SARSARACAT

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.

SAN LUCAS

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.

SAN RAMON

THE LEGEND OF BARANGAY SAN RAMON

When the Spaniards has just founded the municipality of Magsingal in 1676, they continued the pacification campaign in all its villages.

Magsingal has seven poblacion Barangays which includes our Barangay – San Ramon. Others are; Sta. Monica,San Basilio, San Clemente, San Julian, San Lucas, and San Vicente.

Barangay San Ramon is located just a stone-throw away from the town proper of Magsingal. It is bounded on the north by Barangay San Vicente, on the east by Barangay Patong, on the west by Barangay San Clemente, on the south by Barangay Napo. The main source of living is farming.It is where most of the families get their income. Other sources include hogs and poultry raising, cattle or swine fattening and raising, teaching employment and governmental services.

Our Barangay has two kinds of season – the sunny (dry) season and rainy (wet)season as the other Barangays have. During rainy season, farmers would till their lands, with the aide of the hard working and industrious fellows ready for rice planting, while during sunny season, aside from the yearly cycle of planting Virginia tobaccos, farmers would also plant corns, cottons, crawling fruits like watermelons and melons, vegetables like ampalaya, cabbage, cabbage, camote, gabi, camoteng kahoy, garlic, onion, eggplant, and cucumber. When harvest time comes, they could sell their harvested crops in the market or nearby neighbors. This is how sturdy, hard working and industrious Ilocanos earned their means of living throughout the year. When harvest is good and bounty, as traditional Ilocanos, would offer their harvests as thanksgiving to the Lord.

The economy of the Barangay is agricultural and the inhabitants produce their income and means of living from the yields of their crops. Farms are very productive and that their standards of living are better than some of the Barangays and for this reason, we sometimes celebrate our Barangay Fiesta in order to thank the Lord for the bountiful harvests we have. May is the month we celebrate our fiesta in honor of our patron saint, San Ramon.

Our Barangay was named in honor of our patron saint, San Ramon, and likewise to perpetuate or commemorate the memory of a former town official, the late Ramon Tolentino, Sr., the father of our own, HON. RAMON TOLENTINO, JR., who ruled our municipality from 1988-1995.

Barangay San Ramon has a total land area of 1,931,273.18 sq. meters. Its total population is 986 (452 male & 534 female). The total number of families is 237 while the number of households is 214.

SAN CLEMENTE

THE LEGEND OF BARANGAY SAN CLEMENTE

Capitan Minti was born on April 8, 1869 to Agustin Udarbe and Martina Ulibas. Even as a child, young Clemente showed signs of leadership. He was often chosen by his playmates to lead them in their games of San Pedro and Lipay.

Young Clemente obtained his early education from the parochial school of Padre Vasquez. Then he continued his studies at the famous Seminario de Vigan and later on at the Ateneo de Manila. When he returned to his hometown, he was appointed Juez de Paz, a position which he held for several years without fear.

When the Philippine Revolution broke out he joined the revolutionists. He became a friend of General Tinio and was appointed as treasurer of the Katipuneros in this sector and at the same time Delegado de Rentas. After the revolution he was elected Vice President of the late Don Vicente Tolentino. When Capitan Vicente died he automatically became the president for the unserved period of six months. He ran for presidency the next election and was elected for a term of four years. It was during his term that his unselfish love for his town and people was shown. He initiated the construction of the town hall or presidencia. Another one among his projects was the first class intermediate building north of Vigan made of stone on February 28, 1906. It is the Magsingal South Central School.

Capitan Minti was married to Doña Marciana Jurado a beautiful mestiza that gave him seven children who became professionals.He died of rheumatism at the age of …

To give honor for his numerous contributions in the progress of his community, the Barangay was named after him, San Clemente.

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.