Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is the most-populous city. Ilocos Sur is bordered by Ilocos Norte and Abra to the north, Mountain Province to the east, La Union and Benguet to the south and the West Philippine Sea to the west.
Ilocos Sur was established in 1818 when the province of Ilocos was split into two: the north (now Ilocos Norte) and the south (Ilocos Sur).
The province is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely, the Vigan and the Santa Maria Basilica.
History
Early history
Before the arrival of the Spanish, the coastal plains in northwest Luzón from Bangui in the north to Namacpacan in the south were part of a region called the Ylokos. It lies between the West Philippine Sea in the west and the Northern Cordilleras in the east. On the western side, the land is sandy; while on the eastern side (near the mountains that separate the region from the Mountain Province) the land is rocky. This left a narrow strip of plains for cultivation. The mountains come so close to the sea that the highway is carved into them. The pressure of an increasing population and the need for land made the people thrifty, and they built their villages near small bays and coves called
looc in the local dialect. These coastal inhabitants were known as
Ylocos, which means "from the lowlands".
The region was then called by the ancient name Samtoy, from
sao mi ditoy ("our language" in
Ilocano language).
Spanish colonial era
The Ilocos region was a thriving and fairly-advanced cluster of towns and settlements familiar to Chinese, Japanese, and Malay traders when the Spanish explorer Juan de Salcedo arrived in
Vigan on June 13, 1572. The Spanish made Cabigbigaan their headquarters, which Salcedo called Villa Fernandina. It also became known as the
Intramuros de Ilocandia. Salcedo declared all of Northern Luzón an
encomienda (land grant). He was the
encomendero of Vigan and lieutenant governor of Ylokos until his death in July 1574.
Augustinians missionaries evangelized the region, establishing parishes and building churches that still stand.
The coast of Samtoy was known to the Spanish colonizers in 1572, when Juan de Salcedo traveled along it. Sent by Miguel López de Legazpi to explore the island of Luzón, Salcedo founded Ciudad Fernandina in 1574 in Bigan, in present-day Ilocos Sur. It became the center of Spanish rule and influence, including the evangelization and pacification movements. Due to Salcedo's efforts, the settlements in Tagurín, Santa Lucía, Nalbacán, Bantay, Candón and Sinayt were pacified and paid tribute to the King of Spain.
Conversions
According to the Spanish chronicler Pigafetta, "The Ilocos are all Christians and are the humblest and most tractable".
The Augustinians established parishes in Santa in 1576, Tagurín in 1586, Santa Lucía in 1586, Nalbacán in 1587, Candón in 1591, and Bantay in 1590. They built a church in Bigan in 1641 which later became the Cathedral of the Episcopal See of Nueva Segovia after 117 years.
Partition of Ylokos
Ylokos consisted of the present-day provinces of
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and part of Mountain Province. A royal decree of February 2, 1818 separated Ilocos Norte from Ilocos Sur, the latter including northern La Union (as far as Namacpacan, present-day Luna) and present-day Abra.
The sub-provinces of Lepanto and Amburayan in Mountain Province were annexed by Ilocos Sur.
The passage of Act No. 2683 by the Philippine Legislature in March 1917 defined the province's current geographical boundaries.
Vigan
Vigan, almost four centuries old, was once known as Kabigbigaan (from biga, a coarse, erect plant with large, ornate leaves that grows on riverbanks). Bigan was later changed to Vigan. To the Spanish it was Villa Fernandina, in honor of King Ferdinand.
Vigan was founded in 1574 by Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo as the capital of Ylocos. The town, with a population of 8,000 (greater than that of Manila at the time), was the center of Ilocano civilization before Salcedo's arrival. It was somewhat prosperous, trading with the Chinese and Japanese who brought jars, silk and crockery through the nearby port of Pandan, Caoayan.
In the 19th century, Vigan traded with Europe. Ships loaded with indigo delivered their goods to textile mills. The invention of chemical dyes in Germany eliminated this industry. Affluent citizens of Vigan stocked their homes with statuettes of brass and iron, dinnerware, and other artifacts of European civilization, including fine ivory, inlaid furniture, and Chinese wares.
Social institutions
Salcedo bequeathed his
encomienda to a select group who continued the tenancy system which developed into the practice of
caciquism,
landlordism and
usury. The
kaillanes revolted against the aristocracy in 1762. Vigan's two sections during the mid-19th-century indigo boom—one for the
meztizos and the other for the
naturales—remain distinct.
