Bolinao

For the language, see Bolinao language. For the common name for small edible fish, see Bolinaw.

Bolinao
Municipality
Municipality of Bolinao
Clockwise from top: Saint James the Great Parish Church, Silaki Island giant clams, a resort with scenic seascape, scattered rock formations across the shore, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Patar Beach, and Bolinao Municipal Hall.
Seal
Motto:  Bayan Ko
Map of Pangasinan with Bolinao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Bolinao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°23′17″N119°53′41″E / 16.3881°N 119.8947°E / 16.3881; 119.8947
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	Pangasinan
District	1st district
Founded	July 25, 1575
Barangays	30 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Alfonso D. Celeste
•  Vice Mayor	Richard C. Celeste
•  Representative	Arnold D. Celeste
•  Municipal Council	Members Gregorio C. Celeste Carolina M. Abad Jasmin C. Camba Joven C. Caasi Jesus E. dela Cruz Jr. Jonumer V. Caasi Rey Carlo I. Celeste Gabriel C. Castellano
•  Electorate	48,329 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	197.22 km2 (76.15 sq mi)
Elevation	7.0 m (23.0 ft)
Highest elevation	251 m (823 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	83,979
• Density	430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
•  Households	20,791
Economy
•  Income class	1st municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	16.28 % (2018) [4]
•  Revenue	₱ 293.7 million (2020)
•  Assets	₱ 866.3 million (2020)
•  Expenditure	₱ 227.3 million (2020)
•  Liabilities	₱ 139.5 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Pangasinan 1 Electric Cooperative (PANELCO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2406
PSGC	015514000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)75
Native languages	Bolinao Pangasinan Ilocano Tagalog Sambal

Bolinao, officially the Municipality of Bolinao (Bolinao: Babali nin Bolinao; Pangasinan : Baley na Bolinao; Ilocano : Ili ti Bolinao; Tagalog : Bayan ng Bolinao), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 83,979 people. ^[3]

Sea urchins are regularly harvested at Isla Silaki, Bolinao. ^[5] The town, aside from being a fishing domain, is also a heritage site in the Philippines, possessing an olden church surrounded by heritage houses. The town is also the location of the cave where the gold-teeth Bolinao Skulls with fish scale designs were found. Scholars have been pushing for the town's cultural landscape into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Etymology

Folk etymology attributes the name "Bolinao", a remote fishing enclave, from the fish specie "monamon" commonly called "bolinao" by the Tagalogs, Bicolanos and the Visayans. A theory also points out that once upon a time "pamulinawen" trees grew luxuriantly along its shores, thus, the Ilocano migrants who crossed Lingayen Gulf named it phonetically similar to the name of the tree in their language. Nowadays, however, such tree does not exist in abundance in the area.

History

Spanish colonization era

An account^{[ specify ][ who? ]} narrates the arrival of Juan de Salcedo and his crew reached Bolinao and chanced upon a Chinese Sampan who captured a native chieftain. Salcedo and his men liberated the natives and the latter immediately pledged vassalage to the King of Spain. ^[6]

According to oral history, the town of Bolinao used to be a small settlement in what is now Barrio Binabalian in Santiago Island, then having a population of just over a hundred families. It is said that Captain Pedro Lombi founded the town of Bolinao in 1575. A decade later, Dominican Friar Esteban Marin became the first Spanish missionary to evangelize the people of Bolinao. For two years, he worked in Bolinao before he was assigned as prior in Batac, Ilocos Norte. ^[6]

The Dominicans ended their service in 1607 to be replaced by the Augustinian Recollects headed by Fr. Jeronimo de Cristo and Dr. Andres del Espiritu Santo. At this time, the old town of Bolinao was still located along the coast of Pangasinan. Due to pirate attacks, the town was transferred to the mainland in 1609. Ilocano settlers from Paoay, Ilocos Norte moved & stayed in the town to increase the small population of the town.

This town formerly included the neighboring town of Anda, but Anda became an independent municipality on May 26, 1849.

American occupation era

In 1903, Bolinao was separated from Zambales and was annexed to Pangasinan by virtue of Act No. 1004. ^[7]

Japanese occupation era

Japanese forces landed and occupied Bolinao in December 1941 and established a military garrison. A joint military force of American, Australian and Philippine Commonwealth troops, including local resistance fighters, liberated Bolinao in January 1945.^{[ citation needed ]}

Contemporary

First Mass

On November 18, 2007, Bolinao challenged the belief that the first Mass in the Philippines was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, at Limasawa in Southern Leyte. Memorial markers (donated by Italian priest Luigi Malamocco, 62, from Odorico's hometown of Friuli, Italy) were set in the town's church and on Santiago Island, claiming that in 1324, Franciscan missionaries led by an Italian priest named Odorico celebrated a thanksgiving Mass thereat and also baptized natives. ^[8]

Hard coal spill

Bolinao Mayor Alfonso Celeste said the local government will file damage suit against Indonesian owners of the barge APOL 3003. The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) stated that the environmental damage was P 54.9 million ($1 =- P 40). The barge towed by a tug boat from Indonesia to the power plant in Sual, Pangasinan on November 27 when Typhoon "Mina" winds destroyed its anchor and rope, then hurled to Ilog Malino reef, spilling 95% of its coal cargo. The hard coal spill spread to 330,000 square metres of coral and sea grass areas. ^[9]

