A Mother’s Stuff

Alicia Municipality

The municipality of Alicia in the province of Isabela is 2nd class as to Income Class category. It is also known as Angadanan Viejo with a population of 61,447 people in 11,413 households according to the latest census.

Alicia is subdivided into 34 barangays namely Amistad, Antonino (Pob.), Apanay, Aurora, Bagnos, Bagong Sikat, Bantug-Petines, Bonifacio, Burgos, Calaocan (Pob.), Callao, Dagupan, Inanama, Linglingay, M.H. del Pilar, Mabini, Magsaysay (Pob.), Mataas na Kahoy, Paddad, Rizal, Rizaluna, Salvacion, San Antonio (Pob.), San Fernando, San Francisco, San Juan, San Pablo, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Santo Domingo, Santo Tomas, Victoria and Zamora.

History of Santiago City

The origin of Santiago City can be drawn from the first native settlement discovered by the early Spanish missionaries at the bank of the old Carig River (now Diadi River) from which its original name, Carig, was derived. The early inhabitants were the Gaddangs and the Ibanags. When the Spanish settled in, the city was named Pueblo of Santiago Apostol de Carig, with Santiago as the Spanish name of Saint James the Apostle. In the early 1950s, the Municipal President Vicente Carreon changed the name to simply Santiago. Santiago remained a municipality for 84 years.

Santiago was originally a part of the province Cagayan (comprising the whole Cagayan Valley region), which was reorganized as a political subdivision in 1583 with Nueva Segovia as its capital. On May 1, 1856, when the Province of Isabela was carved out by a Royal Decree, Santiago was among the towns relinquished to the newly created province. The first five barrios after the Cadastral survey in 1927 were Patul, Batal, Nabbuan, Buenavista and Dubinan.

It was said that there were only about three Filipino-owned sari-sari stores in Santiago in 1917. The settlers acquired most of their merchandise and other provisions from Chinese traders in Echague, the landing zone for products intended for Santiago and other towns, owing to its proximity to the Cagayan River.
It was when the Villa-Verde Trail was opened when things were set in motion. It facilitated the entry of immigrants from various provinces in Luzon to the Cagayan Valley and Santiago absorbed a sizable share of these travelers. The new route served as an impetus for growth and introduced new technologies and business opportunities.

Santiago survived through world wars, although badly damaged, and from then on developed to become the leading commercial and industrial city in Cagayan Valley.

In 1942, the city was occupied by the Japanese forces entered in the town of Santiago. In 1945 founded to the liberation in the town of Santiago province of Isabela beginning the defenders from the Philippine Commonwealth soldiers and Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese forces under defeated during World War II.

In December 17, 1993, the bill converting Santiago into an independent component city was approved by the Lower House. On the following year, the Senate Committee on Local Government approved another public hearing dated February 23, 1994.

On May 5, 1994, by virtue or Republic Act 7720 signed by His Excellency, President Fidel V. Ramos, Santiago was pronounced as an Independent Component City, the first in the Cagayan Valley Region. This made Santiago, self-governing and autonomous city from the rule of the provincial governor. Republic Act 8528 repealed this statute transforming it back to a component city. It was not until December 29, 1999, when the Supreme Court contested the validity of the latter decision and favored Santiago to be once again an independent component city. This declaration ushered in a new era for Santiago City’s constant progress.

City of Santiago in Isabela

The City of Santiago is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela. It has a population of 126,244 people in 22,401 households according to the latest census. The city has vast area of predominantly flat and fertile land in the Cagayan Valley, surrounded by the Caraballo Mountains to the south, the Great Sierra Madre to the east and the Cordillera Mountain Range to the west.

The city plays an important part in the regional economy because although it is located at the southern end of Isabela, it is centrally located in the region. It is the commercial center of Region 2 and as such it has many commercial establishments, banks, schools and manufacturing companies.

Santiago City has 37 barangays namely Abra, Ambalatungan, Balintocatoc, Baluarte, Bannawag Norte, Batal, Buenavista, Cabulay, Calao East (Pob.), Calao West (Pob.), Calaocan, Villa Gonzaga, Centro East (Pob.), Centro West (Pob.), Divisoria, Dubinan East (Pob.), Dubinan West, Luna, Mabini (Pob.), Malvar (Pob.), Nabbuan, Naggasican, Patul, Plaridel, Rizal, Rosario, Sagana, Salvador, San Andres, San Isidro, San Jose, Sinili, Sinsayon, Santa Rosa, Victory Norte (Pob.), Victory Sur and Villasis (Pob.).

