Camiling, Tarlac

Camiling
Municipality
Municipality of Camiling
Welcome Arch
Seal
Nickname(s): Camiling Magaling
Map of Tarlac with Camiling highlighted
Camiling Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°42′N 120°25′E / 15.7°N 120.42°E / 15.7; 120.42Coordinates: 15°42′N 120°25′E / 15.7°N 120.42°E / 15.7; 120.42
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	Tarlac
District	1st District
Founded	1838
Barangays	61 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Erlon Clemente Agustin
• Vice Mayor	Jesus A. Corpuz
• Electorate	44,945 voters (2016)
Area [2]
• Total	140.53 km2 (54.26 sq mi)
Elevation	24.61 m (80.74 ft)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	83,248
• Density	590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2306
PSGC	036903000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)45
Climate type	Tropical monsoon climate
Income class	1st municipal income class
Revenue (₱)	198,112,291.46 (2016)
Native languages	Pangasinan Ilocano Tagalog
Website	http://www.camiling-lgu.gov.ph

Camiling (Pangasinan: Baley na Camiling; Kapampangan: Balen ning Camiling; Ilokano: Ili ti Camiling; Filipino: Bayan ng Camiling) is a first-class urban municipality of the province of Tarlac in the Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 83,248 people.^[3]

Camiling is one of the fastest-growing towns of Tarlac when it comes to income and economy. It is also considered as the richest when it comes to cultural heritage in the entire province. The town is also dubbed to be the "Old Lady in the Northwestern province of Tarlac" because it is one of the oldest municipality created by the Spanish government under the province of Pangasinan where it previously included the former barrio of Mayantoc, San Clemente, and Sta. Ignacia. The municipality also features cultural antiquity such as its churches, ancestral houses, and ruins. However, the baroque church of Camiling has yet to be restored after 20 years since a fire burned its interior. The inside of the church, one of the only two Spanish churches left in Tarlac, has become a cesspool for human waste, while the facade (front) and buttresses (side supports) have been occupied by business establishments. One buttress has been converted by a business store into a toilet. Heritage advocates and Camiling locals have been campaigning for the restoration of the church after the reports came out in March 2018.^[4]

Camiling is the major north-western municipality in Tarlac. It is also 160 kilometres (99 mi) north-north-west of Manila, and 67 kilometres (42 mi) south-south-west of Dagupan City in Pangasinan. It is the commercial center of an area composed of about eight towns, and borders the province of Pangasinan. It is the gateway to central and western Pangasinan through the Romulo Highway (formerly Highway 13). It borders San Clemente on the west, Bayambang from the north, Sta. Ignacia and Mayantoc to the south and Paniqui and Moncada by the east. It is also known for its famous "Chicharon Camiling" and its green native rice cake called "Nilubyan".

Geography

Mostly of plain topography but some parts are hilly to mountainous in which the barangays of Papaac, Bacsay, Birbira and Cayasan, to name a few. The deeper part of the mountains can be described as a place where wild animals live, such as deer, Toddy cat (Musang), wild boar (Baboy ramo), Monitor lizard (Bayawak)

History

One of the original images of St. Michael in the front of the ruined church in Camiling

During the classical era, the area used to be lush in tropical rainforest and was used mainly by the local Pangasinense people. When the polity of Caboloan was established in 1406, the area was incorporated as part of the kingdom. It was ruled by a series of native huangs (kings/queens), namely, Urduja, Kamayin, Taymey, and Liyu. Majority of its rulers are unnamed as no document of them were properly recorded. For a short period, an emperor in China became an honorary ruler as well. In 1575, the Chinese pirate Limahong attacked the polity and declared himself as ruler of the Caboloan realms. The kingdom was eventually abolished in 1576, when the Spanish attacked and ransacked the kingdom's capital of Binalatongan (present-day San Carlos, Pangasinan). It was later on incorporated into the Spanish Empire.

Early in the 18th century, the community was a sitio of Paniqui; before and after, Paniqui was also part of Bayambang, Pangasinan. The town's name is derived from a tree called kamiring which at that time grew abundantly in the wilderness^[5] and subsequently changed to Camiling.

