The present name of San Nicolas was given in the year 1733, after Saint Nicholas de Tolentino who was believed to have protected the people against floods, earthquakes, fires, typhoons and other calamities. It is significant that in Ilocos Norte, only San Nicolas was named after a Saint.
Like any other town in the ancient province of Ilocos, San Nicolas was established by Augustinian missionaries. Vigan, the first Spanish mission center in this region, was founded in 1575. In the year 1572, when the Spaniards first explored the Laoag (Padsan) River, they met hostile resistance from the natives of San Nicolas and Laoag. In another expedition dispatched from Vigan in 1584 San Nicolas was established and Laoag followed a year later.
San Nicolas Catholic Church built in 1701 is one of the oldest buildings in this province. Its original structure is one of the must see places of the town. The Church and the attached Sta. Rosa Academy Building, the well preserved Municipal Hall and the old Town Plaza sprawled between them constitute the heart of the town center. These buildings and structures are originally built and continue to be festooned with earthen bricks, which is among the products of the surviving local earthenware industry.
San Nicolas is a land-locked town. It is bordered by Laoag on the north and west, by Paoay and Batac to the south and by Sarrat to the east. In terms of area, San Nicolas is the smallest municipality in Ilocos Norte province, but is one of the wealthiest and most populous. Some locals consider the Padsan River, which runs as a border between Laoag and San Nicolas, as part of San Nicolas rather than Laoag.
The Municipality of San Nicolas is politically divided into 24 barangays:
Barangay 1, San Francisco
The first Malayan settlers were situated on the northern side of Brgy.1.This way besides the Rio Gaco,nowadays called Padsan(Laoag)River,where they could get water supply.But because of floods,the settlers move south and what is now Brgy.3.
Barangay 2, San Baltazar
In Spanish time, this barrio was named
Navarra after a place in Spain.
Barangay 3, San Ildefonso
Named after
Alfonso XII, a Spanish king.
Barangay 4, San Bartolome
Named
Luzon after the biggest group of island,Luzon.
Barangay 5, San Silvestre
Named by the Spaniards
Visayas.
Barangay 6, San Juan Bautista
Named
Mindanao.
Barangay 7, San Miguel
Named by the Spaniards
Filipinas because it is situated in the east of the Pueblo, noting that the Philippines is on the east side of the globe.
Barangay 8, San Rufino
In line with its Economic Program Pottery was introduced by the Spanish Authorities. It soon became a Pilot Center where people from different barangays took lessons in Pottery. Hence, it was called "Alfareria" means "Art of Pottery".
Barangay 9, San Lucas
Also known as
Cabugnayan and
Capitacan. During the early part of the 18th century, areas of San Nicolas were still wilderness and there was not a single road leading to this place. Unfriendly Tinggians and Igorots lived in these places and people in the poblacion avoided them.
Barangay 10, San Paulo
Also known as Pamitacan from the word
Pitak or mud, because its muddy when it rains.
Barangay 11, San Fernando
Located along the McArthur Highway and bordered between Barangays 10, 12, 3 and 22.
Barangay 12, San Cayetano
Located next to Barangay 11
Barangay 13, San Eugenio
Located next to Barangay 12 and has a little rice fields situated in its area.
Barangay 14, San Gregorio
Situated in the south of Barangay 15. It is the home to Eladio Barangan Elementary School.
Barangay 15, San Jose
Its here we can find the cemetery (also in Brgy.1) and the Gertes Hospital.
Barangay 16, San Marcos
Locally known as Payas.
Barangay 17, Santa Asuncion
Known as Samac. It can be reach via Payas Road or by Brgy.18.
Barangay 18, San Pedro
Southern most (eastern portion) barangay of San Nicolas. Known as Bingao meaning "Art of Burning".
Barangay 19, San Lorenzo
Lies in the north of Bingao.
Barangay 20, San Pablo
Southern most (western portion) of San Nicolas.
Barangay 21, San Agustin
Known as Bugnay and where the Venvi is situated.
Barangay 22, San Guillermo
Known as Catuguing because of its many
tuguis or kamoteng kahoy.
Barangay 23, Santa Cecilia
Known as Barabar.
Barangay 24, Santa Monica
known as Nagrebcan. It is also known as
Daan nga Ili.
San Nicolas has a tropical savanna climate with warm to hot temperatures year round. Temperatures dips sightly during the winter months between December to February.
In the 2015 census, the population of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, was 36,736 people, with a density of 910 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,400 inhabitants per square mile.
Christianity is the predominant religion in the Philippines and is likewise the same in San Nicolas. Among the denominations of Christianity, Aglipayan Church make up the majority. Other Christian denominations that are practiced and situated in the town include Jehovah's Witnesses, which has increasing number of members and two conregations in Iloco and Tagalog, Iglesia ni Cristos and Mormons. Below are religious buildings situated in San Nicolas:
Calvary Baptist Church (Brgy. 15)
Free Gospel Church (Brgy. 2)
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (Brgy.2)
Saint Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church (Brgy.3)
Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Brgy.3)
Church of Jesus Latter-Day Saints (Brgy.2)
Church of Jesus Latter-Day Saints (Brgy.21)
Iglesia ni Cristo (Brgy.1)
Jesus is Lord (Brgy.12)
Pottery making is the main trademark of San Nicolas. It was introduced by the Spaniards mainly in Brgy. 8, and they called it Alfareria, meaning "Art of Pottery". Other traditional crafts include the making of Tagapulot, Lapida, Chicharon and Longganisa. The town also has a large ricefields.
