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 3 km.

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 49 km from Lingayen and 181 km from Manila.

Barangays

Alcala is politically subdivided into 21 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

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

Members of the Municipal Council (2022–2025):

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

Secondary schools

Private schools