Pasuquin

Pasuquin
Municipality

Seal

Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of Pasuquin
Pasuquin

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 18°20′N 120°37′E / 18.333°N 120.617°E / 18.333; 120.617Coordinates: 18°20′N 120°37′E / 18.333°N 120.617°E / 18.333; 120.617
Country Philippines
Region Ilocos (Region I)
Province Ilocos Norte
District 1st District
Barangays 33
Government[1]
 • Mayor Felix Dancel Aguinaldo Jr.
Area[2]
 • Total 210.54 km2 (81.29 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 27,952
 • Density 130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2917
Dialing code 77
Income class 3rd class; rural

Pasuquin is a third class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 27,952 people.[3]

Pasuquin is a farming and fishing area. As of the mid-1990s, the principal local crops were rice, for home consumption, and garlic, much of which is exported to Taiwan.

Pasuquin is noted for its colorful culture and rich history. During the Spanish regime, the gobernadorcillos came mostly from de Lunas family. With the birth of the Philippines Republic came the dominance of the Aguinaldos in its political component to the birth of budding public servants, artists, and civil advocates.

Geography

Barangays

Pasuquin is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.[2]

  • Batuli (San Isidro)
  • Binsang
  • Nalvo (Cababaan/Nalvo)
  • Caruan (Tulnagan)
  • Carusikis
  • Carusipan
  • Dadaeman
  • Darupidip
  • Davila
  • Dilanis
  • Dilavo
  • Estancia
  • Naglicuan
  • Nagsanga
  • Ngabangab
  • Pangil
  • Poblacion 1
  • Poblacion 2
  • Poblacion 3
  • Poblacion 4
  • Pragata (Pragata-Bungro)
  • Puyupuyan
  • Sulongan
  • Salpad (Salpad-Calumbuyan)
  • San Juan
  • Santa Catalina
  • Santa Matilde
  • Sapat
  • Sulbec
  • Surong
  • Susugaen (Cababaan-Surgui)
  • Tabungao
  • Tadao

Details of Barangays

Estancia: (Summer Capital of Pasuquin. Known for the locals for its scenic Sexy Beach and its refreshing halo halo <shakes>, and pork barbecue available just at the National Road)

Naglicuan: (Botanical Garden of Pasuquin. From the simple sampaguita to the high breed euphorbia & orchids, Naglicuan has evolved from a simple agricultural barangay to a profit-oriented plant breeding and propagation community). Nagsanga

Ngabangab: (Home of the back 2 back champion basketball 2007-2008)

Poblacion 1: It is the central part of the municipality(Houses the Municipal Hall, the ABC Hall, the Rural Health Unit, the Pasuquin Central Elementary School both East & West Campuses, the Arch of Liberty, Seventh-day Adventist Churches, the Roman Catholic, and the Church of Our Saviour, and the rests of the town plaza. It is also where the Saint James Academy is located. Produced Dr. Felix Aguinaldo Sr. (†) as Municipal Mayor, having the longest term in the history of the town, his son Present Town Mayor Oscar D. Aguinaldo, and his grandsons Oscar Ryan Aguinaldo first elected SK chairman and Ex-Officio member of the Municipal Council of Pasuquin and Bheng Aguinaldo (†) who was elected as the youngest Barangay Chairman in Pasuquin, but died in a car accident before taking his oath of office, Maj. Severo Domingo, Former Municipal Board Member and his betterhalf Dr. Carmen Domingo (†), Former President of the Senior Citizen, and their son Dr. Polly Domingo, among others).

