The municipality was created in 1780 upon the installation of the first civil government under the Cabeza de Barangay, Don Juan P. Madarang by his eminence D. Mariano de Conquera, an Agustinian Friar.
Like other towns, Candon has its own bit of history and foremost among them is the Candon Uprising popularly known as the IKKIS TI CANDON, as a response to the institutionalized abuses and oppressions perpetrated by the Spaniards.
The failure of the Cry of Pugad Lawin and Pact of Biak-na-Bato prompted Don Isabelo Abaya to organize a revolutionary group on preparation for the renewal of hostilities.
However, the premature discovery of the plot forced the revolutionaries to act swiftly and so on that fateful day of March 25, 1898, the revolutionaries declared war, attacked the Spaniards and established a revolutionary government in Candon.
The Spaniards upon learning that the revolutionaries were busy conquering more towns, sent shock troops (CAZADORES) to re-occupy Candon which was left unguarded to the numerically superior and well armed Spanish soldiers. Most of the leaders and participants of the uprising who surrendered and were arrested and were summarily executed.
During the Japanese occupation, the gallant exploit of Candonino V. Gaerlan manifests the bravery and patriotism of the Candonians. In 1942, with a handful followers, he staged an ambuscade and subsequently destroyed the Alambique steel bridge to harass the advancement of the enemies. Several truckloads of Japanese forces and supplies perished along the national highway. In retaliation however, the remnants of the Japanese soldiers razed the town proper in January 1942, which is considered the greatest conflagration that ever happened in the history of Canon. Also, in the Gabaldon School were atrocities committed by the Imperial Forces lasted until November 1944.
Background of the Municipality
The Municipality of Candon plays a vital role in the development of Ilocos Sur. Its geographical setting and proximity to the national highway and other towns encourages mobility in terms of trade, economic, social and cultural activities.
Candon being the center of commerce is also termed by the Department of Trade and Industry as the Bagsakan Center in Ilocos Sur particularly in the Second District of this province contributed by the activity especially of the bigger traders bringing in their trades for marketing to the consumers not only from Candon but also going out to other towns neighboring Candon.
Also being called as the center of commerce, is due to the fact that many towns, if not only the adjacent towns, but also other, come to Candon for commercial activities. Candon caters to the commercial needs of the towns of Sta. Cruz, Santiago, Banayoyo, Galimuyod, salcedo, Del Pilar, Sta. Cruz, San Esteban, Liblibda, San Emilio and as far as some towns from the province of Abra with an estimated combined population of 100,000 served. The town can boast of a supermarket and a shopping mall, banking and lending institutions, recreational facilities, tourism facilities, health and medical establishment which caters to the basic needs and demands of the locality and the neighboring towns.
It is ardently hoped that with the innovation and survival instincts of the Candonians, the municipality shall continue to be a provider of goods and services to the whole province.
LOCAL HISTORY OF CANDON
Etymology
This place came to be called CANDON in a fanciful tale through the generations of a big tree, which the natives called KANDONG and about which life and beauty of the village centered.
This village, so the legend runs, was ruled by the three local chieftains: ABAY-A, MADALANG and KALINIO. Madalang chose as his abode the shade of this gargantuan tree together with his only daughter, the beautiful Ineng, Abay-a and Kalinio for their part lived with their tribes in caves somewhere in Kadanglaan and Kauplasan respectively.
'I am growing fasot old, Ineng,' Madalang said to his daughter. One day I wish to see you married before Kabunyan calls me to the great beyond. But my child, I would only want a son-in-law who could defeat me in Gabbu (wrestling). What do you say Ineng? And Ineng could only answer sobbing, 'I submit to your wishes, dear father'.
And so one day, after the Kaniaw was over, the sound of gongs, cymbals and gangza intermingled and reverberated far and wide. Subsequently, the ruling junta composed of elders issued the announcement regarding the wrestling competition.
