Sipocot, Camarines Sur

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Sipocot
sealfile = Sipocotseal.jpg
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_camarines sur_sipocot.png| caption = Map of Camarines Sur showing the location of Sipocot
region = Bicol Region (Region V)
province = Camarines Sur
districts = 1st district(Riverside)
barangays = 46
class = 2nd class municipality; partially urban
mayor =
founded =
areakm2 = 211.60
pop2000 = 56,576
coordinates = 13°46'N 122°59'E |

Sipocot is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 56,576 people in 10,761 households.

History

Long before it became a town in the year 1801, Sipocot originally belonged to the town of Lupi , being one of its barrios. Its conversion into a town also paved the way for the establishment of its parish in dedication of St. John the Baptist, the town's patron saint. This marked the beginning of the celebration of the town fiesta held annually every June 24.

A version known to the local residents concerning the roots of the name of the municipality tells about the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines, where a certain Captain Aguire of Lupi spent his leisure hours fishing in the cool water of Vigaan River in the morning and in the afternoon he would sail back by banca in the Bicol River. He usually have a plentiful catch which would be more his family needs. This activity did not escape the Spanish encomienderos’ ears in the town of lupi and the said Captain was summoned by the Spaniards for questioning. However, in the process of the inquiry, the Captain misunderstood and misinformed the foreigners and pointed to the Bicol River as his fishing area. The following day, the Spaniards and some native guides equipped with hook and lines went to the river to fish.

Upon reaching the bank they found a shed with Captain Aguirre’s fishing net or “pocot”. They also found in the place different kinds of fishes like bakla, kasili, and buyod. Delighted with their discovery, the Spaniards asked some natives the name of the place. The natives thinking that the Spaniards were asking for the name of the net they were holding, answered “si,pocot”. From then on, the Spaniards build a settlement near the Vigaan River which they christened SIPOCOT.

Barangays

Sipocot is politically subdivided into 46 barangays.

* Aldezar * Alteza * Anib * Awayan * Azucena * Bagong Sirang * Binahian * Bolo Sur * Bolo Norte * Bulan * Bulawan * Cabuyao * Caima * Calagbangan * Calampinay * Carayrayan

* Cotmo * Gabi * Gaongan * Impig * Lipilip * Lubigan Jr. * Lubigan Sr. * Malaguico * Malubago * Manangle * Mangga * Mangapo * Manlubang * Mantila * North Centro (Pob.)

* North Villazar * Sagrada Familia * Salanda * Salvacion * San Isidro * San Vicente * Serranzana * South Centro (Pob.) * South Villazar * Taisan * Tara * Tible * Tula-tula * Vigaan * Yabo

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]
* [http://www.camarinessur.gov.ph Official Site of the Province of Camarines Sur]