Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur


Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria, is a municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people.
WWW santamariailocossur.gov.p...

History

The community of Santa Maria must have already been an organized settlement before the Spaniards came to the Philippines. When Captain Juan de Salcedo conquered the Ilocos in 1572, they found out that the people were already engaged in a robust trade and commercial relationship with the Japanese and the Chinese. The people's main industries were fishing, farming, and - to some extent - cotton weaving and pottery.
The people were noted for their religiosity. They worshiped the anitos, spirits, and local deities. Although the conquest of the Ilocos Region was a slow and painful process owing to the resistance mounted by the inhabitants, they were later conquered through the use of the sword and with the Cross. It was the religious nature of the people that the friars greatly leveraged to convert the Ilocanos to the new faith — Christianity.
In 1572, Juan De Salcedo established an encomienda in Vigan as more places fell under the control of the Spaniards. More parishes or visitas that could be easily serviced by the ecclesiastical and military officials were set up. When Narvacan was created as a definitory by the Augustinians on April 25, 1576, its visitas were Santa Maria, San Esteban, and Santiago. It is recorded that Narvacan was an encomienda of Don Nicolas de Figeroa in 1589; and left vacant in 1610. During this time, or a period later, Fr. Diego de Soria who later became bishop expanded the mission or religious control to the hinterlands - extending as far south as Pangasinan and east to the Cagayan Valley.
In the beginning, Santa Maria experienced hardships due to wars and other events. In 1638, the Chinese burned the town and ten years later in 1660–1661, during the Andres Malong Revolt, the Zambals ransacked and looted the settlement, and killed some of the inhabitants of the town. Much of the church properties were carried away by the rebels. In 1762, the forces of Diego Silang, the leader of the Ilocos Revolt of 1762–1763 during the British Occupation, controlled the town of Santa Maria until Silang was assassinated in Bantay by his close friend, a mestizo named Miguel Vicos, in 1763.

Establishment as an independent parish

There are conflicting dates regarding the establishment of this town as an independent parish or mission. The Catholic Directory of the Philippines as well as sources available at the Filipiniana Division of the National Library and National Archives show that the first Augustinian mission was established in Santa Maria in 1760. According to Reyes, Santa Maria was erected canonically in 1768; 1765 by Galende and Font; and 1769 by Buzeta, Bravo and Medina. It is likely that the town reverted to a visita of Narvacan for a period of time because of lacking a priest. In 1769, it was made again as an independent ministry under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption in whose honor the name of the town was changed from Purok to Santa Maria.
From then on, Santa Maria progressed. During the second half of the eighteenth century, vigorous and active missions or "expeditions" were launched by the missionaries toward the hinterlands from Santa Maria. The Pilar district in Abra was a place where commercial dealings with the natives took place. Occasionally, the people of Pilar went down to the town of Santa Maria to market and in most visitas, they were instructed into the faith, baptized or received the Holy Sacraments. By 1800, the visitas of Santa Maria were San Esteban and Santiago. Fr. Bernardo Lago made it a religious center and converted thousands of its inhabitants to Christianity.
The following Augustinian missionaries are certain to have stayed in Santa Maria: Fr. Jose Laboza – 1769; Fr. Diego Sayar – 1773; Fr. Agustin Gomez- 1779; Fr. Manuel Silva- 1783–1785;, Fr. Manuel Aparico – 1887; Fr. Exequiel Ortiz Lanzagorta – 1791 and who was secretary of the bishop of Nueva Segovia; and Fr. Alejandro Peyrona in 1786.
Santa Maria's progress can be discerned from the growth of her population. In 1793, it had 834 inhabitants and ranked fifteenth as one of the most densely populated towns in the Ilocos. By 1803, it had 7,893 people.
In 1813, a priest by the name Fr. Juan Cardaño built the irrigation system by digging a canal to divert the river to water the rice fields. During the construction of the irrigation system, the inhabitants felt embittered by the enforced labor. In 1817, the town of Santa Maria was fenced under the direction of Fr. Cardaño who finished the work through use of forced labor on the inhabitants. Then men were later sent to cut lumber for the shipbuilding industry.
Because of the rapid progress of the Ilocos, the region was divided into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur provinces, pursuant to the Real Cedula as of February 2, 1818. The population of Santa Maria decreased in 1820 due to the cholera epidemic. Except for periods when cholera or other natural calamities affected Santa Maria, its progress took an upward trend. As a result of its progress, Nueva Coveta, now Burgos, was separated from Santa Maria and established in 1831.
In 1850, Buzeta and Bravo describes the town of Santa Maria as follows:
In 1850, the town had some 1,983 houses constructed like most Philippine houses, some made of wood, most of bamboo and cogon grass. The more notable edifices were the tribunal, tile roofed and made of stone, on whose ground floor is the prison. This building is located in the plaza near the market place, where vegetables, eggs, meat and fish are sold. Sometimes itinerant mestizos sold merchandise there.
In front of the tribunal stood three private houses, also tile-roofed and made of stones, as well as two others, of the same material about to be finished. The town has a primary school maintained by the coffers of the town. Moreover, there are private schools for boys and girls.
The Church and tower are made of stone, and the sacristy, of stone and bricks. Near the house, atop a hill, is the convent of the parish house, which is equally imposing building. Down below, and 200 meters away, is the cemetery with its well-ventilated chapel, but which was destroyed by earthquake not long ago.
In Santa Maria, mail is received from the North every Tuesday morning and those from Manila, through Santiago every Thursday noon. The town consists of the barrios of Patac, in the south, and those of San Gelacio, San Gregorio, and San Francisco which are close to the church ; farther away Tanggapan, Silas, Minorio, Bitalag, Gusing, Subsubosob, Dingtan, and Cabaritan, separated by wide fields but each of these barrios have only a few huts where the natives stay during harvest time.
The town has two ports: one in the west capable of handling big ships, the other in the north, which only handle smaller boats because of its narrow entrance but it can be widened to accommodate bigger ships as it did sometime in the past, when two full-rigged boats were constructed there.
The land is quite fertile, most of which is irrigated; thanks to the zeal of Fr. Juan Cardaño, present parish priest who, with the help of the colonial government was able to realize any improvements of the town, including the construction of the irrigation system, after six years of work. In 1804, when Cardaño took over the parish, the harvest were always in the danger of being lost due to the lack of irrigation, thus only 994 tributes ; now 1850, 2,595 do so.
Their most important products are rice, wheat, cane and corn. Corn is abundant that it is exported to Santa, Bantay, Santa Catalina, San Vicente and many others. Oranges, santol and many kinds of bananas, pineapple, cacao are also grown in abundance.
In the mountains nearby, are different kinds of wood, like narra, molave, banaba, panurapin, bulala and others. Also found there, are chickens, deer and various varieties of birds. There is a gold mine in Pinsal, which is still to be exploited.
The inhabitants engaged in agriculture, lumbering and the women in weaving cotton cloth; some of which are sold in other places.

