Rosales, Pangasinan

Rosales, years before the advent of conquering people, was once a verdant forest. What caught one's eye and heart was the lush growth of a flowering plant with white and big flowers popularly known as Rosal.

However, the conquering Spaniards refuted this origin. Rosales according to them was founded as a ranchera by a pioneering Filipino named Nicolas Bañes. In 1852, it was created as a separate municipality with its own "gobernadorcillo" and a separate parish priest. It was named in honor of Don Antonio Rosales, a "Oider de la Audencia de Manila." A man noted for his rectitude, industry and learning, he later became "consejero de Filipinas en el ministro de Ultramar."

On March 16,1852, upon peition by Don Gaspar Velo, Isabelo Villapa, Simplicio Sansano, Avelino Pine, Anecito Sansano, Luciano Pañgilinan, Joaquin Sevilla, and others for the proclamation of Rosales as a separate municipality, the Spanish Government granted the petition. A royal Decree was thus issued making it a separate municipality. Don Gaspar Velo was appointed "Gobernadorcillo,' Juan de Paz and Belong Villapa as Teniente Mayors, Luciano Pañgilinan as Directorcillo, and Joaquin Sevilla as Contador. Father Abdon Obispo was appointed local parish priest.

In 1883 the town executive title "Gobernadorcillo" was changed to "Capitan Municipal" with Don Andres Callanta the first to hold this position and was in changed to "President Municipal" with Don Cenon Corrales as the first president.