Камилин: Филиппиннің тарихы мен мәдени мұрасы

Municipality in Tarlac, Philippines
the municipality

Camiling, officially the Municipality of Camiling, (; ; ) is a 1st class municipality in the province of Tarlac in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 87,319 people. Camiling is one of the fastest growing towns of Tarlac when it comes to income and economy. It is also considered one of the richest when it comes to cultural heritage in the entire province. The town is also dubbed to be the "Old Lady in the Northwestern province of Tarlac", because it is one of the oldest municipalities created by the Spanish government under the province of Pangasinan where it previously included the former barrio of Mayantoc, San Clemente, and Santa Ignacia. The municipality also features cultural antiquity such as its churches, ancestral houses, and ruins. However, the baroque church of Camiling has yet to be restored after 20 years since a fire burned its interior. The inside of the church, one of the only two Spanish churches left in Tarlac, has become a cesspool for human waste, while the facade (front) and buttresses (side supports) have been occupied by business establishments. One buttress has been converted by a business store into a toilet. Heritage advocates and Camiling locals have been campaigning for the restoration of the church after the reports came out in March 2018. Camiling is the major municipality in north western Tarlac. It is the commercial center of an area composed of about eight towns, and borders the province of Pangasinan. It is the gateway to central and western Pangasinan through the Romulo Highway (formerly Highway 13). It is also known for its famous "chicharon Camiling" and its green native rice cake called nilubyan.

Camiling began its history as a settlement located near the Camiling River. During the classical era, the area used to be lush in tropical rainforest and was used mainly by the local Pangasinense people. When the polity of Caboloan was established in 1406, the area was incorporated as part of the kingdom. It was ruled by a series of native huangs (kings/queens), namely, Urduja, Kamayin, Taymey, and Liyu. Majority of its rulers are unnamed as no document of them were properly recorded. For a short period, an emperor in China became an honorary ruler as well. In 1575, the Chinese pirate Limahong attacked the polity and declared himself as ruler of the Caboloan realms. The kingdom was eventually abolished in 1576, when the Spanish attacked and ransacked the kingdom's capital of Binalatongan (present day San Carlos, Pangasinan). It was later on incorporated into the Spanish Empire. Early in the 18th century, the community was a sitio of Paniqui; before and after, Paniqui was also part of Bayambang. The town's name is derived from "camiring" or "camiling", the Pangasinan name for the Semecarpus cuneiformis tree, which at that time grew abundantly in the wilderness. 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).

The town of San Diego in Jose Rizal's 1887 novel, Noli Me Tángere, is the municipality of Camiling in real life. The old Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church of Camiling and Leonor Rivera were all real life inspiration to the novel.

Camiling is north north west of Manila, and from provincial capital Tarlac City. It borders San Clemente on the west, Bayambang from the north, Santa Ignacia and Mayantoc to the south and Paniqui and Moncada by the east. 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).

In the 2020 census, the population of Camiling, Tarlac, was 87,319 people, with a density of .

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. Pangasinan and Ilocano are the main dialects of Camiling. Kapampangan and Tagalog are also widely understood and spoken.

Aside from rice cakes and chicharon, the municipality is also known for its freshwater fish produce, like tilapia; dalag (or mudfish, Channa striata); catfish, including the native hito, Clarias macrocephalus; and [[bangus, the milkfish.

The Old St Michael the Archangel Parish Church: A historical building built around the 18th century. It was also the oldest religious structure built in the province of Tarlac. The antique edifice also features the ruins of a Spanish style school which is created for sanctification like the St Michael Parish Church Garden and the St Michael Meditation Sanctuary. This church is also the largest in the entire province. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of Camiling is said to have performed miracles in the Phillipnes. During the War, He was said to have saved the lives of many Filipinos who suffered at the hands of the Japanese. The old church was declared by the National Historic Commission as a historic site until it was gutted by a fire in 1997. The baroque church has yet to be restored after 20 years since a fire burned its interior. The facade (front) and buttresses (side supports) have been occupied by business establishments. One buttress has been converted by a business store into a toilet. Heritage advocates and Camiling locals have been campaigning for the restoration of the church since March 2018. Maria Clara Iglesias Independiente: Built after the Philippine revolution by revolutionaries attempting to "Filipinize" the Church. This is the second church built by Gregorio Aglipay, the first one being in Paniqui. Maria Clara Museum: A part of the mansion where Leonor Rivera lived. Several priceless artifacts belonging to her, immortalized by Noli Me Tángere as María Clara and even her late admirer, the Philippine National Hero, José Rizal's old photos is being exhibited on glass. The New St Michael the Archangel Parish Church: St Michael the Archangel Parish Church of Camiling was built in 2009. With a total floor area of 2,200 square meters, the church features intricately designed stained glass windows depicting, aside from Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, the angels. It is adjacent to Camiling's Catholic school. The Old Site of Camiling: Also known as the Old Intramuros of Tarlac. This place showcases the combined ruins of the old St Michael the Archangel Parish Church together with its school extension and convent which burned down in 1997. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church: A parish church that features the Guadalupe title of Blessed Virgin Mary. It is located in Brgy. Malacampa
Maria Clara Town Plaza: The municipal plaza of Camiling which features different cultural heritages and interesting contribution of Camiling to Philippine history. It includes the Camiling Veterans Park, Maria Clara Auditorium, the "camiring tree" (from which the town of Camiling got its name), the tower clock, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the statue of General Paulino Santos. Mt. Damas is a crag which is one of the favorite destination of hikers and mountain climbers in the province. As part of the Zambales Mountain Range lies a cave which serve as a shelter and hideout of many people and soldiers (guerillas) of Camiling against the Japanese during the war. Ubod Falls is a 160 foot waterfall in Mt. Damas in Papaac. It is considered the highest falls in the entire province of Tarlac. It is located deep in the wilderness of barangay Papaac. Pias Falls has greater water power than Ubod Falls despite being much smaller.

Camiling's "one town, one product" is the bagnet (also called chicharon by the Ilocano people of Ilocos Sur) and the sweet green native cakes called [[Kalamay or dirimin of Pangasinan origin. The municipality is also known for other native rice cakes such as tupig, pinais, and patupat. Camiling hosts the "Iniruban and Chicharon Festival", held in the last week of October every year to showcase Camiling's products and cultural heritage. Established in 2000, the festival includes colorful and artistic presentations and a street dancing competition amongst the different schools in Camiling.

Camiling has three hospitals and a health center at the Municipal Hall. The health center serves the poor by giving free medicines and other health service. There are numerous private clinics scattered throughout the town. Hospitals in Camiling are Señor Santo Niħo Tertiary Hospital at Poblacion, Camiling District Hospital at Malacampa, and Salvador General Hospital at Palimbo.