Minalin, Pampanga

Etymology

Pansomun (grandson of Prince Balagtas, the ruler of the Kapampangan empire and Luzon), in his will, claimed to be a cousin of Rajah Soliman and Lakandula, the chieftains of Manila and Tondo in 1571 (conquest by Spain). Pansomun, as Christian convert Fernando Malang Balagtas signed in 1589 a will on the Kapampangan territory. Pansomun/Balagtas stated that he was born in Tabungao (Sta. Maria, the old location of Minalin).

The legend of Minalin's name came from "minalis la ding dutung, minalis ya ing pisamban" (the lumber moved, and so must the church). Lumber stocks at Sta. Maria for the church construction were carried by floods to a hilly Burol. Capitan Diego Tolentino wrote "minalis", thus, the name Minalin evolved.

A Malayan settlement of Kahn Bulaun, Prince Balagtas' descendant, also found in the place, beautiful women. The Spaniards called the sitio, "mina linda de las mujerers" (a mine of beautiful women), which could also be the source of the town's name. Subsequently, Chinese traders abbreviated the words to "Minalin".

Minalin's name might have originated also from "minalis" ("to move to"). "Mina" means mine, a word written on a rock left at the sitio in 1700 by a Spaniard José Espeleta, and "Lin", the founder's name.

Gobernadorcillo (Mayor) Diego Tolentino wrote Minalin in lieu of Minalis and the Calendario Manual y Guia de Forasteros, 1839 to 1841, spelled Minalin, thus Minalim.

In 1860 Minalin was a producer of rice, corn, sugar cane, cacao, indigo (añil) and fruits, including dye, nipa wine, vinegar and mats (petates).

Barangays

Minalin is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.

Local government

The municipal government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary. The judicial branch is administered solely by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The legislative branch is composed of the Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly), Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan for the youth sector.

The mayor and vice mayor are elected to three-year terms. The mayor is the executive head and leads the town's departments in executing the ordinances and improving public services. The vice mayor heads a legislative council (Sangguniang Bayan) consisting of councilors from the barangays or barrios.

Municipal government officials 2013–2016:

Economy

Minalin is one of the fastest growing economy in Pampanga because of its area that is very rich every year. Minalin Officials continue doing their best to maintain this economic status and in fact just recently Minalin has not suffered from floodings.

Merchandising, farming and fishing are the usual source of living of Minalenos. The town is known as the "Egg Basket of Philippines" because of its large scale production of eggs and chickens. Tilapia, shrimp, crabs are also major products of the town.

Landmarks and attractions

Tourist attractions of the town include its "Aguman Sandoc" New Year's Celebration and the 400-year old Santa Monica Parish Church in Barangay San Nicolas.

"Aguman Sandoc" Festival (Minalin New Year's Celebration)

One major tourist attraction in Minalin is its "Aguman Sandoc" New Year’s Celebration in which the straight men of the town dress as beauty queens and ride through town on festive floats - displaying not only humor but also the camaraderie and charity of each member of the community.

The celebration has also been referred to as the "Belles of Minalin" but Minalin natives prefer to continue calling the event "Aguman Sandoc", which translates literally as "Association of the Ladle". The event is differentiated from gay pride parades because the event is specifically intended for heterosexual males, and is intended simply to be an act of fun, rather than a statement about gender.

This is an avenue where men from all walks of life cross-dress and dare to step out of their statuses. Whether you are a known public figure, a farmer, or a professional, it is with utmost pride that a man from Minalin will dare step out of his status to give joy (pikatulan) to his people. With the continuous celebration of the festival, it is a living proof of how Minaleños value camaraderie (pamakiabe). It is the dare that keeps the community’s bond and strengthen the ties of Minaleños.

This annual display of beautiful dresses and expertise in women’s make up signifies that this town follows the dynamic changes in women’s fashion not only in the Philippines but also in Europe, Asia and in other countries.

Egg Festival

On June 4, 2008, Minalin celebrated its fame for producing over a million chicken eggs per day by holding the country's first "First Egg Festival." An exhibit of Minalin's egg produce was put up, and a taste test of 10,000 boiled eggs was held. Also, 70 poultry raisers donated 100,000 eggs to Typhoon Cosme's victims in the nearby provinces of Pangasinan and Zambales.

Mayor Edgar Flores and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo graced the exhibit of their egg produce, and a taste test of 10,000 boiled eggs. Also, 70 poultry raisers donated 80,000 eggs to Pangasinan's "Cosme" typhoon victims, and 20,000 shall go to Zambales.

La Purisima Concepcion Festival

On 2008, the Sta Maria Barangay Youth Ministry of Barangay Sta Maria spearheaded the said festival. It is in honor of the Image of La Purisima Concepcion which was according to the book, Piaquitan qng Milabas ning Sta Maria, in the year 1609, an image was found placed inside a dried gourd skin (Tabungao in Spanish) floating in front of the chapel they were building.

Notable Minalenians