Alicia, Isabela
Encyclopedia
Alicia is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Isabela
, Philippines
. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 61,447 people in 11,413 households.
The town sits on a vast area of predominantly flat and fertile land
in the Cagayan Valley
that surrounded by the Caraballo Mountains
to the south, the Great Sierra Madre
to the east and the Cordillera Mountain Range to the west. It is the largest rice producer in the entire Cagayan Valley and has the largest irrigated rice field in the whole Region II
of the Philippines.
Alicia, the old town of Angadanan, is known for the Pagay Festival and its famous historical landmark, the Our Lady of Atocha Church completed and inaugurated in 1849 which was officially declared by the Philippine Department of Tourism
as one of the national religious tourist destination
s in the Philippines.
was once called "Angadanan Viejo" (which means – Old Angadanan) when the new Angadanan was relocated in 1776 to its current location near the Angadanan Creek.
The old Angadanan town was part of the Cagayan Valley
province. The entire Cagayan Valley was one large province which the Spaniards called La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan, but divided into two new provinces in 1839 by the Spanish conquistadors. One retained the old name Cagayan
which comprised all towns from Aparri
to Tumauini
; while a new province of Nueva Vizcaya
was created composed of all towns from Ilagan
to the Caraballo del Sur including Catalangan, Angadanan (now Alicia), and Palanan
, with Camarag (Echague
) as its capital.
A Royal Decree was created on May 1, 1856 creating Isabela de Luzon to distinguish it from other Isabelas in the Philippines. It comprised the town of Carig (now Santiago City
), Camarag (now Echague), Angadanan (now Alicia), Cauayan, Calanusian (now Reina Mercedes
), Gamu
, and Ilagan, all detached from Nueva Vizcaya; while Tumauini and Cabagan
were taken from the Cagayan province. It was placed under the jurisdiction of a governor with the capital seat at Ilagan, where it remains at the present.
When the late Philippine President Elpidio Quirino
signed Executive Order No. 268 on September 28, 1949, the Old Angadanan was renamed and created the municipality of Alicia in honor of then Quirino’s wife, Dona Alicia Syquia Quirino, who was murdered by the Japan
ese during the Japanese occupation
.
church. It is one of the best churches to visit for a pilgrimage
in the Philippines during the Holy Week
. The church was declared by the Philippine Department of Tourism
as one of the national religious tourist attraction
s in the Philippines
.
The structure of the church was original built by the Spaniards in the 18th century, but not finished. Passing by Angadanan town on February 12, 1805, Fr. Manuel Mora, OP wrote that “Angadanan has a convent of brick
s, though not totally finished. Its church is timber, wood, and bamboo. The number of inhabitants is 791.” The church and convent as seen today in the town of Alicia, beautiful and solid, was built by Fr. Tomas Calderon, OP and inaugurated in 1849, with Fr. Francisco Gainza, OP, then vicar of Carig (now Santiago City
). The church was dedicated to the Nuestra Señora de Atocha
, more popularly known today as Our Lady of Atocha. The church is known for its antique Castilian architectural design and can be found along the Maharlika Highway and is accessible by land transport.
The Catholic
churches in Alicia, Gamu
, and Cauayan City
, are examples of what is called as the "Cagayan Style" of Spanish churches that was inspired by the Tuguegarao church.
The festival aims to uphold the town's cultural identity and heritage and to promote the municipality’s primary agricultural product called, pagay (Ilocano
word for rice
)- the municipality’s major livelihood economy and trade mark.
The festival is widely participated by the community which features various competitions (e.g., rice planting, harvesting, and cooking among others), street dance
showdown, beauty pageant (Mutya ng Alicia), battle of the bands
, and exhibit
s. However, the Pagay Parade is the main highlight of the festival that features decorated carabao
s, various rice crop float
s, and people marching with colorful costumes which attracts tourists and visitors.
which makes Alicia primarily an agricultural municipality best suited for the intensive production of rice and corn. Farming is its major livelihood and rice its major product and resource. Alicia is politically subdivided into 34 barangay
s:
speaking people which make Ilocano the common dialect used in the municipality.
(municipality leader) of Alicia was Glicerio Acosta who was appointed to office by the President of the Philippines
upon the creation of Alicia as a municipality in 1949.
The current mayor for the 2010–2013 term is Cecilia Claire N. Reyes, who won in the 2010 election. The mayor is restricted to three consecutive terms, totaling nine years, although a mayor can be elected again after an interruption of one term.
