', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people. The town, dubbed as the "Golden West" in the 1960s and early 1970s, is named after the Bani tree which could be found in the Poblacion.
Bani was founded on March 18, 1769. In May 1903, it was transferred to Pangasinan together with the towns of Agno, Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta and Mabini. San Simon, the original Bani, was transferred from Namagbagan to sitio Almacin in 1859. The Immaculate Conception, Patron Saint of San Simon, disappeared from the church altar and discovered on top of the tall Bani tree in the vicinity of the present Church. She was brought to the Namagbagan church, and returned to the present site. Bani's name came from the Bani tree where the image of the Patroness was found. Bani is a smooth tree. In 1769, Fr. Mains de Lamberto erected a "visita" in Bani with settlements around Don Cayo banks and in 1762, these settlements became a sitio, with local officials headed by Don Francisco Baltazar as "Tiniente Absolute". On 21 November 1903 the town of Bani together with Alaminos, Bolinao, San Isidro de Potot and Infanta were annexed to Pangasinan. In 1918 the road from Alaminos to Bani was started. During the time of Martial Law the mayor of Bani was Marcelo Navarro, a member of the Liberal Party. After the People Power of 1986 the OIC who headed Bani was Edmundo Cacho Bani is the hometown of TV host and former Pangasinan governor Oscar Orbos. From the Municipal Hall one would read that this town used to be a part of Zambales and its founders include Pangasinenses, Ilocanos and Zambals. In May 2009, Bani along with Anda and Bolinao, was severely damaged by Typhoon Emong. The typhoon damaged an office close to the Municipal Building, the Western Pangasinan Lyceum, and a lot of structures and houses.
The Chief Executive of the town is Gwen Cothera Palafox-Yamamoto. The Vice Mayor, Filipina C. Rivera and 8 Sangguniang Members or Councilors hold office at the Sangguniang Bayan and Session hall. Spain ruled Bani from 378 from 1521 to 1899, The “pueblos”'s Gobernadorcillos were appointed by the Spanish authorities and from 1901 to 1936, the Presidentes, by the Americans. In 1937 to present, the local chief executives were elected. The Official Seal was adopted in Resolution No. 7 on 7 March 1991.
Tourism
Attractions include:
1,000 step "Via Crucis" leading to the gigantic Redeemer's Cross perched on a plateau overlooking the South China Sea of Doña Segundina Enriquez Navarro, wife Mayor Marcelo C. Navarro. Annual Archdiocesan Penitential Pilgrimage every Holy Tuesday first held in 1975.
Rock formations along the shores.
Bird Watching at Bangri Mangroves
Olanen Beach, Tobong Beach - Dacap Sur
Surip Beach in Sitio Olanen, Barangay Dacap Sur - scuba diving, snorkeling and recreational fishing of tropical fishes and lobsters
Surip Cave, Nalsoc Cave, Abot Aso Cave, Nangadiyan Cave, and the Dumaloy Cave.
Nalsoc Cave is a subterranean river with natural archway of stalactites and stalagmites, Barangay Colayo: Cave Formations, Dripstone, Straws, Stalactites, Stalagmites, Columns or Pillars and Shawls.
Cacho Beach Resort Bani Pangasinan
Baliwangga falls, Barangay Ranao, near Ranao Elementary School.
Bani Public Auditorium and Children's Playground
The Manuel Oboza Lara-Edralin Auditorium, Poblacion
Bani is noted for producing the sweet and juicy watermelon.