It was Abay-a who first took the challenge. At the sound of the cymbal, the protagonist, like a wild beast fought savagely. By some freak stings of fate, Abay-a in his unguarded moment unfortunately stumbled over a root of a Kandong tree and lost his balanace. Madalang savagely took advantage of the situation and mercilessly sent Abay-a reeling to the ground with several broken ribs. That was the end of the bout.
Three weeks passed, and this time, Kalinio who is reputed to possess the same human power took up the challenge. Just then, a crow going for its mate carelessly flew overhead as if to augur the impending disaster that would follow. Moments later, the fight began and both protagonist stood their grounds and each manifested signs of being victorious.
Madalang who is reputed to as the most super human among the strongest, tried his old ruse to send Kalinio off balance but was outwitted by his elusive foe. And fate didn't destine Madalang to defeat Kalinio, so Ineng was married to victorious Kalinio. Just as the celebration is going on the Spanish conquistadors, who were on their way to colonize Northern Luzon, passed by and attacked the merrymakers. Some offered futile resistance, others fled in confusion and fear and those who were taken by surprise and yielded to the onslaught of the invading forces.
Subsequently, the friars assigned in this village ordered the cutting of the Kandong Tree and its place was planted the first cross of evangelization. The timbers taken from the tree was used in the construction of the first Roman Catholic Church in the 6th century.
Beliefs and traditions have it when the colonizers set foot upon this place and inquired as to its name, the natives answered, KANDONG, referred to the tree. Since that time on, the place came to be called CANDON.
Local Events in Retrospect
The cemetery yard in the Catholic Church located south of the Poblacion area was constructed 1797. Famine occurred in 1881 to 1882. A swarm of locusts never known in the history of Candon plagued the place in 18. The great cholera epidemic that immensely depopulated the town took place in the year 1902. The cogon roofing of the church tower was burned in 1750.
THE KANDONG TREE:
Introduction
CANDON is a town more like an anthill with its struggle in becoming the town that it is today: the modernized version of Camelot. Like an anthill which its denizens built grain by every precious grain, the town of Candon labored hard to build its current affluence. It was a rich village to begin with in the early age owing to the abundant natural resources and inherent skills of the natives in farming, fishing and forestry. But with the Spanish colonization, the World Wars and the disasters of drought, floods, fires and the big earthquake in 1992, this town took it all in stride, uncomplaining and untiring to re-build and compensate with the losses. Like a tree that sheds old leaves to sprout new branches for greater plumage, Candon will continue rebuilding and rising up to the skies, and which no manner of nature or man's devices could cut down.
Long ago, when the earth was young with the verdant richness of plants and flocks of poultry and game thrived in the forests, Malayan pioneers settled in these parts because of the advantage of having the seas, the great forests and hills and two rivers all within easy reach. A village was soon put up to support a growing community. In the center of the village stood a large tree with great berths of branches. Under this tree, people converged to exchange goods and news. It is also under this tree where the elders an the chief could be found to settle disputes and offer advice. The people had named this tree out of their growing affection and gratitude for its solid and sheltering nature. They named it Kandong. A village with farmers, fishermen, woodsmen and craftsmen; it isn't hard to deduce that the village was progressive, self-sustainable and wealthy. Then the Spaniards came.
The Spanish conquerors were swift and merciless in subverting the villagers. The locals were too simplistic in nature to effectively deflect the onslaught. A brave defense was accorded but it was futile at best. When the Spaniards came ashore to confront the native leaders under the Kandong tree, they were awed by the village's affluence and of the majestic tree that stood in the middle. They learned of the symbolic importance of the tree and its name. So, to further crush their spirit, the colonizers cut down the tree and used its lumber in the construction of the first Catholic Church in the area. The people were easily led in to the new church and were converted to Catholicism. The Spaniards named the place Candon from their version of the Kandong tree.
Under the Spanish rule, the village was quickly taken over by wealthy Spaniards employing the natives into slavery. The town prospered still even under the auspices of maltreating masters. The local people yearned for freedom in the 5 centuries of enslavement. Then in 1897, when the mountain insurgents relayed the Cry of Pugad Lawin in Cavite, our own Isabelo Abaya forged the fighting men into a repulsion force. The Cry of Candon rang throughout the village in March 1898 to declare the successful revolt that overthrew the Spanish conquerors and instigate the freedom and founding of the town Candon.