More of Cauayan, Isabela

Barangays - The City of Cauayan City has 65 barangays namely Alicaocao, Alinam, Amobocan, Andarayan, Bacolod, Baringin Norte, Baringin Sur, Buena Suerte, Bugallon, Buyon, Cabaruan, Cabugao, Carabatan Chica, Carabatan Grande, Carabatan Punta, Carabatan Bacareno, Casalatan, San Pablo (Casap Hacienda), Cassap Fuera, Catalina, Culalabat, Dabburab, De Vera, Dianao, Disimuray, District I (Pob.), District II (Pob.), District III (Pob.), Duminit, Faustino (Sipay), Gagabutan, Gappal, Guayabal, Labinab, Linglingay, Mabantad, Maligaya, Manaoag, Marabulig I, Marabulig II, Minante I, Minante II, Nagcampegan, Naganacan, Nagrumbuan, Nungnungan I, Nungnungan II, Pinoma, Rizal, Rogus, San Antonio, San Fermin (Pob.), San Francisco, San Isidro, San Luis Hacienda Itawis, Santa Luciana (Daburab 2), Santa Maria, Sillawit, Sinippil, Tagaran, Turayong, Union, Villa Concepcion, Villa Luna and Villaflor.

Economy - The city has 18 banks, 11 lending institutions, 24 insurance agencies, 59 real estate businesses and 11 pawnshops. There are over 1,442 commercial establishments that include distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Cosmos Bottling Corporation, now acquired by the giant multinational business conglomerate San Miguel Corporation manufactures soft drinks in the area. It is also here where the regional sales offices of several multi-national companies are located.

Transportation - Transport facilities include a total aggregate length of 512.27 kms. of concrete and gravel roads accessible to all types of vehicles; The Cauayan Domestic Airport just recently undergone upgrading as it is envisioned to become an International Cargo Port by the RDC and BOT. A 50M-Central Transport Terminal likewise has just started operation and is easing traffic in the poblacion area. The Cauayan City has three airline named Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and WCC Sky Pasada Costal Town and Baguio.

Population & People of Isabela

The most prominent group in Isabela is Ilocanos. The 68.71% of the total household population classified themselves as Ilocanos. The next prominent groups (ethnic) are Ibanag with 14.05% and Tagalog with 10.02% of the population. The remaining 7.22% are either Gaddang, Paranan, Yogad or are from other ethnic groups.

Isabela is the most populated province among the five provinces in Cagayan Valley-Region II, according to the latest Philippine Census. The total population is 1,401,495 people which comprise 45.93% of the 3 million people in the region. It contributed 1.58% to the total population of 88.57 million at the national level and there are 254,928 households in the province.

Our Lady of Visitation National Shrine

Our Lady of Visitation, also known as Nuestra Señora De La Visitacion was the title given to our Blessed Virgin Mary upon her visit to her cousin Elizabeth as mentioned in the Second Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary. There are two places venerating Our Lady of Visitation in Northern Luzon: the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation in Guibang, Gamu, Isabela and the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan Province.

The image is housed at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat in Cagayan Province. The Lady of Piat is famous for her intercession for the ill, the poor, and the troubled. Originally known as the Nuestra Señora de la Santissimo Rosario, was brought to the Philippines by the Dominican friars from Macao in 1604.
The wooden image was first enthroned in the seat of Nueva Segovia in Lallo, Cagayan then was brought to the Church of Piat in 1620, to help in the conversion of the quarelling Didayas and Itawis to Christianity.

Since then, numerous miracles took place and these were attributed to the intercession of the Lady. Because of these incidents, the image has attracted a large number of followers who prevented all attempts to transfer permanently the image to other towns. Our Lady of Piat was canonically crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth on June 20, 1954 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan by Papal Delegate Egidio Vagnozzi.

The Shrine of Our lady of the Visitation in Guibang, Gamu, Isabela houses the image of Our Lady of Piat and serves as a junction for travelers passing along Maharlika Highway. It is now as famous as the Shrine of Basilica Minore of Piat as it comes alive on July 2 every year when religious pilgrims come to offer prayers of thanks and to ask for another year of good fortune. The image of the miraculous Lady was canonically crowned on May 26, 1973.

