History of Bambang Nueva Vizcaya
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| Bambang Nueva Vizcaya Municipal Hall |
The town of Bambang in Nueva Vizcaya has deep historical roots that stretch all the way back to the early 1600s. In 1609, Dominican missionary Father Thomas Gutierrez arrived from Pangasinan and began setting up the first missionary settlement in the area, which was then known as YTUY. This vast territory eventually became the towns we now know as Aritao, Dupax, Bambang, and parts of Kayapa.
Although Aritao served as the center of this mission early on, it wasn’t until 1747 that the first missionaries—Father Urmanza and Father Franco—reached Bambang. A few years later, in 1751, Father Urmanza was reassigned, leaving Father Franco to continue the mission alone, guiding and caring for the first 16 newly converted locals.
Father Franco gathered these early converts into one place—Punawa—where they began to form a new community. Later on, they moved again to Tabangan Hill, and eventually, in 1777, they settled in a new area near a pit where feuding Ilongots and Igorots had once buried their weapons as a symbol of peace. That pit was called "Bang-Bang", and from that, the town got its name: Bambang—a place born from unity and the end of tribal wars.
Today, Bambang is home to 25 barangays, each with its own character and story to tell.
- Abian
- Almaguer North
- Barat
- Dullao
- Mabuslo
- Manamtam
- Salinas
- San Antonio South
- Santo Domingo West
- Abinganan
- Almaguer South
- Buag
- Homestead
- Macate
- Mauan
- San Fernando
- San Leonardo
- Aliaga
- Banggot
- Calaocan
- Indiana
- Magsaysay Hills
- Pallas
- San Antonio North
- Santo Domingo Proper
Every April 26 to 28, Bambang comes alive with color, music, and celebration during its annual Panggayjaya Festival.
The word “Panggayjaya” comes from the Isinay language, meaning merriment—and the festival lives up to its name in every way. The streets are filled with the sounds of drums and dancing, as local schools take part in street dance competitions, float parades, and ground demonstrations.
At night, the town lights up for People’s Night, a fun gathering where locals and visitors come together to enjoy music, food, and community spirit. One of the most anticipated parts of the celebration is the Search for Ms. Bambang, alongside the exciting invitation dance competition that draws talents from all over.
In Bambang, the spirit of peace, faith, and community lives on—not just in its history, but in the joyful way its people celebrate life every year. Whether you're here for the stories or the street dancing, Bambang welcomes you with open arms and warm smiles.
- Nueva Vizcaya Government. (n.d.). Bambang [blog post]. Retrieved from https://nuevavizcaya.gov.ph/municipalities/bambang/.
- Photograph of Bambang Municipal Hall by Ramon FVelasquez / CC BY-SA.
