Candon

The origin of the name of Candon is unknown. The name was rendered as Candón or Candon in old Spanish records. It might be named after the Spanish municipality of Candón in Huelva, Andalucia; or from a Hispanicization of Ilocano {{lang|ilo|kandong}} (Cyrtophyllum fragrans), a native species of tree with very hard wood also known as {{lang|ilo|agandong}} or {{lang|ilo|urandong}} in other places in the Ilocos region.{{cite web |title=Local History of Candon |url=https://candoncity.gov.ph/history/ |website=City of Candon, Republic of the Philippines |date=November 28, 2022 |access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Raras |first1=Jaime |title=The Quest: Kandong Tree |url=https://tawidnewsmag.com/the-quest-kandong-tree-last-part/ |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=Tawid News Magazine}}{{cite web |title=Tobacco Festival |url=https://www.festivalscape.com/philippines/ilocos-sur/tobacco-festival/ |website=FestivalScape |date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=8 April 2025}}

During the pre-colonial period, Candon was a coastal trading settlement frequented by trade ships of Austronesian, Arab, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese traders (similar to other trading towns along the Ilocos region like Aparri, Lingayen, and Vigan).{{Cite web |title=The City {{!}} Vigan City Government - Etymology: How the City Got its Name |url=https://vigancity.gov.ph/the-city/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=vigancity.gov.ph |language=en-US}}

The settlement also had a long history of trading ties with Cordillerans in the highlands of Luzon, which continued through the Spanish colonial period. The town of Candon features prominently in the accounts of Biag, the legendary 17th century folk hero and founder of Sagada. Candon also hosted missionaries who were converting the Itneg and other Cordilleran peoples in neighboring regions.{{cite journal |last1=Scott |first1=William Henry |title=The Legend of Biag, an Igorot Culture Hero |journal=Asian Folklore Studies |date=1964 |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=93–110 |doi=10.2307/1177639|jstor=1177639 }}

The history of Candon in the early Spanish period is hazy. The first church in the settlement was established by an Augustinian mission in 1591. According to modern folklore, this church was built near a kandong tree, which is supposedly the origin of the name of the city. The church was later replaced with the Candon Church in 1695. Candon Church was damaged by an earthquake in 1707 and was restored in 1713.{{cite web |title=Church of Candon historical marker |url=https://readtheplaque.com/plaque/church-of-candon-historical-marker#gsc.tab=0 |website=Read the Plaque |access-date=8 April 2025}} The church graveyard located south of the Población was opened in 1797.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

The settlement was organized into a municipality in 1780. The first civil government was established under the cabeza de barangay Don Juan P. Madarang by the Augustinian friar Mariano de Conquera. In the Diccionario geográfico, estadístico, histórico de las Islas Filipinas (Buzeta & Bravo, 1850-1851), Candon was described as being a city of around 3,000 households, with a port and a military fort named "San Martín de Tiagán". Candon was mainly agricultural. Its products consisted of rice, corn, sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits. It also had a cotton and indigo industry, as well as a livestock industry.{{cite book |last1=Buzeta |first1=Manuel |last2=Bravo |first2=O.S.A. |title=Diccionario Geográfico, Estadístico, Histórico, de las Islas Filipinas |date=1850–1851 |publisher=Imprenta de José C. de la Peña |location=Madrid |url=https://bibliotecadigital.jcyl.es/es/consulta/registro.do?id=2046}}

During the Philippine Revolution, Candon started forming local revolutionary groups in 1896. They planned to overthrow the local government by April 1, 1898. However, their plans were discovered when one of their members was captured by Spanish forces, forcing them to launch a premature assault. On March 25, 1898, the revolutionaries led by Isabelo Abaya attacked the Spanish garrison in Candon and managed to take the town. Abaya established the Republica de Filipinas Katipunan de Candon, a revolutionary government, and declared independence from the Spanish colonial government.

The Spanish colonial government retaliated by deploying the Cazadores, elite Spanish expeditionary troops. The better-trained and heavily-armed Spanish forces retook Candon and the rebels were arrested and summarily executed.

During the Japanese Occupation in the Second World War, another revolution was staged. Several truckloads of Imperial Japanese forces and supplies perished along the national highway. However, the Japanese soldiers retaliated by burning the whole town in January 1942.