The community was originally a vast area of Cogon growth interposed with thick forestalls areas stretching into the Zambales mountain ranges. A wide river cut through it. The early inhabitants of the place were the Aetas who make a living by gathering fruit from fruit trees, hunting, and fishing. With the coming first of the Pangasinenses and later the Ilocanos from the north, the Aetas who used to roam freely in the wilderness obliged themselves to move into the interior. The new settlers first occupied the swampy land, now known as "Cacamilingan" on the right side of the river. In time, these settlers began moving to the left opposite shore because of more frequent disastrous floods. To this new location, the residents therein built a small church with Saint Michael as the patron saint.

Camiling became a District Commission from 1834 to 1837 founded by Don Francisco Soriano, the then Cabeza de Barangay who became the town's first District Commissioner. In 1838, Camiling became an independent town, formally separated from the mother town of Paniqui and with Don Vicente Galsim, as the first Gobernadorcillo. Thirty-eight others followed him. Don Jose Sabado, the last to serve under the Spanish regime and the first Presidente Municipal under the Revolutionary Government by Aguinaldo.

Camiling was a first-class municipality during the 1970s but was reclassified when the Local Government Code went into effect in the early 1990s. It became again a first-class municipality again on November 20, 2001, by virtue of the Latest Income Class Classification (L.I.C.C.) initiated by the Department of Finance; the Local Government Unit of Camiling was reclassified from a second class municipality to a first-class municipality, having attained an annual income of 50,942,508.51 pesos. In 2008, Camiling's income was more than 72,463,893,00 pesos with average growth of more than 5.164% per year (2001–2008).

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of Camiling, Tarlac, was 83,248 people,^[3] with a density of 590 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,500 inhabitants per square mile.

Climate

Tourism

Attractions

Maria Clara's Estate

Camiling is known for its architectural antiquity seen from the old St. Michael Church but was burned in 1997.

A Statue of Dr. Jose Rizal

|right|thumb|The St. Michael the Archangel Church]]

• The Old St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church: A historical building built around the 18th century. It was also the oldest religious structure built in the province of Tarlac. The antique edifice also features the ruins of a Spanish style school which is created for sanctification like the St. Michael Parish Church Garden and the St. Michael Meditation Sanctuary. This church is also the largest in the entire province. St. Michael,the Patron saint of Camiling is said to be miraculous. During the War, He was said to have saved many lives of the Filipinos who suffered in the hands of the Japanese. The church serves as the death place of Pedro Pedroche and his men under the hands of Gen.Fransisco Macabulos who granted the independence of the province. The old Roman Catholic Church was also declared by the National Historic Commission as a historic site until it was gutted by fire in 1997. The baroque church has yet to be restored after 20 years since a fire burned its interior. The inside of the church, one of the only two Spanish churches left in Tarlac, has become a cesspool for human waste, while the facade (front) and buttresses (side supports) have been occupied by business establishments. One buttress has been converted by a business store into a toilet. Heritage advocates and Camiling locals have been campaigning for the restoration of the church after the reports came out in March 2018.^[10]

• Maria Clara Iglesias Independiente: Had been built after the Philippine revolution by the revolutionaries attempt to "Filipinize" the Church. This is the second church built by Gregorio Aglipay, the first one being in Paniqui.
• Maria Clara Museum: A part of the mansion where Leonor Rivera lived. Several priceless artifacts belonging to her, immortalized by Noli Me Tángere as María Clara and even her late admirer, the Philippine National Hero, José Rizal's old photos is being exhibited on glass.
• The New St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church: The Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church of Camiling was built in 2009. With a total floor area of 2,200 square meters, the church features intricately designed stained glass windows depicting, aside from Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, the angels. It is located besides the Camiling Catholic School. It is also one of the most attractive church in Tarlac. The Camiling Catholic School and the Camiling Catholic Church ruins are beside the said church.
• Mt. Damas is a crag which is one of the favorite destination of hikers and mountain climbers in the province. As part of the Zambales Mountain Range lies a cave which serve as a shelter and hideout of many people and soldiers (guerilla) of Camiling against the Japanese during the war.
• Ubod Falls Is a 160-foot waterfalls in Mt. Damas in Papaac. Considered as the highest falls in the entire province of Tarlac. It is located deep in the wilderness of barangay Papaac.
• Si-El Falls Another falls in Papaac. It has a greater raging water than Ubod falls although it is much smaller compared to Ubod falls.

Festivals

This green rice is called Iniruban.

Camiling's one town one product is the Chicharon or Bagnet by the Ilocanos of Ilocos Sur and the sweet green native cakes called Iniruban or Dirimin of Pangasinan origin. The Municipality of Camiling is also known for other native rice cakes such as Tupig, Pinais, and Patupat.

