History of Bamban

Bamban is located at the southernmost part of Tarlac Province. On the north, it is bounded by
the municipality of Capas, Tarlac, and on the south, by the municipality of Mabalacat, Pampanga.
The Parua River, popularly known as Bamban River, separates Bamban from Mabalacat. Toward
the east lies the municipality of Concepcion, Tarlac. On the western side, the terrain is rugged due
to rolling hills and mountains bordering the municipality of Botolan, Zambales. The wide tract of
flat lands on the eastern side is suited to agriculture. This is where many of Bamban’s are engaged
in farming.

Historical records states that the early inhabitants of the settlement, which was to become
Pueblo de Bamban, were the Aetas or Negritos and Zambales.

Later, other settlers came from Pampanga and other neighboring provinces. Those settlers
found the place with plants of mabamboa or bambania growing abundantly along the
riverbanks. The place was called cabambanan or mabamban but later on it was simply called
bamban.

At present, the Kapampangans composed approximately 90% of Bamban’s population. The

remaining 10% composed of Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses and Zambals. Roman Catholicism
is the dominant religion which is about 85% while the rest are Iglesia ni Cristo, Methodists,
Baptists and other evangelical groups. The presence of those religious sects attests that its people
are religious. Farming is the main occupation of the residents who live at the eastern part of the
town. Among the professionals, the teachers are the greatest in number, drivers of passenger
jeepneys and tricycles ranked second. The rest offers personal services such as the carpenters,
barbers, beautician, masons and other construction workers.

Bamban is endowed by the Divine Providence with rolling hills and gorgeous mountains of
San Vicente, Sto. Nino and San Nicolas. The Sacobia Lake in barangay Sto Nino was a result of
the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Another interesting spot to see is the waterfalls at Sitio
Malasa. Some Japanese tunnels still exist on the mountains of barangay San Nicolas. There are
also man-made wonders in Bamban that include the Wonderland Resort at barangay Anupul, the
grottos of our Lady of Lourdes in barangays Lourdes and sitio Magurul Gurul, and the concrete
suspension bridge at the southernmost part of Bamban.

Life in Bamban before the outbreak of the war was simple. Majority of the people lived in small
houses made of bamboos, nipa or cogon, sawali and other local materials available in the
community. There were few big houses owned by wealthy hacinderos and professionals, yet, their
number is few. Today, most of these ancestral houses no longer exist, including the house of Don
Jesus Feliciano – a wealthy landlord, located few meters from the railroad station at barangay San
Nicolas. The old house of Atty. Benjamin Gacioco located across the old sugar central was also
dismantled right after the Liberation Period. Another one that no longer exists is the house of Dr.
Potricio S. Santos, grandfather of Vilma, a multi –awarded actress turned politician.
During those periods, calesas, calising and carts were the usual type of transportation. Very few
had family cars like the Felicianos, Santos and Gosiocos. Other rich families owned calising, which
were drawn by horses. Now, Bamban is found with tricycles and passenger jeepneys, instead, of
the calesas and calising.

Long before the war, the rural folks in this community practiced bayanihan. Farmers helped one
another in preparing their rice fields during planting and harvesting seasons. To make their work
easier and faster, the community folks practiced the sugo. But because of the invention of modern
machineries such as the threshing machines, tractors, and bulldozers, the practice among the
farmers is rarely observed nowadays.

The farmers in Bamban traditionally practiced the lasac dalungdong after a bountiful harvest. This
is a way of showing their gratitude to God for the blessing they received at harvest time. Barrio
folks come to partake sumptuous food made available for everyone. Today, the lasac dalungdung
festivity held in rice fields or farms is gone; instead, parties are held in resorts or restaurants.

Another traditional practice in Bamban is the Santa Cruzan held in May. The tradition is the
procession of beautiful maidens and gentlemen during the evening that parade along the streets of
the town beginning May 15 until the end of the month. Naturally, the burden of inviting beautiful
ladies from the neighboring barrios or towns plus, the preparation of supper would entail much
expense on the part of the host; thus, is perhaps the reason why the Santa Cruzan has become
scarce this day.

Again before the war, lively music during parties, anniversaries and other special occasions had to
be provided by rondalla players. But now, videokes and other electronic musical devices are being
used instead. This is one reason why there are few surviving rondalla players these days in
Bamban.
 Elected Officials
MUNICIPAL MAYOR

HON. JOSE ANTONIO T. FELICIANO

After my Sworn of Office, which is a sacred moment for me, as it seals my undertaking
with the people of Bamban , I have once again close my eyes and started to visualize my dream
for the town of Bamban. Then, once again I stood and organized myself and start planning to
work out all the plans and programs that I have promised to my fellow Bambanense. Just like
the cliché said, “PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN”.

