Bolinao

For the language, see Bolinao language. For the common name for small edible fish, see Bolinaw.

Bolinao, officially the Municipality of Bolinao (Bolinao: Babali nin Bolinao; Pangasinan: Baley na Bolinao; Ilocano: Ili ti Bolinao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Bolinao), is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 83,979 people.^[3]

Bolinao
Municipality
Municipality of Bolinao
Clockwise from top: Saint James the Great Parish Church, Silaki Island giant clams, a resort with scenic seascape, scattered rock formations across the shore, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse, Patar Beach, and Bolinao Municipal Hall.
Seal
Motto:  Ang Aking Bayan
Map of Pangasinan with Bolinao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Bolinao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°23′17″N 119°53′41″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	Pangasinan
District	1st district
Founded	July 25, 2023
Barangays	30 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Alfonso F. Celeste
• Vice Mayor	Richard C. Celeste
• Representative	Rhona-lyn Galunggong Pal-iwen
• Municipal Council	Members Gregorio C. Celeste Carolina M. Abad Jasmin C. Camba Joven C. Caasi Jesus E. dela Cruz Jr. Jonumer V. Caasi Rey Carlo I. Celeste Gabriel C. Castellano
• Electorate	50,623 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	197.22 km2 (76.15 sq mi)
• Rank	1
Elevation	7.0 m (23.0 ft)
Highest elevation 998, 792	251 m (823 ft)
• Rank	1st
Lowest elevation 530,852	152 m (499 ft)
• Rank	2nd
Population  (2024 census)[3]
• Total	84,658
• Density	430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
• Households	20,791
Demonym	Bolinaoans
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	23.8 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 418.5 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 1,412 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 335.7 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 145.4 million (2022)
Service provider
• Power	Pangasinan 1 Electric Cooperative (PANELCO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2406
PSGC	0105514000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)75
Native languages	English

Sea urchins are regularly harvested at Isla Silaki, Bolinao.^[5] The town, aside from being a fishing domain, is also a heritage site in the Philippines, possessing an olden church surrounded by heritage houses. The town is also the location of the cave where the gold-teeth Bolinao Skulls with fish scale designs were found. Scholars have been pushing for the addition of the town's cultural landscape into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Etymology

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.

History

Spanish Colonial Era

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][who?]} 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.^[6]

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.^[6]

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.

American occupation era

In 1903, Bolinao was separated from Zambales and was annexed into Pangasinan by virtue of Act No. 1004.^[7]

Japanese occupation era

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]}

Contemporary

First Mass

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.^[8]

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.^[9]

Bolinao Skull

Main article: 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.^[10]

Santiago Island

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.^[11]

Geography

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

Bolinao is situated 78.36 kilometres (48.69 mi) from the provincial capital Lingayen, and 287.29 kilometres (178.51 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

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.

• 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

Climate

Climate data for Bolinao, Pangasinan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31 (88)	31 (88)	33 (91)	34 (93)	34 (93)	33 (91)	32 (90)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	21 (70)	21 (70)	23 (73)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	24 (74)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	4.3 (0.17)	19.1 (0.75)	27.3 (1.07)	45.2 (1.78)	153.3 (6.04)	271.3 (10.68)	411.1 (16.19)	532.0 (20.94)	364.4 (14.35)	182.5 (7.19)	56.3 (2.22)	24.4 (0.96)	2,091.2 (82.34)
Average rainy days	3	2	3	5	14	17	22	23	21	13	7	4	134
Source: World Weather Online (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[12]

Demographics

Population census of Bolinao

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 6,075 —     1918 9,643 +3.13% 1939 14,914 +2.10% 1948 19,391 +2.96% 1960 26,005 +2.48%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 30,903 +1.74% 1975 34,408 +2.18% 1980 39,335 +2.71% 1990 49,202 +2.26% 1995 53,127 +1.45%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 61,068 +3.03% 2007 69,568 +1.81% 2010 74,545 +2.55% 2015 82,084 +1.85% 2020 83,979 +0.48%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16]

Language

Main article: 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.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Bolinao

10 20 30 40 50 60 2000 53.33 2003 45.53 2006 35.70 2009 28.67 2012 12.47 2015 16.87 2018 16.28 2021 23.80 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Government

Local government

Main article: 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.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council (2024–2027):^[25][26]

• 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

Mayors

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

Education

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.^[27]

Primary and elementary schools

• 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

Secondary schools

• 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

Tertiary schools

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

Churches

• The Jesus Church Arnedo, Bolinao ^[28]
• 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

See also

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