Cultural Analysis of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur
STA. CATALINA, ILOCOS
SUR
Brief Historical Background &
Profile
The town of
Sta. Catalina in the province of Ilocos Sur is located along the coastline of
the East China Sea, bounded on the north by the Municipality of San Vicente, on
the west by the vast China Sea, on the south and east by the City of Vigan
which is the capital of Ilocos Sur.
The town’s history has been gleaned from all available
sources, written as well as unrecorded information regarding the origin and
founding of the town. After the discovery of Ciudad Fernandina, now known as
Vigan City, the capital town of Nueva Segovia, the Spanish expeditionary forces
sought for further conquest. Going westward, they came upon the sand dunes of
Mindoro and Pantay (Vigan City) overlooking the Govantes River that serves as
the natural boundary of Vigan and Sta. Catalina, from there they noticed a
small island lying across the river. Crossing the river with rafts, they landed
at a place called “Cabittaogan”, so called because of the abundance and
luxuriant growth of certain species of a tree called “palomaria” or “bitaog” in
local dialect.
Reaching Cabittaogan, the Spanish Forces planted a big wooden
cross at the exact location where they rested. The Cross is primarily a symbol
of Christianity that marks the Christianization of the inhabitants as well as a
symbol of conquering the place. No documentary material could be found to show
the exact date as to when the Cross was planted. However, the fact remains that
the Cross still stands at exactly the same spot where it was originally planted
centuries ago, and this can be seen right in front of the main gate of the
Cabittaogan Elementary School.
In their desire for further conquest, the Spanish
expeditionary forces proceeded northward, and came upon a spring just west of
the place where the present Catholic Church of the town now stands. The Spanish
soldiers took turns in drinking the water from the spring. Just as their leader
was about to drink, there was an apparition, whom the oldest soldier among the
group recognized to be that of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. From that time on,
the places was named as Sta. Catalina, in honor of Sait Catherine who had been
chosen as the Patron Saint. The water from the above-mentioned spring was told
from generations to generation to have some kind of a miraculous healing power.
The Spaniards and the inhabitants as well, valued the spring so much that they
built the Catholic Church, one of the remaining vestiges of the Spanish rule in
the country. Up to the latter part of the 16th century, Sta.
Catalina was a part of Ciudad Fernandina, founded by Juan Salcedo, the grandson
of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The other towns that are originally part of Ciudad
Fernandina were San Vicente and Caoayan.
It was only in 1795 that the late Bishop Juan Ruiz made Sta
Catalina a parish. There was no assigned Parish Priest then, so the clergy of
Ciudad Fernadina did the administration. Seeing that the parish could well
stand on its own, the next Bishop, Most Rev. Pedro Blacquier, appointed Fr.
Manuel de los Reyes as a Parish Priest in 1800. At the beginning, there were
only over 3,000 inhabitants who by nature are highly religious. The people were
fond of remembering their dead that in 1837 the “Gofradia delas Almas Benditas
del Purgatorio” was established.
Cultural Analysis of
Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur
Values and Attitudes
The municipality is dubbed as the “Vegetable Bowl of the
North.” This goes to show that the municipality is rich in agricultural
produced; the richness of the soil is actually the source of living to most of
its residents. Around 74% of the town’s land area is utilized for crop
production.
A 79-year-old farmer from Barangay Tamorong .
The agricultural practices were passed by generations to
generation evolving their products from vegetables, banana crops until the
introduction of high value vegetables such as onion, sweet pepper, cauliflower,
cabbage and tomato. The introduction of high value vegetables in the town in
the 1960s made improvements to the different aspects in the practices of the
people. The town was able to position itself as the alternative source of high
value vegetables which are commonly produced in the Cordilleras. The farmers
during that time were able to send more of their children to schools and later
produced more professionals in the next generations.
A cabbage locally known as repolyo waiting to be harvested.
Now, organic farming is being introduced by the Municipal
Agriculture Office in order to eliminate or at least minimize the use of
pesticides and commercial fertilizers.
The aspirations of its people to improve the quality of life
and their family lead to a vast number of those who works abroad. A number of
Catalinians (how the people of the town identified themselves) have migrated or
are working in some states in the US, Canada, Italy, Spain, Australia, Middle
East and some Asian Countries.
