Ilocos' Origin (part 1)

One time, when I was reading a profile of a city in the region, I’ve got interested on how the name of such place evolved or where it came from. So I decided to look for the “origin” of the name of the towns and cities of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. Here’s the result of my research:

Ilocos Sur occupies a long, narrow stretch of coast skirting steep mountain ranges cut by dozens of short, swift rivers. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Abra, and on the south by La Union. The cordilleran province of Benguet and Mountain Province rise to the east while the blue depths of the South China Sea lie to the west. Except for the coastal plains, much of the land is rugged.The province is composed of 32 municipalities, 2 component cities and 768 barangays. Of the municipalities, 20 are identified as lowland areas and the remaining 12 are considered upland areas.

ALILEM

The name of the municipality, which is "Alilem", was coined from two terms in the local dialect "alicono" or whirpool and "lemlem or a continuous heavy downpour which disturbed a peaceful place and caused the Bakun River to swell to an extraordinary size & overflow its size. Natives in the place believed that the environmental occurrence was a punishment given by Kabunian for their sins. As it was their custom, the people held a native feast called "Kaniaw" to appease God's wrath on them. They butchered many pigs and carabaos and offered to Kabunian. After the "Kaniaw", the "alicono" vanished and Bakun River changed its course to the foot of the mountains in the southern part leaving a dry leveled land suited for residential lots and farms.

BANAYOYO

It was derived from the name of a big and sturdy tree named “Bayoyo”, which was a witness in the lives of the Itneg (the native in the place which was formed due to the intermarriage of Tinguians of Abra and Igorots of Cordillera). Originally, the place was named as “Bacsayan” or settlement area, but it was changed to “Bayoyo” then during the Spanish regime, it was converted to Banayoyo.

BANTAY
There are two theories where they got its name:
1. Named after its natural and physical features. This is because it is located in a hilly and mountainous terrain. Mountain, in Ilocano term, is “Bantay” .
2. Another theory is, from the famous and miracolous image of Our Lady of Charity which was believed to be the saviour of the people and guarded them when Tagalogs and Zambals came into the place to claim the Holy Shrine. “Bantay” also means guardian

BURGOS
Named after Father Jose Burgos, (José Apolonio Burgos y Garcia) a Filipino Criollo secular priest, part of the Gomburza trio who were falsely accused of mutiny by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines in the 19th century. He was placed in a mock trial and summarily executed in Manila along with two other clergymen.

CABUGAO
There are two theories where they got its name:
Named after a man with a good sense of humor who headed a tribe but was defeated in an intertribal rivalry. Kabu Angaw left their place and settled in another place wherein due to his fairness and righteousness, he earned the respect and esteem of the people and made him the Village Chieftain.

Another theory is, it was derived from the name of the village ruler, Aggao. With his position, they called him Cabo (chief) Aggao. Spaniards came in the place found difficulty in pronouncing the headman’s name. They contracted the name into Cabogao denoting not only the ruler but also the place he ruled.
As time passed, Kabu Angaw or Cabogao was transformed into Cabugao

CANDON CITY

Was derived from the name of a tree, “Candong”, in which the natives gathered for an important ceremony. When Juan de Salcedo passed during the ceremony, he asked the natives on what’s going on, a native thought that he was asking for the tree’s name, so he uttered Candong. Then later on they dropped the “g” for convenience.
Another theory was, the place was named after the town of Candon in Spain.

CAOAYAN
Derived from the local term “kawayan/ caoayan” which means bamboo. There are two stories behind naming the place.
One is, men from Abra were selling bamboo in the place, when the Spaniards asked them the name of the place. The men thought that the Spaniards were asking on what they were selling, so they uttered “kawayan”.
Another story is, when the Spaniards were patroling in the Baggoc River, they asked from the people the name of the place. The people thought that the Spaniards were asking on the floating object (which was a raft made of bamboo), so they uttered “caoayan”.

GALIMUYOD
Named from the Ilocano words “tali” which means rope and “ginuyod” meaning pulled. The named was derived because of the “gin-nuyod” or tug-of-war made by the people of Cabisilan (former name of the place) and Sapang to settle the land dispute between them.

GREGORIO DEL PILAR
Named after Gregorio del Pilar, a young general who fought to the death against the Americans at Tirad Pass, by the virtue of RA 1246 dated June 10, 1955. The former name of the place was Conception in honor of its patron saint, Nuestra Señora de Conception.

LIDLIDDA
Derived from the name of thick and tall grasses called “ledda” present in the place when natives settled in. Said grasses were pulled out and converted the area into rice fields. From then on, the called the place “Lidlidda” to commemorate the grasses which the people predicted to be gone and be “changed into rice stalks”.

MAGSINGAL
There are two theories where did they derived the name of the place:
First is, it owes its origins from an Ilocano term “managsinggal” which means wanderer, descriptive of the nomadic nature and characteristics of the Itnegs or Tinguuinas who migrated in the place.
Another is, from the name of a sturdy woman named Palungo Galcia (Garcia) when she orderd the Spaniards to place the several bells they offered to her in the present site of the town’s bellfry. Instead of accepting the offer, she pointed the area where the Spaniards place the bell and said’ “maysingal” (“maialis sadiay” which means “let it be transfereed there”). Since then, the Spaniards wrote and pronounced the name of the town as Magsingal.

