Bani Pangasinan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines.

It is located between
Alaminos City and Bolinao. According to the latest census, it has a population of 45,652 people in 8,910
households.
The town of Bani was founded on March 18, 1769, used to be a part of the province of Zambales. In May 1903, it
was transferred to Pangasinan together with the towns of Agno, Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta
and Mabini because the provincial capital then, Iba, was very far and transportation was difficult.

The original name of the town was San Simon. Historical records show that the townsite was transferred from
Namagbagan to sitio Almacin in 1859 due to conditions harmful to the health of the residents because of the
terrain of the site and for convenience.

The cool and invigorating water of the stream, schools of fish playing in the water, wildlife peeping from the
nearby forest, and the fertile lands that would yield golden harvest are the reason why settlers from other
provinces preferred to stay in the town.

The Origin of Bani Pangasinan

Legend follows that the image of the Immaculate Conception, the Patron Saint of the town, then called San Simon,
disappeared from the church altar. Searching by the people and Spanish authorities yielded the statue on top of
the tall Bani tree located in the vicinity of the present Roman Catholic Church. The image was brought back to the
church at Namagbagan, but it was continuously lost and found in the same manner. The people were then
convinced to leave their homes at Namagbagan and to settle at the present site. The town was later named Bani
after the tree where the image of the Patroness was found..

Bani Pangasinan is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.

 Ambabaay

Aporao

Arwas

Ballag

Banog Norte

Banog Sur

Calabeng

Centro Toma

Colayo

Dacap Norte

Dacap Sur

Garrita

Luac

Macabit

Masidem

Ranao

Ranom Iloco

San Jose
 San Miguel

San Simon

San Vicente

Tiep

Tipor

Tugui Grande

Tugui Norte

View Larger Map

Courtesy:
http://www.bani.gov.ph/downloads.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bani,_Pangasinan
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvins_photo/3684018680/

Tourist Spots of Bani Pangasinan

The Municipality of Bani is blessed with rolling hills, mountains and the sea (South China Sea). There
are lots of tourist attractions in Bani Pangasinan. Some are man-made while the others are naturally
created by God. Places not to be miss when you go to Bani Pangasinan are listed below.

Beaches:

If you want to be refresh and get some splash of the sea waves, go to coastal areas of Bani like the
Surip Beach in Sitio Olanen, Barangay Dacap Sur and Tobong Beach. Olanen Beach is located in Dacap
Sur, Bani, Pangasinan. It is a long white sand beach with crystal clear water which supplements the
scenic Hundred Islands in the neighboring town of Alaminos. It is about 30 minutes ride from the town
proper. While Tubong Beach is located at the southern part the Olanen in Barangay Dacap Sur. Because
of its rocky Structure Surip beach is ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling and recreational fishing.
Different species of tropical fishes and lobsters abound this area. Surip is located at the western most
part of the municipality along the South China Sea.

Waterfalls:

Take a look to the wonder of a deep and amazing beauty of the Baliwangga falls. The said Waterfalls
has a depth of a thousand feet. It is located in Barangay Ranao, Bani Pangasinan. About seven minutes
walk from Ranao Elementary School.

Caves:

In Bani, There are also caves; these caves are Surip Cave, Nalsoc Cave, Abot Aso Cave, Nangadiyan
Cave, and the Dumaloy Cave. Angel Cave

Nalsoc Cave, the Bani's wonder which has been included in the tourist manuals of Europe is a
subterranean river which empties into the South China Sea passing through miles of natural archway of
stalactites and stalagmites. It is located in Brgy. Colayo, Bani, Pangasinan.
Pilgrimage

Bani is noted for its version of Calvary Hill with a 1,000 step "VIA CRUSIS" leading to a gigantic cross.
The Redeemer's Cross is perched on a plateau overlooking the South China Sea. This was a project of
the late Doa Segundina Enriquez Navarro, beloved spouse of the late Mayor Marcelo C. Navarro.
"Where once the gun ruled, let now the Holy Cross rule", she said. The annual Archdiocesan Penitential
Pilgrimage every Holy Tuesday was first held in 1975 and continues to the present day, drawing
thousands of pilgrims from Pangasinan and other provinces and a few from the USA, Canada and
Europe.

Courtesy: http://www.bani.gov.ph/downloads.htm