New Book about the History of Urdaneta City

This is the real story of how Urdaneta City came into being from a mere pueblo in 1858 to a bustling city in 2008. From the founding of the town by the cabezas and tenientes del barrio to the first ten years of cityhood, Urdaneta evolved and transformed into one of the leading cities in Northern Luzon. Using primary and secondary sources, this documented history resolves that it is named after Fr. Andres de Urdaneta, the illustrious missionary who came with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The town, now a city, is truly a melting pot of different people, from its original inhabitants to the migrants from within and outside the province who contribute to its swift progress and development.

The city has produced great personalities: a Dominican priest who translated the Bible into Pangasinan, the first Pangasinense senator, insurgents who participated in the revolution against Spain, and a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee. There are also protean and acclaimed actresses, and simple folks who made Urdaneta the livestock capital of the Philippines and a leading rice granary in the region. All these are present in the history. Not just centered on political events, the book covers Urdaneta’s socioeconomic aspects—education, health, population, and culture. While there are many factors to consider in its rapid urbanization, the reliable and effective leadership of Urdaneta’s political elite from the gobernadorcillos to the present mayors, along with the cooperation of its intellectuals and the people, has paved the way for its success.

But did you know that one of its barrios, Cabaruan, nearly seceded from the town? Or that Pedro Ma. Sison maintained close relations with Manuel L. Quezon? Or that Dr. Pedro T. Orata failed in his botany, but this did not deter him from graduating at the top of his high school class, and that his claim as founder of Urdaneta High School is contested? All these and more are in this book.

©2024

Get your copy from the UP Press website, Lazada, and Shopee online stores.