Santiago, Ilocos Sur

Santiago is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 15,876 people in 3,233 households.

Santiago Cove is dubbed as the "Boracay of the North" because of its white sands. [cite web|url=http://www.inquirer.net |title=Sunrise at Santiago|Accessed 14 January 2008|]

Barangays

Santiago is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.

* Al-aludig * Ambucao * San Jose (Baraoas) * Baybayabas * Bigbiga * Bulbulala * Busel-busel * Butol * Caburao * Dan-ar * Gabao * Guinabang

* Imus * Lang-ayan * Mambug * Nalasin * Olo-olo Norte * Olo-olo Sur * Poblacion Norte * Poblacion Sur * Sabangan * Salincub * San Roque * Ubbog

Origin of the municipality's name

Before the Spanish Conquest of the Philippines, Moro raiders following the Islamic faith were in control, so one of the tasks of the Spanish was to pacify and clear the country of these pirates. Coastal communities (Northern Luzon, and, thus, Ilocos) were prone to piratical attacks. For these, watchtowers were erected all over the Ilocos coast.

The Spanish started patrols of sea lanes, stopping these pirates for a while, only for them to resurface in 1772. But in the place now known as Santiago, as the Spanish engaged the pirates, all church bells ringing and trumpets sounded (to signal their attacks), the Augustinians stationed in the place held a statue of San Tiago (Saint James) facing the sea and with many natives praying the rosary for safety and victory. The Moros fled, never to return, thus sparing the pueblo. The place was since then named Santiago.

It was once a "visita" of Narvacan due to the lack of ministers at the time.

External links

* [http://www.pasyalan.net/ilocos_sur/ Pasyalang Ilocos Sur]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]

References