Dagupan City, Philippines
Region: Pangasinan
Geographic Coordinates: 16.043000, 120.334000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Climate and weather patterns in Dagupan City, Philippines vary throughout the year.
Population: 174302
Language: Filipino
Dagupan City is a bustling urban center located in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. It is situated on the western coast of Luzon Island and serves as the commercial, Financial, And educational hub of Northern Luzon. The city boasts a population of over 170, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 44 square kilometers. One of Dagupan’s most notable landmarks is the Manaoag Church, Which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The church is home to a miraculous image of Our Lady of Manaoag that has been venerated by Filipinos for centuries.
Another popular attraction in Dagupan City is Tondaligan Beach, Which offers stunning views of the South China Sea and has become a favorite spot for locals to relax and unwind. Dagupan City also prides itself on its rich culinary culture. The city’s famous Bangus (milkfish) Festival celebrates its primary industry – fish farming – with various events such as street dancing competitions, Parades, Cooking contests featuring Bangus dishes prepared in different ways. Education plays an essential role in Dagupan City’s economy with several universities offering various courses including medicine and law degrees.
One prominent institution is Lyceum-Northwestern University that provides quality education not just to local students but also from other provinces around Northern Luzon. The Pangasinense are known for their artistic talent as well; it comes as no surprise that there are numerous art galleries found throughout the city showcasing works by local artists who specialize in different mediums such as painting or sculpture. transportation within Dagupan City has never been easier due to its well-maintained roads and highways connecting it to major cities like Manila or Baguio making it accessible for tourists coming from these areas.
In conclusion, Dagupan City may be small compared to other cities but its charm lies within its rich culture heritage, Beautiful landmarks, And friendly people. It is a must-visit destination for travelers who want to experience the best of Northern Luzon.
Important Landmarks
- Our Lady of Manaoag Church
- Tondaligan Blue Beach
- Dagupan City Plaza
- Japanese Garden and Peace Pagoda
- St John the Evangelist Cathedral
- Nepo Mall Dagupan
- Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Complex
- CSI City Mall Dagupan
- Bonuan Blue Beach
- Calasiao Church and Municipal Hall
Primary Industries
- Agriculture – Dagupan City is known for its fertile land and abundant water resources, making it a top producer of rice, fish, vegetables, and fruits.
- Fishing – The city is located near the Lingayen Gulf which provides a rich fishing ground for commercial and subsistence fishing.
- Retail – Dagupan City has a bustling commercial district with various shopping centers, supermarkets, and retail stores selling clothes, gadgets, appliances, and other consumer goods.
- Food Processing – With its abundant supply of agricultural products such as milkfish (bangus), corns, tomatoes among others; Dagupan City has several food processing companies that produce canned goods like sardines or bangus in oil or tomato sauce.
- Education – The city is home to several universities and colleges that offer quality education to students from all over the country.
- Tourism – As one of the major cities in Pangasinan province; Dagupan city offers many tourist attractions such as beaches along Lingayen Gulf , Hundred Islands National Park , Tondaligan Blue Beach Resort among others attracting tourists from different parts of the country especially during summer season.
- Service Industry – With its growing population; service industry like banks or insurance companies are also present in the city providing employment opportunities to locals.
Noteable History
- The Battle of Dagupan – This was a significant battle during the Philippine-American War in 1899.
- The Liberation of Dagupan – This event occurred on January 8, 1945, when American forces successfully liberated the city from Japanese occupation during World War II.
- Jose de Venecia Sr. – He was a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a prominent political figure in Pangasinan province, where Dagupan City is located.
- Carlos Romulo – He was a Filipino diplomat and statesman who served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly and as Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Philippines.
- The Bangus Festival – This annual festival celebrates Dagupan’s famous bangus (milkfish) industry and attracts tourists from all over the country.
- Jesus Cacho Gonzales – He was a renowned Filipino composer who wrote several popular songs such as Sa Ugoy ng Duyan and Kundiman ng Luha.
- The University of Pangasinan-Dagupan Campus – This university is one of the oldest educational institutions in Northern Luzon and has produced many notable alumni in various fields such as politics, business, arts, and sciences.
- Tondaligan Beach – This beach is one of Dagupan’s top tourist attractions known for its white sand beaches, clear waters, and stunning sunset views over Lingayen Gulf.
Museums and Things To See
- Dagupan City Museum is a museum that showcases the history and culture of Dagupan City.
- St. John the Evangelist Cathedral is a beautiful church with intricate designs and stained glass windows.
- Tondaligan Blue Beach is a popular beach destination for locals and tourists alike.
