MANAOAG, Pangasinan – The fourth district of Pangasinan – Dagupan City and the towns of San Fabian, San Jacinto, Mangaldan and Manaoag have a lot to offer to visitors, aside from the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag, the province’s top tourist destination.
From Metro Manila, going to the district is now quite fast via the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.
After a stop at the well-known Basilica, a go-to-place of Marian devotees seeking blessings and intercessions, visitors can head to sampaguita and calamansi farms, handicraft and candle shops, local cafés that are both discreet and fashionable, and breathtaking sea and mountain views.
In 2023, the district recorded some 5.2 million tourist visits in the pilgrimage area of Manaoag town, making it the top tourist destination in the province.
However, most of the tourists stayed for a day only and overnight guests were few.
This time, there are other tourist attractions in the town, although still related to the Lady of Manaoag, that are gaining traction, according to municipal tourism operations officer Brendon Natividad.
Faith tourism
The Virgin’s Well had 44, 814 visitors from January to September this year, followed by Amber’s Paradise, a hotel resort, with 15, 518 visitors, One Alo Resort had 7, 912, and the Baba’s Eco Farm, 433 visitors.
Natividad said faith tourism or pilgrim tourism is still the most prominent in the town.
With a Minor Basilica itinerary, the tourism office offers a side trip to the sampaguita farm in Barangay Baritao.
At least 25 farmers are tilling the less-than-a-hectare sampaguita farm.
They make and sell flower garlands for extra income.
“We do small tours but they need to set a schedule with us,” Natividad said.
The tourism office is also excited about the upcoming Paskuhan (Christmas) events and the annual Galicayo Festival on the first week of December.
Galicayo is a celebration of faith, culture, and arts in honor of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag.
Tourists who want to experience the Marian festival are advised to visit the town during the early days of December.
Beaded rosaries and replicas of Our Lady are the most popular souvenirs.
The other towns in the district, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, and Dagupan City, also have churches with different unique architectural designs and histories, that pilgrims may find similarly interesting.
Handicraft
Meanwhile, handicrafts and candle making are a common livelihood in Manaoag.
Although not related to the faith tourism in the town, handicraft or basket-making is an added attraction.
One of the well-known handicrafts in town is the Sibayan’s Handicraft in Barangay Lipit Sur.
The shop, started by Rodrigo Sibayan, has been around since 1985.
It started as a family business. Now it has 20 workers helping the business grow.
“I started with PhP 2, 500 as capital. We now sell our products to big companies like SM, Rustan’s, Trinoma, and others,” he said.
Sampaguita-flavored ice cream
Not to miss is the sampaguita and malunggay-flavored ice cream of Reydel Ice Cream in Barangay Baritao here.
The business started in 1995 and has thrived even during the pandemic.
Kilometers away from Manaoag town is San Fabian town, where various cafés offer a variety of flavors and cuisines.
One of the unique finds in the town is Farmville, which features hobbit-like houses surrounded by rice paddies and flowering plants in Barangay Lipit Tomeeng.
It is a favorite venue for photo shoots because of the scenery and the unique vibe.
In Barangay Lekep-Butao, there is another calamansi farm which tourists may visit for “pick and pay” or to buy calamansi-flavored cookies and fresh calamansi juice, among others.
Also around the area, is Biker’s Den, a rest area for cyclists going to the Tatlong Bundok trail.
It has seats and comfort rooms and is also a picture-worthy spot because of its design.
It was a project of outgoing Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia, a known champion of the creative industry.
‘Pasalubong’
Before heading to another location, one cannot miss the famous local pasalubong (souvenir or gift from a destination), tupig. It is made of coconut meat and glutinous rice, thinly packed in banana leaf and cooked in charcoal heat.
National government agencies through the office of de Venecia have helped tupig vendors improve their packaging, pricing, marketing, and quality control to boost the industry.
San Fabian town is also known for its dried fish industry which aided fishers to process excess catch.
Women in the coastal town also produce flavored salt, which they make at home.
San Fabian’s beach area is connected to the Tondaligan Beach of Dagupan City, a hub for foodies with various food and coffee stalls around.
De Venecia’s office, the Department of Tourism and local government units promote the “ExplorePD4 Heritage Tour” campaign to continue to promote tourist destinations in the fourth district. (PNA)