Santa Elena Camarines Norte college Inc.
Former Times In Our Homeland Santa Elena
Submitted to:
Mr. De Castro, Edison
Submitted by:
Ramirez, Paul Thomas D.
Cribe, Jemver
December 17, 2022
INTRODUCTION
“A man without a homeland will have no grave on Earth. And he
forbade me to leave.” homeland is a place that we can identify with
and have a special connection or it could be a place you have spent a
majority of your time. In every country, there is a city or town that
attracts people’s attentions. It could be a beautiful city or bear a
great history displayed in its fascinating buildings or fabulous
museums. Some people could have memories to share with this city.
Others could sense that this city is their place to gather with their
lovers and friends. Manhattan, which is known to be one of the most
attractive cities in the world, astonishes people in many ways. There
was a noticeable advancement through the last decades. Santa Elena
Camarines Norte is the northernmost Province in Bicol Region, It is
the gateway to Bicolandia. Home of the First Rizal Monument, century
old churches, cascading waterfalls and paradise like islands/beaches.
LOCAL HISTORY
Santa Elena was formerly a barrio of Capalonga Municipality. On
June 29, 1969, it was elevated into a municipality by virtue of
Republic act 5480 authored by then Congressman Fernando V. Pajarillo
and signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.In 2001, an area of 8,762
hectares taken from Calauag Municipality of Quezon Province were added
to the territory of Santa Elena courtesy of the Supreme Court.
Santa Elena before was known as Ilayang Santol, a small sitio of
Barrio Pulongguit-guit, municipality of Capalonga, province of
Camarines Norte. Very few reside on the place and their houses were
far from each other, so that in case of an emergency, they summon each
other by means of the “Tambuli” a shell conch blow horn.
The Japanese played an important role in the development of Sta.
Elena by providing it with an access road to the Bicol Region by
shaping and opening the first road and bridges that connected Sta.
Elena to Daet and to Manila. Later, the eastern Tayabas Bus Company
opened regular trips from Daet to Manila. From then on, the people
began building houses along the road improving the relations among
residents and thereby assemblies for their development and welfare
began taking shape.
Until one time, in one of their assemblies, Eladio Borreo
suggested to name the sitio Sta. Elena at the same time making Saint
Helena, The Empress as patron saint. The motion was duly seconded and
was approved unanimously.
Through the efforts of the local leaders, Sta. Elena became an
independent barrio in 1948 during the term of Mayor Lucio Jacob as
Municipal Mayor of Capalonga, Camarines Norte. This was followed bY
donations of a school site by Felimon Cudiamat and Engracio del Moro,
and a municipal site donated by Silvestre del Moro and Engracio
Villabroza. Later a demand by the first catholic group the
acknowledgment of the Archbishop of Nueva Carceres, Naga City, to give
them a missionary priest that was then assigned to the barrio in 1958
as represented by Rev. Fr. Angel Obnamia. Sta. Elena became a
municipality on June 21, 1969 by virtue of Republic Act 5480 thru the
initiative of the local residents and then Member of Congress Fernando
V. Pajarillo. The first Municipal Mayor elected was Mayor Vicente
Dimatera in 1972.
A more recent development is the reacquisition of areas in nearby
town of Calauag, Quezon involving a Provincial boundary dispute with
Sta. Elena wherein the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sta. Elena thus
expanding the area of the municipality to its future advantage.
Sta. Elena is a third-class municipality and recognized as a
secondary growth center for the province because of its strategic
location and rich natural resource. It has a 2010 population of 40,828
for the nineteen barangays.
The town’s economy largely depends on agriculture with large
tracks of coconut plantations and 10 coastal barangays relying on the
bounty or produce from the fishing grounds. With a 0.78 % population
growth rate, the municipal government is working to maintain this
growth rate with variable population program complemented by
comprehensive agro-industrial development strategy to use the town’s
natural resources and population advantage in the best possible
mixture.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/peoplaid.com/2020/06/13/santa-elenacamarines-norte/amp/
TOURIST SPOT
•
MAG ASAWANG BATO/MAPPING HILL (Brgy. Salvacion, Sta. Elena
Camarines Norte)
(rock climbing, trekking, swimming, snorkeling)
A peculiar place (huge rock couple) with a beautiful saltwater
scenery. Once, locals only use this place to dry their caught fish. As
time passes by, they eventually appreciate its true beauty and scenic
importance in local tourism. The place was also known for its local
legend which described dear love of two lovers who once lived in the
place. It can be reached by renting a boat with an estimated 20-30
minutes travel time from a dockside in Brgy. San Lorenzo. Ongoing is
the improvement of the Farm to Market Road leading to the Barangay
center as another means of reaching the site.
https://santaelena-cn.gov.ph/where-to-go/
•
SANTA ELENA TWIN FALLS (Brgy. Bulala, Sta. Elena Camarines Norte)
A legendary twin falls which once gained its historical worth
due its intriguing discovery and was lying deep in the mountainous
terrain of Sta. Elena-Labo, Camarines Norte, known for Imee-Irene Twin
Falls.
