Trip to the past: What ‘banàan’ means to this Pangasinan museum

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Pangasinan is often known for its postcard-worthy destinations — the turquoise waters of the Hundred Islands, the pilgrimage site of Manaoag, and the province’s beaches, rivers, and mountain landscapes. These places introduce visitors to Pangasinan’s natural beauty, but to truly understand the province and its people, there is another stop worth adding to any itinerary: the Banàan Pangasinan Provincial Museum in Lingayen.

More than a tourist attraction, the Banàan Pangasinan Provincial Museum preserves the locals’ collective memory, tracing Pangasinan’s history, culture, and identity through curated exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia storytelling.

For years, Pangasinan had no single institution “that will tell the story of the Pangasinan people and the province,” said Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan, Department Head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) of Pangasinan, in an interview with Rappler.

So the local government thought of establishing the museum to show just how Pangasinan solidified its legacy as a province in the Ilocos Region. It now stands as an institution committed to showcasing the history, culture, traditions, and identity of Pangasinan — not just to visiting tourists, but to its local residents, too.

For Elduayan, the goal is rooted in preservation. “We would like every Pangasinense to learn more about their Pangasinan heritage to help in the preservation of our identity,” she said.

Why Lingayen and the Casa Real

The museum is housed in the Casa Real, a national historical landmark that once served as the seat of the provincial government during the Spanish period, before offices were transferred to the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol near Lingayen Beach.

“The Casa Real, as the seat of the provincial government then and said to be the royal house, has to function now for a purpose,” Elduayan said. “It’s very apt to use it for the purpose of setting the right venue for Pangasinenses to learn more about their history.”

She added that choosing the Casa Real was part of the province’s effort to protect and reuse its heritage structures. The museum’s name reflects its curatorial vision. Banàan is a Pangasinan word that means “meeting place,” but Elduayan said its meaning goes beyond location.

“We chose that Pangasinan word to showcase or present the meeting of cultures — the meeting of culture between the Spanish and the Pangasinenses, the Chinese and Pangasinenses, Americans and Pangasinenses, and even in the present years, the meeting of the past, the present, and even the future,” Elduayan explained.

Among the museum’s notable features are exhibits on the Pangasinan language, highlighting words and expressions that reflect local values and ways of life. 

Different stages of rain written in Pangasinense. All photos by Alfon Cabanilla/Rappler

A large painting of the warrior princess Urduja — believed by some historians to have originated from Pangasinan — anchors the gallery on pre-colonial leadership and myth. 

A painting of Princess Urduja, who was believed to be from Pangasinan, according to locals.

Displays also feature Manaoag’s Pyramid of Asia, which was said to have “healing effects.”

Pyramid of Asia in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

While traditional artifacts remain central to the Banàan Pangasinan Provincial Museum, Elduayan said the institution also embraces modern technology to keep the experience engaging.

“For the Pangasinan Museum, while we use some artifacts, we also use more innovative platforms to make it interesting for the younger generation,” she said. “So, we adapted technology in presenting some of our showcases in the different galleries.”

Through multimedia installations and interactive displays, the museum presents a video that narrates Pangasinan’s journey from pre-colonial times to the present, allowing visitors to engage with history in a more immersive way.

Farmers making salt in Pangasinan are featured in a digital installation.

Stories of Pangasinenses — and the visitor

Every item on display was carefully chosen by researchers and historians to support the museum’s narrative. One gallery, however, stands out for Elduayan personally: the final section dedicated to outstanding Pangasinenses, known as the anak panwas.

Official-style oil portraits of the “anak panwas” in Pangasinan.

This gallery features notable figures who helped shape the province and the nation, including Geronima Pecson, the first female senator in the Philippines, and former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, who hailed from Lingayen.

“It calls for every visitor, most especially Pangasinenses, that whatever role you are in now — if you’re a student, if you’re a teacher visiting the museum, we each have a contribution to the province,” she said. “We can all be outstanding Pangasinenses by giving our part in making the province progressive or helping other people.”

The gallery ends with a mirror, inviting visitors to reflect on their own role in the province’s future. The concept, Elduayan shared, came from Governor Ramon “Monmon” V. Guico III.

“When you visit the gallery, you learn more about yourself and your identity as Pangasinenses,” she said. “And it will help you think how you can contribute also to the history of Pangasinense — history in the making for younger generations.”

Years in the making

Although the museum formally opened in September 2023, the work behind it has spanned more than a decade.

“All the research work done by historians and cultural workers who have been helping the provincial government in collecting history and other data and artifacts, helping us out in establishing the museum. We put a lot of work on that, so it was several years,” Elduayan said.

The restoration of the Casa Real, securing funds, and curatorial planning took several years before the museum could finally open its doors to the public.

The Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum’s facade.

Beyond preservation, Elduayan said the museum plays a vital role in Pangasinan’s tourism strategy, especially during peak travel seasons such as Christmas, New Year, and long weekends.

“The foundations of our tourism and the sustainability of the tourism industry would rely on the natural and cultural heritage of the province,” she said. “This natural and cultural heritage, or the resources that we have from that, are our tourism assets.”

She hopes the museum helps visitors see Pangasinan beyond its most popular attractions. 

“We would like that more Filipinos, if not Pangasinenses, more Filipinos would appreciate history and the stories that the places and the people tell through the museum,” Elduayan emphasized.

“They get to visit more museums to connect them, not only about Pangasinan’s identity. Because Filipinos, when they learn the history of Pangasinan, they will also learn more about themselves,” she added.

For first-time visitors of the province, Elduayan offers a simple piece of advice: start at the museum.

“For every tourist who would come to Pangasinan, first time most especially, the most important must-visit in Pangasinan is the museum,” she said. “Before you go to other places in Pangasinan, appreciate our beaches, our mountains, our rivers, they will all see and hear the stories of all these destinations and resources through the museum.”

And for many, one visit is not enough. 

“When they come to the museum, I would say that they will plan to visit Pangasinan more often because you cannot just visit one time and see all these amazing features of the province of Pangasinan,” she mentioned.

Before ending their visit, guests are encouraged to stop by the museum shop, which features Pangasinan-made delicacies, local food products, and souvenirs inspired by the province’s culture and heritage. These include the Domanni chocolate, guyabano spread, and tarragon tea. The shop serves as an extension of the museum experience, allowing visitors to take home a tangible piece of Pangasinan’s history and identity.

The museum’s souvenir shop.

Admission to the museum for adults and tourists is P200. Persons with disabilities and senior citizens can avail of a discounted rate of P160, while children and students pay P100. Online reservation is also available on their website. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. – Rappler.com

Alfon Cabanilla is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication at Ateneo de Manila University.