SAN JULIAN

THE LEGEND OF BARANGAY SAN JULIAN

Capitan Julian was born in the town of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur on January 26, 1885 from a prosperous and noble family. He was the eight of the nine children of Don Agapito Tomaneng and Doña Francisca Tolentino.

His parents sent him to school early. In school he led his classmates. In matters when his classmates could not agree his opinion was always sought. Yet it is very surprising to note that although his family could afford to send him to school and pursue a degree and he also got the head, he did not because of love. At an early age he married the beautiful Salvina Briones but she did not live long. Her loss was soon made up when he married the charming Eleuteria Jurado who gave him two exceedingly beautiful daughters, Expedita and Blesilda.

In 1925, he run for the office of the President in his town and won by overwhelming majority. It was at this period of his life that he did most to serve his town and people. He encouraged the development of agriculture and other local industries by distributing seeds and giving handsome prizes to those who produced the most and the biggest. He also promoted the health and sanitation of his town by cleaning and digging the brook which served as drainage and at the same time improved and built roads because the earth dugs was used to fill low places. His interest for the education of his people was also beyond compare. He continued the construction of the Magsingal Elementary School building (now Magsingal North Central School), the pet project of Capitan Aquilino Garcia. He was able to add two rooms plus the plastering of the walls of the building.

At the end of his term he was urged by the people to run for re-election but he declined because he wanted to give other leaders of the town the chance to give their bests for the welfare of the people. His short term could be considered the golden age of Magsingal. There was progress, peace and order, and happiness in every home and in the community. He died on June 13, 1930 of lung disease.

To honor him, the place where he lived is now called Barangay San Julian.