HISTORY OF SAN NICOLAS
Tracing the development of how the name of the municipality of San Nicolas evolved may prove to be less complicated than that of other towns. While some towns’ names were derived from the transmission of one language to another, by analyzing their component parts, or by tracing their cognates in an ancestral language, the case of San Nicolas is quite simple. The Spanish authorities named the municipality in honor of its patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino. However, over time, the town’s name also became associated with Nicolas Patricio y Mejia, the leader of the first settlers from San Jacinto and San Fabian, Pangasinan, who chose to live in what is today known as the municipality of San Nicolas.
Historical Development
The original settlers of San Nicolas were the Igorots, who came from the mountains of the adjacent Benguet Province. For years, the Igorots thrived in this peaceful environment, bringing with them their culture, beliefs, customs, and traditions, which were quite similar to those of the typical Ilocanos and Pangasinenses. Some of these include the belief in the “pugot” (headless creatures), “ansisit” (dwarves), “serena” (mermaids), ghosts, and deities. One of the superstitions handed down by these original settlers is never to sing in front of a stove while cooking, as it was believed to lead to marrying an old maid or an old man. Among their customs and traditions, the most widely practiced is the “uli,” a pre-wedding arrangement/agreement in which the parents of the bridegroom finalize the wedding preparations, including the dowry, date of marriage, and other related matters.
The Creation and Founding of the Town of San Nicolas
In 1780, a group of settlers from the towns of San Fabian and San Jacinto embarked on a journey and arrived at the verdant terrains of the Caraballo Mountains. Reaching the easternmost part of Pangasinan, they decided to settle there and start a new life, eventually establishing the town in 1810. According to local lore, the town was founded by Nicolas Patricio y Mejia and his wife, Isidra Sangalang. The couple was assisted by a handful of followers, including Jose Castillo, Raymundo Umaguing, and Bernardo Alimorong, among others.
With the joint approval of his followers and the Igorots, the original settlers of the place, Nicolas Patricio was appointed as Kapitan (President) in 1818. During his term, the bond of their union was greatly strengthened by just and fair governance. In grateful recognition of his sacrifices and leadership, the people named the settlement after him, and San Nicolas de Tolentino was adopted as their patron saint. During this time, if the Kapitan or President was Catholic, the rule required that the Vice President be an Igorot, ensuring equal representation in governance, though this practice eventually ceased.
In the early Spanish period of colonization, San Nicolas was part of the Province of Nueva Ecija. Along with the municipality of Tayug, it was later incorporated into the Province of Pangasinan. At that time, San Nicolas was only a “pueblo-visita” under the spiritual administration of the Parish of Tayug, a “pueblo-paroco” or town parish. During the Spanish era, the “curraparoco” (parish priest) played a significant role in the lives of Filipinos, from birth to death. Towards the end of 1845, the local officials of San Nicolas petitioned for the pueblo to be elevated to a parish. Based on this, a Spanish Royal Decree was issued by Governor Narciso Claveria on June 18, 1846, granting San Nicolas spiritual separation from the Mother Parish of Tayug. In 1849, San Nicolas was elevated to the status of “vicariate.”
Significant Events
San Nicolas prospered like other pioneering towns of its time. However, it also experienced unfortunate events, particularly in the early and late 19th century, which temporarily halted the town’s development. Notable among these were the earthquake of 1837, the famine of 1872, the great fires of 1876 and 1892, the cholera epidemics of 1901 and 1902, the smallpox outbreak of 1905, the influenza outbreak of 1918 and 1919, and the flood that devastated most villages in 1935.
In 1972, enormous flooding caused by the rainy season and a typhoon swelled the Ambayoan River, which overflowed into the surrounding areas, endangering lives and properties. In 1976, super typhoon “Didang” struck San Nicolas, bringing with it the biggest flood ever recorded in the town’s history. The Ambayoan River again swelled, flooding Barangay Sobol and the town proper, and completely wiping out the residential area of Barangay San Antonio. On July 16, 1990, a devastating earthquake that hit Baguio City and parts of Northern Luzon also severely impacted San Nicolas, destroying houses and infrastructure and claiming several lives.
Another difficult period in the town’s history, yet one that united its people, occurred during the incumbency of Nicolas Mejia Palis, a grandson of the founder, between early 1892 and late 1893, when outlaw groups threatened the town’s peace and security. Law enforcers and the people responded by organizing the Posse Comitatus, which pursued and defeated the criminals. The Filipino-American War of 1899 also took its toll, resulting in the destruction of the church, convent, schoolhouse, and tribunal.
A historic event was the colorum uprising led by Pedro Caloza, protesting abusive tenancy conditions. It broke out at dawn on March 10, 1931. Caloza and his men started from Sitio Mocudan of Barrio Sta. Maria, moving westward toward Tayug. Along the way, they burned two houses in Barrio San Roque, owned by policemen from the San Nicolas Constabulary Detachment. They set fire to the Catholic Church in Tayug, took over the Tayug Town Hall, and burned all land records. They also attacked the Philippine Constabulary headquarters in Tayug, killing Commanding Officer Lt. Bachini and Junior Officer Lt. San Pedro. During World War II, the town became the site of one of the fiercest battles between the 32nd Red Arrow Division of the USAFFE and the 33rd Imperial Army of Japan. Bullet holes from this battle are still visible in the old municipal building.
During the administration of Mayor Johnico Serquina and Vice Mayor Conrado B. Rodrigo, on March 10, 1988, a group of New People’s Army (NPA) members from nearby towns launched a surprise attack on the municipality, raiding the Town Hall and the local Police Station. Three policemen and two civilians, including the municipal ambulance driver, were killed.
Political, Administrative, and Fiscal Development
The economic development of San Nicolas can be traced to the **Camino de San Nicolas** (popularly called the Villaverde Trail) and its builder, Fr. Juan Fernandez Villaverde, O.P. Born on June 23, 1841, he was a missionary in Solano from 1885 to 1890. The trail, originally 74 kilometers long, starts from Cabalisian, San Nicolas, and extends to Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. This mountain highway facilitated the transportation of farm products, goods, and commodities, connecting a railway from Dagupan City to Santa Fe. It also enhanced trade and communication between Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya. Before the trail’s construction, there was a more circuitous route from San Nicolas to Aritao via Tayug, San Quintin, Umingan, and other towns. Fr. Villaverde’s vision in building the road was considered ahead of its time. The area along the Villaverde trail, particularly near Camp Four, showcases picturesque vegetable plantations laid out in checkered patterns.
The Villaverde trail significantly contributed to the extensive farming activities in San Nicolas, earning the town the title “Vegetable Basket of Eastern Pangasinan.” Crops grown in these farms include cabbages, pechay, string beans, eggplants, onions, garlic, cauliflower, lettuce, celery, peppers, tomatoes, radishes, sweet peas, carrots, and more. Busloads of these products are regularly transported to markets in Pangasinan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Manila. Increased food production, coupled with the availability of the Villaverde trail and transportation facilities, has played a major role in the municipality’s economic growth.
Another key figure in the town’s economic development was Edilberto Tamondong, who pioneered the conversion of idle lands into productive farms. Despite never taking a formal agriculture course, Mr. Tamondong became an expert through self-study, determination, and practical experience. He also spearheaded the “Seeds for Democracy Drive.” Don Gaudencio Mariano, Andres Lopez, Bonifacio Caser, and former Vice Mayor Laureano Sanchez were also involved in these ventures.
