The invasion of Lingayen

By JULIUS P. VICENTE

January 16, 2011, 12:58am

ATV in Lingayen Gulf (photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

"I shall return!”

These words were made famous by American General Douglas MacArthur after he left the Philippines in the midst of World War II and later returned to fulfill his promise to liberate Filipinos from Japanese forces.

Now, the immortal words are being spoken by visitors to Lingayen in the province of Pangasinan.

Imagine going through the path of war, starting with a visit to the Gulf of Lingayen which was a vital station for American troops in their assault against the Japanese Imperial Forces at the northern part, and straight to the heart of Metro Manila.

The Lingayen Gulf actually served as a supply depot and runway for US attack planes in order to support the warfare in Manila and to bring the old glory of the country under American supervision.  

Sixty-six years later, that episode became history and what was destroyed was reconstructed. Lingayen regained its old charm and became the famous tourist destination that it is today.

Lingayen is actually the seat of the government of Pangasinan province. It is located along the Lingayen Gulf, consisting of 32 barangays and seven sitios. It is also the birthplace of former president Fidel V. Ramos.

Since Lingayen was devastated during the war, many important structures were renovated under the Philippine War Damage Commission of the United States of America, one of which is the Provincial Capitol Complex of Pangasinan. 

The Capitol was built in 1917 and is one of the architectural treasures of the Philippines as declared by the National Commission Culture and Arts. It is also the center of the provincial government.

Another must-visit is the Veterans Memorial Park. In honor of the brave soldiers during the war, the park displays the pictures of famous Lingayen Gulf Landings heroes and other war memorabilia like tanks and fighter planes. The famous Lingayen Gulf Landing of General MacArthur is celebrated every January 9.

There is also the most romantic attraction in the province – the Lingayen Gulf. The beach of Lingayen is an extension of the South China Sea that stretches 56 kilometers. The best time to wander in this area is in the afternoon when the sunset touches the sand that creates a glimmering yellow hue. No wonder locals call it the Yellow Beach.

Try cruising around Limahong Channel. This body of water is linked with Agno River, and is famous for shrimp baiting. It was believed that during 18th century, a Chinese pirate named Limahong used this river as his escape route from the Spaniards.

Since Pangasinan is known as the home of the best fish sauce or bagoong, take a tour of its factories in Barangay Pangapisan and learn how the delicacy is made. Bagoong Festival is celebrated during the last week of April, highlighting the rituals of bagoong-making through street dancing. 

There are various resorts and hotels for visiting tourists. One of these is El Puerto Marina Beach Resort and Spa. It is the only resort in the area adjacent to Lingayen Gulf Coast. With the waves that the sea creates, the resort is perfect for skim boarding, surfing, and kayaking.

Considered as the “most romantic place in the Philippines” because of its calm and clean atmosphere, Lingayen is a place of discovery that you will surely want to visit again and again.

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