Poblacion 2 (Most Outstanding Barangay 2004-2005. Known for its over a decade "Rambac ti Daya". Among its proud sons are Don Basilio Aguinaldo (†), first ever Presidente del Barrio <Municipal Mayor Equivalent> of Pasuquin, his great grandson Leonel Paet Aguinaldo, the youngest ever Barangay Councilman-Elect in the history of the 33 Barangays composing the town, Felix Josue (†), former OIC-Mayor, Felix "Peter" Aguinaldo Jr., Former Barangay Chairman and a Present Member of the Municipal Board, Dr. Alfredo Regidor Jr., Former Vice Mayor & Present Member of the Municipal Board, Ret. US Navy Martin Doctor and his better half Ms. Leticia Caldito-Doctor, Former SB Members; Dr. Rolando Dumlao, Municipal Health Officer, and his father Herminio Dumlao, former Barangay Chairman, Hon. Elpidio Ratuita, DILG Provincial Director, Dir. Thelma Dumlao-del Castillo, CHED Central Office OPPRI Chief, Dr. Elizabeth Arquillo, Dr. Tito Jaramillo, Former Municipal Board Member; Dr. Anderson Lazo, Engrs. Venson & Victor Salud, Engr. Allan Miguel, Engr. Neil Ratuita, the three Lady Barangay Chairpersons Isabel Dumalag, Ethelene Valdez-Aguinaldo, and Elnora Dalida-Caldito Rev. Jonathan Salud, among others. Also known for its Sentinella Hills, Nagrebcan & Magararay Rice Fields, and the existence of the Oldest Church in the town, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. It is also where the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College, and the Town's Commercial Center are located).

Poblacion 3 (Barangay "Biscocho", simply for making the best tasting biscochos in the entire province. their product is patronized as far as the Islands of Hawaii, Mainland USA, and other parts of the world. It houses one of the three existing secondary schools in town-the Pasuquin Academy. Also known for its great contribution in the Sunflower Festival. Among its famous brains are Atty. Macario Arquillo, former Vice Mayor & Provincial Board Member, and Ms. Jovy Cariaga-Lavarias of the PCSO Main Office).

Poblacion 4 (Houses the cleanest slaughter house in the entire province. Known for its Baldi Bridge that connects downtown Pasuquin to the rural & coastal barangays of the town. Among its geniuses are Lt. Francis Dancel, Vice Mayor Rodolfo Valdez, former Barangay Chairman Armando Aguinaldo, and Accountants Arvin Tambio, Lester Gacho and Jomar Onnagan.

Pragata (Pragata-Bungro). Known for its relaxing, scenic views of the beach and farms, Pragats is a well-loved barangay going north-west of the Poblacion.

Puyupuyan (Known for its groto and the apparition in the late 80s and early 90s, Puyupuyan is one of the best Summer destinations in the town. With the presence of the ship wrecked believed to have been sank during the 1940s, the seashore just made it perfect for tourists for a great souvenir shot)

Demographics

Population census of Pasuquin
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 21,410—    
1995 23,027+1.37%
2000 24,739+1.55%
2007 26,307+0.85%
2010 27,952+2.23%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][4]

Local government

As of the term 2013-2016, these are the elected officials of Pasuquin:

Government seal

Shield, derived from the Provincial Seal of Ilocos Norte

Rice, Fish and Garlic, represent the major sources of income of the municipality

Salt Making, during off-season, people resort to salt making thereby increasing the income of the townspeople

Fieldspar Deposit, represent the town’s big deposit of fieldspar- a non-metallic mineral.

Attractions

Festivals

Panagsana Festival

It is the most known festival in Pasuquin. “Panagsana” is the Ilocano term used for this old-aged occupation. It means salt making, customarily done during summer and became the leading industry among the coastal folks in the municipality. The festival is annually celebrated on december during the town fiesta. Usually celebrated with street dances during the 29th of December, participated by the 8 clustered Barangays. Then, after, a showdown is held showcasing the history, legends, the beautiful Pasuquin, and the Traditional Salt Making.

The Sunflower Festival

Pasuquin town is noted worldwide for the Sunflower Festival, an annual drag (costume)pageantry. It was organized in 1975 by a group of gay men who call themselves the Sunflowers, and attracts a large audience from the surrounding countryside. The name Sunflower was conceptualized because of its bright and attractive yellow color. The petals of the sunflower always follows the direction of the sun and it relates to a gay life being multi talented and truly excels in fields of expertise.

As to the imperative need to preserve, develop and promote the Ilocano way of celebrating the Santacruzan, the Sunflower Organization of Pasuquin formally showcased the very first Gay Stacruzan Festival in May 1975. The association grew from year to year. More members evolved and the association became an instant toast. Part of the goal of the organization is to develop camaraderie among gay population of Pasuquin; more specifically to develop and discover young talents in the field of Performing Arts; to develop gays to be more responsible and useful citizens in their own field of endeavor.

