Alcala, Pangasinan

What is known now as Alcala was formerly a barrio of Bayambang, formerly called "Dangla", a vernacular term referring to a medicinal shrub which grows abundantly in the place. As a barrio, it was subdivided into several smaller units called sitios, namely: Bugyao, Bacud, Cupi, Bitulao, Cabicalan, Patalan, Camanggaan and Sinabaan

On April 1, 1873, the settlers established a community. They submitted a petition calling for the cessation of Dangla into a separate township, but it took more than two years for the Spanish Authorities to take notice of the settlers' demands.

Finally, on September 20, 1875, Royal Decree No. 682 was issued to officially establish the Municipality of Alcala, the name of the town in Spain from where the then Governor of Pangasinan hailed.

During the outbreak of the Philippine–American War, the place was the site of the field headquarters of General Malone of the United States Army.

When the Filipinos and Americans were fighting against the Japanese during World War II, the place was the site for the American Field Headquarters under the command of General Johnathan Wainwright. It was here that the first Guerrilla Combat Training School was established. The same school produced an Infantry Battalion composed mostly of Alcaleneans who played an important role in defending the whole of Northern Luzon from Japanese forces.^[6][7]

The Municipality of Alcala has a total land area of 5,508 hectares.

Alcala is situated 47.07 kilometres (29.25 mi) from the provincial capital Lingayen, and 183.46 kilometres (114.00 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Poverty incidence of Alcala

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]}

A tilapia dispersal and barbecue are part of the attractions in Alcala.^[25]

The Municipality has received the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award eight times for its commitment to good governance, as recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Alcala celebrating its annual founding anniversary every September 20.

Alcala celebrating its Town Fiesta on May 1–3 every year.

San Vicente, Alcala has its Backpack Project.

Holy Cross Parish Church

The 1881 Holy Cross Parish Church is a Vicariate of Sacred Heart. Its Feast Day are May 3 is the Feast of the Finding of the True Cross and September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with the present Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Elisar "Ralphie" M. Itchon under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta.

The January 4, 1881 Spanish Royal Decree of the Spanish Government created the Parish of the Holy Cross and accepted by the Dominicans (House of the Order) on November of 188. Padre Eduardo Saamaniego, O.P., was appointed first parish priest on February 21, 1882. The convent was erected under Fr. Revilla and Fr. Casamitjana but the same was destroyed.^[26]

In 1950, Padre Jose V. Ferrer caused the destruction of the old church and instead built a semi-concrete edifice. Aided by Bishop Jesus Sison and Archbishop Mariano Madriaga, the Priest founded the Holy Rood Academy. Fr. Amado Lopez continued the rehabilitation of the Church and school but the 1967 and 1968 Casiguran earthquake annihilated the Church. Thus, Fr. Eusebio Vigilia and Fr. Johnny Tagalicud (1972-1977) rehabilitated the present new Church. (Source, 2007 Fiesta Yearbook of Bani, Pangasinan Church).

The Alcala Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools.^[27]