| Lapog,
now San Juan, is found in the northern part of the province of Ilocos Sur,
Philippines. To its north is the town of Cabugao and to its south, the
town of Magsingal. It lies between the South China Sea, on the west, and
the Cordillera Mountains on the east. With a total land area of 55
square kilometers, it is approximately 8 hours away (425 kilometers) from
Metro Manila, 5 hours (220 kilometers) from Baguio City and one hour from
Laoag City. Lapog, as a community, is about 228 years old. According to
oral history, the first settlers called this town "Lapo" after a tall grass
which grew everywhere in the place. The name Lapo became Lapog during
the American era. This was attributed to the "bangbangcag" or "laplapog,"
the unirrigated clearings made by the early settlers in the poblacion.
Lapog was the town's official name until June 18, 1961, when the name was
changed to "San Juan" (after Saint John the Baptist) by virtue of Republic
Act 3386. Why the change in name? Since it became a community in the 1700s,
Lapog has been plagued with all sorts of misfortunes. It was thought
that a saint's name might be a "harbinger of peace, happiness and prosperity."
Even so, many people still fondly call their beloved hometown "Lapog." |
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The welcome
arch in the Magsingal-San Juan boundary
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A view
of the Cordillera Mountain range from the parish belfry
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