San Juan, Siquijor

San Juan is a 5th class municipality in the province of Siquijor, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 12,198 people in 2,665 households.

Barangays

San Juan is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.

* Canasagan
* Candura
* Cangmunag
* Cansayang
* Catulayan
* Lala-o
* Maite
* Napo
* Paliton
* Poblacion
* Solangon
* Tag-ibo
* Tambisan
* Timbaon
* Tubod

San Juan town to hold Bugwas Festival(26 July 2006) -- In its bid to have its own town festival, the municipality of San Juan in Siquijor province, whose vision-filled residents want to call it as the province's Tourism Capital, is slated to hold a Festival on August 26 as one of the highlights of the celebration of its Annual Town Fiesta in honor of its beloved patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo.

The festival's name passed through an intensive search and selection which was mainly based on the premise that San Juan municipality was once known to have its former name Capilay, a name derived from the natural body of water coming from within the fenced town plaza located at a stone's throw distance from both the Roman Catholic Church, Convent, Municipal Building and Rizal Monument, among other landmarks.

In a sort of brainstorming session, several proposed names emerged, among them were Bugahanay, Bugwasan, Bugwas, Buhagay, Bugahay and Capilay. In the process of screening out the less appropriate names, the Body trimmed down the selection to only three, Buylo, Buhagay, and Bugwas. The Fiesta Officers deliberately excluded the name Bugahanay since there were opinions that it somehow sounded as festival of festivals, and there is possibility that it could be reserved for a district or provincial level, or even a bigger festival. When the proponent for the name Buylo withdrew his proposed name, the number was further reduced into only 2, namely Buhagay and Bugwas.

In the final selection, majority of the attending personalities settled in on the name Bugwas which literally means a strong and continuous flow of water coming from an abundant source, and this would point to the idea that this town is naturally blessed with sources of livelihood and life by our Creator and Divine Providence. This name also denotes that the town is abundant in natural and other forms of resources which are mainly derived from its bodies of water, both fresh (potable) and marine, that lies within its territory.

Presently, there are already five identified festival contingents, three coming from the fifteen barangays, one from DePEd and the Municipal Government. Having a sixth contestant is not far-fetched as the San Juan Senior Citizens and the St. John High School had been requested to study on the possibility that they will field their own contingents.

A Festival Committee was also organized to finalize the concepts and criteria for the contest once the Bugwas Festival showcases the talents and culture of our people, fondly called San Juanians. (PIA)

(August 24 2007) - August 25th, 2007 will be the date for the 2nd Bugwas Festival.

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]