- Japanese Garden is a serene garden with Japanese-inspired landscaping, perfect for relaxation and meditation.
- Bonuan Blue Beach is another popular beach destination known for its clear blue waters and white sand.
- Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Building is an impressive government building with neoclassical architecture that houses the offices of the provincial government of Pangasinan.
- Urduja House is a historical landmark named after Princess Urduja, who was said to have ruled over Pangasinan in pre-colonial times.
- Paseo de Belen Christmas Village is an annual Christmas attraction featuring life-sized dioramas depicting scenes from the Nativity story.
- CSI Mall Dagupan – One of the biggest malls in Northern Luzon offering shopping, dining, entertainment, and other activities for visitors to enjoy.
- Binmaley Church Ruins – Located just outside Dagupan City, this historic site features ruins of what used to be one of the oldest churches in Pangasinan built by Augustinian friars during Spanish colonial period.
Cultural Events
- Bangus Festival is a celebration of the city’s famous bangus (milkfish) industry. It features parades, street dancing competitions, and culinary events.
- Pistay Dayat is a week-long festival celebrating the city’s coastal heritage. It features beach sports tournaments, cultural shows, and food fairs.
- Pandan Festival celebrates the pandan plant and its various uses in local cuisine and handicrafts.
- Malimgas Festival showcases the malunggay (moringa) plant and its health benefits through cooking competitions, exhibits, and product showcases.
- Agew na Dagupan commemorates the founding anniversary of Dagupan City with activities such as parades, concerts, beauty pageants, and fireworks displays.
- Christmas Village at Tondaligan Park is an annual holiday tradition in Dagupan where families gather to enjoy festive lights displays and Christmas-themed activities like caroling contests and gift-giving programs.
- Holy Week Observances – traditional religious events such as processions during Palm Sunday or Good Friday are observed throughout Dagupan City during Holy Week.
- Feast of Our Lady of Manaoag – This is celebrated annually on April 28th to honor Our Lady of Manaoag who is considered one of the most powerful patron saints in the country.
- Pangasinan Day – This is celebrated on April 5th every year to commemorate Pangasinans’ independence from Spanish colonization.
- Pista’y San Juan – Celebrated every June 24th which features street dancing competition participated by different schools in Dagupan City showcasing their colorful costumes while dancing along with their respective music bands that play traditional songs from Pangasinense culture.
Cuisine
- Dagupan City is famous for its Bangus dishes, which include sinigang, sisig, and grilled Bangus. Many local restaurants offer these delicious dishes.
- If you’re looking for a snack or dessert in Dagupan City, try the small and fluffy rice cakes called Calasiao puto from nearby Calasiao town.
- Pigar-pigar is a popular dish made with thinly sliced beef or carabao meat stir-fried with onions and served with vinegar dip.
- Matutina’s Seafood House is known for its seafood dishes like grilled squid, shrimp tempura, and buttered garlic crab.
- Dagupeña Restaurant is a local favorite that serves traditional Filipino dishes such as adobo, kare-kare, and crispy pata.
- Isdaan Floating Restaurant offers a unique dining experience with floating huts on a man-made lagoon where diners can enjoy fresh seafood while being entertained by live performances and attractions like a giant Buddha statue.
- Star Plaza Hotel Cafe Bonjour is a cozy cafe inside Star Plaza Hotel that serves delicious coffee drinks and pastries along with Filipino breakfast favorites like tocino and longganisa.
- Kaleskesan II Restaurant & Grill is another popular spot for pigar-pigar lovers offering generous servings at affordable prices.
- Bistro Rosario Cafe & Restaurant serves comfort food favorites like burgers, pasta, sandwiches along with local specialties such as bagnet (crispy pork belly) and empanada (deep-fried turnover filled with meat).
- Sison’s Panciteria has been around since 1945 serving classic Chinese-Filipino noodle dishes like pancit canton and miki bihon that have been enjoyed by generations of Dagupenos.
Parks and Recreation
- People’s Park – A popular park for jogging, walking, and relaxing.
- Tondaligan Blue Beach – A beachfront park with swimming areas and picnic spots.
- Japanese Garden – A serene garden with traditional Japanese architecture.
- Bonuan Blue Beach – Another beachfront park with water activities and food vendors.
- Dagupan City Plaza – A central plaza for events and community gatherings.
- Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Grounds – An open green space for sports and leisure activities.
- CSI City Mall Dagupan Adventure Zone – An indoor amusement park with rides and games.
- Dagupan Astrodome Sports Complex – A venue for sports events, concerts, and exhibitions.