Popular Stories Regarding the Our Lady’s Habits and Customs
• Residents about to close their windows and doors at night to sleep, would smell a strong scent of Sampaguita flowers that would remain hanging in the air for along period of time even during off seasons.
• At the sroke of midnight of September 8, people will hear loud sounds of bell coming from the direction of the shrine. However, when they tried to investigate about the incident, the priest would deny that he has rung the bell at that particular time.
• Our Lady of Visitation is choosy with her clothes, especially when it does not look gaudy, her face would frown.

Santa Victoria Caves

The Santa Victoria Caves are more than 12 Philippine limestone caves that are found in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The caves are known for their beautiful and unusual rock formations, their sparkling rocks, and their subterranean waterfalls. They are also of archaeological significance as they are believed to have been occupied by the nomadic Agta or Dumagat people in the past. The caves are located within the Isabela Sanctuary, which is part of the Fuyot Springs National Park (FSNP) in Ilagan, Isabela. This area is included in the Palanan Wilderness Area or Northern Sierra Madre National Park in the province of Isabela in Cagayan Valley.

The Sta. Victoria Caves may be found together with a wildlife sanctuary, botanical garden, and waterfalls in the 200-hectare Isabela Sanctuary, which forms about a quarter of the 819-hectare FSNP in Fuyot, Santa Victoria. This area is located in the eastern part of Ilagan in Isabela, Cagayan Valley. Part of the municipality of Ilagan, the caves are just 15 kilometers away from the town proper of Ilagan and 19 kilometers away from the town of Tumauini. The 2 distinctive geological features that the Sta. Victoria Caves are known for are their sparkling rocks can be found in the Sta. Victoria Caves. In addition, the caves are their naturally-formed lattices. Underground waterfalls can also be found in the Sta. Victoria Caves.

Magat Dam Tourism Complex

The Magat Dam Tourism Complex is a Philippine tourism site that centers on the reservoir lake formed by Magat Dam, a hydro-electric power plant in Aguinaldo, Ramon, Isabela. Situated in the Magat Forest Reserve, it is a pleasant location for picnicking, fishing, and engaging in various types of water sports. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the province of Isabela.

The Magat Dam was built in the early 1980s to fulfill the growing energy and irrigation needs of the area. The dam was the largest in Asia at the time of its construction, and could irrigate as much as 82,000 hectares.

With the dam came changes in the landscape and character of the provinces affected, which included Quirino and Ifugao, as well as Isabela. A lake about a hundred meters deep was created in a previously dry area ranging from Aguinaldo in Ramon, Isabela, Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya, and Potia in Ifugao. With its clean, flowing waters, this lake was ideal for fish farming and became a major provider of a great variety of freshwater fish: tilapia, catfish ayungin, biya, and kurilao, among others.

In 1995, then-president Fidel Ramos visited the site of the dam and realized that it had excellent potential for tourism. He appointed the local government of Isabela to develop it into a tourist destination, together with the National Institute of Agriculture (NIA), National Power Corporation (NPC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The tourism complex centers on the 4,450 hectare lake created by the dam. The waters are clean and there are facilities for fishing, boating, and various water sports like water-skiing. Close to the dam is Camp Vizcarra, a leisure resort that was constructed next to the river by the local government of Isabela. The site is accessible from Santiago City by means of jeepney and bus.

History of Isabela

It is believed that the history of Isabela province dates back to over 25,999 years ago with the Stone Age race of dark-skinned, kinky-haired pigmies whose descendants, the nomadic Aetas (Negritos), can still be found roaming the mountains and forest of eastern Isabela today. The Indonesians arrived 5,000 years ago, followed by three waves of Malays between 200 BC and 1500 AD. These pagan ancestors of the Ibanags, Gaddangs, Yogads, Kalingas, and other original tribes of the valley built a civilization based on corn agriculture and organized around the fundamental political unit, the barangay.

The Spaniards arrived in the late 16th and 17th centuries and introduced Christianity, the encomienda (forerunner of the municipality) system, and the tobacco monopoly. Spanish rule was extremely oppressive so the natives rose in revolt on several occasions, most notably in the 18th century under the leadership of Dabo and Marayag.

According to Fr. Ambrocio Manaligod, STD, from 1851, the Spanish conquistadors established the “Ciudad de Nueva Segovia” in what is called Lallo today. Up to 1839, the entire Cagayan Valley was one large province which the Spaniards called “La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan.” Out of this vast territory, two new provinces were created in 1839. One retained the old name “Cagayan” which comprised all towns from Aparri to Tumauini. Its capital transferred from Lallo to Tuguegarao. The one bearing the name “Nueva Vizcaya” was composed of all towns from Ilagan to the Caraballo del Sur including Catalangan and Palanan, with Camarag (now Echague) as its capital.