By this time in 1850, Santa Maria had a population of 11,900, up from 10,908 in 1845. By 1865, it was 12,059 and by 1880, 15,152 souls. There was a drought in 1878 followed by devastation of the fields by locusts and insects; and famine set in.
In 1881, embittered at the Spanish authorities due to the harsh treatment given them, the people stoned the tribunal and almost rose in arms against the Spaniards. During the great renovation of the convent in 1895, many of the inhabitants migrated to Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija to escape the forced labor and established a new community. Furthermore, the epidemics of cholera in 1881, 1883, and 1889 reduced greatly her population to 11,426 by 1892.

From the Philippine revolution and thereafter

During the Philippine revolution, Julian Directo became its first elected president in September 1898. The members of the Philippine Independent Church took over the churches in Ilocos. It was an offshoot from the abuses of the friars and the effect of the revolution. The outbreak of the revolution further attributed to the decline of Santa Maria's inhabitants to 10,030 by 1901.
Since the transfer of the Philippine sovereignty to the Americans in December 1898, many of the foreigners who traveled to the north and saw the Church of Santa Maria were much impressed and called the church as a Cathedral. Henry Savage Landor, an English painter, writer and explorer who visited the Philippines in 1900, says:
At Santa Maria a most picturesque church is to be found, reached on an imposing flight of steps. An enormous convent stands beside the church, upon a terrace some 80 feet above the plaza. There are a number of brick buildings, schoolhouses and office, which must have been very handsome but are tumbling down, the streets being in the absolute possession of sheeps, goats and hogs. A great expanse of level land was now well-cultivated into paddy fields and across it is a road fifteen feet wide, well-metalled and with a sandy surface. Barrios and homes were scattered all around the plain.