An American film, Sunflowers (1996), directed by Shawn Hainsworth, an Independent U.S. Film Director, has made the Sunflower Festival internationally known. The film garnered critics recognition in the 1997 Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and other Film festivals in North America.

Members of the Sunflower are all professionals - doctors, nurses, musicians, teachers, engineers, accountants, lawyers, marines, naval officers, Federal employees, beauticians, morticians, couturiers, businessmen, interior designers and writers. Members who are residents in Pasuquin are mostly teachers, beauticians and businessmen.

Sunflower members are also active in participation of the annual town fiesta in December, the Mayflower festivities and religious celebrations like Holy Week. Indeed, they may be gay but they are truly and undoubtedly assets to the community.

The Rambac ti Daya Festival

Poblacion 2 or better known as Dos, with almost 2,000 population annually celebrates the "RAMBAC ti DAYA" as a feast of thanksgiving to the Almighty Creator for bountiful harvests.. The unpredictable weather makes this event very surprising, as May is known to be the first month of the year with heavy rains..

Started in 1992 through a Municipal Ordinance, Poblacion Dos is known to be the pioneer barangay to come up with a barangay fiesta title-RAMBAC TI DAYA. This festivity culminates on the first two days of May, but usually preceded by an inter-zonal basketball tournament that runs for two to four weeks sponsored by the Sangguniang Kabataan..

One of the highlights of the festival is the community night, in which Barangay residents, local and foreign visitors gather together at the barangay plaza known as "Plaza Murit", for merry-making through community KTV, beer drinking, exchanging goodies, reuniting with good old folk, and simply enjoying and sharing abundant blessings.

The festival ends on the second day of May. A thanksgiving mass is offered in the first hour of the morning, followed by a motorists' parade downtown. After the motorcade, various Palarong Nayon are played by children and adult residents alike, where big prizes are at stake.

At night, the festival ends with a Sagalas/Santa Cruzan, a tribute to Queen Elena on her way to the Holy Cross. The Flores de Mayo parades young kids as they are dressed in their respective personas.

In the Flores De Mayo program, the Gawad Rambac ti Daya, Most Outstanding Anak ti Dos is awarded to the most deserving resident that made great impact and unsurmounted selfless contributions through civil service, social work, religious, and human rights advocacy, and youth and sports development.

The Dumadara Festival

An annual fluvial parade festival started by the Davileneos, particularly the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Francis of Asisi. Davila is a coastal barangay of Pasuquin, and their main harvest is dumadara (a certain fish). They associated the festival to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom the Month of May is dedicated, as a thanksgiving for a bountiful fishing. Fisherfolks from Davila are made to decorate their bangkas (boats) for the fluvial parade. There are many activities hold also during the festival like boat race, and eating delectable grilled fish (Dumadara)with the guests.

Holy Week Celebration

The coastal town of Pasuquin celebrates its Holy Week with much religiosity and solemnity. The celebration starts on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and ends on Easter Sunday (Domingo de Pascua). Each year, townspeople from all walks of life come together to celebrate the Most Holy Passion and Death of our Lord.

There are a total of 3 processions during Holy Week in St. James the Greater Parish, Pasuquin's Roman Catholic Church. The Holy Tuesday procession, better known as "Estacion General", Good Friday (the Holy Burial) and Easter Sunday (the "Encuentro" or "Sabet" in Ilocano). The processional images are enthroned in their respective carozzas with floral arrangements and elaborate lighting fixtures.

During Good Fridays, the "Stabat Mater" in Latin is sung by a long array of "cantoras" (townspeople) following the Santo Entierro (Dead Christ). Pasuquin is the only remaining town in Ilocos that practices this beautiful tradition/heritage handed by its forebears. The singing of the "Stabat Mater" in Pasuquin has been in existence for more than a century.

References

  1. ↑ "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Province: ILOCOS NORTE". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "Province of Ilocos Norte". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
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