Alcala

Alcala (Pangasinan: Baley na Alcala; Ilocano: Ili ti Alcala; Tagalog: Bayan ng Alcala) is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. In 2020, it has a population of 49,000 people.

Understand
Alcala began as called “Dangla”, a barrio of Bayambang. In 1875, it was renamed after a town in Spain where the then Governor of Pangasinan came from.

The cultural heritage of Alcala can be traced from its early settlers who came from the Ilocos Provinces riding mainly on animal-drawn carts.

Get in
By car

The most common way to reach Alcala from Manila is by car. You can drive north via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and continue on the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) until you reach Alcala. The journey typically takes around 4 to 6 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

By bus

You can also take a bus from Manila to Dagupan City or Alaminos City and then transfer to a local bus or van to reach Alcala. Several bus companies operate trips from terminals like Victory Liner and Five Star. The bus journey may take approximately 5 to 7 hours.

Get around
As in many rural towns in the Philippines, the main mode of transportation is tricycle. Visitors may also use private vehicles like cars and motorcycles for transportation. If you have your own vehicle or plan to rent one, it can provide you with more flexibility in getting around.

See

 * Holy Cross Parish Church- Known as a must-visit pilgrimage site in Pangasinan for housing a holy relic, the Holy Cross Parish Church has stood in Alcala since 1881 and received the relic around 2013. After an earthquake destroyed the original building, a new one was constructed in 1968.

Do

 * The Tukar Festival (Music Festival) celebrates the town's founding with every September 20.
 * A fiesta is held on May 1–3.

Buy

 * Tobacco
 * Corn
 * Livestock
 * Poultry
 * Woodcraft
 * Candle making

Go next

 * 1) Alaminos City: Famous for the Hundred Islands National Park.
 * 2) Lingayen: Known as the Most Romantic Place in the Philippines.
 * 3) Dagupan City: The provincial capital and a major urban center in Pangasinan, known for its seafood and trade.