Despite the hardships that the townsfolk went through during the war, residents resolved to rebuild. Tall acacia trees at the town plaza and municipal buildings are testimonies to the people's steadfastness, with large trees up to 15 meters high and 20 feet in circumference now line the National Highway in the Población.

{{main|Cities of the Philippines}}

In the Charter of Candon City, Candon applied to become the second city in the Province of Ilocos Sur so it can undertake government programs with additional funding from the national government. These were intended to benefit the people in the field of social services, economic growth, peace and order, health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

Like the "Kandong" tree of yore, Candon is just beginning to spread out its branches to reach out for the skies in its own bid to become the next city in Ilocos Sur. From the start of House Bill No. 7260 seeking to convert Candon into a component city was filed by then Congressman Eric D. Singson in the 10th Congress and later re-filed by Congresswoman Grace D. Singson in the 11th Congress. Owing to the merits and qualifications of Candon as the leading town in Southern Ilocos Sur, the bill easily got the approval of the Committees on Local Government in both House of Representatives and in the Senate.

Until recently, the aspiration for Candon to become a city remained a dream, but its destiny inevitable when the counterpart Senate Bill No. 2242 was sponsored by then Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr., Senators Frank Drilon, Sergio Osmeña III, and all the members of the Senate Committee on Local Government. It was subsequently approved unanimously by the Senate in plenary session, and now it is up to the townspeople to embrace this honor with an equally unanimous "YES to Cityhood" vote.http://candoncity.gov.ph/new/about-the-city/28-citihood{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The City of Candon is situated in the lower central portion of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It has a C-shape with elevations ranging from 10 – 500 ft above sea level.

Candon is situated {{convert|60.19|km}} from the provincial capital Vigan City, and {{convert|343.19|km}} from the country's capital city of Manila.

File:Brgy. Darapidap new lighthouse.jpg

Candon is politically subdivided into 42 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. It is bordered by Santiago, Banayoyo, Lidlidda, and San Emilio to the north, Galimuyod to the northeast, Salcedo to the west, and Santa Lucia to the south.

{{Div col|colwidth=17em}}

• Allangigan Primero
• Allangigan Segundo
• Amguid
• Ayudante
• Bagani Camposanto
• Bagani Gabor
• Bagani Tocgo
• Bagani Ubbog
• Bagar
• Balingaoan
• Bugnay
• Calaoaan
• Calongbuyan
• Caterman
• Cubcubboot
• Darapidap
• Langlangca Primero
• Langlangca Segundo
• Oaig-Daya
• Palacapac
• Paras
• Parioc Primero
• Parioc Segundo
• Patpata Primero
• Patpata Segundo
• Paypayad
• Salvador Primero
• Salvador Segundo
• San Agustin
• San Andres
• San Antonio (Población)
• San Isidro (Población)
• San Jose (Población)
• San Juan (Población)
• San Nicolas
• San Pedro
• Santo Tomas
• Tablac
• Talogtog
• Tamurong Primero
• Tamurong Segundo
• Villarica

{{div col end}}

The climate is generally dry that usually occurs from the months of October to May. However, the southernmost portion is observed to be humid and rain is evenly distributed throughout the year while the eastern part is dry with rain not sufficiently distributed. August has the most rainfall while January and February have the least. The mean temperature in the province is {{convert|27|C}}. January is the coldest.{{Cite web |url=http://www.1stphilippines.com/pc-18308ca7a28b30d70493248a7f6b2d64.html |title=1stPhilippines.Com - Candon City in the Philippines |access-date=February 8, 2010 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202431/http://www.1stphilippines.com/pc-18308ca7a28b30d70493248a7f6b2d64.html |url-status=dead }}