A Royal Decree was created in May 1, 1856 creating “Isabela de Luzon” to distinguish it from other Isabelas in the Philippines. It comprised the town of Carig (now Santiago City), Camarag (now Echague), Angadanan (now Alicia), Cauayan, Calanusian (now Reina Mercedes), Gamu, and Ilagan, all detached from Nueva Vizcaya; while Tumauini and Cabagan were taken from the province of Cagayan. It was placed under the jurisdiction of a governor with the capital seat at Ilagan, where it remains at the present.

A new wave of immigration began in the late 19th and 20th centuries with the arrival of the Ilocanos who came in large numbers. They now constitute the largest group in the province. Other ethnic groups followed and Isabela became the “melting pot of the north.”

Although the province did not play a major role in the revolt against Spain, it was in Palanan where the final pages of the Philippine revolution were written when the American forces led by General Frederick Funston captured General Emilio Aguinaldo on March 23, 1901.

The province of Isabela

Isabela, the biggest province in the Cagayan Valley Region, is now one of the premier provinces of the north. It has been dubbed as the “Rice Granary of the North” having been adjudged as the Most Outstanding Province in Food Security in the Gawad Sapat Ani Awards 2000 conducted by the Department of Agriculture. It is also home to the famous Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, a protected seascape and landscape of exceptional biodiversity.

Santiago City, the commercial center of Region 2, has been declared an independent-component city through a plebiscite on July 3, 1994 under Republic Act 7720. Cauayan City, the trading center in Isabela, is also a component city ratified in a majority vote on March 30, 2001. The province is divided into three physiographic areas. Eastern area is straddled by the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, is rugged and thickly forested. A substantial portion is uncharted and the unexplored hinterlands are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna while others are government reservations. Western area is a sprawling fertile valley hemmed by the Central Cordillera and is criss-crossed by the mighty Cagayan, Siffu, and Magat Rivers. Its mountains rise to a peak of about 8,000 feet and are home to one of the world’s largest remaining low-altitude rainforests with numerous unknown endemic species of flora and fauna and exceptional biological diversity. The area is popularly known as the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.

Isabela comprises an aggregate land area of 10,665 square kilometers, representing almost 40 percent of the regional territory. It is the largest province in the region and the second largest province in the country in terms of land area.

Based on the year 2000 census of population, the province has a population of 1,287,575 with a population density of approximately 120.73 persons per square kilometer. The major dialect in Isabela is Ilocano followed by Ibanag, Yogad, and Gaddang. People, especially in the capital and commercial centers, speak and understand English and Pilipino. Generally, the province has two types of climate. The eastern and coastal areas experience moderate rainfall more or less distributed throughout the year while western Isabela has more pronounced wet and dry seasons. The average temperature is recorded at 27.1 degrees Celsius.

Agriculture is the major industry of the people of Isabela. Farming is highly mechanized as most of the agricultural lands are irrigated. With the presence of the Isabela State University, joint ventures and other foreign assisted projects are viable while the Magat Dam Tourism Complex contributes to the high productivity in agriculture. Isabela is acknowledged as the hub of trade and commercial activities in the region due to its central location in the region. Furniture making using narra and other indigenous forest materials/products like Gmelina continue to exist. Potential investments are in fisheries and tourism. The reservoir of the Magat Dam is utilized for fishcage operations, particularly tilapia production. Tourism is relatively a new industry being developed in the province especially in the coastal areas. Support services and accommodation facilities are likewise being developed.

City of Tuguegarao

Once the only first class municipality in the province, Tuguegarao is now a component city its conversion affirmed in a plebiscite held on December 18 1999.

Although not a big municipality in terms of area with just 14,480 hectares in its name, Tuguegarao boasts of a very high rate of socio-economic development.

The word “tuguegarao” was developed from either of the following: “garao” (swift river current), “taraw” (a specie of palm tree whose trunk is used for many things) and “tuggui gari yao” (this was cleared by fire). The last seems plausible if interpreted to mean that the areas pointed to by the natives to the first Spaniards was a “kaingin.”

The written history of Tuguegarao begins with its founding as a “mission-pueblo” on May 9, 1604 , with Fray Tomas Villa, O.P. as first vicar. He initiated the construction of a temporary church with Saint Peter and Saint Paul as patron saints.