When civil government was restored in Ilocos Sur under the American rule in 1901, Sinfroso Tamayo became its first president. According to some records, William Cameron Forbes, a member of the Taft Commission visited Santa Maria in 1901. A report in 1902 describes Santa Maria as town along the coast of Ilocos Sur, Luzon, several cart roads that led to the interior; a city that built and by way of historical note, adds that on December 3, 1900, 2,150 insurgents surrendered here, took oath of allegiance to the United States.
The Church of Santa Maria and other churches held by the PIC priests were returned to the administration of the Roman Catholic Church by the enactment of the Philippine Commission Act No. 1376 on July 24, 1905.
In 1902, another epidemic of cholera occurred followed by typhoid in 1909. Floods and typhoons added to the sufferings of the people in 1911 and 1913. These calamities greatly reduced the population and hindered the progress of Santa Maria. Many of the people after this period migrated to the central plains of Luzon, Mindanao and to as far as Hawaii and California in the United States of America.
The conditions in Santa Maria greatly changed fifty years later. The American Occupation had some beneficial effects as then roads, schools and better ways of farming were introduced in Santa Maria. A new generation became prominent who became new leaders in the present town of Santa Maria. In 1932, President Manuel Quezon visited Santa Maria on the occasion of his tour of Northern Luzon before the Commonwealth. After World War II, new buildings were built and churches were erected by the different religious as well as commercial and tourist spots developed.

Geography

The Municipality of Santa Maria is situated at the western coastline of the island of Luzon, the munipality is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. The town lies in the central part of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is bordered by the municipality of Narvacan to the north, Pilar, Abra to the east and San Esteban and Burgos, Ilocos Sur to the south
Santa Maria is situated from the provincial capital Vigan, and from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
  • Ag-agrao
  • Ampuagan
  • Baballasioan
  • Baliw Daya
  • Baliw Laud
  • Bia-o
  • Butir
  • Cabaroan
  • Danuman East
  • Danuman West
  • Dunglayan
  • Gusing
  • Langaoan
  • Laslasong Norte
  • Laslasong Sur
  • Laslasong West
  • Lesseb
  • Lingsat
  • Lubong
  • Maynganay Norte
  • Maynganay Sur
  • Nagsayaoan
  • Nagtupacan
  • Nalvo
  • Pacang
  • Penned
  • Poblacion Norte
  • Poblacion Sur
  • Silag
  • Sumagui
  • Suso
  • Tangaoan
  • Tinaan

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Santa Maria had a population of 30,076 people. The population density was.

Economy

Located in a fertile region with a cool tropical climate, the principal crops of Santa Maria are corn, cotton, indigo, rice, sugarcane and tobacco.
Santa Maria's economy remained docile for almost four decades, subsisting only with fair performance in the aquaculture and agricultural ventures with no new developments in-place to create job opportunities in the commercial sector. Tourism industry's growth remains to be seen in the long-term. Industries relative interests to the town has to be developed and the corresponding infrastructure must be funded and implemented accordingly to create and sustain future development.
Santa Maria is the Home of the First SM SaveMore Market in Ilocos Sur located in Barangay Maynganay Sur in front of the Santa Maria New Public Market.

National Cultural Treasures (2)

The town of Santa Maria boasts a rich history and notable landmarks, including two heritage structures built during the Spanish era using bricks and limestone that have been declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines, ensuring their preservation and protection for future generations with other structures pending declaration.
National Cultural Treasures declared by the National Museum of the PhilippinesDate of the MarkerRemarks
Santa Maria Church and Cemetery ComplexDecember 2015The National Cultural Treasure marker for the Santa Maria Church and Cemetery Complex has yet to be installed. Currently, it remains stored at the parish office and has not received the attention it deserves. Its installation is still pending, and no formal action has been taken to place it at its proper location, even though it was issued to the Parish of Sta. Maria since 2016.
Santa Maria Spanish Era BridgeDecember 2015The Historical Marker of the Spanish-Era Bridge of Sta. Maria was unveiled on September 23, 2024, emphasizing the more than two-hundred-year-old structure’s importance in heritage conservation. The formal installation ceremony was attended by representatives from the Department of Tourism and the National Museum of the Philippines–Ilocos Region. The event reaffirmed the bridge’s historical value and its designation as a protected cultural asset.
Santa Maria Twin Chapel Complex on process / cultural mapped siteThe Santa Maria Twin Chapels, with their rich historical and cultural significance, are awaiting declaration as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines. This recognition will ensure their protection and preservation for future generations.
Gabaldon Buildings RA 11194 of 2019Republic Act No. 11194, a Philippine National Law officially titled the “Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act.” It was approved into law on January 18, 2019 and aims to protect, conserve, and restore Gabaldon school buildings across the country.

Tourism

The town is home to the Our Lady of the Assumption Church , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The townspeople celebrate their patronal festival in honor of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of the Assumption every August 15 and lasting for several days.