NAGBUKEL
From the midst of times long past, there are three versions that account on how the municipality got its name.

One legendary story tells about the existence of a high mountain somewhere in the eastern part of the town that could be seen from a great distance which was round that it appeared like the top of a hat when the people saw this, they exclaimed, “NAGBUKEL”, meaning round.

Some old folks related that because of the presence of three small round hills meting midst the rice fields at the southern part of the town which could be seen already when one is at the heart of the poblacion, the town was given the name ”NAGBUKEL”.

The third version has a political undertone according to the story, the four original barrios, Mission, Bandril, Poblacion East and Sarmingan that constituted the town appeared to be the scattered because between them were some barrios of Narvacan, now Pob. West, Balaweg, Mapisi and Taleb. One older man of the village uttered in the Iloco dialect, “nawara, masapul a buklen”, meaning they are scattered and should be united. Probably, the elder village leaders negotiated with the leaders of Narvacan, (Nagbukel then was part of Narvacan) so that all the places east of the Cayapa River were constituted as one area, after the successful negotiations, the people exclaimed “NAGBUKEL”.

NARVACAN
The Spanish expeditionary force was shipwrecked along the town's coast. When they were being rescued by the natives, the Spaniards asked the natives what was the name of their place. The resident's leader replied in an Ilocano dialect by asking the Spaniards "Nalbakan?" (Are you shipwrecked?). The Spaniards thought this to be the answer to their question, and from then on the place was referred to as Narvacan.

QUIRINO
During the Spanish occupation, the Spanish government made a census of Population and to make a political boundaries entire the country so a Spaniards and a Tagalog man census workers were sent here to do the job. These Census Workers arrived at Tabbak, they saw a woman catching crabs commonly called by the natives "GAKI" or in Ilocano " Agatol" and with her "atubang" a belt bag worn by the woman where her catches of crabs were placed. The woman misunderstood them answered Ay! "Gaki" (these are crabs) thinking that the census workers were asking what were her catched. The Tagalog man wrote the short answer of the woman " ANGAKI" which was put into records until subsequent changes occurred that changed the name of "ANGAKI" into Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

As I’m writing this post, I’ve not yet read any articles regarding the changing of the name of the place from Angaki to Quirino.

SAN EMILIO
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo and his Filipino Forces retreated and stayed in Tiagan and befriended the residents gaining their love, respect and sympathy. General Emilio and his forces left for Isabela and was captured by the American forces. In honor of the great General, the local folks of Tiagan named their place San Emilio.

SAN ESTEBAN
The town was named Cabagbagototan (named after a grass called “bagbagotot”)because of the grass’ abundance but it was changed to the present name with the following theories:

Legend tells that a certain stranger named Iban or Esteban was stoned to death at the feast of Naglawlawan, a place where they gathered and made offerings to their anitos.

The most coherent tale on how this town was named pertains to the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, who was stoned to death because of trumped-up charge of blasphemy against Moses and the Law. When the Augustinian fathers came to Ciudad Fernandina and spread out in the year 1625, they founded the parish of San Esteban; but it has always been attached to the town of Santiago until 1910. Since this town had many stones or rocks from which mortar and pestle and other stone products were made, it was logical for the friars to name the place SAN ESTEBAN.

SAN ILDEFONSO
San Ildefonso, like other places in the province at the beginning of the Spanish Regime, does not have a name. But sometime on 1625, its inhabitants decided to give it a name, but nothing came out after more than five hours of discussions. So while thinking of a name, they decided to go fishing for a week. And while preparing to go fishing, they saw a box floating not far from shore. Wading to reach the box and carrying it ashore, they opened the box to find the statue of Saint Ildephonse. The young women of the place carried the statue to the center of the village, where it was enshrined in a small hut for many years. He became the patron saint of the municipality, and his name was decided to become the name of the fledgling municipality.

SAN JUAN

The name of the Municipality of San Juan, Ilocos Sur has gone through a series of changes. The early settlers and occupants called it "Lapo", short for "Lapo-Lapo", a tall grass which grew everywhere in the area. In the year 1772, Don Tomas Aquino, the first local leader, initiated the organization of the scattered communities into one, calling the place "Lapog", a derivative of local vernacular "Lap-Lapog" which means unirrigated land. For 189 years, "Lapog" remained in the records as the official name of the town until it was changed to San Juan. Since most of fue inhabitants were of the belief that religious names bring peace, happiness, and prosperity, the town was renamed "San Juan", after the name of its patron saint, Saint John the Baptist.

SAN VICENTE
It was originally called Bario Tuanong, one of the barrios of Vigan. When the number of residents in the place increased, they put up their own chapel.

Hardship in reaching Barrio Tuanong and Barrio Sta. Catalina de Baba from Vigan especially during the months of June to October was experienced due to the absence of dike or bridge. Priests from Vigan reached these places by means of a raft. The problem prompted the separation of these two barrios from Vigan in 1793.