The following is the chronological list of current and past mayors of Alicia:
Isabela province
Isabela is the second largest province of the Philippines next to Palawan. It is located in the Cagayan Valley Region in Luzon. Its capital is Ilagan and borders, clockwise from the south, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Cagayan...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 61,447 people in 11,413 households.
The town sits on a vast area of predominantly flat and fertile land
Fertile soil
Fertile soil has the following properties:*It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nutrition, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium....
in the Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...
that surrounded by the Caraballo Mountains
Caraballo Mountains
Caraballo Mountains is a mountain range in the central part of Luzon, Philippines. It is located between Cordillera Central and Sierra Madre mountain ranges, at .This Caraballo Mountains are the location of the headwaters of the Cagayan River....
to the south, the Great Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre (Philippines)
The Sierra Madre is a mountain range in The Philippines. It is located along the north-eastern coast of Luzon Island, running north/south. Quezon National Forest Park is situated in the range.-Geography:...
to the east and the Cordillera Mountain Range to the west. It is the largest rice producer in the entire Cagayan Valley and has the largest irrigated rice field in the whole Region II
Regions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...
of the Philippines.
Alicia, the old town of Angadanan, is known for the Pagay Festival and its famous historical landmark, the Our Lady of Atocha Church completed and inaugurated in 1849 which was officially declared by the Philippine Department of Tourism
Department of Tourism (Philippines)
The Department of Tourism is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the regulation of the Philippine tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination....
as one of the national religious tourist destination
Tourist destination
A tourist destination is a city, town, or other area that is dependent to a significant extent on the revenues accruing from tourism. It may contain one or more tourist attractions and possibly some "tourist traps."...
s in the Philippines.
History
AliciaAlicia
- People :* Alicia , list of people with this name* Alisha , US pop singer* Alisha Chinai , Indian pop singer* Alesha , UK pop singer...
was once called "Angadanan Viejo" (which means – Old Angadanan) when the new Angadanan was relocated in 1776 to its current location near the Angadanan Creek.
The old Angadanan town was part of the Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...
province. The entire Cagayan Valley was one large province which the Spaniards called La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan, but divided into two new provinces in 1839 by the Spanish conquistadors. One retained the old name Cagayan
Cagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
which comprised all towns from Aparri
Aparri, Cagayan
Aparri is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Luzon, Philippines. According to the latest census, Aparri has a population of 69,024 people.Aparri has an approximate income of Php 90,000,000.00...
to Tumauini
Tumauini, Isabela
Tumauini is now a 1st class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 55,041 people in 9,239 households....
; while a new province of Nueva Vizcaya
Nueva Vizcaya
Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...
was created composed of all towns from Ilagan
Ilagan, Isabela
Ilagan is a 1st-class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. It is the capital municipality and the largest town of Isabela...
to the Caraballo del Sur including Catalangan, Angadanan (now Alicia), and Palanan
Palanan, Isabela
Palanan is a remote 2nd class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 16,254 people in 2,837 households....
, with Camarag (Echague
Echague, Isabela
Echague also referred to as the "Queen Town of Isabela" is a first class municipality under the fourth district province of Isabela, Philippines. It is 344 kilometers north of Metro Manila...
) as its capital.
A Royal Decree was created on May 1, 1856 creating Isabela de Luzon to distinguish it from other Isabelas in the Philippines. It comprised the town of Carig (now Santiago City
Santiago City
The City of Santiago is a city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 126,244 people in 22,401 households. Santiago is situated 79 kilometers south of Ilagan, the provincial capital, and about 326 kilometers North of Metro Manila...
), Camarag (now Echague), Angadanan (now Alicia), Cauayan, Calanusian (now Reina Mercedes
Reina Mercedes, Isabela
Reina Mercedes is a 5th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 21,874 people in 3,759 households.-External links:*****...
), Gamu
Gamu, Isabela
Gamu is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 27,479 people in 5,169 households...
, and Ilagan, all detached from Nueva Vizcaya; while Tumauini and Cabagan
Cabagan, Isabela
Cabagan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Isabela. According to the latest census, it has a population of 43,562 people in 7,250 households....
were taken from the Cagayan province. It was placed under the jurisdiction of a governor with the capital seat at Ilagan, where it remains at the present.