Migration
Spanish colonizers used free labor in the development of Ilocos Sur. Resentment of free labor triggered sporadic revolts, and those who refused to be slaves or tenants left the region for Abra and the
Cagayan Valley. From 1898 to the first decade of the 20th century, covered oxcarts moved to the rich plains of
Pangasinan,
Nueva Ecija and
Tarlac. Children were told tales of Lam-ang,
Angalo, Aran, Juan Sadot and other legendary Ilocano characters. Folk songs such as "Pamulinawen", "
Manang Biday", and "Dungdungwen Kanto Unay, Unay" became popular.
During the second phase of Ilocano people migration, from 1908 to 1946, surplus labor migrated to the plantations of Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. Ilocos Sur's population density was 492 per square mile at the height of migration, which made it the most densely-populated region in the Philippines except for Manila. The last group of labor migrants to Hawaii was in 1946, when 7,365 men were recruited by the United States Department of Labor. Vigan was the recruiting center. More than eighty percent of Filipinos in Hawaii are of Ilocano origin.
Economic prosperity
The first half of the 19th century was an economic boom for Ilocos Sur. During this period, the cotton, tobacco and indigo industries were encouraged by the government. With the operations of the Royal Company of the Philippines (italic=no), the textile industry was developed on a large scale and the abolition of the tobacco monopoly accelerated economic progress.
Revolts
The beginning of Spanish rule to the first decade of the nineteenth century was characterized by revolts against tribute, forced labor and monopolies. The Ilocos revolt (1762–1763), better known as Silang's Revolt, was aimed at the
babaknangs and the
alcalde-mayor of Vigan. After
Diego Silang's assassination on May 28, 1763, his wife
Gabriela Silang continued the fight until she was captured and hanged on September 20, 1763.
A revolt against the government monopoly of
basi, the native wine, began on September 16, 1807. Regular troops and recruits defeated the rebels.
On March 25, 1898, Isabelo Abaya began an uprising in Candón and raised a red flag in the town plaza as a response to Spanish abuses and oppression. A revolutionary government was established, and several other revolts followed. The Spanish sent shock troops to re-occupy Candon, and most of the leaders and participants in the uprising who surrendered were arrested and executed.
Philippine Revolution and Philippine-American War
Ilocos Sur, like other Philippine provinces, rallied behind
Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1896 Philippine Revolution. When Vigan was captured, the rebels made Bishop's Palace their headquarters. On March 21, 1898, Mariano Acosta of
Candon established a provincial revolutionary government. When General Aguinaldo returned from exile in Hong Kong, he sent
Manuel Tinio to wage guerilla warfare on the Americans. Vigan was Tinio's headquarters until it was occupied by the U.S. 45th Infantry Division under James Parker on December 4, 1899. Gregorio del Pilar died on December 2, 1899, in the Battle of Tirad Pass.
American invasion
Under the Americans, a civil government was established in Ilocos Sur on September 1, 1901. Mena Crisólogo, a delegate to the
Malolos Congress, was the first provincial governor.
Japanese occupation
On December 10, 1941, a contingent of Japanese Imperial forces landed in Mindoro, Vigan, Santa, Pandan and Caoayan. In Cervantes, the Battle of Bessang Pass was fought between Tomoyuki Yamashita's forces and the U.S. 21st Infantry; it was the greatest victory by Filipino guerrillas over the Japanese Imperial Army in World War II. The guerrillas mounted a series of attacks that lasted for almost six months in early 1945.
Marcos era
Much of the history of Ilocos Sur during the 21 years of the Marcos dictatorship are not well-documented, with the most prominent portrayals of Ilocos Sur history preferring to skip from the years immediately after Philippine independence in the 1940s, jumping straight to contemporary times.
In Ilocos Sur, the most prominent protests and incidents of the Marcos era - such as the infamous "Bantay incident: and the assassination of Reoresentative Floro Crisologo - actually took place before the declaration of martial law in 1972, and involved the Marcos administration's support for local strongmen[McCoy, A. “Global Populism: A Lineage of Filipino Strongmen from Quezon to Marcos and Duterte,” in Kasarinlan (Quezon City) 32, Issue nos. 1–2, 2017.]
Organizations such as the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and Federation of Free Workers (FFW), sometimes supported by progressive elements of the Catholic Church, continued to fight for the labor rights of the poor until the 1972 declaration of Martial law made it illegal to peaceful protests.
