Kasaysayan Ng Laog ilocos Tagalog history ✍️

 History of Laoag

Pre-colonial Period

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the region now comprising Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and La Union was already rich in gold and engaged in international trade. Japanese and Chinese merchants frequently visited to exchange goods such as beads, ceramics, and silk. The local Austronesian inhabitants called their land samtoy, meaning “this is our language” (sao mi itoy).

Spanish Arrival and Colonization (1572 onward)

In 1571, after the Spaniards had established control over Manila, Juan de Salcedo led an expedition north with 45 men and eight boats. On June 13, 1572, they landed in Vigan and then proceeded to Laoag, Currimao, and Badoc. Observing the numerous sheltered coves (looc) along the coast, Salcedo named the region Ylocos, and its people Ylocanos.

Under Spanish rule, Christianization reshaped the region. Churches and bell towers were built in accordance with King Philip’s 1573 Law of the Indies, which promoted settlements bajo de las campanas (“under the bells”). Garrisoned troops often stayed near the church to maintain order.

Resistance Against Spanish Rule

Despite colonization efforts, Spanish control faced significant resistance due to abuses by some Augustinian friars:

Dingras Uprising (1589)

Pedro Almasan Revolt in San Nicolas (1660)

Diego Silang Rebellion (1762–1763), continued by his widow Gabriela Silang after his death

Basi Revolt in Piddig (1807) over government monopoly of sugarcane wine

Other notable events include the excommunication of Gregorio Aglipay in 1898 for supporting the revolutionary movement, leading to the formation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

Population Growth and Administrative Division

From 1715 to 1818, Ilocos experienced a population boom from 18,980 to 282,845, which made governance difficult. Frequent uprisings due to forced labor and monopolies prompted the Spanish authorities to divide the Ilocos region. On February 2, 1818, a royal decree officially separated Ilocos Norte from Ilocos Sur, designating Laoag—then the largest settlement—as the capital of Ilocos Norte.

Cityhood

Laoag was converted from a municipality to a city in 1965 via plebiscite, retaining its role as the provincial capital. The first city mayor was Eulalio F. Siazon

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