A Short History of Asingan

As early as 1600, Dominican missionaries established religious missions in a place called Caboloan ( said to be the first name of Pangasinan ). One was called SAN BARTOLOME DE AGNO ( 1687 ) the first to be established near the present site of San Manuel. Then another mission was put up in a neighbouring area ( now the present site of Asingan ). This second mission is called SAN LUIS BELTRAN DE SINAPOG (1698). In 1719 some Igorots from the nearby mountains of San Manuel attacked the mission of San Bartolome and massacred some inhabitants. The Dominican friars and some survivors fled to San Luis Beltran mission for safety.

        In 1733, the Governor General granted a license to establish a town in the San Luis Beltran mission. This town became Asingan in 1802 and up this day, it is still located beside the Sinapog river.         

       When the revolt against the Spaniards broke out in 1762, only Asingan and Binmaley did not join the uprising. Asingan became the refuge of Dominican friars whose lives were endangered; thus Asingan earned the title of "Most Noble and Most Loyal Asingan."        

If you visit Asingan now a days, you can view the Asingan Catholic Church in its fully restored elegance. Like any church in Pangasinan, it  has survived earthquakes, insurrections and other man-made calamities.         

On March 16, 1892 an earthquake left the church with some horizontal cracks. But the church was still usable for worship. Then in 1898, General Makabulos of the KKK ( Kagalang galangang, Kataastaasang Katipunan ) organized some secret groups in Pangasinan. It  is written that during this year, Binalonan, San Manuel and Asingan were captured by the KKK. It must have been during this period that the Asingan convent ( the biggest convent in Eastern Pangasinan at that time ) was razed to the ground by a Katipunero named Agustin Alejo.         

In 1947, Rev. Jose Macaraeg renovated the church in preparation for  the second post war celebration of Christ the King in Pangasinan. Thus in October 1947, the faithful from  entire Pangasinan, and also the towns of Lupao and Cuyapo in Nueva Ecija and other towns like Camiling and Gerona in Tarlac converged in Asingan for a huge celebration. ( at that time, these towns are still part of the Diocese of Lingayen.)          On July 16, 1990, an intensity 8 earthquake rendered the church useless. Whole walls came down. Masses were held outdoors. But Asinganians from all over the world ( even those from other denominations ) pitched in their financial help for the restoration of the church. Thus, on October 10, 1993, which is celebrated in Asingan as the feast day of their Patron Saint St. Louis Beltran, the reconstructed church was opened to all Asinganians for the first time. This first Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Jesus Galang, D.D. Asingan Parish Priest Msgr. Marlo Peralta and assistant Parish Priest Benjamin Mangonon.

         The parishioners were honored in April 23, 1995 when President Fidel Ramos came to his hometown to see the new church . Msgr. Peralta acknowledged before the congregation the presence of the former President of the Philippines.

Asingan's Political Contributions

Asingan has contributed four Congressmen to the political history of the Philippines: Juan Millan, Narcisco Ramos, Justino Benito and Luciano Millan. Juan Millan was a hard working Nacionalista lawmaker who died after the end of his second term. Narciso Ramos, a member of the Liberal Party later became the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Then there was Justino Benito, a brilliant lawyer who was chosen as an outstanding Congressmanduring his term. The fourth is Luciano Millan ( Asingan Public High School eventually was named after him ) a "fighting" Nationalista Congressman. His record was so good that he was selected to represent the Philippines in the United Nations General Assembly with another brilliant statesman. That statesman's name was Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.  

It is said that Ferdinand Marcos came to Asingan a few times. Narciso Ramos, the father of Fidel Ramos and Leticia Ramos-Shahani, was his close relative . He stayed then in a stately house that belongs to the Agsalud family. Mrs. Pura Ramos Agsalud is the sister of Narciso. It is said that Ferdinand Marcos came to Asingan during the war, then as a Senator and finally as a Presidential candidate.  

Asingan came to the limelight when Fidel Ramos won the Presidential election many, many years later. A month before the election, I was in Asingan to attend the town fiesta. I saw him with many bodyguards and friends participating in the TARAY ASINGAN.

Back in Toronto,  I was elated  a month later when I heard that finally, a townmate of ours became the President of the Philippines. His sister also won a senatorial seat. However, there are a few townspeople from Lingayen, Pangasinan who claim that Lingayen is the true hometown of Pres. Ramos since his mother is from this town and he was born in this provincial capital. Some say Fidel Ramos finished his Elementary schooling in  Lingayen and his teachers say he had shown a promising capacity for leadership. I gathered these stories when I visited Lingayen during one of my balik-bayan holidays.  

However, the fact remains that Pres. Ramos and Sen. Leticia Shahani have residences ( rather vacation houses ) here in Asingan.And many schools in town are renamed after their parents.   Rafael Colet is another addition to the Who's Who in Asingan's Hall of Fame. Rafael Coletonce served as the governor of Pangasinan. Ranjit Shahani, the son of Leticia Ramos Shahani  has also served as a Congressman for the 5th District of Pangasinan.  

You might have seen ( or heard ) of two towering Narra trees at the Mayor's gate at the  south side of the town plaza. The seedlings which grew into these gigantic trees were brought over from Dapitan, Zamboangaby an Asinganian, Professor Jose  Blando. It is said that the seedlings came from the narra tree planted by our country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. He planted this tree while he was in exile in Dapitan. The last time I saw the trees, they are already dead but I know they witnessed the unfolding of Asingan from a small settlement into a bustling community belonging to the second millennium.

I remember Asingan during the 50's, 60's and '70s. It was a "sleepy" community. Now a days, it seems Asingan hardly sleeps at all. Resorts with modern swimming pools and picnic areas sprung up in the poblacion and in many barrios. Night life in town would be a visit to countless "Karaoke" bars which are open 7 days ( or rather 7 nights )  a week.. Apartels and Hotels are established for transients and visitors. Tricycles come and go out of town almost the whole night. You can even text a tricycle to come to your doorstep if you have a cell phone, assuming the driver have a cell of his own.  

 Thus the story of Asingan continues with the passage of time and history. Its townspeople come and go like the waves at the beach. But like the beach, Asingan does not go away. It is always there, patiently awaiting for her visiting sons and daughters from all over the world.  

THE END.  

Written by Victorio Costes from files by Samuel Soloria, Carl Calderon, Francisco Malala and Celestino Necessito.