{{Weather box

| location = Candon City, Ilocos Sur

| width = auto

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 30

| Jan low C = 19

| Feb high C = 31

| Feb low C = 20

| Mar high C = 33

| Mar low C = 21

| Apr high C = 34

| Apr low C = 23

| May high C = 33

| May low C = 25

| Jun high C = 31

| Jun low C = 25

| Jul high C = 30

| Jul low C = 25

| Aug high C = 30

| Aug low C = 25

| Sep high C = 30

| Sep low C = 24

| Oct high C = 31

| Oct low C = 22

| Nov high C = 31

| Nov low C = 21

| Dec high C = 30

| Dec low C = 20

| Jan precipitation mm = 10

| Feb precipitation mm = 10

| Mar precipitation mm = 14

| Apr precipitation mm = 23

| May precipitation mm = 80

| Jun precipitation mm = 103

| Jul precipitation mm = 121

| Aug precipitation mm = 111

| Sep precipitation mm = 119

| Oct precipitation mm = 144

| Nov precipitation mm = 39

| Dec precipitation mm = 15

| Jan rain days = 5.2

| Feb rain days = 3.9

| Mar rain days = 6.2

| Apr rain days = 9.1

| May rain days = 18.5

| Jun rain days = 21.4

| Jul rain days = 22.9

| Aug rain days = 19.8

| Sep rain days = 19.8

| Oct rain days = 16.2

| Nov rain days = 10.5

| Dec rain days = 6.1

| source 1 = Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)

{{cite web

| url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/candon_philippines_1719251

| title = Candon: Average Temperatures and Rainfall

| publisher = Meteoblue

| access-date = May 14, 2020 }}

| date = May 14, 2020 }}

{{Philippine Census

| align= none

| cols = 3

| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}

| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}

| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}

| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}

| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}

| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}

| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}

| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}

| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}

| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}

| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}

| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}

| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}

| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}

| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}

| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}

| 2025 =

| 2030 =

| footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}

}}

In the 2020 census, the population of Candon was 61,432 people,{{PH census|current}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|61,432/103.28|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.

The dominant dialect spoken in Candon is Ilocano.

Candon City, located in the province of Ilocos Sur, is predominantly Christian, reflecting its strong religious heritage rooted in Spanish colonial influence and diverse faith traditions.

;Religious Demographics

According to the 2015 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO), the religious composition of the city is as follows:

• Roman Catholicism – 82.11%
• Iglesia ni Cristo – 10.45%
• Protestantism – 4.12%
• Other Christian denominations – 3.32%
• Islam – 1–2%
• Indigenous or traditional beliefs – Less than 1%

;Major Religious Groups

• Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, a legacy of centuries of Spanish colonial rule.
• Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has a significant presence in the city, with active congregations and regular worship services.
• Protestant groups in the city include Baptists, Evangelicals, and the United Methodist Church.
• Other Christian denominations, such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Pentecostal communities, also have established congregations.
• A small Muslim population resides in the city, contributing to its religious diversity.
• Some residents maintain indigenous or animist beliefs, though this group represents a very small portion of the population.

;Notable Places of Worship

• Candon Catholic Church (St. John of Sahagún Parish) – A historic church under the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
• Iglesia ni Cristo – Candon Locale
• Candon Evangelical Church
• United Methodist Church – Candon District

;Religious Festivals and Celebrations

• Candon City observes a variety of religious festivals and events, including:
• Holy Week (Semana Santa) – Marked by processions and church activities
• Simbang Gabi – Traditional pre-Christmas dawn masses
• Candon City Fiesta – Celebrated in honor of the city's patron saint
• Fiesta de San Juan – Local celebration associated with St. John the Baptist

;Religious Institutions and Organizations

The city is also home to religious educational institutions such as the Candon Catholic School, and hosts a number of community activities organized by churches and faith-based groups. Religious observances and festivals draw not only local devotees but also tourists, reflecting the city’s strong spiritual and cultural identity.

{{stack|float=left|{{PH poverty incidence}}}}

File:McDonalds Candon City.JPG

Candon City has a geographical setting and proximity to the national highway and other towns that encouraged greater mobility in terms of trade, economic, social and cultural activities. The Department of Trade and Industry termed the city as the "Center for Trade and Commerce" in Ilocos Sur.

Many adjacent towns frequent Candon for commercial activities, catering to the commercial needs of an estimated 100,000 population. The city also has a supermarket and shopping mall, banking and lending institutions, recreational facilities, tourism facilities, health and medical establishments.

Existing industries in Candon City are manufacturing, agro-industry and cottage industry. The manufacturing sector owns the Tobacco Stalk Cement Bonded Board Plant that produces particle boards for low cost housing and other construction needs. Other manufacturing establishments are based on kalamay-making, chichacorn (deep-fried corn), baked goods, ice cream, and vinegar; furniture making, concrete products manufacturing, and a coconut oil processing plant located at Barangay Talogtog. On the other hand, cottage industries include balut egg production, fish re-drying, salt making, native delicacies, woodcraft and handicraft.