Some of the frustrated protesters then opted to pursue an armed resistance against the dictatorship,[Davis, Leonard. Revolutionary Struggle in the Philippines. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1989]
There were numerous human rights violations documented in Ilocos Sur in connection to the Marcos martial law era,[McCoy, A. “Dark Legacy: Human Rights Under the Marcos Regime” in Memory, Truth Telling, and the Pursuit of Justice: A Conference on the Legacies of the Marcos Dictatorship. Quezon City: Ateneo De Manila University Press, 2001.] and there was at least one camp in the province that held political Prisoners during the Marcos era - a "Camp Diego Silang",
Bantay incident
Marcos' victory in the 1965 Presidential Elections had required that he gain political control of the north as a solid voting block, which meant forming alliances with the most prominent local "warlords" of the time
[ - Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Antonio Raquiza whom Marcos would later appoint as Secretary of Public Works and Highways;][ La Union 2nd District Representative Manuel T. Cases;][ and Ilocos Sur 1st District Representative Floro Singson Crisologo.]
But a turning point took place in May 1970 with the so-called "Bantay Incident". The saka-saka assassinated a former mayor of Bantay, the town next to Vigan, in 1969, and then in May 1970, burned the villages of Ora Este and Ora Centro in retaliation for their residents' support for Crisologo's opponent Chavit Singson during the 1996 elections.
Assassination of Floro Crisologo
Shortly after his reported meeting with Marcos,
No special election was called to replace him in Congress,
Contemporary history
1986-87 Jose Burgos Jr provisional revolutionary governorship
When the People Power Revolution which ended on February 25, 1986 deposed Ferdinand Marcos from power, and installed Corazon Aquino as the new president of the Philippines,[A Changeless Land: Continuity and Change in Philippine Politics ISBN 9789814379625]
2020 COVID-19 pandemic
Executive Order No. 12
After the approval of "uniform travel protocols for land, air, and sea of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, crafted in close coordination with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and the League of Cities of the Philippines," in Resolution No. 101, Series of 2021,
2022 Luzon earthquake
Ilocos Sur was severely affected by the 2022 Luzon earthquake, which was felt strongly in Ilocos Sur for 30 seconds or longer.
Geography
Ilocos Sur occupies the central section of the Ilocos Region in northern Luzon. It is bordered by Ilocos Norte to the north, Abra to the northeast, Mountain Province to the east, Benguet to the southeast, La Union to the south, and the South China Sea to the west. Its area of occupies about 20% of the total land area of . The topography of Ilocos Sur ranges from above sea level.
Climate
The climate is generally dry as defined by the Hernandez climate classification—the dry months are from October to May. The southernmost portion in Cervantes is wet with rain evenly distributed throughout the year while the southeastern part of Sugpon receives less precipitation. The rainy season arrives in August while January and February have the lowest precipitation. The mean temperature in the province is . January is the coldest.
Administrative divisions
Ilocos Sur comprises 32 municipalities and 2 component cities, which are organized into two legislative districts. There are a total of 768 barangays in the province.
Barangays
The 32 municipalities and 2 cities of the province comprise a total of 768 , with Puro in Magsingal as the most populous in 2010, and Montero in Banayoyo as the least.
Demographics
According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 706,009 people, with a density of .
The 1960 census lists 338,058 people; 64,446 dwelling units of which 2,974 are lighted with electricity; 3227 provided with radio; 7379 served with pipe water; 25,137 served with artesian and pumped water; and 310 using electricity, kerosene and gas for cooking.
Inhabitants
Ilocos Sur is inhabited mostly by Ilocano people belonging to the third largest ethnic group of Austronesian origin. A Spanish chronicler wrote that "the people are very simple, domestic and peaceful, large of body and very strong. "They are highly civilized. They are a most clean race, especially the women in their homes which they keep very neat and clean."
Miguel de Loarca records around 1582 that the Ilocanos are intelligent as the Zambaleños for they are farmers. The main occupation of the people is agriculture.
Father Juan de Medina noted in 1630 that the natives are 'the humblest and most tractable known and lived in nest and large settlements'.
Language
Ilocano language is the main language of the native majority in the province, with neighboring La Union recognized it as an official language since 2012.
Religion
The province is predominantly Roman Catholic with 75% of population adherence. Aglipayan Church is also a considerable a minority with a 5% adherence. Other religious beliefs are represented by other Christian Churches such as Baptist and Iglesia ni Cristo wherein the largest minority has 80 plus lokal or kapilyas and barangay chapels built in the province with 8% adherence as of the mid year 2024 the church has 2 subdivided districts(Candon City and Ilocos Sur In Northern portion) in the province , Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, and other Evangelical Christians, as well as Muslims.
Economy
Products and industries
The people are engaged in farming, producing food crops, mostly rice, corn, vegetable, root crops, and fruits. Non-food crops include tobacco, cotton, and tigergrass. Cottage industries include loom weaving, furniture making, jewelry making, ceramics, blacksmithing, and food processing.