It was in 1724 when the San Jacinto Chapel, the first structure to be made of brick and mortar, was constructed by the Dominicans. Then Father Antonio Lobato, O.P. laid out and developed the straight, east-west/south-north oriented streets of Tuguegarao. And in 1761, Father Lobato started the construction of the Saint Peter’s Cathedral which was finished in 1768. Father Geronimo de Zamora, O.P. was at one time parish priest of Tuguegarao. He later became Rector of the University of Santo Tomas and first president of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

The most important act the Spanish authorities made was the transfer of the provincial capital in 1839 from Lallo to Tuguegarao, in recognition of this town socio- economic progress catalyzed by the opening of the Cagayan-Manila road in November, 1738 by Fray Jose Martin.

With the provincial government came the Spanish civil and religious officials, more soldiers and the Guardia Civil. The Spanish Governors were: Don Rafael Martinez, 1886; Don Ignacio Chacon, 1890; Don Enrique Altamirano, 1894 and 1898; Don Antonio Marquez, 1895; and Don Demetrio Caminas, 1896.

continue reading »

Tuao in Cagayan Province

When the early Spanish missionaries were busy laying the foundation of a church late in the 1500s at a site about six kilometers from the present town of Tuao, a big bird came circling over them and then alighted on the wooden cross erected to mark the place where the corner stone was laid. It flapped its wings noisily, cried “battuao, battuao, battuao” and then flew away.

The native laborers in the construction stopped working and refused to continue telling the priests that the site had not been well chosen. They insisted that a party should find out where the bird had flown to.

To humor the pagan natives, one of the priests allowed himself to be led by a party of natives to look for the mysterious bird. To his surprise, they found the bird serenely perched on top of a tall tree on the edge of a wide clearing ideal for a town site. He sent one of the natives to call for the other priests, who, on their arrival, found the place much to their liking. And so the first church of Tuao was constructed on the site where the present edifice now stands.

When the civil authorities founded the town in 1604, the natives insisted that it be called Tuao. Eight years later on May 13, 1612, Tuao was accepted ecclesiastically. Father Miguel de San Jacinto, O.P. gave the town Santos Angeles Custudios (Holy Guardian Angels) as its patron saints.

The early missionaries in Tuao were zealous evangelists and tactful pacifiers of warlike natives. One of them was Father Francisco Capillas who later became the first martyr in China. The first parish priest, Father Juan B. Cano, O.P. worked patiently with the people.

A late comer, Father Gabriel Serrano, O.P. built a strong brick and mortar church, a rectory (convento) and a fort (cotta) in which the Spaniards and the natives sought refuge every time the town was raided by the Kalingas from the Caraballo ranges. Unfortunately, these priceless monuments to the politicalization and evangelization of Tuao by the Spaniards were destroyed by a strong earthquake on December 29, 1949.

In protest of abuses committed by some Spanish civil petty officials and soldiers, the inhabitants of Tuao and neighboring Malaueg, rose in revolt in 1781 under Magtangaga and Tomas Sinaguingan. The uprising was put down by Capitan Juan Pablo de Orduna.

Tuao became famous nationwide during World War II as the seat of the successful renaissance government of Governor Marcelo Adduru. The Japanese Forces garrisoned the town when Adduru was captured late in 1943, but Adduru returned shortly after having been freed by his guerilla soldiers early in 1944 and with his contact with Blackburn, staged from Tuao stronger guerilla actions against the Japanese in Tuguegarao.

After the war, the inhabitants work in silent diligence. Most of them used their brawn to make living. They are independent from outside help and are friendly people.

Tuao is now a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 57,154 people in 10,390 households.

Tuao is politically subdivided into 32 barangays namely Accusilian, Alabiao, Alabug, Angang, Bagumbayan,  Barancuag, Battung, Bicok, Bugnay, Bulagao, Cagumitan, Cato, Culong, Dagupan, Fugu, Lakambini, Lallayug,  Malumin, Mambacag, San Vicente, Mungo, Naruangan, Palca, Pata, San Juan, San Luis (Gurengad), Santo Tomas, Taribubu, Villa Laida, Poblacion I (Ward I Centro), Poblacion II (Ward II Centro) and Malalinta.

The municipality of Sto. Niño in Cagayan Province

It was said that this community grew around the place where a native chieftain and the leader of a team of Spanish soldiers from Nueva Segovia met and struck friendship by exchanging gifts–the latter reciprocating with a box of “imitation jewelry.”

