San Esteban is the smallest town along the coastline of Ilocos Sur in Northwestern Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines.  It lies 45 kilometers south of the capital town of Vigan. Criscrossed by scenic hills and valleys, it is bounded to the north by the municipality of Santa Maria, to the south is Santiago, to the east are mountains bounding Burgos, and to the west is the China Sea. A fifth class municipality with annual income of P7, 848,397.00, the town has an area of 2,402.7 hectares and a population of 6,508. It has 10 barangays: Ansad, Apatot, Bateria, Cabaruan, Cappa-Cappa, Poblacion, San Nicolas, San Pablo, San Rafael and Villa Quirino.

Now there are two high schools - the San Esteban National High School and the San Esteban Academy (formerly Edwin Lee Memorial Academy) and four elementary schools - the South Central School, North Central School, Ansad Elementary School and Apatot Community School.

According to a legend, the town’s original name was “Cabagbagototan” which was derived from the Ilocano word “bagbagotot,” a wild bush that produces numerous elongated woody stems which bears berry-like fruits. “Bagbagotot” were abundant in the vast wilderness; the reason why it was aptly called “Cabagbagototan.”

The Augustinian Friars who introduced the Catholic Church founded San Esteban in 1625. Because of the abundance of stones along the coastal mountains, the town was probably renamed San Esteban after St. Stephen (the town’s patron saint), a Christian martyr who was stoned to death.Quarrying is a productive industry particularly in Barangay San Pablo. Beautiful and decorative cobbles and stones are being sold to contractors of buildings, parks and landscapes. The most popular stone products are the “alsong,” a mortar used for pounding rice, the “gilingan,” used for grinding corn kernals and mongo beans and the “almires,” a small mortar used for pounding and processing spices.

Agriculture is the major industry. Farmers most plant and harvest rice, Virginia tobacco, corn and different varieties of vegetables. Commercial fishing is also common on its territorial seawater. Its seaport in Barangay Villa Quirino was used in ships and boats up to the late 1940s to transport log from Cagayan, rice from Pangasinan, sugar from Candon, Ilocus Sur and other cargos for barter.

Ravages of revolutions and wars weathered the town. The town’s people participated in the Diego Silang Revolt, the Revolution of 1896 (Katipunan), the defense of Bataan and Corregidor war in 1942 and the Bessang Passin 1945. During the World War II, San Esteban became the message center of the 121st Infantry, USAFIP-NL, the provisional seat of the provincial government during the liberation campaign and the seat od the base hospital of the U.S. Army. The first U.S. Submarine carrying tons of war equipment and supplies including 16 commandos of the USS GAR also landed in San Esteban on  November 23, 1944 which placed the town on the world map during the allies’ campaign in the Far East. Coincidentally, one of the commandos, Lazaro Guzman, was native of San Esteban. A National Historical Marker and Memorial dedicated by President Marcos on December 16, 1982 now stands on the spot in Barangay Apatot where the commandos first touched Philippine soil and hastened the liberation of the counrty from Japan.

One of the Spanish landmarks in San Esteban is the Bateria, a tower contructed with stone bricks that served as a lookout post against pirates and invaders. The coastline is landscaped with coconut groves and white sandy beaches that attract tourists for excursion, picnicking swimming, pleasure boating and fishing.

The present town officials are Hon. ArmandoV. Abad, Mayor; Hon. Solomon V. Benitez, Vice Mayor; and the Sanguniang Bayan members include Hon. Mildred M. Elaydo, Hon. Rodolfo E. Galimba, Hon. Florence V. Ramirez, Hon.Elfren A. Elaydo, Jr., Hon. Jose C. Eleccion, Hon. Hermes A. Caceres, Hon. Johnny E. Cabalo, and Hon. Ernesto G. Hernaez.

The San Estebanians of Washington have adopted the “alsong” as its logo which signifies unity, strength, courage and progress that characterize the natives of San Esteban wherever they settle.

By: Marjorie Cabalo

Collaborated by: E.A. Apolonio and S.L. Foronda