San Nicolas is known for its car stores and sales. In Ilocos Norte, San Nicolas is the only one who has new car dealers. There are also many businesses inside Robinson's Mall and SM Save More.
As of Election 2013-2016, these are the officials of San Nicolas:
Mayor: Melanie Grace P. Valdez
Vice Mayor: Alfredo P. Valdez Jr. (NP)
Councillors:
Aladine T. Santos (NP)
Norberto S. Dadiz Jr.
Domingo C. Ambrocio (NP), also the President of the Philippine Councilors League of Ilocos Norte
Orlando B. Badua
Ariel B. Villa Jr.(NP)
Oscar V. Domingo
Reynaldo A. Corpuz
Efren C. Butay
Shield, derived from the Provincial Seal of Ilocos Norte
Gear, symbolizes the systematic livelihood of the people of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
Tong and Hammer, represents the blacksmithing and labor
Jar, signifies the pottery industry which dates back to the Spanish time
Hide, denotes tannoing and leather craft
Water, represents the irrigation system that produces two croppings a year
Carabao Head, the common work-animal; friend of the farmer; symbolizes agriculture
San Nicolas is a place of historic buildings. Examples are San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church and San Nicolas Municipal Hall.
Damili Festival- A festival annually celebrated at the last week of December to showcase the tradition of San Nicolenos. And the highlights of the festival is the Damili Street Daance and Showdown Competition usually held every December 28.
Valdez Center-The biggest project of Venvi Group of Companies. Robinsons Mall, 365 Plaza, Freddo, Balai Condominium, and McDonalds San Nicolas, Venvi IT Park (Accenrture, a BPO Company), VYV San Nicolas (EGS, a BPO Company) are situated here. More infrastructure is seen to rise in this place. this is the center of business in San Nicolas and also business center of Ilocos Norte.
Robinsons Ilocos Norte -The first full-operating mall in the province, was built in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. Opening last December 3, 2009, it makes a good income to the town and the province. Last December 18, 2012 the mall expansion was announced.
Northwestern University Ecotourism Park and Botanical Gardens-A member of the Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI), which caters to the conservation of important indigenous plant species of the province which are now on the verge of extinction.
St. Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church
San Nicolas Town Plaza
Buabo-Buabo
Valdes Residencia
Valdez-Lardizabal House - used in World War II as a Headquarters of the Japanese Army and also used in the American Regime.
San Nicolas Municipal Hall
High Schools
San Nicolas National High School (SNNHS) - is the most popular high school destination for teens living in the urban-part of the town. It is also the most populated school in San Nicolas. As of S.Y. 2015-2016 the school's attendance is than 1,500 of students. The school offers various curriculum. (Special Science Curriculum, SPA, Open High, SPED, and Regular)
Bingao National High School - formerly SNNHS Bingao Campus. But last June 9, 2015,the school was announced to be a different school from SNNHS.
Sta. Rosa Academy - the least populated school in San Nicolas and town's only private and Catholic School. Named after St. Rose of Lima, the patron saint of one of its founders. It is one of the oldest schools in the Diocese of Laoag. It was established in 1936 by the late Msgr. Fidel Albano, together with the late Miss Rosa Valdes, Mrs. Teresa Llopis Zabala and Miss Castora Bonoan.
Elementary Schools
San Nicolas Elementary School - also known as Central School, located at Brgy.3.
Eladio V. Barangan Memorial Elementary School - Located at Brgy.14
Cayetano Bumanglag Memorial Elementary School - Formerly Payas Elementary School, located at Brgy.16
Catuguing Elementary School - Located at Brgy.22
Asuncion Elementary School - Located at Brgy.17
Bugnay Elementary School - Located at Brgy.21
Bingao Elementary School - Located at Brgy.18
Filipinas East Elementary School - Formerly Filipinas Elementary School-Main Campus and located at Brgy.7 (East)
Filipnas West Elementary School - Formerly Filipinas Elementary School-Annex Campus and located at Brgy.7 (West)
Pasion Barangan Memorial Elementary School - Located at Brgy.24
Barabar Elementary School - Located at Brgy.23
The Black Nazarene Hospital, Inc - located in Brgy. 2
Municipal Health Center - located in Brgy. 3
Gertes Hospital - located in Brgy. 15
Mamaclay Clinic - located in Brgy. 7
Basketball is widely played in the town.Every year,there is a competition in Basketball sponsored by the local government.As the countries' National Game, Sepak Takraw is also played.Volleyball,Baseball,Softball and Badminton is also played mainly in schools.
Agoo, La Union
Licab, Nueva Ecija
