Bolinao

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 posits 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.

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. An account{{specify|date=April 2018}}{{who|date=April 2018}} narrates the arrival of Juan de Salcedo and his crew in Bolinao when they 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.{{cite book |title=St. James the Great Parish, Bolinao, Pangasinan @405 |date=July 25, 2014 |publisher=Bolinao Church Parish Office}}

It is also 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.

The Dominicans ended their service in 1607 to be replaced by the Augustinian Recollects headed by Father 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 and stayed in the town to increase the small population of the town.

This town formerly included the neighboring towns of Alaminos, Bani, and Anda; until they eventually became independent municipalities in 1744; March 18, 1769; and, May 26, 1849 respectively.

In 1903, Bolinao was separated from Zambales and was annexed into Pangasinan by virtue of Act No. 1004.{{cite PH act|chamber=Act|number=1004|url=https://issuances-library.senate.gov.ph/legislative%2Bissuances/Act%20No.%201004|title=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|date=November 20, 1903|accessdate=July 8, 2023|website=Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources}}

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|date=December 2021}}

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.[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=101541 Inquirer.net, Bolinao stakes claim to Mass held in 1324] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312023629/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=101541 |date=March 12, 2009 }}

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] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312022708/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080113-112007/Bolinao-to-sue-barge-owners-for-coal-spill |date=March 12, 2009 }}

{{main|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.{{Cite web |url=http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/masterpiece/detail.nhn?objectId=10380 |title=VCM |website=masterpieces.asemus.museum |access-date=May 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232338/http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/masterpiece/detail.nhn?objectId=10380 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=live}}

This year's construction of the PHP1.95 billion 600 linear meter bridge, approaches and access roads will connect Santiago Island's Barangay Salud to Barangay Luciente 2nd, Bolinao. Municipal Administrator Vennia Camba Escanilla explained it takes 20 minutes travel time from Barangay Binabalian to Picucubuan Port, Luciente 1st, Bolinao. Department of Public Works and Highways Ilocos Region Director Engineer Ronnel Tan said the bridge is expected to be completed in 2028.{{cite news |last1=Austria |first1= Hilda |title=Bridge to boost mobility, economy of Santiago Island|url= https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1225961|accessdate=June 2, 2024 |publisher=Philippine News Agency |date=May 31, 2024}}

The Municipality of Bolinao is the northernmost town in the province, with many white-sand beaches.

Bolinao is situated {{convert|78.36|km}} from the provincial capital Lingayen, and {{convert|287.29|km}} from the country's capital city of Manila.

Bolinao is politically subdivided into 30 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. The barangays listed in italics indicate that they are located on Santiago Island.

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}

• 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

{{div col end}}

{{Weather box

| location = Bolinao, Pangasinan

| width=auto

| single line = Y

| metric first = Y

| Jan high C = 31

| Feb high C = 31

| Mar high C = 33

| Apr high C = 34

| May high C = 34

| Jun high C = 33

| Jul high C = 32

| Aug high C = 31

| Sep high C = 31

| Oct high C = 32

| Nov high C = 31

| Dec high C = 31

| Jan low C = 21

| Feb low C = 21

| Mar low C = 23

| Apr low C = 25

| May low C = 25

| Jun low C = 25

| Jul low C = 25

| Aug low C = 24

| Sep low C = 24

| Oct low C = 24

| Nov low C = 23

| Dec low C = 22

| Jan rain mm = 4.3

| Feb rain mm = 19.1

| Mar rain mm = 27.3

| Apr rain mm = 45.2

| May rain mm = 153.3

| Jun rain mm = 271.3

| Jul rain mm = 411.1

| Aug rain mm = 532.0

| Sep rain mm = 364.4

| Oct rain mm = 182.5

| Nov rain mm = 56.3

| Dec rain mm = 24.4

| Jan rain days = 3

| Feb rain days = 2

| Mar rain days = 3

| Apr rain days = 5

| May rain days = 14

| Jun rain days = 17

| Jul rain days = 22

| Aug rain days = 23

| Sep rain days = 21

| Oct rain days = 13

| Nov rain days = 7

| Dec rain days = 4

| source 1 = World Weather Online (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally){{cite web |url=http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Bolinao-weather-averages/Pangasinan/PH.aspx |title=Bolinao, Philippines: Average Temperatures and Rainfall |publisher=World Weather Online |access-date=September 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006152604/http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Bolinao-weather-averages/Pangasinan/PH.aspx |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |url-status=live }}

| date=September 2014

}}

{{Philippine Census|align=none |cols=3

| title = Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}

| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}

| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}

| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}

| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}

| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}

| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}

| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}

| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}

| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}

| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}

| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}

| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}

| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}

| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}

| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}

| 2025 =

| 2030 =

| footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}

}}

{{Main|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.