When the late Philippine President Elpidio Quirino
Elpidio Quirino
Elpidio Rivera Quirino was a Filipino politician, and the sixth President of the Philippines.A lawyer by profession, Quirino entered politics when he became a representative of Ilocos Sur from 1919 to 1925. He was then elected as senator from 1925–1931...
signed Executive Order No. 268 on September 28, 1949, the Old Angadanan was renamed and created the municipality of Alicia in honor of then Quirino’s wife, Dona Alicia Syquia Quirino, who was murdered by the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese during the Japanese occupation
Japanese Occupation
Japanese Occupation may refer to:*Occupation of Japan, the occupation of Japan by United States forces following World War II*Japanese occupation of Burma*Japanese occupation of Cambodia*Japanese occupation of Guam*Japanese occupation of Hong Kong...
.
Our Lady of Atocha Church
The Our Lady of Atocha Church in Alicia is noted for having an old SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
church. It is one of the best churches to visit for a pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
in the Philippines during the Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
. The church was declared by the Philippine Department of Tourism
Department of Tourism (Philippines)
The Department of Tourism is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the regulation of the Philippine tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination....
as one of the national religious tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
s in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
The structure of the church was original built by the Spaniards in the 18th century, but not finished. Passing by Angadanan town on February 12, 1805, Fr. Manuel Mora, OP wrote that “Angadanan has a convent of brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
s, though not totally finished. Its church is timber, wood, and bamboo. The number of inhabitants is 791.” The church and convent as seen today in the town of Alicia, beautiful and solid, was built by Fr. Tomas Calderon, OP and inaugurated in 1849, with Fr. Francisco Gainza, OP, then vicar of Carig (now Santiago City
Santiago City
The City of Santiago is a city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 126,244 people in 22,401 households. Santiago is situated 79 kilometers south of Ilagan, the provincial capital, and about 326 kilometers North of Metro Manila...
). The church was dedicated to the Nuestra Señora de Atocha
Nuestra Señora de Atocha
Nuestra Señora de Atocha was the most famous of a fleet of Spanish ships that sank in 1622 off the Florida Keys while carrying copper, silver, gold, tobacco, gems, jewels, jewelry and indigo from Spanish ports at Cartagena, Colombia, Porto Bello in New Granada and Havana bound for Spain...
, more popularly known today as Our Lady of Atocha. The church is known for its antique Castilian architectural design and can be found along the Maharlika Highway and is accessible by land transport.
The Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
churches in Alicia, Gamu
Gamu, Isabela
Gamu is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 27,479 people in 5,169 households...
, and Cauayan City
Cauayan City
Cauayan City is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Cauayan City is the Agro-Industrial Capital of Cagayan Valley and The Commercial Center of The Province of Isabela...
, are examples of what is called as the "Cagayan Style" of Spanish churches that was inspired by the Tuguegarao church.
Pagay Festival
The "Pagay Festival" is held annually every 28th of September in conjunction with the founding anniversary of the town of Alicia. It used to be called Alicia Town Festival, but was redefined and renamed to Pagay Festival in 2010 by Mayor Cecilia Claire N. Reyes.The festival aims to uphold the town's cultural identity and heritage and to promote the municipality’s primary agricultural product called, pagay (Ilocano
Ilocano
Ilocano or Ilokano may refer to:* Ilocano people* Ilokano language* Ilokano literature...
word for rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
)- the municipality’s major livelihood economy and trade mark.
The festival is widely participated by the community which features various competitions (e.g., rice planting, harvesting, and cooking among others), street dance
Street dance
Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc...
showdown, beauty pageant (Mutya ng Alicia), battle of the bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
, and exhibit
Exhibit
Exhibit may refer to:*Exhibit , evidence in physical form brought before the court.*Demonstrative evidence is a term used to describe exhibits and other physical forms of evidence used in court to demonstrate, show, depict, inform or teach relevant information to the viewer.*Exhibit , a lightweight...
s. However, the Pagay Parade is the main highlight of the festival that features decorated carabao
Carabao
The carabao or Bubalus bubalis carabanesis is a subspecies of the domesticated water buffalo found in the Philippines, Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and various parts of Southeast Asia...
s, various rice crop float
Float
-Float:* Public float, the free float of a public company is an estimate of number of shares of a stock held in public hands* Fishing float, a bite indicator used in angling...
s, and people marching with colorful costumes which attracts tourists and visitors.
