Camiling History, Philippines

To the North of Manila, there are places that depict rich culture and heritage. Camiling in Tarlac is one. With the way commercial infrastructures are designed and how people interact, you will see what a hospitable ambience it has embraced from the past.

Being considered an entryway to Western and Central Pangasinan, Camiling takes a curtsy. 

It was originally organized as a town in 1838 when it was detached from the town of Pangasinan. Earlier than that, it was already a flourishing community of Paniqui part of  which it used to be. Some believed that Camiling was part of Bayambang, Pangasinan. When a Spanish manuscript was discovered in 1937, it was stated that Camiling really belonged to Paniqui. The town’s identity was a struggle in itself at first. In the early days, Camiling was a wide area where cogon was grown extending to Zambales.

First settlers were identified to be “Aetas” who relied on trees for shelter, and hunting and fishing for daily sustenance. When the native Pangasinenses and Ilocanos thrived in, the Aetas are forced to settle into the inland instead of just freely strolling in the wild. Up to present, some Aetas are still living on mountainous areas of Camiling.

The town Camiling was believed to be named after a tree called camiring. These trees grew plentifully back then. Camiring was made Camiling for a more flowing sound. The town was converted into a district in 1834 through the efforts of Don Francisco Soriano who was serving as Camiling’s first district commissioner at that time. He was later succeeded by Domingo Claudio, Bernabe Bugarin and Pascual Cabacungan. After 4 years, Camiling became an independent town parted from its mother town of Paniqui.

Don Vicente Galsim served as the first governor, with 38 others assuming his seat as years went by. It was Don Buenaventura Torres who last governed during Spanish era and the first municipal president under Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo. Historically important was the death of General Pedro Pedroche and his subordinates at the Camiling Catholic Convent.

Camiling has been famed for its sons and daughters bringing prestige to the town and the Philippines. General Carlos P. Romulo was the previous Foreign Affairs Secretary and United Nations President as well. Chief Justice Cesar Bengzon was appointed as member of the International Court of Justice. Major General Paulino Santos founded the Penal Colonies and was Chief of Staff of Philippin Army.

The olden days have taught Camiling some lessons. Now, this first-class town in Tarclac shines with warm a smile to every visitor who comes by.