{{PH poverty incidence}}

{{main|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.

Members of the Municipal Council (2024–2027):{{Cite web |title=2019 National and Local Elections |url=https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2019NLE/ElectionResults/2019NLE_LIst_of_Elected_CityMun_Candidates.pdf |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Commission on Elections}}{{Cite web |title=Elected Officials |url=https://www.bolinaopangasinan.gov.ph/government/elected-officials/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Official Website of the Municipality of Bolinao |language=en-US}}

• Representative: Rhona-lyn Galunggong Pal-iwen
• Mayor: Alfonso F. 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

List of former mayors of Bolinao:

• Mark Escanilla Opeña, 1974–1975
• Gloria Steinem Opeña, 1975–1990
• Kimberly Oballes, 1990–2000
• George Atompa, 2000–2005
• Mario Anglioan, 2005–2009
• Jerry Anglioan, 2009–2012
• Mario Panganiban Bata, 2012–2015
• Ambler Celeste, 2015–2019
• George Celeste, 2019-2018
• Alfonso D. Celeste, 2021–current

The Bolinao Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Masterlist of Schools |url=https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SY-2020-2021-Masterlist-of-Schools-Address-only-1-1.pdf |access-date=April 27, 2025 |website=Department of Education}}

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Arnedo Elementary School
• Balingasay Elementary School
• Beda Elementary School
• Binabalian Elementary School
• Cabuyao Elementary School
• Catuday Elementary School
• Catungi Elementary School
• Culang Elementary School
• Dewey Elementary School
• Estanza Elementary School
• Gagaban Elementary School
• Goyoden Elementary School
• Ilog-Malino Elementary School
• Lambes Elementary School
• Lucero Elementary School
• Luciente I Elementary School
• Luciente II Elementary School
• Luna Elementary School
• Patar Elementary School
• Pilar Elementary School
• Samang Norte Elementary School
• Salud Elementary School
• Samang Elementary School
• Sampaloc Elementary School
• San Roque Elementary School
• Tanobong Elementary School
• Tara Elementary School
• Victory Elementary School
• Yabyaban Elementary School
• Zaragoza Elementary School

{{div col end}}

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Arnedo National High School
• Balingasay National High School
• Binabalian National High School
• Bolinao School of Fisheries
• Cape Bolinao High School
• 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

{{div col end}}

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

• The Jesus Church Arnedo, Bolinao {{Cite book |doi=10.5040/9781474217323.0006 |title=Jesus and the Church |date=2021 |isbn=978-1-4742-1732-3 }}
• The Jesus Church Tara, Bolinao
• Saint James the Great Parish Church (Bolinao)
• The Jesus Church Bolinao (2)
• The Jesus Church (Luciente 1, Bolinao)
• The Jesus Church Luciente 2

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

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://bolinaotourism.com Official Bolinao tourism website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125222927/https://www.bolinaotourism.com/ |date=January 25, 2021 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170702100208/http://www.competitive.org.ph/cmcindex/pages/profile/?lgu=Bolinao Municipal Profile at the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928113021/http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/cities-and-municipalities/bolinao/ Bolinao at the Pangasinan Government Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20161010201809/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23 Local Governance Performance Management System]
• [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081120024509/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html Philippine Census Information]
• {{Lighthouse Digest|4788|Cape Bolinao Lighthouse}}

{{Geographic location

| Centre = Bolinao

| North = South China Sea

| Northeast = Lingayen Gulf

| East = Anda

| South = Bani

| West = South China Sea

}}

{{Pangasinan}}

{{One Pangasinan Alliance}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Pangasinan

Category:Beaches of the Philippines