims and those seeking special petitions from Above. It's a
must-visit even for those just passing by en route to other destinations.

The massive church complex, one of the most visited in the country, is home to an ecclesiastical museum
chronicling the religious development of Manaoag. At the outer wall of the church is a pasalubong center
where one can bring home Pangasinan's best delicacies and handicrafts.

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Aside from Manaoag, other remarkable houses of worship include the postcard-pretty Church of St. James
the Fortress in Bolinao and the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Calasiao. The latter was declared a
National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum.

St. Joseph Church in Alaminos City and St. Isidore Parish in Labrador sport a facade of simple lines, but
their classy interiors spring out a pleasant surprise. The Parish Church of the Epiphany is of the same mold,
but its antiquarian massive bells make it worth visiting.

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Other pilgrimage-worthy churches are those in Binmaley, Bayambang, Aguilar, Bugallon, and Dagupan
City, the seat of the Archdiocese.

After praying hard, visitors and locals alike play hard as they hie off to the nearest beach hideaway.

With the rich Lingayen Gulf, undulating mountains, and the mighty Agno River system, as well as inland
and beach resorts, Pangasinan is virtual playground that surely won't disappoint.

A must-do is island-hopping at the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City. Pangasinan's iconic
tourist spot and one of the country’s earliest beach hideaways have graced promotional posters and
calendars since the 1970s.

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Leap-frogging in this 123-island group has become more exciting with the advent of helmet diving in
Governor's Island where one can descend to the seabed in a special Scuba gear for non-divers. A unique
and more physical way to explore the the archipelago is to paddle a kayak to admire the various rock
formations up close and person. New tourist infrastructure are being built to make guests' stay more
relaxing and convenient.

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With a coastline that extends almost infinitely, the province is dotted with sun-kissed shores which will
surely provide a beach overload to sun-worshippers.

The beaches of Patar in Bolinao, Tondol in Anda, and Cabo in Burgos are known for their crystalline and
powdery cream sand which glisten in the sun. An old-time favorite is San Fabian with its kilometers-long
beachfront.

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The province also takes pride in its resorts in addition to its rich coastlines. A new waterworld is the newly
opened Aquatica Marina of El Puerto Marina in Lingayen. The only one of its kind in Pangasinan, the
beachside park boasts of five swimming pools—a giant slide pool, a wave and giant bucket pool, the
“raging river,” a slide pool, and a kids' playground pool.

The resort hotel, one of the best in the province, also offers comfy rooms, surfing and skimboarding
facilities, ATVs, and kayaks to make the your stay worthwhile.

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Balungao is carving its niche as an adventure haven in northern Luzon with its zipline, ATVs, therapeutic
hot and cold springs, and mountain trail. As the goat capital, you can also sink your teeth on the tastiest
goat meat dishes.

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An emerging extreme activity is caving in the expansive chambers of Cacupangan in Mabini town. Tucked
in the mountains of southern Pangasinan, Cacupangan is a river cave system teeming with springs and
streams which form natural pools, in addition to the awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites. It has
occasional overhead crevices ideal for rappelling which even newbies can conquer.

Lingayen town exudes an eclectic charm which combines the old and the new. A first-stop is the seaside
American-era Capitol Complex, reputedly the best of its kind in the country, restored to its former glory by
Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

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The majestic complex became the landing ground of Allied troops in Lingayen Gulf in 1945 led by Gen.
Douglas MacArthur. This is immortalized in the Veterans Park which displays vintage photos and museum
pieces of war materiel.

The centerpiece of the sprawling government center is the neo-classical main capitol building, Sison
Auditorium, the cultural and civic center of northern Luzon, and Urduja House, named after the legendary
queen.

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At the adjacent Capitol Resort, you can practice and perfect your golf swing at the Driving Range, the only
one of its kind among provincial government complexes.

The province ups the ante this summer to beat the summer heat with the Pistay Dayat, a month-long
festivity centered on sporting events and recreational activities around Lingayen Gulf.

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This is Pangasinan where you can pray hard and play harder.

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