Camiling, Province of Tarlac, Central Luzon Region, Philippines

🇵🇭 Camiling, officially the Municipality of Camiling, (Baley na Camiling; Ili ti Camiling; Bayan ng Camiling) is a 1st class municipality in the province of Tarlac in the Philippines.

Camiling is one of the fastest-growing towns of Tarlac when it comes to income and economy. It is also considered one of 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 municipalities created by the Spanish government under the province of Pangasinan where it previously included the former barrio of Mayantoc, San Clemente, and Santa 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.

Camiling is the major municipality in north-western Tarlac. It is the commercial centre 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 is also known for its famous "chicharon Camiling" and its green native rice cake called nilubyan.

History Camiling began its history as a settlement located near the Camiling River. 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. The town's name is derived from "camiring" or "camiling", the Pangasinan name for the Semecarpus cuneiformis tree, which at that time grew abundantly in the wilderness.

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).

Geography Camiling is 160 km (99 mi) north-north-west of Manila, and 36 km (22 mi) from provincial capital Tarlac City. It borders San Clemente on the west, Bayambang from the north, Santa Ignacia and Mayantoc to the south and Paniqui and Moncada by the east.

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).

Barangays Camiling is politically subdivided into 61 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

It has the most barangays in all of the municipalities of Tarlac while the city of Tarlac has 76 barangays. • Anoling 1st • Anoling 2nd • Anoling 3rd • Bacabac • Bacsay • Bancay 1st • Bilad • Birbira • Bobon 1st Casarratan • Bobon 2nd • Bobon Caarosipan • Cabanabaan • Cacamilingan Norte (with Kipping village) • Cacamilingan Sur • Caniag • Carael • Cayaoan • Cayasan • Florida • Lasong • Libueg (with sitio Pugo) • Malacampa (With sitio Cacelestinuan and Sitio Camartinisan) • Manaquem • Manupeg • Marawi • Matubog • Nagrambacan • Nagserialan • Palimbo Proper • Palimbo Caarosipan • Pao 1st • Pao 2nd • Pao 3rd • Papaac • Pindangan 1st • Pindangan 2nd • Pob. A • Pob. B • Pob. C • Pob. D • Pob. E • Pob. F • Pob. G • Pob. H • Pob. I • Pob. J • San Isidro (Bancay 2nd) • Santa Maria • Sawat • Sinilian 1st (with Sitio Cabalaongan and Nangalisan) • Sinilian 2nd (with Sitio Barikir) • Sinilian 3rd (Northern, Bitawa, Centro) • Sinilian Cacalibosuan • Sinulatan 1st • Sinulatan 2nd • Surgui 1st • Surgui 2nd • Surgui 3rd • Tambugan • Telbang • Tuec.

Language Many old town's districts are based on the Pangasinan language like Anoling, Cayaoan (Bamboo), Libueg, Lasong, Tuec (to nod), Pindangan, Telbang. Others are named after towns of Ilocos where the other settlers originally came from. Hence, Caviganan for Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Cacabugaoan (now Cayaoan) for Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Cabatacan for Batac City, Ilocos Norte, Capaoayan for Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Casarratan for Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

Pangasinense is widely spoken especially on the eastern banks of Camiling river and the northern parts of the town. Camileños of Pangasinense origin are prevalent, especially in the northern and western parts of the town. Being lived by Ilocano settlers, Ilocano is even spoken prevalently. Filipino as the national language is widely understood and spoken.

Economy Aside from rice cakes and chicharon, the municipality is also known for its freshwater fish produce, like tilapia; dalag (or mudfish, Channa striata); catfish, including the native hito, Clarias macrocephalus; and bangús, the milkfish.

Attractions • 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. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of Camiling is said to have performed miracles in the Phillipnes. During the War, He was said to have saved the lives of many Filipinos who suffered at the hands of the Japanese. The old church was declared by the National Historic Commission as a historic site until it was gutted by a fire in 1997. The baroque church has yet to be restored after 20 years since a fire burned its interior. 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 since March 2018. • Maria Clara Iglesias Independiente: Built after the Philippine revolution by revolutionaries attempting 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: St 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 adjacent to Camiling's Catholic school. • The Old Site of Camiling: Also known as the Old Intramuros of Tarlac. This place showcases the combined ruins of the old St Michael the Archangel Parish Church together with its school extension and convent which burned down in 1997. • Our Lady of Guadalupe Church: A parish church that features the Guadalupe title of Blessed Virgin Mary. It is located in Brgy. Malacampa • Maria Clara Town Plaza: The municipal plaza of Camiling which features different cultural heritages and interesting contribution of Camiling to Philippine history. It includes the Camiling Veterans Park, Maria Clara Auditorium, the "camiring tree" (from which the town of Camiling got its name), the tower clock, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the statue of General Paulino Santos. • 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 (guerillas) of Camiling against the Japanese during the war. • Ubod Falls is a 160-foot waterfall in Mt. Damas in Papaac. It is considered the highest falls in the entire province of Tarlac. It is located deep in the wilderness of barangay Papaac. • Pias Falls has greater water power than Ubod Falls despite being much smaller.

Festivals Camiling's "one town, one product" is the bagnet (also called chicharon by the Ilocano people of Ilocos Sur) and the sweet green native cakes called iniruban or dirimin of Pangasinan origin. The municipality is also known for other native rice cakes such as tupig, pinais, and patupat. Camiling hosts the "Iniruban and Chicharon Festival", held in the last week of October every year to showcase Camiling's products and cultural heritage. Established in 2000, the festival includes colorful and artistic presentations and a street dancing competition amongst the different schools in Camiling.

Healthcare

Camiling has three hospitals and a health centre at the Municipal Hall. The health centre 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 • 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