Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Home Of The Hundred Islands

History of Alaminos City

1734 - 1737

Early Settlers

1734 – Northern Zambal tribe founded a settlement named Suyang (now Zaragosa, Bolinao)

1737 – The people of Suyang resettled in a place called Barrio Casborran (now Barangay Baleyadaan, Alaminos City). Casborran rapidly grew into a progressive community, thus enticing other settlers from Eastern Pangasinan.

1734 - 1737

1747 - 1758

Barrio to Pueblo (Independent Town)

1747 – Casborran was reclassified into a town, independent of its mother town, Bolinao.

1758 – Casborran was attacked and destroyed by fire due to conflict in political and economic interests between the original settlers and the first migrants. Survivors fled in all directions but many of these former inhabitants soon returned to the ruins of the town.

1747 - 1758

1764 - 1766

Casborran to Sarapsap

1764 – The settlers tried to rebuild the town but another conflict made them leave town and relocate to Nansangaan (now Barangay Inerangan).

1766 – Inhabitants founded a new settlement on a plateau farther from the sea and was called Sarapsap (now Barangay Poblacion).

1764 - 1766

1860 - 1997

Pueblo to Municipality

1860 – Sarapsap became a rapidly progressive town and was visited by the Spanish Governor-General at that time, Juan Alaminos y Vivar. Much loved by the residents, the town was later renamed ‘Alaminos’ in his honor in 1872.

1903 – Alaminos, along with eight (8) towns of Northern Zambales were made part of the province of Pangasinan. Don Francisco Reinoso was elected and served as the first Municipal President.

Postwar-Alaminos – The postwar years saw Alaminos rebuilding itself and energizing its economy which virtually was at a standstill during World War II.

1991 – Alaminos was reclassified from a fourth to a third class municipality.

1997 – Alaminos was reclassified from third class to a first class municipality, as it posted a 338.5% increase in its gross income.

1860 - 1997

2001

City of Alaminos

March 5, 2001 – Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9025, An Act Converting the Municipality of Alaminos, Province of Pangasinan into a Component City to be known as City of Alaminos.

March 28, 2001 – Eighty-five percent (85%) of Alaminians voted ‘Yes’ in a plebiscite, making Alaminos the fourth city of the province of Pangasinan.

2001

References:

Anak Apo na Alaminos by Felix Montemayor (1983)
Alaminos Storybook-Magazine ‘Hundred Islands, Hundred Reasons’ (March 2007)
Compilation of Alaminos history and barangays from fiesta and other celebration programs (Alaminos City Library)

How to get to Alaminos City

Get to know Alaminos City

Tourist Attractions

Hundred Islands National Park

Discover one of Asia's premier natural wonders and tourist destinations. The Philippines' first national park is blessed with a unique and diverse ecosystem, a thriving marine community of corals, giant clams, fishes and other sea creatures that create a magical underwater vista.

Mangrove Eco Park

The Mangrove Eco Park in Alaminos City is a mangrove nursery spanning 8.17 hectares.

St. Joseph Cathedral Church

The first town church in Alaminos [known then as Sarapsap] was built in 1770.

Lucap Wharf

Visitors can arrange boat tours to the Hundred Islands National Park through the Alaminos Tourist Center that is located in Lucap Wharf.

Festivals & Cultures

Hundred Islands Festival

The festive and vibrant week-long celebration is packed with must-see activities like the longanisa grill fest, agri-trade fair, street dancing competition, and much more. And fiesta nights can feature mini-concerts, sing and dance contests,sports tournaments, exhibits and fireworks display.

Moro-Moro/Zarzuela

Moro pirates used to descend to the old town of Alaminos [known then as Casborran] and plunder, which terrified its inhabitants. Witness the colorful re-enactment of exploits of Christian rulers against these Moro marauders.

Holy Week/Senakulo

Christians flock to commemorate the sacrifice of Christ with a Passion play [senakulo] and 'libot' [procession]. Watch as acting Roman soldiers with menacing masks and armors [locals call them Hudyo] 'arrest' and 'crucify' Christ. Then proceed to the St. Joseph Cathedral in time for the start of the 'libot', featuring the icons of saints, Mother Mary and Jesus mounted on carrozas [carriages], followed by devotees.

Paraw Festival

Recaptures the days when the city thrived on farming and fishing, and fishermen used sailboats that were indigenous to the place and neighboring coastal towns.

Foods, Delicacies & Crafts

Alaminos Longanisa

Taste the goodness of ground pork and garlic delectably mixed with spices and easily spotted with the signature toothpicks separating each longanisa.

Sapin-Sapin

Taste this famous "kakanin" made of colored layers of glutinous rice and coconut, ideal for dessert.

Oyster

Enjoy this fresh,rich and mouthwatering seafood delicacy. Cook it grilled, boiled or eat it fresh, with just a dash of lemon or 'calamansi'.

Binungey

Try this sticky rice cake cooked inside the bamboo tubes. This delectable treat is best paired with ripe mango, sugar or caramel.

Patupat

Have a taste of the popular sticky, tasty treat wrapped in woven palm leaves and cooked in sugarcane juice.

Bangus

Ocean-grown and fishpond-grown bangus in Alaminos are equally plump and juicy, giving a silent promise of delicious recipes. You can sample the many offerings in local restaurants and eateries, like the home goodness of sinigang and relyeno. Or try the bangus tinapa, bangus lumpia and the bangus embutido.

Shells and Craft

Shop for colorful little keepsakes, hanging lamps and other must-buy home decor made of shells or bamboo, t-shirts, and more to remember your great time at the islands and in the city.