Service establishments are also present in Candon, such as sari-sari and grocery stores, carinderias (small diners), nightclubs, barber shops, beauty parlors, gasoline stations and stores/outlets for the following: auto parts, agricultural equipment and supplies, school and office supplies, photo and supplies, appliances, pharmaceuticals, hardware and electrical. There are also video centers, bazaars, gift shops, pawnshops and mineral/distilled drinking water store outlets, and real estate.

The city is the center of trade and commerce in the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur. Urban growth has a linear pattern along major thoroughfares in the city center and the national highway.

{{clear left}}

Image:Candon City Hall.jpg

{{main|Sangguniang Bayan}}

Candon, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a city council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

File:Candon.png

The official seal of the City of Candon was approved and adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod under Resolution No. 017-01 sponsored by Councilor David Gacusana. It is published to immortalize the “Cry of Candon” of March 1898 and to commemorate the ratification of its Cityhood charter under Republic Act 9018 on March 28, 2001.

Explanatory notes:http://candoncity.gov.ph/new/about-the-city/32-the-seal{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

1. The seal is patterned after the Official Seal of Ilocos Sur, which is also the general pattern being used by all the seals of the different provinces in the Philippines.
2. The emblem at the middle of the circle represents the Philippine Flag, which symbolizes the spirit of nationalism.
3. The TORCH at the middle of the flag represents the spirit of 1898 demonstrating an ever-burning desire of our people for “liberty, justice and democracy.”
4. The SABER and the RIFLE crossed below the torch are symbols of the readiness of the people to protect human rights. While the TOBACCO LEAVES behind them are like outstretched wings whereby the local agriculture economy thrives.
5. The date on top of the glowing flame is the date of the immortal “Cry of Candon” when our forefathers, led by the indomitable Don Isabelo Abaya, fought and successfully liberated Candon from the Spanish overlords a full three months before the National uprising of June 12, 1898.
6. Finally, the banner beneath the emblem contains the historic Candon City Charter – Republic Act 9018 of March 28, 2001, declaring Candon as a city.

Image:FvfCandonChurch9359 06.JPG

File:Candon City Arena.jpg

• Candon Church (Saint John de Sahagun Parish Church)
• Darapidap Beach
• Tobacco Festival - Celebrated every month of March as thanksgiving for the city's vast harvest of tobacco
• Feria de Candon (Trade Fair) - Every first week of December in honor of Santa Barbara (December 4).
• Candon City Arena - Opened in 2023, the 8,000-seater arena has hosted various sporting events and concerts.{{Cite web |last=Mariano |first=Paolo |date=2023-10-27 |title=New Candon arena to host thrilling double treat in third stop of PVL on Tour |url=https://www.onesports.ph/pvl/article/16565/new-candon-arena-to-host-thrilling-double-treat-in-third-stop-of-pvl-on-tour |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Naredo |first=Camille B. |date=2024-04-13 |title=PBA: TNT erases deficit to snap NLEX's winning streak |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/13/pba-tnt-erases-deficit-to-snap-nlex-s-winning-streak-2056 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=ABS-CBN News}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-09-26 |title=Ben&Ben, Parokya Ni Edgar, and Flow G to Rock Candon Festival 2024 |url=https://www.wheninmanila.com/benben-parokya-ni-edgar-flow-g-candon-festival-2024/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.wheninmanila.com |language=en-US}}

Candon City is accessible via the McArthur National Highway, which is also the city's main thoroughfare. Other major streets in the city are 25 de Marzo Street and San Juan Street, both parallel to the National Highway. Quirino Boulevard is a secondary highway that connects the city proper to the upland barangays of Candon City and the upland municipalities of Ilocos Sur. The Darapidap Beach Road or the Samonte Boulevard where you can find the Muslim Mosque aside of it. This Road connects the seaside barangays to the urban center.

Tricycles and jeepneys are the major types of transportation in the city. There are over 3000 registered tricycles in the city, the highest number of registered tricycles in the province (as an individual local government unit.)