A hundred years after, the two World Wars and economic recessions ravaged the town with indiscriminate poverty and destruction of life and property. Candon was steadfast to go through with the process of redemption and rebuilding. The seas still offered the fish and grains of salt, the fields yielded crops despite floods and droughts, the hills gave the lumber from which to rebuild after the fires. And the tall trees that now adorned the town plaza and municipal buildings are testimonies of the care Candon gives to them. These specially cared-for trees now spans alongside the National Highway of the Poblacion. Towering to 15 meters high and 20 feet in circumference, they will remind us how long ago, the great KANDONG tree was sheltering our forefathers in ways that instilled the legacy of strength. courage, progress, and freedom throughout generations.
Yes, a hundred years had past and we are still here like a stubborn tree that will not succumb to the steeliest lumberjack.. an anthill-like Camelot ushering in anew golden age towards cityhood and the next Millenium.
IDENTIFICATION OF CENTENNIAL TREE:
True to the tradition of the Kandong Tree legend, Candon can submit for investigation two specimen of Acacia that have been measured to tower to as high as 15 feet and had grown to a 20 feet berth in their main trunks.
The two mature Acacias are about 7 to 10 meters apart. One stands in front of the Candon Municipal Library. It offers a much needed shade for travelers and commuters since the site has been designated as a bus stop for those buses that ply the northern trip to Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
The other tree is even higher. This Acacia has been integrated to the support columns of a commercial building. It also offers a good amount of shade and adds strength to the building, which it now supports. There was even an instance when a fire was prevented from spreading into the whole commercial block within the poblacion because the tree had sheltered flying fire splinters from getting into the buildings below.
Candon has been complimented with its tree-lines highway. These trees have benefited the townspeople that their importance may not be vocally expressed but are quietly and greatly appreciated. Even their historic symbolism to the town's origin is taught in schools and holds household familiarity.
There are several testimonies made by senior citizens of these town (ages 70 and above) who say that the said trees identified above were already tall or mature when they were some 10 to 12 years of age. But one account of a certain Alejandri Callocanag from Oaig-daya Candon, Ilocos Sur narrates that when he was still a boy of seven years old, they would wait for the kalesa and karomato under the said tree. Many times, even town affairs were held under the tree because of its proximity to the town's Catholic Parish Church. He can also recall that the late Don Matias Legaspi, Mayor of Candon in the years 1910 to 1912, had ordered the planting of Acacia trees in the area along the still uncemented highway. These Matias Trees are now seen lining the Candon Town Plaza. But the tree at the now Candon Library even preceded these Matias trees with considerable years since it was already full grown at the time which inspired Don Matias to order more tree-plantings in the area to shade people when they come to town. Also, a certain Leonardo Basabas of Sto. Tomas, Candon, Ilocos Sur could remember that during the paving and pouring of cement to the now National Highway, the Library Tree was the largest among the other trees from where the workers took shade from time to time during the road construction. He was still a little boy then.
As we near the Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence, as well as the Centenary Celebration of the historic Cry of Candon, we are confident that the trees we now possess and treasure had stood by us through those one hundred years of wars, natural disasters and economic resurgence. We are blessed by their existence and we could not ask for anything more from them. We could only hope that these trees continue their existence to shelter and guide us; remind us of the strength and ideals of surviving tree that grows stronger through the years and ceaselessly aims to reach out to the skies;
Prepared By: THE CITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Source: www.Wikipedia.com
Candon City is a 5th class city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 50,564 people in 10,257 households.
This once small resort town is known for making the heaviest and largest calamay, a sweet and sticky snack made from coconut milk and sugar, in the world. This City has also a rich historical background. In its legends, the name of the city is derived from the legendary "kandung" tree which is now but extinct in the area. It's patron saint is St. John of Sahagun.
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