Mga Lumang Larawan

THE OLD ST. LOUIS BERTRAND PARISH

"Asingan, whose Titular and Patron Saint is St. Louis Bertrand, O.P., and whose former name was SINNAPOG, was founded in 1669. However, the town began having its resident pastor and parish priest only in 1698, the Reverend Father Fernando de Santa Maria, O.P. He is known as the author of a popular booklet entitled “Medicinas Caseras”.

The first inhabitants of Asingan were pure Pangasinenses. By 1830, however, Ilocanos from Ilocos Norte and Sur began migrating to Asingan so much so that today Asingan is predominantly an Ilocano town.

In 1763, Asingan received from the Spanish Governor General the titles of “Villa Real” and “Villa Muy Leal”, for her loyalty to Spain, the town having been the refuge of the Spaniards of Pangasinan during the revolt of Palaris.In fact, he town’s forces, led by the Captain or townhead met and defeated the invading armed men of Palaris at Bactad, then a barrio belonging to Asingan, now of Urdaneta.

From 1698 to 1898 there were 61 parish priest belonging to the Domincan Order who served the parish. From 1818 to 1834 the parish was administered by diocesan priest.

The construction of the present church edifice and parish rectory was begun by Father Jorge Arjol, O.P., who was pastor from 1874 to 1886. The work was continued by Father Feciano Martin and finished by Father Blas Pastor, the last Dominican parish priest. Unfortunately, the parish rectory was burned in 1898 during the Katipunan Revolution."

­­­­Source:

http://capitalpangasinan.blogspot.com/2008/02/asingan-church.html

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASINGAN, PANGASINAN AND ST. LOUIS BERTRAND CHURCH

"As early as 1600, Dominican missionaries established religious missions in a place called Caboloan ( said to be the first name of Pangasinan ). One was called SAN BARTOLOME DE AGNO ( 1687 ) the first to be established near the present site of San Manuel. Then another mission was put up in a neighboring area ( now the present site of Asingan ). This second mission is called SAN LUIS BELTRAN DE SINAPOG (1698). In 1719 some Igorots from the nearby mountains of San Manuel attacked the mission of San Bartolome and massacred some inhabitants. The Dominican friars and some survivors fled to San Luis Beltran mission for safety. In 1733, the Governor General granted a license to establish a town in the San Luis Beltran mission. This town became Asingan in 1802 and up this day, it is still located beside the Sinapog river. ASINGAN got its name from an early incident when some visitors cried "Naasing kayo" ( Ilocano for "You are hostile" ) to some natives who did not want the visitors to hang around. When the revolt against the Spaniards broke out, only Asingan and Binmaley did not join the uprising. Asingan became the refuge of Dominican friars whose lives were endangered; thus Asingan earned the title of "Most Noble and Most Loyal Asingan."

If you visit Asingan nowadays, you can see the Asingan Catholic Church in its fully restored elegance. Like any church in Pangasinan, it has survived earthquakes, insurrections, and other man-made calamities. On March 16, 1892, an earthquake left the church with some horizontal cracks. But the church was still usable for worship. Then in 1898, General Makabulos of the KKK ( Kagalang galangang, Kataastaasang Katipunan ) organized some secret groups in Pangasinan. It is written that during this year, Binalonan, San Manuel, and Asingan were captured by the KKK. It must have been during this period that the Asingan convent ( the biggest convent in Eastern Pangasinan at that time ) was razed to the ground by a Katipunero named Agustin Alejo.

In 1947, Rev. Jose Macaraeg renovated the church in preparation for the second post-war celebration of Christ the King in Pangasinan. Thus in October 1947, the faithful from the entire Pangasinan, and also the towns of Lupao and Cuyapo in Nueva Ecija and other towns like Camiling and Gerona in Tarlac converged in Asingan for a huge celebration. ( at that time, these towns are still part of the Diocese of Lingayen.)

On July 16, 1990, an intensity 8 earthquake rendered the church useless. Whole walls came down. Masses were held outdoors. But Asinganians from all over the world ( even those from other denominations ) pitched in their financial help for the restoration of the church. Thus, on October 10, 1993, which is celebrated in Asingan as the feast day of their Patron Saint St. Louis Beltran, the reconstructed church was opened to all Asinganians for the first time. This first Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Jesus Galang, D.D. Asingan Parish Priest Msgr. Marlo Peralta and assistant Parish Priest Benjamin Mangonon.

The parishioners were honored in April 23, 1995, when President Fidel Ramos came to his hometown to see the new church. Msgr. Peralta acknowledged before the congregation the presence of the former President of the Philippines."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AAsingan,_Pangasinan