Buses provide long-distance trips to major cities like Manila, Baguio and Laoag. Mini-Buses provide short trips to neighboring municipalities and the nearby cities of Vigan and San Fernando, La Union. Major Bus Companies also established their terminals in the city, among them are:

• Partas
• Dominion Bus Lines
• Santa Lucia Express and Martinez Trans (managed by Victory Liner)
• Candon Bus Line

The Candon City Schools Division Office oversees the operations of all Schools District Offices within the city. The Division Office is managed by the Department of Education (DepEd). There are two schools district offices (SDOs), namely: Candon City District I Schools District Office, and Candon City District II Schools District Office. They govern the operations of all private and public elementary and high schools throughout the city.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Masterlist of Schools |url=https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SY-2020-2021-Masterlist-of-Schools-Address-only-1-1.pdf |access-date=April 18, 2025 |website=Department of Education}} Tertiary levels are governed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Allangigan Elementary School
• Amguid Elementary School
• Ayudante Elementary School
• Bagani Elementary School
• Bagani-Tocgo Elementary School
• Bagar Elementary School
• Balingaoan Elementary School
• Bugnay Elementary School
• Cabanela Preschool Center
• Calaoa-an Elementary School
• Calongbuyan Elementary School
• Candon North Central School
• Candon South Central School
• Candon South Central School SPED Center
• Caterman Elementary School
• Caterman Mt. Zion Academy
• Cubcubbuot Elementary School
• Filomeno G. Gagarin Elementary School
• Darapidap Elementary School
• Langlangca Elementary School
• Maranatha Christian Academy (Elementary)
• Nicosat Colleges (Elementary)
• Oaig-Daya Elementary School
• Parioc East Elementary School
• Parioc Elementary School
• Patpata Elementary School
• Paypayad Elementary School
• Salvador Elementary School
• San Andres Adventist Elementary School
• San Juan de Sahagun (Parish) Pre-School Formation Center
• St. Cecilia Early Learning Center (Elementary)
• St. Joseph's Institute (Elementary)
• Sto. Tomas Elementary School
• Tablac Elementary School
• Talogtog Elementary School
• Tamurong Elementary School
• The Shepherd Kiddie School
• The Sto. Tomas UMC Children's Garden Learning Center
• Ubbog Elementary School
• UCCP - Nursery Kindergarten School

{{div col end}}

• Candon City High School
• Candon City Information Technology National High School
• Candon National High School
• Dr. Ricardo Gacula Memorial National High School
• Maranatha Christian Academy
• Nicosat Colleges (High School)
• St. Cecilia Early Learning Center
• St. Joseph's Institute
• Sto. Tomas National High School

• Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC)
• Nicosat Colleges
• North Luzon Philippines State College - Formerly a campus of the University of Northern Philippines, founded as the Candon Community College before its merger with UNP by virtue of a bill enacted by then Congressman Eric Singson.
• Saint Joseph Institute - a co-ed private school owned and administered by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

• DZTP 693 kHz Tirad Pass Broadcasting Network

• DWRE 104.5 Radyo Natin

• {{flagicon|USA}} Honolulu, Hawaii, United States{{cite web|url=http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/824-site-csd-news-2015-cat/20524-05-11-15-honolulu-and-candon-city-become-sister-cities.html|title=05/11/15 Honolulu and Candon City become Sister-Cities|work=honolulu.gov|access-date=November 26, 2015}}
• {{flagicon|Philippines}} Baguio, Philippines{{cite news|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/opinion/2016/06/28/marvil-baguio-and-candon-city-sign-sisterhood-mou-482194|title=Baguio and Candon City Sign Sisterhood MOU|work=SunStar|access-date=June 28, 2016}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{EB1911 poster|Candon}}

• {{official website|http://www.candoncity.gov.ph/}}
• [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081120024509/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/census2007/index.html Philippine Census Information]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120509055627/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=2&frmIdProvince=19&frmIdLgu=224 Local Governance Performance Management System]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Candon City

|North = Santiago / Banayoyo

|Northeast = San Emilio

|East = Galimuyod

|Southeast = Salcedo

|South = Santa Lucia

|West = South China Sea

}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Articles Related to Candon

|list =

{{Ilocos Sur}}

{{Philippine cities}}

{{Ilocos Region Provinces}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Ilocos Sur

Category:Populated places established in 1780

Category:1780 establishments in the Philippines

Category:Populated coastal places in the Philippines

Category:Component cities in the Philippines