Francisco Malala, a retired school teacher and a local writer-researcher from Asingan, provided us with additional materials pertaining to the history of this town. Mr. Malala also worked the defunct HOMELAND NEWS, a Community Newspaper published in Asingan and being circulated in nearby towns of Pangasinan.The editor/publisher then was Nonong Necessito.
According to Francisco, 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."
As early as 1600,Francisco said, 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.
ASINGAN got its name from an early incident when some visitors cried "Naasing kayo" ( Ilocano for you are hostile ) to some natives who did not want the visitors to hang around. But the present inhabitants of Asingan are now anything but hostile.
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.--#
---Vic Costes with files by Francisco Malala
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How wonderful to have a talented amber who can create a blog line for Asinganians in addition to what we already have here in the AMB.I thought it was creative for Mr. Marinas to set a medium for all Pangasineneses where he can help us touch each other heart while we are away from our home sweet home.
Manong Vic, yours is more intensified as we get to preview pictures of specific topics that can even really really touch not only our hearts but also our souls. Asinganians, keep posting pertinent stories, informations or unforgetable experiences in your life and don't worry about spellings and grammar because Manong Vic will edit and improve your blog entry before posting it.
Thanks Manong Vic!--LINDA
ALWAYS A PLEASURE, LINDA!---vic
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MORE ASINGAN TRIVIA--
Even if where you come from is a little bit complicated, it's still interesting to learn that I do have a little affinity with you, Sunrise, Manong Vic and Icarus. Kindly allow me to explain to you how. You and Icarus are from La Union. My late grandmother on my late father's side is from La Union. The thing that makes me sad is I never have had the chance of meeting and knowing any of her kin. Then you and Sunrise are from Pao, Manaoag, Pangasinan. Manong Vic's late mom, Apong Petra, is from Manaoag. The roots of my wife's mother are all in Laoac, Pangasinan. And as we know, Laoac is a former barangay of Manaoag. So there you go! Bale-bale la'tan agi! Am I right with what I said?
I admit, the handicap here is my inability to speak fluently the Pangasinan dialect. I can understand and speak some simple words. But other than that I'm at a loss on what to say when I'm in the company of Pangasinan-speaking people. I really regret it that I never got the chance to learn it and learn it well..Perdona mi agi.--a posting on the AMB from Puna to Madame Ricky
Without blowing his cover, I believe it is safe for me to say here that PUNA is a published writer in Hawai'i.--vic
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