Bolinao Skull

Main article: Bolinao Skull

The Bolinao Skull is a skull dated between the 14th and 15th centuries A.D. recovered in the Balingasay archeological site in Bolinao. The Bolinao Skull is the most well known artifact from the site, noted for the intricate gold ornamentation formed in the shape of scales on the surfaces of its teeth. However, 67 other skulls containing teeth with less extensive gold ornamentation were also found at the Balingasay site. The skull is now displayed within the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila. ^[10]

Geography

Bolinao is the northernmost town in the province, with many white-sand beaches. It is 81 kilometers (50 mi) from Lingayen and 287 kilometers (178 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

Bolinao is politically subdivided into 30 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Arnedo
• Balingasay
• Binabalian
• Cabuyao
• Catuday
• Catungi
• Concordia (Poblacion)
• Culang
• Dewey
• Estanza
• Germinal (Poblacion)
• Goyoden
• Ilog-Malino
• Lambes
• Liwa-liwa
• Lucero
• Luciente 1.0 (J.Celeste)
• Luciente 2.0
• Luna
• Patar
• Pilar
• Salud
• Samang Norte
• Samang Sur
• Sampaloc
• San Roque
• Tara
• Tupa
• Victory
• Zaragoza

NOTE: The barangays listed in italics indicate that they are located within Santiago Island.

Climate

Climate data for Bolinao, Pangasinan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31 (88)	31 (88)	33 (91)	34 (93)	34 (93)	33 (91)	32 (90)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	21 (70)	21 (70)	23 (73)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	24 (74)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	4.3 (0.17)	19.1 (0.75)	27.3 (1.07)	45.2 (1.78)	153.3 (6.04)	271.3 (10.68)	411.1 (16.19)	532.0 (20.94)	364.4 (14.35)	182.5 (7.19)	56.3 (2.22)	24.4 (0.96)	2,091.2 (82.34)
Average rainy days	3	2	3	5	14	17	22	23	21	13	7	4	134
Source: World Weather Online (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) [11]

Demographics

Population census of Bolinao

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 6,075 —     1918 9,643 +3.13% 1939 14,914 +2.10% 1948 19,391 +2.96% 1960 26,005 +2.48% 1970 30,903 +1.74% 1975 34,408 +2.18% 1980 39,335 +2.71%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 49,202 +2.26% 1995 53,127 +1.45% 2000 61,068 +3.03% 2007 69,568 +1.81% 2010 74,545 +2.55% 2015 82,084 +1.85% 2020 83,979 +0.45%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [12] [13] [14] [15]

Language

Main article: Bolinao language

The word Bolinao is a term used for the name of the town, the people, and the language.

The Bolinao people generally speak Pangasinan, Ilocano, Tagalog, and their own unique native language called Bolinao, which is also used in the nearby town of Anda, a former barangay of Bolinao. The Bolinao language is closely related to Sambal, both are Sambalic languages. Bolinao was part of the province of Zambales from the mid-18th century before being turned over to Pangasinan in 1903. Most locals generally understand and speak English.

The Mother Tongue Policy of the Department of Education is enforced in the elementary schools of these barangays to empower the native languages in town.

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Bolinao, belonging to the first 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
(2019–2022) ^[23]

Position	Name
Congressman	Arnold F. Celeste
Mayor	Alfonso D. Celeste
Vice-Mayor	Richard C. Celeste
Councilors	Gregorio C. Celeste
	Carolina M. Abad
	Jasmin C. Camba
	Joven C. Caasi
	Jesus E. Dela Cruz Jr.
	Jonumber V. Caasi
	Rey Carlo I. Celeste
	Gabriel C. Castellano

Education

Tertiary schools

• Bolinao Lighthouse School of Tourism and Learning Center Ilog-Malino Campus

Secondary

Public schools:

• Arnedo National High School
• Balingasay National High School
• Binabalian National High School
• Bolinao School of Fisheries
• Catubig Integrated School
• Catuday National High School
• Dewey National High School
• Ilog-Malino National High School
• Liwa-liwa Integrated School
• Luciente II National High School
• Luna National High School
• Pilar National High School
• Sampaloc National High School
• Tupa Integrated School
• Zaragoza National High School

Private School

• Cape Bolinao High School

Images

• 
  Sunny white beach at Rock Garden Resort, Bolinao
• 
  Patar White Beach, only walking distance to Cape Bolinao's Lighthouse

See also

• Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
• Bolinao 52 , a 2007 documentary film
• Saint James the Great Parish Church (Bolinao)

References

1.   Municipality of Bolinao | (DILG)
2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
4. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
5. "Sea creatures of Silaki". GMA News. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
6. St. James the Great Parish, Bolinao, Pangasinan @405. Bolinao Church Parish Office. July 25, 2014.
7. Act No. 1004 (November 20, 1903), "An Act Annexing the Northern Part of the Province of Zambales to the Province of Pangasinan and Providing That the Southern Part Thereof Shall Continue as Separate Province Under the Name of Zambales", Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources, retrieved July 8, 2023
8. Inquirer.net, Bolinao stakes claim to Mass held in 1324 Archived March 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
9. Inquirer.net, Bolinao to sue barge owners for coal spill Archived March 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
10. "VCM". masterpieces.asemus.museum. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
11. "Bolinao, Philippines: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". World Weather Online. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
12. Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
13. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
14. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
15. "Province of Pangasinan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
16. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
17. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
18. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
19. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
20. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
21. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
22. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
23. "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 6, 2022.

External links

• Official Bolinao tourism website Archived January 25, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
• Municipal Profile at the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines
• Bolinao at the Pangasinan Government Website
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Cape Bolinao Lighthouse in Lighthouse Digest's Lighthouse Explorer Database