Santa Cruz Ilocos Sur Philippines

History of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, the second southernmost town of Ilocos Sur has a colorful and bloody past. Before the coming of the Spaniards which was about the early of the seventeenth century, in 1601 to be exact there was already a little settlement built by the Ilocanos beside the Patupec River. This is the river north of the present town. The hardy Ilocanos built it after a victorious battle with the Igorots who were than called “Mindayas”. These Mindayas tried to conquer the “Minlands”, at the Ilocanos were called but because if their unlaunted bravery, they were able to drive back the invaders to the mountains.

The settlement of the Ilocanos was called “Taripnong” probably because the houses were built close together and because of their strong unity. However, after their glorious victory over the “Mindayas” and to commemorate their great victory they decided to change the name of their settlement from “Taripnong” to “Napinget” which means fearless and strong will or determination.

At the coming of the “Conquistadores” or Spaniards Napinget was already of flourishing community. The people did not want to be ruled by foreigners so they took arms against those conquerors but their number and weapons were no matches to the arms of the invaders. They were defeated so they were forced, to go under the rule of the powerful. Spaniards led by Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Legaspi the conqueror of Manila. The main purpose of the Spaniards in conquering places was to spread Christianity. So after the defeat of the Ilocanos. The Spaniards put up a big narra cross on the top of the highest hill as a symbol of the establishment. That Spanish church was later built in this place and all around it because the present town of Santa Cruz. The tree rajahs who owned the old settlement were Christianized. Their pagan names ”Guiyeb”, “Madayag” and “Salambon” became their Christian surnames. And from that time on the town is now called “Santa Cruz”.