Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur

Santa Catalina is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 12,537 people in 2,404 households.

Barangays

Santa Catalina is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.

* Cabaroan
* Cabittaogan
* Cabuloan
* Pangada
* Paratong
* Poblacion
* Sinabaan
* Subec
* Tamorong

It has 3 sitios, namely:

* Calawaan ( Tamorong )
* Mindanao, formerly Sabangan ( Paratong )
* Punta ( Cabittaogan )

Breakdown of Population Per Barangay(as of May 2001, NSO)Barangay Total Population Number OfHouseholdsCabaroan 1,197 245Cabittaogan 2,271 458Cabuloan 1,267 238Pangada 861 159Paratong 836 151Poblacion 1,287 262Sinabaan 1,162 203Subec 1,397 252Tamorong 2,259 436

Economic Activity

The main source of income for the locals include farming, fishing and tricycle driving. Since this is a 5th class municipality, its economic growth is very slow. But there are also many beautiful houses that can be found here thanks to many OFW locals that had gone abroad to give better financial support to their family.

Educational Institutions

It has 6 elementary schools, namely Santa Catalina Central, Bernardo P. Ragasa Elementary, Cabittaogan Elementary, Paratong Elementary, Pangada-Cabaroan Elementary, and Cabuloan Elementary.

It has one primary school in Calawaan, and two high schools, namely Cabittaogan High School and Sta. Catalina High School, Formerly known as Benito Soliven Institute.

Origin of the Municipality's Name

When the Augustinians were busy with the Christianization of the Ilocos Region, a group of missionaries sailed westward through the river known as "El Mestizo" to the place now called Santa Catalina. They were also looking for fresh water, since the area where he landed yielded only salty water. When they finally found a fresh water spring up north, and were busy quenching their thirst, some of them saw an image of a beautiful lady near the place where he drank, which disappeared after a few minutes. One of them recognized the image as that of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The Augustinians returned to Villa Fernandina (Vigan) and reported this matter to their superiors. This resulted in the construction of a church in the town with Saint Catherine of Alexandria as the patron saint. It was also declared that "Santa Catalina" be the name of the town.

A replica of the cross once planted by Salcedo and his party--to signify that the Spanish has conquered the area--stands near the entrance to the municipality.

External links

* [http://www.stacatalina.org Official Website of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur]
* [http://www.pasyalan.net/ilocos_sur/ Pasyalang Ilocos Sur]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]