Alcala, Pangasinan

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Map of Pangasinan showing the location of Alcala

Alcala is a 4th class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 35,734 people in 7,181 households.

1 History
2 Historical Roles and Events
3 Mayor
4 World Record
5 Barangays
6 External links

[edit] History

Alcala as a municipality has its own share to historical evolution. What is known now as Alcala was then just a flourishing barrio of Bayambang formerly called "DANGLA", a vernacular term referring to a medicinal shrub which grows abudantly in the place. As a barrio, it was subdivided into several smaller units called sitios, namely: Bugyao, Bacud, Cupi, Bitulao, Guinawedan, Anulid, Cabicalan, Pindangan, Camanggaan and Sinabaan

It was on April 1, 1873 when the early settlers thought of establishing commmunity they can govern and call their own. Through their own initiative, they submitted a petition calling for the cessation of Dangla into a separate township, but it took more than two years for the Spanish Authorities to take cognizance to the settlers' demand.

Finally, on September 20, 1875, a Royal Decree No. 682 was issued making the place an official municipality to be named ALCALA, the name of a town in Spain where then the Governor of Pangasinan hailed from.

[edit] Historical Roles and Events

During the outbreak of the Philippine-American War, the place was the site of the field headquarters of General Malone of the United States Army.

Again, when the Filipinos and Americans were fighting against the Japanese during World War II, the place was the site for the American Field Headquarters under the commandership of General Johnathan Wainwright. It is here where the first Guerilla Combat Training School was established. The same school produced an Infantry Battalion composed mostly of Alcaleneans who played an important role in defending the whole of Northern Luzon from the more superior Japanese Forces.