Its name was derived from its discoverer, former late
President Ferdinand Marcos’ daughters, Imee and Irene. An urban
legend that was believed by the townsfolk for generations recounts
that the late president had ordered an excavation that successfully
unearthed gold bar treasures. Evidence of history left paved parts
beneath the falls. Today, said natural and historical treasure was
preserved by the LGU and also considered as one of the most visited
venues. You can reach the twin falls via a 5-10 minute short hike
from its jump-off point and a suited place for recreational and
picture taking activities.
https://santaelena-cn.gov.ph/where-to-go/
•
BALIKYAO FLOATING COTTAGES (Brgy. Pulongguit-guit, Sta. Elena
Camarines Norte)
(swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, fish feeding)
Pulonguit-guit is known for its seashore lines of cottages.
Eventually, PB Fermin Gutierrez, decided to step-up and transform
local cottage culture into an exciting sea escape lodging experience
near seaport.
He tried to bring different level of activities in the
sea such as: cottage swimming, karaoke rental, snorkeling, fish
feeding, kayak, even overnight stay and many more. He never failed
keep amusing local visitor of his tourism enterprise concept. Today,
the venue has 12 active floating cottages available for vacationers
and adventurers.
Certainly, a must visit tourism area with a literal
one-feet away ocean swimming experience. The place is located 15-20
minutes away from town center of Santa Elena. For inquiries, contact
PB Fermin Gutierrez.
https://santaelena-cn.gov.ph/where-to-go/
PRODUCTS OF STA ELENA CAMARINES NORTE
Santa Elena is primarily an agricultural town where rice, fish and
coconut are the main products.
•
•
•
Rice
Fish
Niyog
CULTURE
Every Year they Celebrate the town’s patron feast. The celebration is
held on the 28th and 29th day of May in honor of St. Helena the Empress
and every 21th day of June Santa Elena is celebrating its Foundation
Anniversary. The week-long celebration in the municipality holds set
of activities to showcase. Local entrepreneurs and so called palanyag
and peryantes operators take this opportunity to showcase their
products to local or foreign visitors along Maharlika Highway. The
highlights of the activity was street dancing or so called “Kalsyaw”
in the 21st day of June to include their production number
demonstrating their talents and creativity in theatrics heritage
dancing. Currently, one of the most spectacular events organized is
the Miss Santa Elena 2019 that gave additional splendor to the
celebration of Santa Elena’s foundation. During the festivity,
nineteen (19) barangay were portraying different locale products,
culture and inherited heritage of Sta. Eleños through constructed
“kubols”. Respective locale merchandises were exhibited during the
Foundation Day Week-Long Celebration at Agro-fair event located at the
Mun. Quadrangle. Inter-secondary Sports Competition, Buradolan (Kite
Festival) and Drum and Lyre Competition were also observed during the
week-long celebration.
History Challenge is also conducted to
commemorate the foundation of the beloved town of Santa Elena.
Currently, declaration of Padayog Festival as the official
festival name of Santa Elena is on progress. It shall bring reputation
and fame honoring Santa Elena’s arising own heritage and splendor.
Mainly, most of the town’s culture and tradition were inherited from
https://santaelena-cn.gov.ph/where-to-go/
REFERENCES
Anonymous, (n.d.). HISTORY - SANTA ELENA. Retrieve from
https://santaelena-cn.gov.ph/history/
Londo,R. (2018). Santa Elena Camarines Norte History, Tourist Spots,
Festival, Officials. Retrieved from
https://peoplaid.com/2020/06/13/santa-elena-camarines-norte/amp/
Basa, S.M. (April 24, 2016). Discover Santa Elena Camarines Norte.
Retrieved from https://camnortenews.com/2016/04/24/palayogfestival-ng-municipality-of-sta-elena-muling-kampeon-sa-streetdancing-competition/