Binmaley : "Binamin"

Binmaley is one of the humblest towns of the Province of Pangasinan. According to reliable information, the name of the town originated from the name of a woman who first inhabited this place and who later became the leader or chief of the inhabitants. The name of this woman, according to stories told by our forefathers, which was handed down from generation to generation was "Binamin." They said that she was a kin of the well-know family of "Palaris" during the Spanish regime. During that time there was no form of government for the people; the families only group together in a certain place for mutual help and protection.

Now, this woman, as a leader of the family, built a sort of a shelter where they could worship their deities. Because she was always ready to give her support to any of the offended party of her group she was regarded as the benevolent leader. Whenever a stranger came to her place, the other members of the group who did not understand the dialect of the stranger asked the kind assistance of Binamin.

Not long after Binamin settled in the place, the Spanish missionaries came to the islands. Because of their intention to spread Christianity, they had to go to remote place. They inquired from the inhabitants who their chief was and without understanding what the missionaries were asking from them readily answered, "Binamin". A messenger was sent for Binamin, and she appeared before the missionaries. The missionaries were very much surprised to find that the leader or chief of the inhabitants was a woman.

In order to give credit to her work, the Spanish Missionaries named the town "Binmaley", deriving it from her name. Today, Binmaley has the distinction of having the most fishponds in the entire province of Pangasinan and as a matter of fact, to Pangasinenses, Binmaley is synonymous with "bangus". #