Camiling hosts Iniruban and Chicharon Festival. Held every last week of October, it is coupled by colorful and artistic presentations and street dances by different schools in Camiling. The festival was established in 2000. A street dancing competition is held annually to showcase Camiling's products and cultural heritage.

Local government

Hospitals and health service

Camiling has three hospitals and a health center at the Municipal Hall. The health center serves the poor by giving free medicines and other health service. There are numerous private clinics scattered throughout the town. Hospitals in Camiling are Señor Santo Niħo Tertiary Hospital at Poblacion, Camiling District Hospital at Malacampa, and Salvador General Hospital at Palimbo.

Education

College/Private/Vocational

• Tarlac Agricultural University: Founded in 1945, the second largest college in the province of Tarlac that offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees and curriculum based on agriculture and now offers industry-based courses. It is the largest college in Tarlac in land area. Main campus is located at Malacampa, Camiling. The college state is also known for its kamote wine and other vegetables and fruits use in food processing.
• Tarlac Agricultural University(Laboratory School): TAU-LS is an extension of the TAU-College for Secondary Education. Entrance exams are requirements for enrollment.
• BESTCAP Career College, Inc.: Founded in 1998. Active member of California Education Association, TAPSA, APSTaP and MTG Philippines. It is also accredited to use Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles and Assessment. It is located at Malacampa, Camiling.
• United school of Science and Technology (USST): It is newly established since 2009 as branch of United School of Science and Technology at the City of Tarlac and the first university in Tarlac Province. It is located at Cacamilingan Norte, Camiling.
• Saint Paul College of Technology: A branch of Christian college serving central Luzon, particularly in Camiling. It is famous for its great contribution in vocational courses particularly HRM or Hotel Resource Management. It is located at Quezon Avenue, Camiling.
• Camiling Colleges: Founded by Gilberto Romulo since 1945, the brother of the Former UN President Carlos P. Romulo. It has several professional courses such as Education, Information Technology, Computer Programming. It is also known for its vocational courses such as Office Management, Practical Electricity, Nursing Aide, Practical Electricity and Nursing. It is located at Gomez Street, Poblacion B, Camiling.
• Camiling Catholic School (formerly St. Michael Academy): Founded in 1964. A catholic school offering pre-primary, primary and secondary courses. It is located near Camiling Town Center, Camiling.
• Camiling Secondary Institute: One of the oldest schools in Camiling. It was founded by Casimiro Brillantes, the father of the award-winning writer and journalist Gregorio Brillantes, in the 1932. (defunct)
• Asian Lexcon School: One of the newly established private school since 2006.
• Camiling School For Home Industries: A vocational school located at the rural Sinilian, Camiling.
• Malacampa National High School: A newly established located rural high school at Malacampa, Camiling.
• Camiling Adventist Multigrade School: A Seventh-day Adventist Church educational institution established for Primary education located at Camiling Poblacion.
• Saint Rose Academy: A newly established private institution offering Primary education located at Cacamilingan Sur, Camiling.
• Camiling United Methodist Church
• Goodshepherd Shekinah School
• Kasangga Security Dev't. & Training Inst. Corp

High School/Public:

• Bilad High School
• Birbira High School
• Camiling School of Home Industries
• Malacampa National High School
• Marawi High School

Elementary/Public: Camiling Central

Elementary/Public: Camiling East

Elementary/Public: Camiling West

Notable persons of Camiling

• Alberto Romulo - former Foreign Secretary, Senator and Executive Secretary.
• Carlos P. Romulo - former UN President and Foreign Affairs Secretary.
• César Bengzon - former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and first Filipino Justice of the International Court of Justice.
• Gregorio C. Brillantes - A multi-awarded fiction-writer.
• Jing Abalos - A 60's Philippine actor.
• Leonor Rivera - José Rizal's second cousin and love interest well known as Maria Clara.
• Onofre Corpuz - former President of the University of the Philippines and Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports (Now DepEd).
• Gen. Paulino Santos - Founder of Penal Colonies and Chief of Staff of The Philippine Army. General Santos City was named after him.

Sister city

• Juneau, Alaska, United States

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camiling, Tarlac.

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Camiling.

• [Official Website http://www.camiling-lgu.gov.ph]
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System