About San Carlos City
Profile, geography, history, and heritage of the Heart of Pangasinan
Geography
Landlocked component city in the center of Pangasinan ("Heart of Pangasinan")
Boundaries
- NorthBinmaley, Calasiao
- NortheastSanta Barbara
- EastMalasiqui
- SoutheastBasista
- SouthUrbiztondo
- SouthwestAguilar
- WestBugallon
- NorthwestLingayen (provincial capital)
Distances
- Dagupan City 12.96 km N
- Urdaneta City 24.04 km SE-NE
- Alaminos City 46.90 km WNW
- Tarlac City 55.16 km SSE
- Baguio City 59.80 km NNE
- Manila (national capital)162.61 km SSE
- Lingayen (provincial capital, by road)19 km NW
Nearest municipalities: Malasiqui (7.07 km E), Calasiao (9.20 km N), Basista (9.94 km SE), Santa Barbara (10.16 km NE), Urbiztondo (11.58 km S), Aguilar (12.46 km WSW).
Source: Wikipedia, PhilAtlas, and the Province of Pangasinan — research/city-profile/26-09-geography.md
The City Seal
Official symbolism as described on the old city website (archived 2017)
Wide orb
San Carlos at the center of Pangasinan Province; became a City in 1965
Philippine sun
Hub of a wheel moving three triangles representing the city's three economic activities
Agriculture (left flange)
Tractor for high-tech farming; the mango and bamboo industries
Commerce & Industry (top flange)
Modern shopping centers, industrial parks, and high-rise buildings flanking City Hall
Tourism (right flange)
Heritage and theme parks, represented by the centuries-old Saint Dominic Church and the City Plaza
The Spirit of God
Hovers above the city; peace is key to progress
Vision & Mission
From the official city website
Vision
San Carlos City is envisioned to be an environment-friendly Agro-Industrial, Education and Tourism Center of Pangasinan with upbeat and robust commercial activities structured on efficient services, harmonious relationship and peace towards sustainable development and improved quality of life of its people.
Mission
To make San Carlos City the economic tiger of the North through highly disciplined and committed work force and improved agro-industrial, commercial, educational and tourism initiatives thus enhancing the quality of life of its people.
History
From Binalatongan to the City of San Carlos
Founding year: sources conflict (1578 vs 1587) — see 1578 footnote below
Binalatongan
The settlement began as Binalatongan, a riverside trading center (barter system) visited by Chinese, Japanese, and Indian traders; the name comes from balatong, the Pangasinan word for mung bean, which was abundant in the area. The Province of Pangasinan describes it as a capital of Caboloan.
Early founding (Wikipedia date)
Wikipedia's infobox dates the founding to 1578. See the 1587 entry for the documented source conflict.
Founding year conflict: Wikipedia says 1578; the LGU's archived history says 1587. Both lack a fully citable primary source.
Founding by Augustinian friar (LGU date)
The LGU's archived history records the community's founding by Fr. Francisco dela Lama, an Augustinian friar, in 1587.
Binalatongan becomes a vicariate
Padre Bernardo Navarro de Santa Catalina, O.P. became the first Vicar, with Fr. Juan de Castro, Fr. Marcos de San Antonio, and Bro. Juan Deza as assistants.
Malong revolt
Andres Malong led a major revolt against Spanish colonial rule; he is regarded as a native hero of Binalatongan.
Poblacion relocated across the San Juan River
After a minor uprising led by Juan Caragay in which the church and convent were set on fire, the Poblacion was relocated east of the San Juan River on November 4, 1718 (feast of St. Charles Borromeo), and the settlement was renamed San Carlos Binalatongan.
Palaris revolt
Juan dela Cruz Palaris (Pantaleon Perez) led a revolt against tribute and forced labor; his rebels held an independent government based in Binalatongan for about two years.
Renamed San Carlos by order of King Carlos III
After the revolts were defeated, King Carlos III of Spain ordered the town razed and renamed it San Carlos in his honor; the site was moved to its present location.
Cityhood under RA 4487
Republic Act No. 4487, signed June 19, 1965, converted the municipality into the City of San Carlos (the smaller zone became the Municipality of Basista under RA 4866). Cityhood took effect January 1, 1966 after local ratification.
NHCP historical marker
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines installed the "Lungsod ng San Carlos" historical marker at the city plaza.
Mango-Bamboo Festival launched
The city's signature festival promoting its mango and bamboo industries was launched; it is held in the last week of April.
World's largest mango pie
On April 26, 2011, city residents and the bakers' association baked the world's largest mango pie (100 m2, 2 inches thick) for the Mango-Bamboo Festival, using 2,000 kg of mangoes at a total cost of about P400,000.
Source: research/culture-history/26-09-history.md (LGU history, Province of Pangasinan, old official site, Wikipedia)
Heritage & Landmarks
Religious and civic heritage of the city
Minor Basilica of Saint Dominic
The parish church of St. Dominic de Guzman is the city's most significant religious heritage landmark. Its current site is the third location of the church.
- A church was completed in 1773 but was destroyed by earthquakes several times.
- Rebuilt in 1803, it measured 89 yards long and 22 yards wide (per old LGU text).
- Declared a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis on July 6, 2022, and solemnly proclaimed on January 14, 2023.
- Traces to 1587 in Binalatongan; the town's first church tradition dates from the late 16th century.
Speaker Eugenio P. Perez Sr. Memorial Building
Named for the late Speaker; serves as the city museum (the NHCP 1988 marker is installed at the plaza).
San Carlos City Plaza (City Park), Palaris Street
Public plaza used for festivals and public viewing; described as a heritage park.
Quadricentennial Arch (Bolingit)
Commemorative arch cited among the city's interesting spots.
Binalatongan Ruins (San Juan)
Ruins relating to the city's pre-San-Carlos history as Binalatongan.
San Carlos City Hall (Palaris Street)
Government heritage structure featured in city images.
Ancestral houses
Noted as a feature of the old city.
Legend of the Sunken Bell
The sunken church bell of the San Juan River: the great bell of the Binalatongan belfry - said to be the biggest and most sonorous in the province - was lost when the raft carrying it across the river collapsed; local legend says a mermaid guards it at the bottom of the river.
Source: research/culture-history/26-09-culture-heritage.md (LGU tourism archived 2024-06-03; old official site; Wikipedia; Wikivoyage)
Tourism
Attractions, the Mango-Bamboo Festival, food and drink, and places to stay
Transportation
Travel times, entry routes, and bus carriers for getting to the city
History Quiz
Test what you learned — 12 questions on the city's history and heritage