Bautista

Step into Bautista, Pangasinan, the historic town where music, heritage, and heart collide! Dubbed the “Home of the Philippine National Anthem”, Bautista offers more than just history, it’s a town full of soul, traditions, and vibrant local color. Whether you’re exploring old churches, savoring native delicacies, or diving into cultural celebrations, Bautista strikes all the right notes for an unforgettable adventure.

• Site Where “Lupang Hinirang” Was First Played – Yes, the original performance of our national anthem happened right here in 1899 during the Malolos Republic.
• Old Bautista Station – Part of the historic Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan railway, now a nostalgic photo spot for train history buffs.
• St. John the Baptist Parish Church – A beautiful 18th-century church that has stood as the town’s spiritual center for generations.
• Balincaguin River – Ideal for kayaking, bamboo rafting, or a peaceful riverside escape with the locals.

Bautista’s culture runs deep, with a nationalist spirit, strong family values, and Ilocano-Pangasinense fusion traditions. The people here are warm, hardworking, and proud of their town’s legacy. You’ll find ancestral homes, local artisans, and storytellers ready to share tales of the past.

Locals speak Pangasinan, Ilocano, and Tagalog, with English widely understood. Greet them with “Kumusta ka?” and prepare to be treated like one of their own!

• Tupig – A sweet sticky rice delicacy cooked over charcoal in banana leaves
• Pigar-Pigar – Stir-fried beef or carabao meat, crunchy on the outside, tender inside
• Inabraw/Dinengdeng – A veggie dish flavored with fermented fish sauce, reflecting Ilocano roots
• Bangus and native tilapia – Freshly caught and grilled by the riverbank
  Top it off with some sukang Iloko and basi wine for the ultimate northern flavor experience!

• Bautista Town Fiesta (June 24) – In honor of St. John the Baptist, featuring colorful parades, street dancing, and community feasts
• National Anthem Day – A local celebration of Bautista’s historic role in Philippine music and independence
• Semana Santa (Holy Week) – Spiritual processions and age-old Catholic traditions fill the town with solemn reverence

Bautista holds a special place in Philippine music history. The first performance of “Lupang Hinirang” happened here, and that proud musical legacy continues today through marching bands, choir performances, and local rondalla groups. The sound of patriotism lives on in every note.

• Birthplace of the Philippine National Anthem’s first public performance
• Heritage railway station and Spanish-era church
• River adventures and countryside peace
• Proud Ilocano-Pangasinense culture
• Local delicacies and homegrown hospitality