Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

Pictures of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag don’t do it justice at all. You might think it’s just like many of the grand churches you can find all over the Philippines, but one of the things that makes this church in Manaoag special is its declaration as a Minor Basilica in 2015. This recognizes the church’s history and architectural value. It is also a canonical affiliate of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Built in 1605, the church has seen millions of devotees and thousands of religious folk still make a pilgrimage to Manaoag every year, especially during the Holy Week. The image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, which many Catholics believe to be miraculous, can also be found here. It's also one of the stops when you join a Pangasinan pilgrimage tour.

Cabongaoan Beach and Death Pool

Cabongaoan Beach is located in the town of Burgos. The trip to the remote beach is not easy and can take up to an hour from the town proper, but once you see its stretch of white sand beach and blue waters, you’ll instantly know that it was worth it. There are not a lot of accommodations in the vicinity, so it would be best if you plan your trip as early as possible. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also bring a tent and camp at the beach.

Patar Beach

Less than 1km away from the Enchanted Cave is Patar Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Bolinao and the whole of Pangasinan. Like many beaches near Manila, this beach is popular for those seeking a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Patar Beach in particular is famous for its long stretch of golden sands and clear blue waters that make for a refreshing swim. If you’re a fan of sunsets, Patar Beach will not disappoint as its location just facing the West Philippine Sea gives it amazing sunset views. For a day trip, you can rent any of the huts dotted along the beach, but there are also a handful of resorts nearby if you wish to stay longer. You may also camp at the beach and use the public toilets and showers for a fee.

Enchanted cave

The Enchanted Cave in Bolinao is a good place to cool off if you’re visiting Pangasinan during the summer months. Inside is a pool of clear natural freshwater with an estimated maximum depth of 6ft, making it ideal for a refreshing swim. It is located in a park near Patar Beach. It is deemed enchanted because locals believe that millions of years ago, Bolinao was actually underwater. This belief is supported by the presence of coral rocks and fossilized clams in the municipality, many of which you’ll see on your way to the entrance to the cave. The fact that the Enchanted Cave in Bolinao is made of coral limestone also supports this theory. This history makes the cave one-of-a-kind and is one of the reasons why it has become a favorite stop amongst tourists.

Lechon Bagoong

Bagoong is fermented fish sauce that is used as a cooking condiment or sauce to accompany fried food or green mango. Bagoong is produced in various parts of the country. However, the home of bagoong is located in Lingayen, the capital town of Pangasinan. Lingayen is also one of the largest bagoong exporters in the country. It was in 2019 when the innovation that is lechon bagoong was unveiled to the public. It was even featured in a segment of Unang Hirit, when they came to visit the town. Lechon bagoong is a fish sauce twist to the grilled whole pig delicacy that all Filipinos are familiar with.

Puto Calasiao

Puto is a steamed rice cake and its a famous Kakanin in Pangasinan. It’s usually white but flavors such as pandan, ube, and strawberry have been added to this traditional Filipino kakanin. While I have tasted puto from other parts of the country, nothing beats Puto Calasiao. In fact, Puto Calasiao is considered to be its own specific recipe of puto. Calasiao is a small town in Pangasinan. Puto Calasiao refers to the special puto that is produced in this town. The best place to buy Puto Calasiao are the collection of puto stalls, nearby the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church of Calasiao.

Mangaldan Tapa

Tapa is one of the components of our favorite breakfast dish, tapsilog. While tapa is produced all over the country, Mangaldan Tapa is elevated and certainly worth a try. Tapa is cured and marinated beef that is cooked by pan-frying. It is usually served with rice, veggies or fried egg. Mangaldan tapa offers tender beef that is seasoned perfectly. It’s not too salty or sweet but is the perfect balance of the two tastes. The best tapa in Mangaldan is from Celia’s, a small-time home cook who turned her tapa recipe into a household business.

San Jacinto Corn

When traversing the main road from Dagupan City to Manaoag, one will be able to notice a line of corn highway vendors in the quiet town of San Jacinto. Sweet corn, fresh from the husk, is sold by these highway vendors. Corn is one of the main crops of San Jacinto. Farmers and neighbors boil this corn to sell hot to passing travelers. You can park your car on the side of the road and the vendors will accommodate you. You can even bring some unboiled corn back at home.

Bamboo Crafts

Bamboo is a locally abundant resource which has become part of the people who live in Barangay Gamata, San Carlos City, Pangasinan. Local knowledge of manipulation of bamboo into different products, including the manufacturing of exported goods like obong (chicken coops), baskets, figurines, and bahay kubo (nipa hut) is evidenced in distinct terms and folk sayings. This study on the current state of the bamboo industry in Gamata and its place in the life of the community describes processes involved in bamboo manipulation, and other knowledge related to bamboo

Buri-Handwoven-Crafts

Buri are handicrafts woven using the leaves of the eponymous palm trees abundantly growing in Pangasinan's shoreline towns. The women of Cabarruyan Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Anda Island work together to produce the most beautiful handmade pieces of art. The buri leaves are carefully dried under the sun until light brown and malleable. Afterwards, the buri are cut into strips of uniform width, then either dyed or left in their natural color, and rolled into spools for storage. The creation of just a piece of buri is a meticulous and delicate process that can take anywhere from a day to an entire week. Each one is unlike the other, since everything is done solely by hand and by its weaver.