Revisiting the day when I first raised my hand showing my sincere and faithful covenant
to the people of Bamban, I have seen that through ELA, my agenda in governance which is
anchored with the key word RENEWAL can be realized.

MUNICIPAL VICE MAYOR

HON. WILLIAM P. CURA

 SB MEMBERS

1. HON. ALVIN DALE SIBAL

2. HON. NOEL RIVERA

3. HON. DANILO LUGTU

4. HON. ERNESTO GO
5. HON. REYNALDO PANGILINAN
6. HON. JOHNNY SALES

7. HON. ARIEL ALIMURONG

8. HON. ERNESTO SALTING

ABC PRESIDENT:
HON. JOSE M. SALTING JR.

BUDGET OFFICER:
MS. ROWENA T. MANALESE

OIC-HR:
MS. EVELYN SIBAL

PNP:
PCI JOVY PAGARIGAN-ARCEO

DESIGNATED MENRO:
MS. MARITA POLICARPIO

DESIGNATED TOURISM OFFICER:

CHERRYLYN M. PASCUA

LEGAL OFFICER:
ATTY. CATHERINE ROSE DIAZ-CUNANAN
TOURISM SPOTS IN THE MUNICIPALITY

Bamban has some natural and man-made scenic spots which are potentially a “come-on” for local or
foreign tourists to see.

The following are the tourist spots and their type:

Tourist Spots Type

F & C Hilltop Resort & Pavilion Swimming Pool/Function Hall

Wonderland Resort Swimming Pool/Function Hall

Countryside Pool & Garden Swimming Pool/Function Hall

Bamban Museum of History Historical

Japanese-built WW II cave Cave

Holy Land Pilgrimage, Inc. Religious

Bamban Mountains Natural

Sto. Nino Parish Church Religious Lourdes Grotto

Religious Goshen Temple Retreat House

Ohnishi Shrine Historical Cave

Zoocobia Wildlife

Paradise Ranch Wildlife/Animal

Orchids Farm Natural

Haduan Falls Natural

From among this list one can select which to visit depending on his/her personal choice.
If one chooses to commune with nature there is the Paradise Ranch, home to different kinds of
butterflies; Zoocobia with wildlife. And if one wants to unwind from the hustle and bustle of
everyday’s hectic life, the pollution-free air and the aura of Nature’s beauty, Haduan Falls with
its pristine and cold water will soothe and relax a tired body, is a best choice. Orchids Farm is
also one to behold and to relish the different kinds of orchids grown thereat. For historical
mementos of World War II, one can visit the Bamban Museum of History where relics and
pictures of the horrors of war are on display. It is also in the Bamban Museum where the
gallantry and bravery of some sons of Bamban during World War II are shown in pictures. One
can take a look back in history at the said museum.

The mountain ranges of Bamban extending up to the Botolan ranges offer a spectacular
sight to behold for nature lovers. One can see the grandeur of these mountain ranges when they
are clad in green. And even in summer when the mountain ranges are a parched brown one can
still feel the soothing touch of the breeze that can only be experienced in the mountains. Atop
these mountains one can have a panoramic view of the Dapdap resettlement center and the farm
communities around.

In summer, one can take a dip in the numerous swimming pools in Bamban to beat the
summer heat. Frequently visited among the swimming pools is the Wonderland Resort which is
conveniently located along the old MacArthur highway in Anupul.

For a departure from the worldly to the spiritual the Lourdes Grotto located in Barangay
Lourdes can become a place of soul-searching for people. It is at the Lourdes Grotto where, from
Maundy Thursday up to Easter Sunday, people flock and converge to see the flagellants
(“salibatbat” in Kapampangan) beat their backs bloody (for the atonement (?) of their sins as
they believed); some bearing wooden cross (a backbreaking experience for the uninitiated) as a
grim reminder of the pains Jesus Christ had to endure on the way to Golgotha for the Crucifixion
to save humanity from its sinful ways. (For God so love the world…..John 3:16)

On Easter Sunday, as early as dawn hundreds if not thousands of people flock to the
Grotto. Here people, mostly Catholics meditate, reflect and rejoice in the glory of the Risen
Christ. From the foot of the mountain people ascend some 200 hundred or so plight of steps to
reach the statue of the Virgin Mary intricately erected on the side of the mountain.

There is also some egg-hunting in the area where children belabored searching on many
hiding places to find the coveted hidden eggs.