St. William the Hermit (San Guillermo) is the patron saint of Magsingal.
William (died 1157) was a holy hermit and lover of contemplative prayer.
Born in France, William led a life of sin as a young man. Following his conversion to Christ, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Upon his return, he sought a place of solitude in Tuscany, Italy, where he lived as a hermit. He unsuccessfully attempted to bring about reforms in the hermit life there. Continue reading ST. WILLIAM THE HERMIT
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Magsingal is one of the few towns of Ilocandia which can boast of a genuine church built by the Spaniards with the sweat and blood of the townspeople. The present church however, was not the first one to be constructed by them. According to the old people, the first church was a temporary building built by the first cura parruco, an Augustinia friar, Padre Juan Sanches, who arrived in Magsingal on January 10, 1723. In 1730, the construction of the old church ( now Magsingal Museum and Park) was began. It was finished in 1761. During the Ilocos Revolt the church was burned down together with several churches in Ilocos Sur by Diego Silang. The ruins of the church still remain and from this history could be retraced.
The church had three floor sections for social qualification. The front area had bricks and red tiles flooring. It was for the exclusive use of the “Apo Bacnang” who could give money and good breakfast for the Spanish priests. The middle portion and lower elevation was made of wood planks (boards). It was for the regular or middle class. The rear area had the lowest floor elevation and it was all dirt. It was for the “Los Torpes” or the Indios. The ruins have been converted to a park but these sections mentioned are still there. Continue reading HISTORICAL LANDMARKS OF MAGSINGAL
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAGSINGAL
The Spanish colonizers under the leadership of Captain Juan de Salcedo encountered a place which was called Malungon, a place situated southwest and about one kilometer away from the present poblacion. This place is presently a place where rice, virginia tobacco and garlic thrive with satisfaction in this municipality. This place was then under the rule of a woman ruler by the name Palungo Galcia (Garcia). This woman ruler was sturdy and with an exceptional strength. These Spanish colonizers brought with them several bells to be distributed to municipalities to be founded by them, one of which was a big bell to be allotted to the town of Magsingal. Upon arriving at Malungon, they offered this bell to the ruler Palungo Galcia, but this ruler flatly denied the offer to accept the big bell, and instead, she pointed to a place and simultaneously said, “MAYISINGAL”, or (Mayalis Sadiay), meaning, “Let it be transferred there.” This place pointed by Palungo Galcia is the present site of the town’s belfry which was then under the rule of her twin brothers Palungo Andoliguis (AndorIguis) and Palungo Tholentino (Tolentino). Since then, the Spaniards wrote and pronounced the name of this town as MAGSINGAL, a contraction of the word “MAYISINGAL”, or “MAYALIS SADIAY”. Continue reading HISTORY OF MAGSINGAL
THE LEGEND OF BARANGAY SARSARACAT
Long time ago, there were folks living in a place situated in the eastern part of the newly established town of Magsingal. Because the town is composed of different barrios and sitios and while people of this town gathered in their new Centro of poblacion they were eager to come to know their town mates are and where they lived, folks who came from this place just shook their heads cause they do not know to answer and what part of the town they came from. As years passed people living multiplied and the more they’re became worried. Are resident decided to go to their “panglakayan”, who by those period of time tribal folks recognizes the eldest man in their place as their leader, to consult about this matter but the panglakayan just answer it’s the same old problem. While the resident and the panglakayan exchange ideas they came to agree both to call on a meeting among the residents of the people of the place. So the meeting goes on and panglakayan announces and elaborated the problem commoted by the residents of the place to his mates. One resident stands and says it is now the prime time to give their place a name and they all agreed. So every body has its own thinking what to, and the name of their place but still the panglakayan call on to adjourned the meeting nobody thought for suggestions. So by the next day the meeting resumes but still they were empty headed. While the meeting was going on, their attention was called on by a cart where a woman rod, cart pulled by a carabao and drove by man. The couple dropped by to the meeting and asked what place they were and said they are looking for place to live in. Nobody dared to answer because their attention was pulled on by the belongings inside the cart, some of which are horns, cat, clothes, and utensils, Instead somebody asked of their job and occupation. The couple answered that they were tinsmith (or panday) maker of bolos and use horns “sar-sara” for local term, for the handle cover. Soon folk caught an ideas, he suggested the name of their place be derived from the couple’s belongings, and they all agreed and everybody think and suggested Sar-sara pusa but it doesn’t sound pleasant, and someone suggest to make it English horn-cat it is so inconvenient. So they think again till someone stands and mentioned, in fairness to who suggested Iloco and English why not both to make it Sarsara-cat, because the people perform democratic society they go for votation and unanimously approved.
Soon, the people no longer owed and worry about the name of their Barangay and were they are living for. They adapted the couple and treat them as if they were their heroes and folks also use horns in making bolos and making bolos became their main source of living.
THE LEGEND OF BARANGAY SAN LUCAS
San Lucas is one of the Poblacion Barangays of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur. It is situated along the National highway, northeast of the Municipal Town Hall. It is bounded by Barangay San Vicente at the south, Barangay San Basilio at the west, Barangay Sta. Monica at the north, and Barangay Patong at the east.This place consists of commercial areas because the Town Public Market was erected here and different establishments. There is also an educational institution which we call “The Magsingal Institute”, where secondary course is offered.
Residential and commercial areas has an estimated total land area of 140,000 sq. meters. Agricultural areas is about 420,000 sq. meters with an over all total land area of 560,000 sq. meters.The residential area composed of three zones. There are 471 residents living in, 151 households and 171 families excluding those who are already living abroad. Almost 98% of the residents are Roman Catholic and 2% belongs to other sects.
The source of living for the Barangay folks are predominantly on agriculture and construction workers. Almost 80% depends on crops like rice, corn, and vegetables. Although some are engaged in buy and sell as a means of their livelihood.
Due to the hardships and economic crisis of our country, the Barangay folks are not fond of social life instead they submit themselves in education and migrating to other country to find their luck in seeking greener pasture for their good future.
During the ancient times, there was a well- known strong, rich man, a Spanish looking man who served as consultant of the residents. So, they considered him as their leader or in the native dialect “pangama-en”. His name was Lucas.
In honor of his goodness to serve his fellow men the people of this place named their Barangay after him – PLACE OF LUCAS. When the town ruler ordered all the Barangay leaders of the Poblacion , the place named became SAN LUCAS. From then on up to the present the place is known as Barangay San Lucas.
Agrimat Magsingal 