Candon City

Infobox Philippine city
infoboxtitle = City of Candon
sealfile = Candon.png locatormapfile = Ph_locator_ilocos sur_candon.png caption = Map of Ilocos Sur showing the location of Candon City
region = Ilocos Region (Region I)
province = Ilocos Sur
districts = 2nd district of Ilocos Sur
barangays = 42
class = 5th class city, partially urban
mayor = Allen G. Singson (LP)
founded = 1780
cityhood = March 28, 2001
website = [http://www.candoncity.gov.ph www.candoncity.gov.ph]
areakm2 = 103.28
pop2000 = 50,564
popden2000 = 489.58
coordinates = 17°12' N 120°27' E

Candon City is a 5th class city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 50,564 people in 10,257 households.

This once small resort town is known for making the heaviest and largest calamay, a sweet and sticky snack made from coconut milk and sugar, in the world. This City has also a rich historical background. In its legends, the name of the city is derived from the legendary "kandong" tree which is now but extinct in the area. Its patron saint is John of Sahagun.

Barangays

Candon City is politically subdivided into 42 barangays.

Origin of the City's Name

The name of the city was derived from the now rare "candong" tree. During Spanish times, the powerful chieftains of the area, after having a gathering called a "kaniaw," held a contest (called "gabbu," a wrestling contest) to decide the husband of Ineng, the daughter of the most powerful chieftain, Madal-ang, and his would-be successor, owing to his advancing age. The contest was held under the shade of the candong trees, the residence of Madal-ang. The winner was the chieftain named Kalinio, resident of the caves of Cauplasan who defeated Madal-ang and another chieftain named Abay-a from the caves of Cadanglaan. Kalinio and the daughter of the chieftain were wed under the shade of a candong tree in grandiose ceremonies. During this wedding, a group of Spaniards, which included Captain Juan de Salcedo, passed by, and asked what was going on. Natives thought they were asking for the name of the tree, so they uttered, "Candong." Dropping the "g" for convenience, the place was named Candon.Another theory is that the place was named after the town of Candon in Spain.

Educational Institutions

*Candon Community College - University of Northern Philippines Candon - a branch of the University of Northern Philippines created when Candon Community College was merged into UNP by virtue of a bill enacted by then Congressman Eric Singson.

*Saint Joseph's Institute- run by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres

External links

* [http://www.candoncity.gov.ph/ Official Website of Candon City, Ilocos Sur]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://philippines.bayaw.com/754/Candon%20City%20Ilocos%20Sur.html Candon Ilocos sur photo gallery]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.pasyalan.net/ilocos_sur/ Pasyalang Ilocos Sur]
* [http://www.sjians.com/ SJIans Online Community: Candon City]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/91194/School-of-living-traditions-for-upland-Ilocanos-opens-in-June School of living traditions for upland Ilocanos opens in June, 04/24/2008]