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa Maria is a designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines collection of four Spanish-era churches.

Santa Maria Twin Chapel and Ruins

The compound of Santa Maria East Central School houses the Santa Maria Twin Chapels, the site of the First established parish of Santa Maria, wherein the northern chapel was dedicated to Senor Santo Kristo and the southern chapel was dedicated to Nuestra Senora dela Asuncion. But only the southern chapels stands nowadays, the northern chapel was damaged. The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur is having the plan to restore / rebuilt the damaged chapel.

Santa Maria Spanish Era Cemetery

it is located 200 meters east of the Santa Maria Church declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site, National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and lately National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in which this cemetery was included as part of the declaration "Santa Maria Church & Complex". The square shaped cemetery today undergoes in a restoration the whole cemetery site to preserve its original beauty for the next generation. The restoration is expected to be finished this December 2019 and to be turned over to the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, and to the Local Government Unit of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. After the restoration is said that the site will be declared as another tourist site additional attraction to be visited when visiting the Santa Maria Church.

Santa Maria Spanish Era Bridges

Built during the 19th century, one of the few remaining bridges built by the Spanish Colonial Authorities, the bridge in the town of Santa Maria is made entirely of bricks. Proof of its durability and strength, the bridge still withstands the weight of passing busses and trucks. This Old Spanish Bridge is located in between Poblacion Norte and Baliw Daya.
Another old Spanish Bridge can also be found on the road going to Barangay Cabaroan. It is not noticeable when you pass by the road unless you go down to the fields. This bridge is still utilize not only as a bridge but also for irrigation system.

Pinsal Falls

Pinsal Falls, considered as the largest and grandest waterfalls in Ilocos Region, are located in a narrow gorge in Barangay Baballasioan of Santa Maria. Pinsal is a group of plunge and cascades waterfalls falling from a 300-ft wide irregular shaped river ledge the highest of which is a drop of about. Upriver are several smaller falls with their own natural pools. Behind the cascading water of the main falls is a hidden cave where one can swim from. Another tall waterfall is located at the southern ledge.
The grandeur and pristine beauty of these falls has long been attracting foreign and local tourists. Crystal clear water cascades down to two natural pools where visitors can frolic during hot summer. The surrounding hillsides are covered with verdant big trees making the place fairly cool. A trip to Pinsal Falls is not complete without climbing the carved steps to the top where more natural pools are found, the biggest of which is the 'footprint of Angalo'. According to the folklore, the ground indentation is the footprint the giant Angalo left behind while searching for his wife Aran. Another notable geographical feature is a phallic shaped rock, which the legend says belong to the male giant. Meters from this spot is the famous hot spring where one can boil an egg in 10 to 15 minutes.
Adjacent to Pinsal falls are stones stairs carved out of the mountain to reach the upper falls. It is also used by the residents of the adjacent town of Pilar, Abra province in hiking to or from the Municipality of Santa Maria.
Pinsal Falls is located about on paved road from the municipal hall of Santa Maria via the Pinsal Falls Road, and can be reached in 20 minutes by any vehicular transportation.
On August 22, 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11409 that declared the falls as a tourist destination, which will prioritize its development by the Department of Tourism.

Botigue Falls

Botigue Falls, situated in the forest of Sitio Paring, Barangay Baballasioan, is noted for its turquoise-colored waters that cascade over natural rock formations making it a significant site for ecotourism. Botigue Falls can be accessed via the Municipality of Pilar, Abra, and Nagbukel, Ilocos Sur, and is characterized by its natural scenery and forested trails.

Nagbekkelan Falls

Nagbekkelan Falls, located in Barangay Silag, is situated within the barangay’s forest and serves both as a recreational site and a source of irrigation for surrounding agricultural fields. Its waters highlight the connection between natural resources and local livelihoods in the area.

Santa Maria Lighthouse

A lighthouse on a side of a hill in Barangay Nalvo near the Super Beach Road. This lighthouse is visible when passing on the National Highway in Barangay Suso. This lighthouse is inactive and needs for repairs by the Philippine Coast Guard.

Mt. Caliag (Bantay Calbo) Mountain Hiking

Highest peak and on this spot you will see the 180 degree view of the town of Santa Maria located in Barangay Pacang through hiking.

The Hill of Suso Beach

One day, Angalo and his wife Aran were at the what is today called Suso Beach in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. While on the beach, Angalo
piled up stones, shrubs, and sand to form a hill. When asked about his creation, he told his wife that he made the hill to resemble and honor her breasts. To this day. the hill on the southern side of Suso beach is said to be that hill.