A number of its people are also engaged in manufacturing,
mining, quarrying, wholesale and retail business, transportation, real estate
and other business services. The town is also the home of a number of
professionals and skilled workers serving and working different companies and
organizations either locally, in other parts of the country and abroad.
The quality of life of the residents can be measured in terms
of their status of well-being in relation to certain acceptable or desired
standards, as well as the level of social services that are made available to
them. Indicators of well-being includes health, education, social welfare,
housing, employment and income, recreation and protective services; and that
majority of the people of this town believes that all of these are made
available for them. Evidently, the National Statistical Coordination Board
(NSCB) classified all the barangays of the town as “urban” – the only town in
Ilocos Sur attained such. In 2006, the poverty incidence of the town is 7.9
percent which is one of the lowest in the entire Region 1, 2, 3 and CAR.
In general, the people of the town are dreamers and
hardworking individuals who give importance to family and the oneness of the
community.
Education
Personally, I can say that the people in Sta. Catalina value
education and believe that this will help them in reaching their dreams and
attaining their goals in life and for their family. It is taught in most home
that parents are working hard either in abroad, farming, business, and other in
other professions for them to send their children to school. Parents make a lot
of sacrifices just to see their children earned a diploma. From my own personal
experience, both my parents have to do farming and public works just to send me
and my four other siblings to school. Now, all the five of us were able to earn
our bachelors degree and now working in to different fields.
The Gabaldon Building which serves as the facade of the first public school in the town.
Primary and secondary education is very accessible to the
nine barangays in our town. There are ten day care centers that cater the early
educational development of pre-schoolers. There are seven elementary schools
namely the Sta. Catalina Central School which caters the residents of barangay
Poblacion and Sinabaan; Cabuloan Elementary School for barangay Cabuloan
residents, Pangada – Cabaroan Elementary School for residents of barangay
Pangada and Cabaroan; Bernardo P. Ragasa Elementary School for barangay
Tamorong residents; Paratong Elemetary School; Cabittaogan Elementary School
and Calawaan Elementary School for the residents of Sitio Calawaan. In the
secondary level, there is one public and private high school. However, there is
no school in the town that offers senior high school, senior high schools
students are enrolled to public and private schools and in a public university
in Vigan City which is only a minute’s away drive from the town.
A number of elementary and high school students from the town
are also enrolled to different private schools around Metro Vigan. College and
other professional degrees are taken in Vigan City and in other colleges and
universities in parts of the country.
The residents are also educated, informed and entertained
through the media. A number of AM and FM radio stations is clearly heard in the
town, television channels can be access either on aerial (antenna) or by cable
subscriptions and prints media materials are also widely accessible. Being a
part of the Metro Vigan makes the town enjoyed a good internet connection which
is also becoming a way to search for information to many.
Social Organizations
The Municipality of Sta. Catalina has a total household
population of Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Four (13,184) and Two
Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Three (2,733) number of households as of 2007
distributed in nine barangays. It is noted that of the total population, the
number of male and female residents are almost in the same bracket. There are
6,711 male and 6, 573 female.
The sports-oriented youth of the town.
For the past elections in decades, it has been noted that the
voting public has been dramatically divided politically in support to certain
candidates. It has been a reason for some families and even in neighbourhood to
have their relationship tainted because of the strong political rivalry not by
the politicians but by the voters. The people are fanatics of their leaders.
Nevertheless, the people are considered active participants
in local governance. There are a number of organizations representing different
sectors such as the farmers, fishermen, tricycle drivers, youth, women, LGBT
community, senior citizens, retirees, religious servers and some others. The
municipality passed an ordinance to legally allow operations of such
organization through an accreditation. These organizations are given privileges
to participate in the local development planning and institutional capability.
This local institutional capability review pertains to the actual and potential
ability of the townspeople to plan for and manage the pattern of development of
their community. The planning focuses on the municipal government and touches
the opportunities available for non-governmental and people’s organizations in
their participation in local governance.
The women in the municipality plays a vital role in different
non-government and peoples organizations and some are elected as local
officials serving as Sanggunian Bayan Members. But it is interesting to note
that up to this date no woman has been elected as Municipal Mayor, except in
the appointment of one after the EDSA revolution. During the May, 2016
elections a woman ran but failed to win; a manifestation that the municipality
is not yet ready to be under the leadership of a woman. This may also be
attributed to an old belief that only the Patron Saint of the town should only
be the woman leader for the people, and that the political leadership should be
with the men.
