Many people are unaware of the history of Pangasinan, and my previous post has featured the American landing in Lingayen Gulf, which might have shared some knowledge regarding the role of our province during World War 2.

Now, I'll be sharing about a building which was named after a heroine and a warrior princess believed to be from Pangasinan. It is no other than Princess Urduja, and the building was named "Urduja House".

Urduja House

Urduja House is currently the official residence of Pangasinan Governors, past and present. It's like our own Malacañang, though the governor resides in it, not the President. It was constructed back in 1953, and named it after the heroine, Princess Urduja. It's design is very Asian. I remember back in the day, it looks so old. In 2007, along with other government offices and museum, it was rehabilitated.

Back then, the Provincial government was sued because of claims by individuals that the land covered by the Urduja complex was owned by them. Unsure if there's encroachment happened but the case was junked by the court.

The time we went to Urduja House, it was already closed, thus we are not allowed to enter. Twenty years ago when I applied for scholarship, I got to enter their and saw the painting of Princess Urduja.

Of course, the fountain at the front of the house contributed to its beauty. When we went there, there's a pictorial of a couple, probably prenuptial pictorial.

This fountain has been dead for a long time. Good thing it's functional again since it's rehabilitation. Maybe soon, they'll put some fishes there for the fascination of visitors.

We got to view the sunset from Urduja House compound. We're supposed to wait until it gets dark because of the beautiful lights all over the house and the complex but we need to go home because my girlfriend then (now my wife) and her mom has to catch up the jeepney or the bus.

Urduja House is located at the east side of Capitol Grounds. On each side are buildings and provincial offices beautified and rehabilitated in late 2000s.

Here are some of the places that can be visited over Capitol Grounds:

This is the office of Girl Scout of the Philippines at the west side of the Capitol Grounds. You might've notice the Japanese flag and Tokyo Disneyland arc. It was captured last December 2019, and during such season, the province features "around the world" theme in different areas of the provincial complex.

Talking about "around the world" in Lingayen, going back to the Lingayen Gulf Landings Shrine, the theme was Brazil.

Brazilian symbols are featured including musical instruments including maracas, football (which is very popular in Brazil), and Havaianas, a popular flip flop slippers brand in Brazil.

This resort hotel was reserved for Thailand. I didn't enter thinking only customers are allowed. However, it is open for everyone because this resort is government owned. It was constructed during mid-1990s, where many visitors has checked in during Palarong Pambansa. It is a 3-star hotel so expectation isn't high with regards to its facilities. It looks like an ordinary hotel but it has swimming pool, and a golf course which is closer to the Baywalk and the beach.

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, many of the offices here in Lingayen are not open for the public. Only the government employees who are working there are allowed to enter. However, the parks are open except some certain areas such as the Baywalk.

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