Camiling, Tarlac

Geography

Mostly of plain topography but some parts are hilly to mountainous in which the barangays of Papaac, Bacsay, Birbira and Cayasan, to name a few. The deeper part of the mountains can be described as a place where wild animals live, such as deer, Toddy cat (Musang), wild boar (Baboy ramo), Monitor lizard (Bayawak)

Barangays

Camiling is politically subdivided into 61 barangays.  Camiling has the most barangays in all of the municipalities of Tarlac (the city of Tarlac has 76 barangays).

History

Early in the 18th century, the community was a sitio of Paniqui; before and after, Paniqui was also part of Bayambang, Pangasinan. The town's name is derived from a tree called kamiring which at that time grew abundantly in the wilderness and subsequently changed to Camiling.

The community was originally a vast area of Cogon growth interposed with thick forestalls areas stretching into the Zambales mountain ranges. A wide river cut through it. The early inhabitants of the place were the Aetas who make a living by gathering fruit from fruit trees, hunting, and fishing. With the coming first of the Pangasinenses and later the Ilocanos from the north, the Aetas who used to roam freely in the wilderness obliged themselves to move into the interior. The new settlers first occupied the swampy land, now known as "Cacamilingan" on the right side of the river. In time, these settlers began moving to the left opposite shore because of more frequent disastrous floods. To this new location, the residents therein built a small church with Saint Michael as the patron saint.

Camiling became a District Commission from 1834 to 1837 founded by Don Francisco Soriano, the then Cabeza de Barangay who became the town's first District Commissioner. In 1838, Camiling became an independent town, formally separated from the mother town of Paniqui and with Don Vicente Galsim, as the first Gobernadorcillo. Thirty-eight others followed him. Don Jose Sabado, the last to serve under the Spanish regime and the first Presidente Municipal under the Revolutionary Government by Aguinaldo.

Camiling was a first-class municipality during the 1970s but was reclassified when the Local Government Code went into effect in the early 1990s. It became again a first-class municipality again on November 20, 2001, by virtue of the Latest Income Class Classification (L.I.C.C.) initiated by the Department of Finance; the Local Government Unit of Camiling was reclassified from a second class municipality to a first-class municipality, having attained an annual income of 50,942,508.51 pesos. In 2008, Camiling's income was more than 72,463,893,00 pesos with average growth of more than 5.164% per year (2001–2008).

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of Camiling, Tarlac, was 83,248 people, with a density of 590 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,500 inhabitants per square mile.

Language

Many old town's districts are based on the Pangasinan language like Anoling, Cayaoan (Bamboo), Libueg, Lasong, Tuec (to nod), Pindangan, Telbang. Others are named after towns of Ilocos where the other settlers originally came from. Hence, Caviganan for Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Cacabugaoan (now Cayaoan) for Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Cabatacan for Batac City, Ilocos Norte, Capaoayan for Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Casarratan for Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

Pangasinense is widely spoken especially on the eastern banks of Camiling river and the northern parts of the town. Camileños of Pangasinense origin are prevalent, especially in the northern and western parts of the town. Filipino as the national language is widely understood and spoken.

Attractions

Camiling is known for its architectural antiquity seen from the old St. Michael Church but was burned in 1997.

|right|thumb|The St. Michael the Archangel Church]]

Festivals

Camiling's one town one product is the Chicharon or Bagnet by the Ilocanos of Ilocos Sur and the sweet green native cakes called Iniruban or Dirimin of Pangasinan origin. The Municipality of Camiling is also known for other native rice cakes such as Tupig, Pinais, and Patupat.

Camiling hosts Iniruban and Chicharon Festival. Held every last week of October, it is coupled by colorful and artistic presentations and street dances by different schools in Camiling. The festival was established in 2000. A street dancing competition is held annually to showcase Camiling's products and cultural heritage.

Hospitals and health service

Camiling is equipped with three hospitals and a health center located at the Municipal Hall, which provides free medicines and health services to the economically disadvantaged. Additionally, there are several private clinics dispersed across the town. The hospitals in Camiling include Señor Santo Niño Tertiary Hospital in Poblacion, Camiling District Hospital in Malacampa, and Salvador General Hospital in Palimbo.

Education

College/Private/Vocational

High School/Public:

Elementary/Public: Camiling Central

Elementary/Public: Camiling East

Elementary/Public: Camiling West

Notable persons of Camiling

Sister city