San Antonio, Northern Samar

San Antonio is a 5th class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 7,915 people in 1,667 households.

History

San Antonio was established in 1904. Since its inception, stories have been told that the place was named three times before it was called San Antonio.

San Antonio is known as a sanctuary of fish and birds, which is why settlers from the mainland of Samar in the start of 19th century found this place an ideal ground for fishing and hunting. They come to the island just to catch fish and hunt birds and go back after a handful of catch. People from Bohol and Cebu came to the island in the second half of the 19th century and introduced a method of catching fish using net, commonly known as "laya". With its introduction, the name "Manoglaya" was born, which literally means "mano nga paraglaya" or fishermen using laya.

As new settlers came and built new communities in the island, they changed its name to "Sugod-sugod", a Cebuano derivative meaning "just to start or begin". The name was changed to "Matabia", referring to the knife-shape of the island. No one knows now why it was changed that way, neither folklores nor historical data reveal the way and therefore of the change. Having no particular preference to immortalize name without great significance, Christians decided to change the name to San Antonio and set Saint Anthony of Padua as their patron saint.

Barangays

San Antonio is politically subdivided into 10 barangays.

*Ward I (Pob.)
*Ward II (Pob.)
*Ward III (Pob.)
*Burabod
*Dalupirit
*Manraya
*Pilar
*Rizal
*San Nicolas
*Vinisitahan

External links

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