San Carlos, Pangasinan

San Carlos, officially the City of San Carlos (Pangasinan: Siyudad na San Carlos; Ilocano: Siudad ti San Carlos; Filipino: Lungsod ng San Carlos), is a component city in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 205,424 people. It is the most populated city in Pangasinan and the entire Ilocos Region.
San Carlos is 19 kilometers (12 mi) from Lingayen and 208 kilometers (129 mi) from Manila.
San Carlos, formerly known as Binalatongan, experienced significant historical events that influenced its name change. In 1660, a revolt led by Andres Malong, and later another insurrection in 1762 headed by Juan dela Cruz Palaris, culminated in humiliating defeats for the Spanish colonial forces. These uprisings prompted King Carlos III of Spain to order the destruction of Binalatongan. Following this directive, the town was razed and subsequently renamed San Carlos, which remains to be its name today. The renaming served both as a punitive measure and as a means to establish a new order in the aftermath of the rebellions.
San Carlos, originally known as Binalatongan, was inhabited by the San Carlenians. They spoke Cabuloan, the original Pangasinan dialect. The San Carlenians were known for their staunch adherence to their beliefs and practices, leading to frequent conflicts with the Augustinian friars. These clashes ultimately forced the Augustinians to abandon the area. However, the Dominicans later succeeded where the Augustinians had failed, establishing San Carlos as a Christian community.
The town's history is marked by significant uprisings led by prominent local figures. Andrés Malong and Juan de la Cruz Palaris are two of the most notable leaders. Palaris, whose real name was Pantaleon Perez, earned his moniker due to his agility and skill in native fencing, known as esgrima de mano. He spearheaded a revolt against the Spanish authorities in 1762, which lasted for two years and spread across Pangasinan. His resistance against excessive tribute and forced labor led to the establishment of an independent government based in Binalatongan.
The first significant revolt in the area occurred in 1660, led by Andrés Malong. In 1718, during a minor uprising led by Juan Caragay, the church and its convent were set on fire, prompting the relocation of the Población east of the San Juan River. This transfer occurred on November 4, 1718, coinciding with the feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, leading to the settlement being renamed San Carlos Binalatongan.
In 1763, during another revolt led by Juan dela Cruz Palaris, the convent and the church of Saint Dominic were once again set ablaze. This event led King Charles III of Spain to issue a decree relocating the site to a place then known as "Lucban." The town's major involvement in these uprisings resulted in a royal mandate to rename the town after the Spanish monarch, thus it was renamed San Carlos.
From its foundation until 1764, the poblacion and the church were relocated several times within the town's present boundaries. The initial site was on the western bank of the Agno River near the Zambales Mountains, likely within the town of Aguilar. It was later moved to the eastern side of the river, within the present barangay Mabalbalino, where it remained through the second half of the 17th century.
The town's rich history of resistance and resilience is encapsulated in its evolution from Binalatongan to San Carlos, reflecting the enduring spirit of its inhabitants and their significant role in regional history.
During the 1960s, the Municipality of San Carlos was divided into two precincts. In 1965, the smaller precinct became legally incorporated as the Municipality of Basista by virtue of Republic Act No. 4866.
In 1966, the larger precinct became legally incorporated as San Carlos City by virtue of Republic Act No. 4487.
On April 28, 2007, San Carlos City's former mayor, Julian V. Resuello, was assassinated during an event at the city's plaza. His own family was accused to be behind his assassination. He later died after two days.
San Carlos is politically subdivided into 87 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Pangasinan is the main dialect of San Carlos. Ilocano is also widely spoken and understood in the city.
Poverty incidence of San Carlos
The city is also called the "Mango-Bamboo Capital of the Philippines", San Carlos has the largest number of mango trees – their fruits are among the most flavorsome in the country – and a thriving bamboocraft industry. An agroindustrial city, San Carlos also engages in livestock raising, crop production, inland fishing, pottery, food processing, tourism, commerce and trade, small-scale manufacturing, and flour-making. San Carlos is said to have an ideal investment potential because of its large land area, big population and strategic location, being in the center of Pangasinan.
San Carlos, belonging to the third 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.
Interesting spots of the town include:
On April 26, 2011, 86 barangays in San Carlos baked a 100-square-meter mango pie — filling a gymnasium and setting the largest mango pie world record (400 sqm na mango pie, iniluto sa San Carlos City). Natives used 400 trays of mango pies (10 kilos each, P 400,000, in a 100-square-meter table and shared by more than 1,200). It highlighted San Carlos City's Mango-Bamboo Festival 2011.
Bus companies with service to and from Manila include Five Star Bus Company, Dagupan Bus Company, Fermina Express, Pangasinan Solid North Transit, Inc., and First North Luzon Transit.
Jeepneys are available for commuters to its neighboring towns, like Calasiao and Malasiqui. Tricycles are available for commuters to barrios and barangays.