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Creation of the Municipality
According to Augustinian maps of 1831 and 1834, Santa was founded in 1576. The
Augustinian established missionary centers in the towns of Vigan in 1575 and
Santa in 1576. On the founding of Bantay in 1591 as a pueblo, Santa was made its
“visita” until 1713 when it became an independent vicariate. The prestige of the
town was boasted in 1802 when the provisional diocesan was established and was
housed in the rectory of Santa until 1834.
Historical Roles and Events
The “Malong Revolt” disturbed the quiet life of the town in 1660-1661 when
Andres Malong of Binalatongan rose in arms to protest the abuses in the
collection of tribute and in the conscription of men for “palo y servicios”.
Malong proclaimed himself “King of Pangasinan” and tried to extend his kingdom
by sending his Count Pedro Gumapos in Ilocos.
Gumapos pursued the treating Spaniards who camped in Agoo. The Spaniards and the
loyalists made their last stand in Pideg, Santa, Ilocos Sur. Pedro de la Peña,
depending the Pideg Pass awed by the great number of the rebels who camped in
Narvacan, went to the rebels and offered them free passage across Pideg Pass.
On December 14, 1762, Diego Silang led the “caillianes” (common tao) in the most
obstinate insurrection against Spaniards in the 18th century. He crystallized
the discontent of the “caillianes” caused by the tribute and forced labor. He
proclaimed “Free Ilocos” and made Vigan, capital.
When the Spaniards failed to stop Diego Silang, in combat, Miguel Vicos aided by
Pedro Becbec murdered Diego Silang, but his death did not end the revolt.
Gabriela, the wife of Diego Silang, with the help of her uncle, Nicolas Cariño
won over the Spaniards and their loyalist soldiers in the battle of Banaoang,
Santa on August 24,1763.
Disasters and calamities occurred in Santa. A destructive flood called “Layos
Bungsot” of 1852 eroded the first poblacion founded in 1576 and caused the town
center to be transferred to a new site, which is about four (4) kilometers south
of the first site.
Fr. Pedro Torrices started the new church in 1849-1855 and Fr. Luis Lagar
finished it in 1875.
In 1905, another destructive flood, “Layos Nawnaw” motivated the people to
transfer the poblacion to Pasungol in the southern part of the town in 1907.
Don Domingo Bueno y Ramirez, the Presidente Municipal, transferred the new
government and the new poblacion was laid out. Circumferencial roads were
constructed. An hermita, made of bamboo and cogon, was put up and a one-storey
primary school building was laid out.
The guerilla activities of Gen. Manuel Tinio dominated the Philippine-American
War in Ilocos. The civil government of Ilocos Sur began to function in 1889 with
Don Mena Crisologo; former Ilocos Sur delegate to the Malolos Congress as the
first Civil Governor.
On the resumption of the Commonwealth Government, Pres. Osmeña appointed Hon.
Sixto Brillantes after being elected assemblyman of the second district of
Ilocos Sur.
On December 19,1941, the Japanese soldiers landed in Santa. The people fled to
the mountains where they suffered from privations, hunger and diseases. The
Japanese soldiers held a garrison at the south of Quirino Bridge and massacred
seventy (70) civilians in Barrio Rizal on January 26, 1954.
These turn of events, no matter how depressing and destructive they were,
brought back the residents together to restore the present site of the local
government.
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