Santa Maria Beach

Beautiful beaches along Barangay Suso, Nalvo, Lingsat, and Bia-o have clear waters. These places are very alluring for picnic and swimming for tourists and vacationists. They are very accessible to all kinds of vehicles. A road connecting these into one super beach is being planned on ground.

Santa Maria Diving Spot - Suso Reef

One of the six dive spots being developed and promoted as an Eco-Tourism project by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur through the leadership of Gov. Ryan Singson. This project aims to help grow tourism in the province, provide alternative livelihood to the coastal communities and reduce fishing pressures on these beautiful marine resources.

Santa Maria Super Beach Road

Newly constructed Road connecting Barangay Nalvo and Lingsat.

Lourdes Grotto and Gazebo

Located at the foot of the Santa Maria Church. It is the exact replica of the Lourdes Grotto of Lourdes, France.

Penned Irrigation Dam

Water from the Pinsal Falls passes through this dam which of the locals uses it as an irrigation and swimming area. This is located in Barangay Penned.

Balikutsa Making

Balikutsa making in the town of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur offers tourists an opportunity to experience how this traditional local product is made. Considered the main product of the municipality, balikutsa reflects the town’s rich agricultural heritage rooted in sugarcane farming. Some sugarcane growers offer on-the-spot demonstrations where visitors can witness and participate in the panagbennat, the traditional process of cooking freshly extracted sugarcane juice into cooled molasses. Aside from balikutsa, sugarcane locally called unas, is also processed into sugarcane vinegar, locally known as suka ti Ilocos, as well as basi, a traditional local wine. These products are among the valued agricultural goods of the town and highlight the cultural significance of sugarcane in Santa Maria.

Balikutsa Festival

In 2023 Easter Sunday, April 9, the heritage town led by Mayor Brigido C. Camarillo Jr. celebrated the week-long Balicucha Festival. 11 Balicucha and other agri-fishery products-inspired floats paraded in front of the World Heritage Site Santa Maria Church. The March 31 to April 4, 2024 Balikutsa Festival carried the theme of "One Santa Maria: The Road to Progress." The largest 15 inches balikutsa and the smallest contender - a mere centimeter joined the contest.

Government

Local government

Santa Maria, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

PositionName
CongressmanKristine Singson-Meehan
MayorMichael S. Florendo
Vice-MayorRema Pazvia D. Cabatu
CouncilorsJoel P. Dasargo
CouncilorsIyra Joy Barroga Dosono
CouncilorsDareen D. Guillermo
CouncilorsJohn John M. Reyes
CouncilorsJose Marie A. Ancheta
CouncilorsAlfredo D. Bañes Jr.
CouncilorsArlon S. Serdenia
CouncilorsRomeo D. Espiritu

Education

The Sta. Maria Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the operations of private and public elementary and high schools. Santa Maria District placed under the Department of Education Ilocos Sur Schools Division.

Elementary Schools

Santa Maria District has 20 elementary schools and 2 preparatory schools: 3 private and 19 public elementary schools:
  • Ag-agrao Elementary School
  • Ampuagan Elementary School
  • Baballasioan Elementary School
  • Bia-o Elementary School
  • Butir Elementary School
  • Cabaroan Elementary School
  • Danuman Elementary School
  • Dunglayan Elementary School
  • Gusing Elementary School
  • Laslasong Elementary School
  • Maynganay Elementary School
  • Nagsayaoan Elementary School
  • Nalvo Elementary School
  • Santa Maria East Central School
  • Santa Maria West Centra School
  • Silag - Pacang Integrated School
  • St. Mary's College - Elementary Department
  • Suso Elementary School
  • Tangaoan Elementary School
  • Tinaan Elementary School
  • Little Lambs Kiddie School -UMC
  • Little Vessel of God Preparatory School - Born Again Christian

Secondary schools

Santa Maria has five secondary schools: 1 private, 1 integrated school, 2 national high schools and 1 laboratory high school:
  • Ag-agrao National High School
  • ISPSC - Laboratory High School
  • Santa Maria National High School
  • Silag-Pacang Integrated School
  • St. Mary's College - High School Department

Higher educational institutions

Healthcare

  • Judge Celestino Guerrero Memorial Hospital - Poblacion Sur
  • Reyes Hospital - Poblacion Sur
  • Santo Niño Hospital - Baliw Laud
  • Santa Maria Rural Health Unit - - Poblacion Sur

Notable personalities