San Ildefonso Ilocos Sur Philippines

ETYMOLOGY of San Ildefonso

During the Spanish era, a small community in Northern Luzon was formed. The people composing this community then could not give a proper name to the place. Arguing on how and what to name it, some dwellers that were living near the Bantaoay River saw a big wooden box in the water. They got and opened the box, and saw inside an engraved statue of San Ildefonso. They carried the statue and decided that they call the community “San Ildefonso”. In his honor, the people decided to make him the Patron Saint of the place, and an annual town fiesta celebration is held every January 23 in this town, the day when the image is found.

CREATION

San Ildefonso was established during the Spanish era in the year 1625. By virtue of an Executive Order in 1901 annexing smaller towns to the adjacent bigger once, San Ildefonso was annexed as a barrio to Santo Domingo. Through the help of the late President Elpidio Quirino, then an assemblyman, San Ildefonso was again made a separate town in 1920.

Since the beginning of its existence up to the present, San Ildefonso is a predominantly agricultural area. Rice, tabacco, vegetables and rootcrops are raised by farmers.

1.3 Socio-Cultural Development

San Ildefonso is inhabited by Christians who are mostly Ilocano, and few tagalogs, Pangasinans, Bicolanos and Visayas who migrated to the municipality through inter-marriages. Although the people are of different group,they are basically, industrious and hardworking. Most of whom are farmers. Education is of paramount importance of the people. The parents are willing to spend to provide education to their children because they adheres to the principle that the best heritage a parent can give to his children is education. People of the town are also gregarious and sociable to the extent that majority of the people know each other. They share each other joys and sorrows. In fact, during occasion like birthdays, death anniversaries/mourning, parties, Christmas and fiestas, people usually pay courtesy calls, attend and render assistance materially, physically, or financially to/with families. In other words, there is unity and cooperation among residents.