Bolinao, Pangasinan

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Bolinao, Pangasinan


sealfile = Bolinao Pangasinan.png region = Ilocos Region (Region I)
province = Pangasinan
pop2000 = 61,068
barangays = 30
districts = 1st District, Pangasinan
class = 1st class
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_pangasinan_bolinao.png caption = Map of Pangasinan showing the location of Bolinao.

Bolinao is a 1rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 61,068 people in 12,182 households.

Language

The people generally speak Pangasinan but have their own unique language called Bolinao, brought in by Sambal settlers during colonial rule. Most people generally understand and speak English.

First Mass

On November 18, 2007, Bolinao challenged the historical fact that the first Mass 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. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=101541 Inquirer.net, Bolinao stakes claim to Mass held in 1324] ]

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse

Built by the Americans in 1903 on a convert|300|ft|m high promontory at the western part of Cape Bolinao, the lighthouse still sends signals to vessels passing by the area.

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. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080113-112007/Bolinao-to-sue-barge-owners-for-coal-spill Inquirer.net, Bolinao to sue barge owners for coal spill] ]

Isla Silaki sea urchins

Sea urchins or “uni", (among the most expensive dishes in Japanese restaurants) are regularly harvested in Isla Silaki, Bolinao, Pangasinan. A sack costs only P 80 ($ 1 = P 40). [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/76984/Sea-creatures-of-Silaki GMA NEWS.TV, Sea creatures of Silaki] ]

Barangays

Bolinao is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.

External links

* [http://pag.wikipedia.org Pangasinan Wikipedia]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph Official Website of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan]
* [http://punch.dagupan.com Sunday Punch]
* [http://www.photo.net.ph/thumbnails-212.html Puerto Del Sol, Bolinao]
* [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan Sun Star Pangasinan]

References