Barangays
Alicia has a total land area of 15, 410 hectares and 64, 339 total population as of 2009. 71% of the total land area is an agricultural landAgricultural land
Agricultural land denotes the land suitable for agricultural production, both crops and livestock. It is one of the main resources in agriculture...
which makes Alicia primarily an agricultural municipality best suited for the intensive production of rice and corn. Farming is its major livelihood and rice its major product and resource. Alicia is politically subdivided into 34 barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s:
|
|
|
Dialect
The population is a combination of different ethnic group dominated by IlocanoIlocano
Ilocano or Ilokano may refer to:* Ilocano people* Ilokano language* Ilokano literature...
speaking people which make Ilocano the common dialect used in the municipality.
List of mayors
The first mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
(municipality leader) of Alicia was Glicerio Acosta who was appointed to office by the President of the Philippines
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
upon the creation of Alicia as a municipality in 1949.
The current mayor for the 2010–2013 term is Cecilia Claire N. Reyes, who won in the 2010 election. The mayor is restricted to three consecutive terms, totaling nine years, although a mayor can be elected again after an interruption of one term.
The following is the chronological list of current and past mayors of Alicia:
| Number | Name | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | Cecilia Claire N. Reyes | |
| 9. | Napoleon S. Dy | |
| 8. | Manuel A. Alejandro | |
| 7. | Norberta C. Agustin | |
| 6. | Ramon M. Reyes | |
| 5. | Federico M. Abuan Sr. | |
| 4. | Lorenzo M. Dasig Sr. | |
| 3. | Marcelino Dacanay | |
| 2. | Celedonio B. Magbaleta | |
| 1. | Glicerio Acosta |
Educational institutions
Alicia has two universities that cater to the people of the municipality and other neighboring municipalities and provinces. It has a number of public elementary schools, two private and four public high schools.College and University
- Adventist University of the PhilippinesAdventist University of the PhilippinesAdventist University of the Philippines is private coeducational Christian university located in Putting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. The university is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and holds an autonomous status recognized by CHED .-History:The Adventist University of the...
(Nela Campus) - Philippine Normal UniversityPhilippine Normal UniversityThe Philippine Normal University is a public national university in the Philippines established during the early days of American rule of the Philippine Islands. Pursuant to a law passed by the Philippine Congress, Republic Act No...
- Isabela branch
Private Schools
- Adventist University of the PhilippinesAdventist University of the PhilippinesAdventist University of the Philippines is private coeducational Christian university located in Putting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. The university is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and holds an autonomous status recognized by CHED .-History:The Adventist University of the...
(Nela Campus) - Dalton Academy
- School of Our Lady of AtochaSchool of Our Lady of AtochaThe School of Our Lady of Atocha commonly known as SOLA, is a non-stock and non-profit Catholic school located in Magsaysay, Alicia, Isabela, Philippines. It was founded in 1980 and is under the direction of the Diocesan School System of the Diocese of Ilagan, Isabela...
- St. John Adaptive Montessori School
- Top Achievers Private School
- Odizee School of Achievers
Public Schools
- Alicia Vocational School
- Alicia National High School
- Palayan Region High School
- Rizal Region National High School , Alicia, Isabela
Private Schools
- Alicia Adventist Multigrade School
- Faith Christian Academy
- School of Our Lady of AtochaSchool of Our Lady of AtochaThe School of Our Lady of Atocha commonly known as SOLA, is a non-stock and non-profit Catholic school located in Magsaysay, Alicia, Isabela, Philippines. It was founded in 1980 and is under the direction of the Diocesan School System of the Diocese of Ilagan, Isabela...
- St. Francis School Foundation
- St. John Adaptive Montessori School
- Top Achievers Private School
Public Schools
- Alicia Central School
- Alicia North Central School
- Alicia West Central School
- Amistad Elementary School
- Apanay Public School
- Aurora Elementary School
- Bagnos Elementary School
- Bagong Sikat Elementary School
- Bantug Petines Elementary School
- Bonifacio Elementary School
- Burgos Elementary School
- Callao Elementary School
- Dagupan Elementary School
- Inanama Elementary School
- Linglingay Elementary School
- Mabini Elementary School
- Mataas na Kahoy Elementary School
- MH del Pilar Elementary School
- Paddad Elementary School
- Rizal Elementary School
- Rizaluna Elementary School
- Salvacion Elementary School
- San Antonio Elementary School
- San Fernando Elementary School
- San Francisco Elementary School
- San Juan Elementary School
- San Pablo Elementary School
- San Pedro Elementary School
- Sta. Cruz Elementary School
- Sta. Maria Elementary School
- Sto. Domingo Elementary School
- Sto. Tomas Elementary School
- Victoria Elementary School
- Zamora Elementary School