A FEEDBACK on Old Dagupan

I have enjoyed reading your memories of Dagupan.I was born in the 60s so mine is probably different from yours slightly but I would like to know if you still remember the park in front of the city hall,do you remember those mermaid sculpture there and those benches made of concrete.Was there a Jose Rizal monument there too. And do you have any picture of the old Dagupan including the old market with those zabala school supply shop.
Just to let you know I have enjoyed reading your diaries,and i don't know if you had finish your diary when you went to pampanga.I'll be looking.
Comment from jaganie - 17/03/06 12:59 PM

 I do remember the beautiful park in front of the old Municipio.I can not remember the statue of Rizal. There was a story that he came to Dagupan to look for his love Leonor Rivera in this city. Leonor loved him but her relatives thought Rizal was too much of a "rebel"so they thought of breaking up the love affair by hiding her in Dagupan.Of course, they underestimated Rizal's mind and will power. He was able to track her down..Must have been an interesting meeting if ever it took place...She became the model of Rizal's Maria Clara while he became Crisostomo Ibarra in his famous novel THE SOCIAL CANCER..I wonder if the Rivera street in downtown was named after her too..

Yes, there was a concrete mermaid and there were also thingies with wheels on 'em..can't remember exactly what they were, trains?cars? I forgot already..But the plants were well-kept and it was a pride of the old Dagupan..Then there was the water tank; a HUGE round building that was seen all over the city..It was painted orange, got windows in em..and I never had the chance the go up there before the great earthquake..

Sorry I was not able to take some photos of this landmark and of the other places in the old city. Example is the old Pantranco station near the corner of  Arellano and Torres Bugallon: This is one of the busiest hubs in Dagupan before because all the Pantranco busses would eventually meet in this spot.

There was a small side street that one walks out of and it would bring you to the main street. Lots of shops on each side. Then comes the bridge. More shops all the way until the Municipal Building. I remember the Ang Ka Tong, Tia Juana, then the small electronic shop that sold 45 rpm records, then restaurants,..Yes I do remember Zabala School supplies also Agsalud, I think..My favorite snack then was the Dagupan's roasted peanuts with lots of garlic and a peculiar taste that the taste buds do not forget.Vendors spoke in Pangasinan dialect ( now a days most of them speak Tagalog ) ..Sometimes it is the sound of the dialect that gives the certain air and distinction of the city..The language sounds unlike any other; so  when I hear it, my mind forms images of my childhood glimpses of old Dagupan--#