Currimao Ilocos Norte Philippines
History of Currimao
Because Currimao is the only navigable part of Ilocos Norte, the
early settlement of the place which was then a barrio of the town of Paoay could
be traced back as early as the later part or the 19th century. Traders in the
port sold or bartered their goods with those of the few inhabitants.
Permanent settlement in the place actually began in 1865 when the Compania
General de Tabacos de Filipinas inaugurated its trade line between Manila and
Apani, thus making Currimao an intermediate port. The creation of
Currimao in 1869 as a permanent storehouse of the Compania greatly
contributed to the growth of this town. Many people from Paoay, Batac and some
towns of Ilocos Sur,who were originally peddling and trading with the
inhabitants of Currimao, wanted to live in the place permanently. Among the
descendants of the early settlers are the members of the Quiamas, Aglipay,
Ginman, Hurtado, Guerrero, and Quitoriano families.
Currimao became a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 59 issued
by the then Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison on December 28, 1920. It
was inaugurated, therefore, on Anuary 21, 1921 with the late Julian Aglipay as
the first Municipal President
The town came to being through the joint petition of the Union Obrem and the
people of the barrios of Currimao (Pias, Gaang, Maglaoi, and Pangil) which are
now its integral parts.
Origin of its Name
During the Spanish regime, when the Galleon Trade Was still flourishing, Moro
pirates frequented the coast of the China Sea. To protect the natives from these
pirates, the Spanish authorities built two watchtowers at two strategic points,
one at the tip of what is now called Arboledan Point and the other at Tone.
Whenever pirates appeared on the horizon to attack the villages, the people
manning the watchtowers warned the people by shouting correr which means "to
run." As soon as the natives heard the shouts, they would hide to save
themselves. During those times, the pirates were known among the natives as
Cumaws, a name which struck fear and terror among the people.
It was from these two words that the name Currimao was derived.
