San Vicente Ilocos Sur Philippines

History of San Vicente

In tracing the history of San Vicente, one always has to start from Vigan. Vigan was established by the Spanish colonizer, Juan de Salcedo on June 13, 1573 up to 1582, there were only 800 residents.

Upon Salcedo’s return in 1574, he brought with them the Augustinian friars in order to teach Christianity to the inhabitants. After Salcedo’s death in March 11, 1576, Franciscan friars replaced the Augustinians in the year 1579. These same friars spread up to San Vicente to convert the people to the Catholic faith.

In 1591, Vigan was already an organized form of government, which included the barrios of Tuanong, Sta. Catalina de Baba and Caoayan. There were then a population numbering about 4,000 inhabitants.

Between the years 1720 and 1737, the first chapel of Barrio Tuanong was erected. Later in 1748, the Confraternity of Jesus of Nazareth was organized. In one record of the Vigan Convent Archives, a funeral that happened on January 29, 1748 at the Chapel of Barrio Tuanong was recorded. Two chaplains in the persons of Bro. Don Agustin de la Encarnacion and Don Pedro Geronimo de Barba were the priest stone building that sees upon entering the San Vicente Central School from the main road. Barrio Tuanong, which belonged to Vigan was the old name of San Vicente.

On June 16, 1571, the chaplain was Don Miguel de Montañez. He was the first priest there and also in the chapel of San Sebastian. It is found out that Barangay San Sebastian was already erected.

Hardship in reaching Barrio Tuanong and Barrio Sta. Catalina de Baba form Vigan especially during the months of June to October was experienced due to the absence of dike or bridge. Priests from Vigan reached these places by means of a raft. The problem prompted the separation of these two barrios from Vigan in 1793.

In 1795, it was the initiation of the seat of the municipality and the church and Barrio Tuanong became San Vicente de Ferrer. Don Pedro de Leon was the first parish priest and he was believed to be the initiator of the construction of the Church of San Vicente.