Agriculture
Ilocos Sur's economy is agrarian, but its of unfertile land is not enough to support a population of 338,579.
Agricultural crops such as rice, corn tobacco and fruit trees dominate their farm industries. Secondary crops are camote and cassava, sugar cane and onions.
The rapidly growing population, the decreasing fertility of the soil, and the long period between the planting and harvesting season, have forced the people to turn to manufacture and trade. Many Ilocanos go to the Cagayán valley, Central Plains and Mindanao to sell Ilocano woven cloth.
Virginia leaf tobacco is still a premier cash crop, after a windfall brought about by the Tobacco Subsidy Law authored by Congressman Floro Crisologo in 1964,
Weaving is the most extensive handicraft, once bolstered by the installation of the NDC Textile Mills in Narvacan which supplied the weavers with yarn.
Other industries are burnay and slipper making in Vigan, furniture, cabinet, and statue making in San Vicente, mortar and pestle making in San Esteban, and bolo making in Santa.
Infrastructure
Electricity
All municipalities in Ilocos Sur are electrified, courtesy of the Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO).
Education
Ilocos Sur has 547 public schools including five general high schools, one university, one agricultural college and 56 private schools, 16 of which are Catholic.
Culture
The Ilocos Sur Museum, founded on August 22, 1970, has a collection of cultural treasures which include art include paintings, centuries-old sculptures, pieces of carved furniture, and relics of Spanish European and Chinese cultures that had influenced Ilocano life for centuries.
Chapters of Philippine history and religion are found in the Crisólogo collections which includes family heirlooms, centuries –old "santos" (religious statuettes made of wood or ivory), other ivory images, Vienna furniture, marble-topped tables, ancient-carved beds, rare Chinese porcelains, jars and jarlettes, lamps, Muslim brass wares, and Spanish and Mexican coins.
The Syquia collections, including then President Elpidio Quirino's memorabilia, vie in quality with the Crisólogo collections. But in the midst of a fire scare in Vigan in the late 1908s and 1990s, the relics in the Syquia Mansion were transferred to Manila for safekeeping.
UNESCO Recognitions in Ilocos Sur
UNESCO has inscribed two Ilocos Sur sites in the World Heritage List.
Heritage City of Vigan
In 1999, the Heritage City of Vigan was inscribed in the World Heritage List. UNESCO describes the site as:
"Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia."
Santa Maria Basilica
In 1993, the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, containing 4 properties, was inscribed in the World Heritage List. One of the properties was the Santa Maria Church of Ilocos Sur. UNESCO describes, "the unique architectural style of is a reinterpretation of European Baroque by Chinese and Philippine craftsmen."
Notable people from Ilocos Sur
-
Leona Florentino, an Ilocana foundational poet, dramatist, satirist, and playwright who is also known as the Mother of Philippine Women's Literature and honored in France, Spain, and the United States.
[Mabanglo, R. E. (2020). Leona Florentino: Mother of Filipina poetry. Philippine Graphic.]
-
Sixto Brillantes, 21st chairman of Commission on Elections
-
Pedro Bucaneg, poet and the "Father of Ilocano literature"
-
José Burgos, priest and one of the martyrs of Gomburza
-
Marcelino Crisólogo, Filipino politician, poet, writer, and playwright.
-
William Dar, 45th Secretary of Agriculture, and horticulturist
-
Isabelo de los Reyes, prominent Philippines patriot, politician, writer and labor activist, founder of the Philippine Independent Church (an independent Philippine nationalist church). He is known as the "Father of Philippine Folklore", the "Father of the Philippine Labor Movement",
-
Jose L. de Ocampo, Filipino architect and artist.
-
Krishnah Gravidez, Miss World Philippines 2024, from Santiago, Ilocos Sur
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Leopoldo Jaucian, Filipino people Catholic bishop
-
Leon C. Pichay, writer and poet, "King of Ilocano Poets" during the 50s.
-
Jose Ping-ay, Filipino politician and founder of Ilocos Sur Cooperative Bank
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Alan Purisima, 17th Chief of the Philippine National Police
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Elpidio Quirino, 6th President of the Philippines, 2nd Vice President of the Philippines
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Nestor Redondo, Filipino comics artist
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Virgilio Redondo, Filipino comics artist
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Abraham Sarmiento, 119th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
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Gabriela Silang, revolutionary leader, best known as the first female leader of a Filipino movement for independence from Spain
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Jose Maria Sison, Founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines
-
Philip Vera Cruz, Filipino American labor leader, farmworker, and leader in the Asian American movement
-
Alfredo Verzosa, Filipino people Catholic bishop and was venerated as a Servant of God in the Catholic Church
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