Dagupan is the largest city in Pangasinan, with, according to the 2015 census, a population of 171,271 people. That is not saying it couldn't use a bit of a facelift though. The city is among the top producers of milkfish (locally known as bangus) in the province; it is sometimes called the Bangus Capital City.
Understand
Dagupan is a major economic center for Ilocos Region, and forms a fast growing metropolis called Metro Dagupan together with the nearby towns. The city's name derives from the Pangasinan language for "gathering place"; it served as an important trading post since colonial times
History
Dagupan's history traces back to the polity of Kaboloan, which existed back before the Spanish colonialization.
Get in
By bus
- An A/C bus from Manila to Dagupan costs ₱445 and takes 5 hours. Victory Liner, Dagupan Transport, Fermina Transport, and First North Luzon Transit operates most air-conditioned buses from Manila.
- A non-A/C bus from Dagupan to Baguio costs ₱110 and takes 3 hours.
Get around
As in other Philippine provinces and cities, jeepneys, bus and tricycles are very common. In some parts, there are sidecars or pedicabs.
See
- 1 Magsaysay Fish Market and Landing Center. The fish industry in action. Here you can probably see some of Dagupan's much-acclaimed milkfish and other dainty creatures that dwell in the brackish water.
- 2 Dagupan City Museum, AB Fernandez Ave, ☏ 63 75 523 1007. Some say it's just the Dagupan mayor's office, but, hey, maybe you'll get to shake his hand and get your picture taken with him. There is a little choo-choo parked out front.
- 3 Japanese-Philippine Garden Park. Just a kind of stele in a plaza along the beach.
- 4 Saints Peter & Paul Parish Church - Calasiao. A designated national treasure, this church was founded in 1588, then got burned in 1763, 1841, and 1852, after which came earthquake damage in 1892. Geesh, talk about your bad luck. But by the 20th century, it was restored.
- 5 Parish Of St. Fabian Pope And Martyr, Braganza Street, San Fabian, ☏ 63 75 511 4841. In case you are into church tourism, here is another. It does have quite a belfry.
- 6 Farmville San Fabian, outside of San Fabian. Farm type-recreation with a Hobbit house. Kitsch?
Do
- 1 Tondaligan Blue Beach.
- 2 Bonuan Beach.
- 3 San Fabian (White) Beach. The beaches took their white and blue monikers from the events (e.g. beach landings) leading to liberation from Japanese forces during WWII.
- Bike or hike the marine countryside of nearby San Fabian.
- Take a country excursion to Mangaldan, a neighboring town founded by Dominican order missionaries from Spain and established as an encomienda (farm labor) system around 1591.
Buy
- 1 CSI Mall Dagupan, Lucao Road, ☏ 63 75 522 4228. 10ː00-20ː00 M-F, 09ː00-20ː00 Sa-Su.
- 2 Robinsons Place Pangasinan, Urdaneta–Dagupan Road, Calasiao, ☏ 63 75 632 0282. 10ː00-20ː00 M-Th, 10ː00-21ː00 F-Su.
- 3 CSI Market Square, AB Fernandez Ave. 9AM-8PM.
- 4 Nepo Mall.
- 5 CityMall Mayombo - Dagupan.
- There are also various supermarkets around, including Puregold Supermarket locations on Mayombo Road and in Calasiao and Bonuan; SM Hypermarket on Dagupan Road; and Magi in Mangaldan. Unitop Mall has your dollar store appeal to it.
Eat
Try one of Dagupan's best dishes which is the Pigar-Pigar made out of beef and vegetables like onions and cabbage. Most of the eateries that serve this food can be located at Galvan Street, beside CSI Square Dagupan.. Come and taste it for yourself and see how delicious this food.
- 1 Ciudad Elmina Restaurant. Quirky but serene setting where you get to eat right next to tilapia fish farms. Also, a good place to try pigar-pigar.
- Matutina's Seafood House And Restaurant
- Kuya Max Resto Grill
- Silantro Fil-Mex Cantina
- Chef Distrito
- Koppitea Resto Kaffe
- Bacold Manokan Grill
- Yellow Tree Cafe
- Dagupena Restaurant
- Uson Pigar Pigar
- Beans and Roots
- Cafe Feliz
- Kaffa Ave
- Korean Food Haus
- Todd's
- Silverio's
Drink
Sleep
- Nel Ars Travelers Inn, Pantal Arellano Street., ☏ 63 75 522-2848. Check-out: noon. Fan and a.c. double rooms with own bathroom. Some rooms have cable TV. 96 rooms. ₱350/600.
- Star Plaza Hotel. Value star inn., AB Fernandez, Dagupan City (Value star inn is behide the star plaza hotel.), ☏ 63 75-523-4888. Star Plaza Hotel and Value star inn are in downtown Dagupan. The restaurant serves a wide range of delicious food. Value star inn and Star plaza hotel have the same owner. single/double fan/a/c rooms with own bathrooms. ₱400/850.
- 1 Lenox Hotel, Rizal St, ☏ 63 75 515 8889. Wifi, a/c, free breakfast, restaurant. PHP 1594.