San Carlos City Pangasinan

The pioneering Spanish missioners found their way into the Kingdom of King Kasikis as early as the latter part of the sixteenth century. This kingdom, which now comprises the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, La Union, and Zambales was a rugged forest wherein the natives lived contentedly under their beloved king.

The first among these pioneering groups, headed by Fr. Francisco de la Rama founded a town on May 23, 1587, in a place called Span Palapar, now the barrio San Juan. This was a rich agricultural region where mongos or balatong were found in abundance; hence the town was called "binalatongan."

Later, this town became the nucleus of what is now the province of Pangasinan. This enterprising group began the construction of the church, tribunal, etc., and the spread of the Christian religion. The people were peaceful and happy under the rule of King Kasikis.

But the conquering Spaniards brought this state of tranquility and contentment to an end and established a new government for the vanquished, making numerous converts and followers. Some of the natives however, refused to extend their hands to the chain and bow their necks to the yoke. This group rose against the new rule. Unfortunately one by one, they were subdued, captured, and executed by the Spanish conquistadores and their followers. So the native rule slowly vanished into oblivion.

Historically prominent among the uprisings that took place in the town of Binalatongan was the one led by Andres Malong in the year 1666. Malong was a powerful man. He engendered unrest and sowed seeds of discontent among masses. It was he, who in 1669 wrought the colossal destruction of Binalatongan by setting the town aflame. On account of this wanton destruction, on November 4, 1718, the site of the town was moved and the new seat of the government established in its present location.

November 4th, being St. Charles' Day (San Carlos Borromeo), the town was renamed "San Carlos Binalatongan" in honor of the day. The name "Binalatongan" was later dropped and the town became known by its present name, "San Carlos."

Trouble arose again when taxes of all sorts were imposed upon the natives. In 1762, an uprising broke out led by a daring man named Juan dela Cruz Palaris. Using the repressive taxes as his battle-cry, Palaris incited the natives to rise up in arms against the Spanish authorities. He was later captured and persecuted in 1773.

San Carlos became a city in January 1, 1966 by virtue of RA 4487.