Alcala, Pangasinan

Alcala, Pangasinan
Alcala, officially the Municipality of Alcala, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 48,908 people.
Alcala recently broke the world record for longest grill measuring about .
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, Cabicalan, Patalan, 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.
Geography
Alcala has a land area of 5,508 hectares. It is from Lingayen and from Manila.
Barangays
Alcala is politically subdivided into 21 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
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
Climate
Demographics
Economy
Government
Local government
Alcala, belonging to the fifth congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.
Elected officials
Tourism
A tilapia dispersal and barbecue are part of the attractions in Alcala.
The 2012 Red Bikini Open was held in San Juan.
Alcala celebrated the founding anniversary and annual Tukar Festival (Music Festival) every 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. Its Feast Day are May 3 is the Feast of the Finding of the True Cross and September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with the present Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Elisar "Ralphie" M. Itchon under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta.
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.
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).
Education
Elementary schools
Alcala Central School
South Central School
Anulid Elem. School
Atainan Elem. School
Bersamin Elem. School
Gualsic Elem. School
Guinawedan 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
Cipriano P. Primicias National High School
Arboleda National High School
Pindangan National High School
Canarvacanan National High School
San Pedro Apartado National High School
Bersamin Agro-Industrial High School
Macayo Integrated School
Private schools
Holy Rood Academy
Holy Family Inc.
God's Favor Learning Center Inc.
Gallery
References
External links
Alcala Profile at PhilAtlas.com
Municipal Profile at the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines
Alcala at the Pangasinan Government Website
Alcala Page
Local Governance Performance Management System
[ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
Philippine Census Information
Municipalities of Pangasinan
Populated places on the Agno River