San Nicolas, Batangas

Etymology

San Nicolas is derived from Spanish for Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, the town's patron saint.

History

San Nicolas traces its roots to barrio Wawa, which was once part of the municipality of Taal. The barrio also covered areas of what is now Alitagtag, Agoncillo, Lemery, and San Luis, according to old locals. It was first inhabited by Malays from Borneo. It was the site of Taal's second municipal center from its establishment in 1572 to 1754, during the peak of Moro piracy. Taal was designated as the provincial capital of Batangas from 1732 to 1754. The 1754 Taal Volcano eruption, which lasted for months, greatly destroyed the area, making Taal move its municipal center to its present location near Balayan Bay. After which, Wawa was renamed to San Nicolas.

It was on the night of June 25, 1954 that the San Nicolas Ladies Club tendered a party in honor of Miss Marcelina de Sagun for passing the Board of Midwifery, when some old folks in the persons of Atty. Exequiel D. Caringal, Mr. Jose Caringal, Mr. Herminigildo de Sagun, Mr. Alfredo Umali, Mr. Ireneo Matienzo, Mr. Teodoro S. Mayuga and Mr. Maximo Atienza conceived the idea of converting barrio San Nicolas into a new municipality. Neighboring barangay residents were consulted and a unanimous decision was established favoring the proposal. Not only was a committee formed, but also a delegation to the President, headed by Batangas Governor Feliciano Leviste and Senator Jose P. Laurel. However, the Municipal Mayor of Taal, Hon. Ignacio Ilagan, with his avid followers, opposed the move. The committee requested Representative Apolinario R. Apacible (Batangas–1st) to file a bill in Congress. The Representative immediately filed House Bill No. 3407, co-sponsored by Representative Lamberto Macias (Negros Oriental–2nd), which ultimately led to the creation of the Municipality of San Nicolas.

In 1955, with the enactment of Republic Act No. 1229, the municipality, consisting of the Taal barrios of San Nicolas, Abelo, Alas-as, Balete, Bancoro, Bangin, Calangay, Calawit, Calumala, Hipit, Maabud, Munlawin, Pansipit, Pulang-Bato, Saimsim, Sinturisan, Talang, and Tambo, was created. The effect entered into force on June 1, 1955. In 1957, the following sitios were converted into independent barrios: Burol from Tambo, Tagudtod from Munlawin, Kalawit and Pulang-Bato from Alas-as, and Baluk-Baluk from Hipit. In 1961, the barrios of Calumala, Tambo, Saimsim and Bucal were separated from San Nicolas to form parts of the new municipality of Santa Teresita.

The first appointed Mayor (August 09, 1955) and first elected Mayor (November 09, 1959) of San Nicolas, Batangas is Atty. Exequiel D. Caringal.

Geography

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 14.37 km2 constituting of the 3,119.75 km2 total area of Batangas.

The municipality also occupies the southern half of Taal Volcano, shared by the municipality of Talisay in the northern half.

Barangays

San Nicolas is politically subdivided into 18 barangays, as shown in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, San Nicolas had a population of 24,392 people. The population density was {{sigfig|24,392/14.37|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Lester De Sagun has been the mayor of San Nicolas since 2019.

Education

The San Nicolas Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Primary and elementary schools

• Abelo Elementary School
• Balete Elementary School
• Bancoro Elementary School
• Bangin Elementary School
• Calangay Elementary School
• Hipit Elementary School
• Maabud Elementary School
• Munlawin Elementary School
• San Nicolas Academy
• San Nicolas Central School
• Sinturisan Elementary School
• St. Nicholas de Tolentino Preparatory School

Secondary schools

• Maabud National High School
• San Nicolas Integrated High School

Sister city

• PhilippinesTagaytay, Cavite, Philippines

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (1953). "History and Cultural Life of the Barrio of San Nicolas".
3. "Brief History".
4. (1991). "The Mysteries of Taal: A Philippine volcano and lake, her sea life and lost towns". Bookmark Publishing.
5. "History of San Nicolas".
6. (June 1, 1955). "An Act Creating the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas".
7. (June 20, 1957). "An Act Creating the Barrio of Burol in the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas".
8. (June 20, 1957). "An Act Creating the Barrio of Tagodtod in the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas".
9. (June 20, 1957). "An Act Creating the Barrio of Kalawit in the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas".
10. (June 20, 1957). "An Act Creating the Barrio of Pulang-bato in the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas".
11. (June 20, 1957). "An Act Creating the Barrio of Baluk-balok in the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas".
12. (December 28, 1961). "Creating the municipality of Sta. Teresita in the Province of Batangas".
13. Lando, Roy. (2020-03-24). "Lester De Sagun Biography - PeoPlaid Profile".
14. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".
15. "PIA | Philippine Information Agency | Sisterhood agreement between Tagaytay and San Nicolas signed". Philippine Information Agency.