Q43154

Understand

The name "Pangasinan" can be ambiguous; it can refer also to the people and the language. Pangasinan's name derives from the word for "place of salt", with the root word "asin" (salt). Salt production is the main source of income, but the local economy has since diversified. It is the richest and most populous province among the four in Ilocos Region. The local people are of the same name, Pangasinan (also called Pangasinense or Panggalatok, the latter they consider to be derogatory), but the province has been heavily settled by Ilocanos from the north, which still some natives resent. Other ethnic groups are the indigenous Sambal peoples, who live in western Pangasinan and are related to the inhabitants of neighboring Zambales, which also used to include western Pangasinan until the American era. The few ethnic Tagalogs are mostly in parts of Pangasinan bordering Tagalog-speaking Nueva Ecija. While historically, geographically, and culturally linked to Central Luzon, Pangasinan is rather lumped up as part of Ilocos Region as a relic of the Marcos era. As a result, native Pangasinan object to calling Ilocos Region as simply Ilocos.

Getting there

By bus Victory Liner runs buses every hour from Manila to Alaminos, Lingayen or Dagupan (and vice versa), with stopovers at Dau and Tarlac City; some buses continue onward to Baguio through MacArthur Highway/Manila North Road (Route 2). Five Star, Victory's sister bus company, also serve the same destination pairs, but they also have a trip from Santiago in Isabela with an ordinary (non-air-conditioned) bus.

By car Pangasinan is served by the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) since 2015, shortening travel time from Manila. The motorway has exits in Rosales, Urdaneta, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, and Sison. The slower and older route from Manila is Route 2, named MacArthur Highway from the Tarlac boundary to Urdaneta and Manila North Rd north of Urdaneta. Other major highways to Pangasinan are Route 55 (Romulo Highway and Pangasinan-La Union Road), Route 56 (Pangasinan-Nueva Ecija Road) Route 114 (Pangasinan-Nueva Vizcaya Road) and Route 306 (Zambales Highway).

By plane There is no airport in Pangasinan with commercial flights, and the two only airports, in Lingayen and Binalonan, are mostly used by general aviation and flying schools. The nearest major airport is at Clark Freeport. There are plans to build a new airport at Alaminos, but construction is stalled due to opposition from environmentalists.

Getting around

The best way to get around Pangasinan is by provincial bus, with frequent connections across key cities and towns. Major operators are Victory Liner and Five Star, Pangasinan Solid North and Dagupan Bus Line. Highways are of a decent standard, but most will be two- to four-lane roads with homes and businesses at both sides, and lots of slow traffic and obstacles. Jeepneys are the primary mode of local public transport around Dagupan and surroundings. On most other places, tricycles are more common, and jeepneys primarily used to service nearby towns, but are less comfortable than buses.

See

Western Pangasinan is a popular beach destination, particularly Bolinao and Alaminos with its Hundred Islands. The Lingayen Gulf coast has some nice beaches, but is more utilized by the fishing industry. Eastern Pangasinan may be a bit bland for travelers, but its mountainous edges are underrated getaways. The town of Manaoag, with its venerated image of the Virgin Mary, is the leading pilgrimage spot for Catholics north of Metro Manila.

Do

Mountain hiking or picnicking in the mountains of San Nicolas. Ziplining, other outdoor activities and a hot spring can be found west of Rosales. Go island hopping and snorkelling in Hundred Island National Park. Visit the largest dam in the Philippines and 16th largest in the world, the San Roque Dam located near San Manuel. Malangsi Fishtival is a yearly agricultural festival in April in the town of Bayambang in the south of Pangasinan. Dipalo River scenic area in San Quintin municipality

Beaches Patar White Sand Beach The beaches near San Fabian in the northeastern part of Pangasinan are worth a visit Tondol Beach or often referred to a Little Boracay of the North is a stunning beach near Anda in the far northwest of the region.

Buy

For a fishy experience, try the fish market in Dagupan.