Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur

Gregorio del Pilar
Municipality
Seal
Map of Ilocos Sur showing the location of Gregorio del Pilar
Gregorio del Pilar Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°08′N 120°37′E / 17.133°N 120.617°ECoordinates: 17°08′N 120°37′E / 17.133°N 120.617°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos (Region I)
Province	Ilocos Sur
District	2nd District
Barangays	7
Government[1]
• Mayor	Luz C. Villalobos
• Vice Mayor	Henry Sidingan Gallardo
Area[2]
• Total	41.66 km^2 (16.09 sq mi)
Elevation	1,200 m (3,900 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	4,219
• Density	100/km^2 (260/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	2720
Dialing code	77
Income class	5th class

Gregorio del Pilar is a fifth class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 4,219 people.^[3]

Formerly named Concepcion (in honor of its patron saint, Nuestra Senora de Concepcion), it was renamed after general Gregorio del Pilar by virtue of Republic Act No. 1246 on June 10, 1955.^[4] It was sponsored by Congressman Ricardo Gacula. The municipality was the site of the Battle of Tirad Pass where General Pilar fought to the death against the Americans.

Geography

The town lies among the western hills of the Cordilleras in the interior east of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is bounded in the north by the town of San Emilio, Quirino in the east, Sigay in the south and Salcedo in the west. Its 7 barangays and sitios are connected to another by winding foot trails and seasonal rugged roads. the town is likewise endowed with natural scenery and wonders such as the payoh or rice terraces, the distinctive Mt. Tirad peak and pristine waterfalls. There are also trails crisscrossing Tirad pass – the so-called Spanish trail which were built through polo y servicio or forced labor during the Hispanic times.

Barangays

Gregorio del Pilar is politically subdivided into 7 barangays.^[2]

• Alfonso (Tangaoan)
• Bussot
• Concepcion
• Dapdappig (Mabatano)
• Matue-Butarag
• Poblacion Norte
• Poblacion Sur

Sitios

Gregorio del Pilar is politically subdivided into 7 and 5 sitioss.^[2]

• Mabatano
• Tangaoan
• Ul-oling
• Tubalina
• Butarag

Demographics

Population census of Gregorio del Pilar
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	3,417	—
1995	3,940	+2.70%
2000	4,134	+1.04%
2007	4,308	+0.57%
2010	4,219	−0.76%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][5]

The inhabitants are Igorots, but belong to the Bag-o ethno-linguistic group. This mixture of Ilocano and Igorot intermarriages speak the Kankanaey language but can speak and understand the dialects of their neighboring towns. Many have already acquired college education and some serve the government and private institutions.

Tourist attractions

• Tirad Pass National Park and Shrine of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (Brgy. Dapdappig)
• Sibol Hot Spring and Swimming area (Brgy. Bussot)
• Mt. Tirad Pass Summit and Mt. Peg-an Camping site (Brgy. Bussot)
• Tirad Pass Museum and handicraft center (Poblacion Sur)

Battle of Tirad Pass

On December 2, 1899, American forces, who slept and rested during the night on newly harvested rice fields just below the Tirad Pass, got up and prepared for an assault of the Filipino forces fortification under the Command of General Gregorio del Pilar. On the narrow trail of Tirad Pass, the Filipino soldiers watched as their enemies began to move up the trail. On around a few hundreds yards above the pass, General Gregorio del Pilar with his staff and accompanied by two civilians from Sitio Mabatano, stood up and took his spy glass and scan it the surroundings area. He spotted the American forces as they were starting to move. But as he watched, he noticed that the American forces broke formations and instead sent a messenger on horse back with a white banner on his band. As the messenger was coming near the fortification of Filipino forces, the sound of gun was heard and the messenger fell. The American forces divided themselves into three separate groups. One group followed the trail towards the pass.

Another group ascended the hill facing the Filipino soldiers stationed in the pass. The third group, unnoticed, was led by the Filipino from the lowlands, Januario Galut, made their way up through the old trail which was hastily barricaded by falling trees a few days before the American forces arrived. This old path lead to the place where general Gregorio del Pilar stood watching, as the American forces dispersed, the general ordered the two civilians, Tucdaden and Abeng to proceed to the trenches and deliver breakfast of Filipino soldiers. All of a sudden a gunshot was heard continuously. The firing was unabated for several hours. General Gregorio del Pilar was gunned down and died. source: www.santa.gov.ph

See also

• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

References

1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
2. "Province: ILOCOS SUR". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
3. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
4. "An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Concepcion, Province of Ilocos Sur, to Gregorio Del Pilar". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
5. "Province of Ilocos Sur". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 20 September 2013.

External links

• Act renaming the town of Concepcion to Gregorio del Pilar
• Pasyalang Ilocos Sur
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System