Country Philippines District 2nd District Time zone PST (UTC+8) Elevation 1,200 m Province Ilocos Sur | Region Ilocos (Region I) Barangays ZIP code 2720 Area 41.66 km² Local time Friday 2:45 PM | |
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Weather 28°C, Wind W at 13 km/h, 60% Humidity | ||
Gregorio del Pilar is a fifth class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 4,875 people.
Contents
- Map of Gregorio del Pilar Ilocos Sur Philippines
- Geography
- Barangays
- Sitios
- Demographics
- Tourist attractions
- Battle of Tirad Pass
- References
Map of Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
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. 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.
Sitios
Gregorio del Pilar is politically subdivided into 5 sitioss.
Demographics
In the 2015 census, the population of Gregorio del Pilar was 4,875 people, with a density of 120 inhabitants per square kilometre or 310 inhabitants per square mile.
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
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