In 1795, it was the initiation of the seat of the municipality and the church, Barrio Tuanong became San Vicente de Ferrer, named after its patron saint. Don Pedro de Leon was the first parish priest and he was believed to be the initiator of the construction of the Church of San Vicente. Later on, the name of the place was shorten to San Vicente

SANTA
It was formerly called Sta. Catalina de Alexandria, Virgen y Martir, after its patron saint.

Again, I haven’t read any article on why they changed the name of the place. On my opinion, they are two possible reasons: one is, the name is too long to say; another is, Sta. Catalina has the same patron saint so they just used the name Santa to distinguished it from Sta. Catalina, although they were calling Sta. Catalina before as Sta. Catalina de Baba considering the location of the two “Santa Catalinas”

SANTA CATALINA
Named in honor of its patron saint, Sta. Catalina de Alexandria. It was believed that an image of a lady showed to the Augustinians when they were busy quenching their thirst in a place called “Cabittaogan”. One of them recognized the image of the lady as that of St. Catherine of Alexandria. This resulted the declaration that Santa Catalina be the name of the place

SANTA CRUZ
The place now known as Santa Cruz was the site where Captain Juan de Salcedo landed to get provisions, especially water, on his way to pacify the North. As soon as they came ashore, his men went immediately to the top of the highest sand dune and planted a big wooden cross to signify the place has been conquered by the white men (like what they did later in Santa Catalina). This cross is visible to mariners passing by, often describing the place as "Santa Cruz." The cross may have vanished, but the name Santa Cruz stuck, especially with natives who became Christians.

SANTA LUCIA
Formerly known as Kaog.
It was named in honor of the patron saint Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia in Ilocano). It was believed that the image of the patron appeared to the Igorots (which were believed to be headhunters) and which led them to flee to other places.

SANTA MARIA
It was called “Purok” (which means village) but other called it “Bukang”.
It was named in honor of its patron Blessed Virgin Mary of Assumption.

SANTIAGO
After the battle between the residents and the Moros who wanted to invade the place , a solemn mass was held in the church. The missionary told the people that due to the great intercession and miraculous protection of the image of St. James the Greater from the Moro pirates, thre place was saved and in his honor, this town was named SANTIAGO (Spanish for Saint James).

SANTO DOMINGO
The name of the municipality came from its old moniker, "Paggappuan ti Santol ti Domingo," an Ilocano term meaning "The source of the Santol sold every Sunday." "Santol," Sandoricum koetjape, is the name of the tree bearing round, yellowish fruits growing in abundance in the municipality, notably in Barangay Pussuac.

SIGAY

Oral tradition declares that the name was taken from the Ilocano dialect of fishnet called "Sigay". It was during the old times that this device was so famous in catching mudfish in a one hectare lake named "Ban-aw". A story was told that one time as a fish vendor from the place went down to the lowlands to sell her catch fish then a Spaniard came along her way and ask her where she got the fish. Thinking that the man asking about how she caught the fish, so she answered "Sigay". It was then by this incidence that the town started to have its name.

SINAIT
Legend has it that the first known inhabitants of Sinait were called “Tirong”. These were hardy and warlike natives known for their sea-faring adventures and fondness for out-doing each other in every aspect of life-whether in their daily chores or in picking fights among themselves or with neighboring villages. Their ferocious character moved Captain Salcedo de Legaspi, the head of the Spanish troops who conquered the Ilocos Provinces, to name this place “Sin-nait”, which in the local dialect means “contest”. This was in the year 1535 when the community was organized as a pueblo. As time went on, whoever, the inhabitants experienced difficulty in pronouncing the name of their place, so that in 1575, Salcedo declared the dropping of one the letter “n”. Since then the town was known for its present name “Sinait”.

SUYO
Suyo was derived from the Ilocano word “NAISUYO” meaning thrown because according to the old folks, said barangays was formed by the soil that accumulated at the river bank when the river overflowed its banks.

TAGUDIN
Legend has it that the first conquistador who arrived in this place inquired about the name of this community from an old woman. The said woman who was then busy cleaning her yarn thought that the Spaniard was asking the name of the mechanical contraption where her yarn was placed. She then replied “tagudan daytoy apo” (this is tagudan, sir) and the conquistador wrote in his diary the word “tagudan”. Later, when the foreigner referred to his diary for the name of the place, he figured out the word “tagudan” as “Tagudin”. Since then the town has always been called Tagudin.

VIGAN CITY
The name Vigan was derived from the name of a plant biga’a, a lush, green plant growing along riverbanks. The name was derived by Juan de Salcedo when he had a misunderstanding with a native in the place. He was asking for the place’s name but the native thought that he was asking for the plant’s name so the native answered biga’a. From then on, they used Vigan as the name of the place

As of the period I’m writing this post, I haven’t found any document regarding the history/ etymology of the following municipalities: Cervantes, Salcedo, Sigay, and Sugpon



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria,_Ilocos_Sur
http://www.ilocossur.com.ph/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=504&limit=1&limitstart=6
http://www.santa.gov.ph/ilocossur/cmstamaria.html

http://pasyalan.net/ilocos_sur/