For many travelers in the Philippines, especially for the increasing new breed local tourists, an extended visit to the province of Pangasinan can become a journey of rediscovery. Many may remember Pangasinan as a blurry rest stop on the road to traditional destinations more popular then, such as Baguio, the beaches of La Union and far Ilocos. They may remember a long-winding procession of towns dominated by large stone churches, where enterprising vendors plied pilgrims with local foodstuffs and souvenirs. Now, modern infrastructure, communications, transportation and enthusiastically promoted tourist facilities combine to engage the traveler – local and foreign – to tarry a little while longer. For those that do, the province graciously reveals a wealth of experiences..

Pangasinan is a long, wide, verdant crescent bounded by the wild Zambales range to the west and to the east by the Cordilleras – the formidable mountains that form the spine of the island of Luzon. Many rivers – busy with estuarine commerce – criss-cross the province. The mightiest of these is the Agno and its system of feeder streams and tributaries from the highlands. To the south, Pangasinan extends to the rice-and-sugar farmlands of Tarlac, and north to the crowning glory of Lingayen Gulf and the China Sea. This shoreline is a great arc of variegated character: from fantastically tall, craggy rock roughly chiseled by the surf, to the mildest of white sand beaches. The coast is fringed by well-hidden coves and inlets, promontories and caves, forests and woodland, charming fishing villages, and then the islands. It faces the Asian mainland, outstretched widely in anticipation and welcome. The unique requirements of these geographical characteristics influence human activity, and therefore may have helped form the distinctive character of the Pangasinense. The Pangasinense happily admits to enterprise, endurance, humor and obstinacy.