Technology and
Material Culture
Being a part of the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council which is
the heart of the province of Ilocos Sur, the municipality of Sta. Catalina
enjoys the privilege and access to technological advancement and services. High
speed internet service and telecommunication signal is being enjoyed in the
locality. This is a manifestation why a number of its people like other places
in the parts of the world continue to give importance to the accessibility and
portability of mobile and smart phones as an integral part of daily life. A
telephone service is also available.
A sample of a tricycle plate franchise in the town.
Tricycle is the common means of transportation for the
commuting public. A tricycle driver or an operator applies for a franchise
before it can operate around the municipality and another franchise to operate
in Vigan City and the adjacent towns. Before, tricycle designs in the town are
usually made of stainless making it more attractive but it was later converted
into multi-colour designs in accordance with Vigan City of not allowing
stainless tricycle in the City streets to avoid accidents. A tricycle fare from
Sta. Catalina going to Vigan is cost to PhP 12.00 to PhP 15.00 for regular
passengers and PhP 10.00 pesos for students and senior citizens. A number of
the residents owned a car and motorcycle as their means of transportation.
Sta. Catalina being an urban municipality is fully energized,
making the life of its people easier and comfortable. In 2016, as a support in
the promotion of alternative source of energy the town converted some of its
street lights into solar lights.
Law and Politics
Like any other local government units in the country, the
local government of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur has felt and undergone as many as
political changes which may be grouped into five distinct periods, namely: The
Spanish Period (1723-1900); The American Period (1901 – 1935); The Commonwealth
Government (1935-1945); The Japanese Occupation (1941-1945); and the Birth of
the Philippine Republic from July 4, 1946 to present.
After the founding of the town, the Spaniards took charge of
the administration and in 1723, the first Gobernadorcillo was appointed in the
name of Benedicto Gorospe. For less than two centuries, the town was under the
influence and leadership of the Spaniards.
Presently, the municipal administration is under the
leadership of Mayor Rapanut, a businessman and a Certified Public Accountant by
profession and serving his 1st term as mayor of the municipality.
The municipality is one of the few remaining towns in Ilocos
Sur that is not under the control of a political clan. In the previous
election, there was attempt for the former Mayor who is ending his term to
expand their power by letting his wife to succeed him; but the people rejected
the idea saying the family is starting to create their own dynasty.
As discussed under Social Organizations, the people of Sta.
Catalina are dramatically divided during election period in showing their
support to certain political candidates.
Majority of the local ordinances and resolutions enacted by
the Sangguanian Bayan are focused for the betterment of the agriculture sector
and the farmers, health sector, peace and security, education, environmental
protection and the fast delivery of social services to the people.
One of the most controversial local laws passed was the act
strongly prohibiting any kind of mining activity on and off shores. Black sand
and gold are known to be present in the town specifically in the coastal area.
In 2008, the people strongly opposed the mining operation in the coastal areas
of the town that the national government then approves.
Presently, an ordinance imposing a curfew is being
deliberated.
The municipality remains to be a 3rd class.
Aesthetics
The town of Sta. Catalina being a coastal municipality boast
the beauty of its sea and the sand dunes in its premise.
Sta. Catalina beach
The farming activities and the product of its people are
being promoted in the agricultural tourism program.
The 16th century Catholic Church is also becoming
a favourite among pilgrims not just because of the miraculous intercession of
Saint Catherine of Alexandria but also with the preserved baroque architecture
of the church. One of the few remaining 18th century bell is also
publicly displayed in the premise of the church. Several century-old saint
statues are also under the depository of the church. The main image of the
patron saint displayed in the church altar is made up of ivory; the original
head of the statue was stolen sometime in the 90s and was never recovered.
Even up to now, “Komedya” a period play that depicts the
lives of Christians and Non – Christians is becoming an additional attraction,
a cultural heritage which is passed through generations. The official website
of Sta. Catalina wrote “An oral tradition states that there was a year where,
for some reason, the residents of Sta. Catalina were not able to perform the
KOMEDYA. For this, they attribute the seas becoming rough and violent. It is
said that after that incident, the residents never again would let another year
pass without performing the KOMEDYA.” This is performed on the 25th
of November, the feast day of the town’s patron saint.