The community was first known as Tabang, later changed to “Cabarungan” and still later to Sto. Niño. Then by virtue of Executive Order No. 2390 dated February 23, 1914, issued in response to the petition of the residents, Sto. Niño was changed to Faire.

The village of Tabang grew in population and a certain level of socio-economic importance. The natives took to dressing like the Europeans and through the zealous efforts of the missionaries, embraced the new Catholic faith. As a reward, the Spanish authorities in Nueva Segovia caused the construction of a church in Tabang in 1731.

Years later, a barangay of people from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, settled in Tabang. One of the Ilocano immigrants was Manuel Faire who was the first resident in the town of Cordoba to which Tabang belonged then. There he met and married Felicitas, the beautiful sister of Capitan Ubaldo Pagulayan.

Through hard work and thrift, and with his marriage to the family of a landholder, Manuel Faire became an influential community leader himself. Because he demonstrated his concern for the welfare and well being of the people, both Ilocanos and natives, he won their affection and respect. The people built a big house for him and his beautiful wife.

Through his examples, and with the farm technology brought in by his fellow Ilocano immigrants, the people raised good crops of corn, rice, coconut and tobacco. It is said that he was one of the signatories to the founding of Sto. Niño on November 27, 1897. The grateful people perpetuated his memory by petitioning the authorities concerned for the renaming of their town from Sto. Niño to Faire was approved on February 28, 1914.

In the 1960s, the town of Faire was marked prominently on the map of Cagayan when the STANVAC invested some $3 million in oil exploration there. Although drilling was abandoned, the venture catalyzed economic activity in the municipality.

Santo Niño is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. It is formerly known as Faire. According to the latest census, it has a population of 25,688 people in 4,387 households.

The 31 barangays of Santo Niño are Abariongan Ruar, Abariongan Uneg, Balagan, Balanni, Cabayo, Calapangan, Calassitan, Campo, Centro Norte (Pob.), Centro Sur (Pob.), Dungao, Lattac, Lipatan, Lubo, Mabitbitnong, Mapitac, Masical, Matalao, Nag-uma (Nagbayugan), Namuccayan, Niug Norte, Niug Sur, Palusao, San Manuel, San Roque, Santa Felicitas, Santa Maria, Sidiran, Tabang, Tamucco and Virginia.

Sta. Teresita, Cagayan

Youngest town of Cagayan, it was born in 1963. Originally the biggest barangay of Buguey, it is 113.7 kilometers away from Tuguegarao.

A 6th class municipality and with 19 barangays, Sta. Teresita is dependent on its rice land, gold, oil and manganese resources, although the Iluko-speaking residents augment their income by engaging in native crafts.

The name Teresita comes from former Governor Teresa Dupaya, wife of former Congressman Tito Dupaya, who passed the bill for its creation.

Santa Teresita is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 16,578 people in 2,776 households.

Now, Sta. Teresita has 13 barangays namely Alucao, Buyun, Centro East (Pob.), Centro West, Dungeg, Luga, Masi, Mision, Simpatuyo, Villa, Aridawen, Caniogan and Simbaluca.

The municipality of Santa Praxedes, Cagayan

Formerly Langgangan, Sta. Praxedes can claim an exclusive situation which no other town in Cagayan was ever in. In 1917, Langgangan was plucked from Mountain Province to become part of Cagayan but because of boundary dispute it was decided that it had to go to the more aggressive Ilocos Norte. Finally in 1922, by an executive order, it was decided that it really belongs to Cagayan.

It was inhabited by Itnegs and Apayaos only to be overwhelmed by Ilocano migrants who now make this 11,000 hectares town their home.

Fishing is the main livelihood of the people which includes area weed gathering that results to having the dried seaweed “gamet” for a delicacy. Natural resources like oil, gold and forest products are likewise abound.

202 kilometers away from Tuguegarao and much nearer to Ilocos Norte having for a neighbor the famous town of Pagudpod. It has 18 barangays and is presently a 6th class municipality.

Santa Praxedes is a 5th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines, named after St. Praxedes. According to the latest census, it has a population of 3,379 people in 601 households.

The 10 barangays of Santa Praxedes are Cadongdongan, Capacuan, Centro I (Pob.), Centro II (Pob.), Macatel, Portabaga, San Juan, San Miguel, Salungsong and Sicul.