MUNICIPALITY OF STA. CRUZ (ILOCOS SUR), History of the Town
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[Note to the reader: There is only one page to the historical data for this particular town in the digital archives of the National Library of the Philippines. Moreover, the page is torn in half. This transcription is included, nonetheless, to ensure that all files are properly represented in this web site.]
BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Ilocos Sur
SANTA LUCIA DISTRICT
Santa Cruz Elementary School
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SANTA CRUZ, ILOCOS SUR
The town is actually and officially named the town of "SANTA CRUZ."
Its primitive name, according to reliable information which was transmitted from generation to generation, this town was primitively named "TARIPNONG" and then "NAPIÑGET." It was called Taripnong because the first settlers "MIN-LAUD" grouped their dwellings in only one place. Taripnong means "in [a] group." Later, they decided to change the name of the village to "NAPIÑGET" in commemoration of their success in subjugating an invader, the "MINDAYAS," and drove them away to the mountains. Napiñget means "undaunted."
None of the aged persons of Santa Cruz could give the exact date when its primitive settlers came to inhabit the place; it was only said that the Spaniards founded said town on or about the year 1602. In this year, its present name Santa Cruz was inaugurated, in substitution to "NAPIÑGET." The motive which the Spaniards had in naming it Santa Cruz is not known. It is, however, the Spaniards, in invading said town, they put on top of a hill a wooden cross made of narra and had the church built on the very same spot, wherein the said cross of wood, the motive of
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