San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte


', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people.

History

The present name of San Nicolas was given in the year 1733, after Saint Nicholas de Tolentino who was believed to have protected the people against floods, earthquakes, fires, typhoons and other calamities. It is significant that in Ilocos Norte, only San Nicolas was named after a Saint.
Like any other town in the ancient province of Ilocos Province, San Nicolas was established by Augustinian missionaries. Vigan, the first Spanish mission center in this region, was founded in 1575. In the year 1572, when the Spaniards first explored the Laoag River, they met hostile resistance from the natives of San Nicolas and Laoag. In another expedition dispatched from Vigan in 1584 San Nicolas was established and Laoag followed a year later.
San Nicolas Catholic Church built in 1701 is one of the oldest buildings in this province. Its original structure is one of the must see places of the town. The Church and the attached Santa Rosa Academy Building, the well preserved Municipal Hall and the old Town Plaza sprawled between them constitute the heart of the town center. These buildings and structures are originally built and continue to be festooned with earthen bricks, which is among the products of the surviving locals.

Geography

San Nicolas is from Metro Manila and from Laoag City, the provincial capital.

Barangays

The Municipality of San Nicolas is politically divided into 24 barangays:
Names of BarangayTypeBarangayNo.Local Names
San AgustinRural21Bugnay
San BaltazarUrban2
San BartolomeUrban4
San CayetanoUrban12
San EugenioUrban13
San FernandoUrban11
San FranciscoUrban1
San GregorioUrban14
San GuillermoRural22Catuguing
San IldefonsoUrban3
San JoseUrban15
San Juan BautistaUrban6
San LucasUrban9
San MarcosRural16Payas
San MiguelUrban7
San PabloRural20
San PauloUrban10
San PedroRural18Bingao
San LorenzoRural19
Santa MonicaRural24Nagrebcan
Santa CeciliaRural23Barabar
Santa AsuncionRural17Samac
San SilvestreUrban5
San RufinoUrban8

Climate

San Nicolas has a tropical savanna climate with warm to hot temperatures year round. Temperatures dips sightly during the winter months between December to February.

Demographics

In the, the population of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, was people, with a density of.

Religion

Christianity is the predominant religion in the Philippines and is likewise the same in San Nicolas. Among the Christian denominations, the Catholic and Philippine Independent Churches make up the majority. Other Christian denominations represented in the town include Baptists, Pentecostals, Mormons, Charismatics and Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of God World Missions Phil. Inc. Below are the religious building situated in San Nicolas:
Pottery-making is the main trademark of San Nicolas. It was introduced by the Spaniards mainly in Barangay 8, and they called it Alfareria, meaning "Art of Pottery". Other traditional crafts include the making of Tagapulot, Lapida, Chicharon and Longganisa. The town also has large ricefields.
San Nicolas also has a number of car stores and shops. Robinsons Place Ilocos, the biggest mall in the province is located in the town center.

Local government

Municipal Mayor: Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr.
Municipal Vice Mayor: Edistio P. Valdez
Municipal Councilors:
ABC President: Juanito P. Ulep, Jr.
PPSK President: Inno Ma. Angelo Paulo O. Hernando

Government seal

Shield, derived from the Provincial Seal of Ilocos Norte
Gear, symbolizes the systematic livelihood of the people of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
Tong and Hammer, represents the blacksmithing and labor
Jar, signifies the pottery industry which dates back to the Spanish time
Hide, denotes tannoing and leather craft
Water, represents the irrigation system that produces two croppings a year
Carabao Head, the common work-animal; friend of the farmer; symbolizes agriculture

Attractions

San Nicolas is a place of historic buildings. Examples are San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church and San Nicolas Municipal Hall.
Basketball is widely played in the town. Every year, there is a competition in basketball sponsored by the local government. As the countries' National Game, Sepak Takraw is also played. Volleyball, baseball, softball and badminton are also played mainly in schools.

Education

High Schools
Elementary Schools