A number of big houses and mansions can also be found in the
town as result of the overseas migration of Sta. Catalina residents for decades
now.
The beauty and appreciation to Sta. Catalina and its people
is briefly narrated in the town’s hymn.
The hymn
states:
There is a place of beauty
Beside the deep blue sea
A place of peace and order
That gives your heart a cheer
Somewhere there west of Vigan
That watches the setting sun
Come see the place of beauty
Beside the deep blue sea
Oh won’t you come and see her
Sta. Catalina
See the people friendly
Contented and gay
Don’t forget Sta. Catalina
A place of love and joy
Forget not Sta. Catalina
Wherever you may go
The present administration is planning to conduct a cultural
mapping to identify and document additional cultural heritage and traditions of
the people and the town.
Language
Ilocano is the predominant dialect spoken by almost 99% of
the household constituency; this is because almost all of the residents are of
the Ilokano lineal descent. Aside from Ilokano, there are also other language
being spoken by some residents that includes B’laan (4), Hamtikanon (5), Isinai
(3), Kankanaey (6), Rombloanon (1), Tagalog (52) and Waray (3). These are the
ones who migrated in the town either through marriage or work
opportunities.
Like any other language, often Ilocano is being mixed with
Filipino and English in conversational cases especially among the youth. This
trend might result in the decline in the use of pure Ilocano language by the
new generations. Through the inclusion of a mother tongue subject in the
elementary grades, it is hoped that the proper orthography of the Ilocano
language will be instructed properly to the youth and eventually will be passed
to the next of many generations.
There is also a challenge in the promotions of the Ilocano
literature, the education sector in the town is
making an effort to discuss to the young generations different literary works of Ilocano writers. By this, the assurance of preserving the Ilocano identity will be guarded.
The author of this blog doing an interview for TV Patrol Ilocos, a newscast that uses Ilokano as medium.
making an effort to discuss to the young generations different literary works of Ilocano writers. By this, the assurance of preserving the Ilocano identity will be guarded.
The author of this blog doing an interview for TV Patrol Ilocos, a newscast that uses Ilokano as medium.
Local AM radio and television stations also uses Ilocano
language in their broadcast, this may also help in the easy and comprehensible
information dissemination, education as well as language promotion.
Firth McEachern wrote on his blog entitled from a non-Ilocano
with PASSION to save the Ilocano language he commented that “from social
perspective, it is our collective responsibility to preserve the culture and
language of each region for the benefit of Filipino heritage. It is partly the
responsibility of newcomers to learn the local language, and it is also the
responsibility of the locals to helps newcomers learn it.” He added that “we
should all enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to teach and learn the
vernacular, as an expression of cultural respect and exchange.”
Religion
The present view of the Roman Catholic Church in Sta. Catalina.
The long span of years of Spanish Colonization brought and
left a tangible Christian Formation with the majority of the Filipinos as
almost 90% are Christians and this is obviously manifested in the town of Sta.
Catalina. The Spanish Expeditionary Forces who name the town Sta. Catalina in
honour of St. Catherine of Alexandria who they claimed to have appeared at the
exact site of the present Church likewise made an enormous contribution to the
development of Catholicism and about 98% of the constituents adhere to this
dominant religion in the municipality. Other religious sects includes: Aglipay
(25), Iglesia Ni Cristo (128), and United Church of Christ in the Philippines
(12), Jehovah’s Witness (28), Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association
(14), Seventh Day Adventist (3), Born Again Christians (10), and Bible Baptist
(5). The aforesaid data confirms that Sta. Catalina is a religious community
with a Supreme Being as an inherent part of their living.
The people of the town are highly religious that even up to
now follows practices and traditions about religious beliefs. In some occasions
like birthday, death anniversary, christening, graduation and the like are
celebrated or commemorated first with a novena. A 9-day novena is also observed
in the wake of dead family member. Feast day of different saints are also
commemorated with a mass and a procession. SISA or Simbaan Sangkarubaan is also
organized in each barangays that promotes the teachings of the Catholic Church
in community gatherings; to make this more personal one barangay is usually
divided to several SISA’s headed by a SISA leader who leads the bible sharing,
novena and all other religious activities.
Meanwhile, the other religious sects are also active to their
gatherings and practices, like Iglesia Ni Krito’s block voting during
elections.
http://stacatalina.org/
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