Santo Domingo, Albay

Santo Domingo
Municipality
Map of Albay showing the location of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°14′6″N 123°46′37″E / 13.23500°N 123.77694°E / 13.23500; 123.77694Coordinates: 13°14′6″N 123°46′37″E / 13.23500°N 123.77694°E / 13.23500; 123.77694
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol (Region V)
Province	Albay
District	1st District
Barangays	23
Government[1]
• Mayor	Herbie B. Aguas
Area[2]
• Total	51.22 km2 (19.78 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	32,414
• Density	630/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4508
Dialing code	52
Income class	4th class; rural
Website	sto-domingo.8m.com

Santo Domingo (or Sto. Domingo) is a fourth class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2010 Philippine census, it has a population of 32,414 people.^[3]

Barangays

Santo Domingo is divided into 23 barangays.^[2]

History

Sto. Domingo was a former barrio of Ibalon, then the Municipality of Albay, now Legazpi City. It became a separate Municipality in 1749 through the uproar of its inhabitants and under the leadership of Don Diego Castellanos who took the matter first to the authorities in Manila, and to the Bishop of Ambos Camarines. But it was not until 1785, 36 years after its establishment as a town that a church was built. In those days, it was only church building that represented the town. The first church was made of wood and basag (bamboo split). Here the statue of the patron saint Sto. Domingo (St. Dominic de Guzman), whose feast is observed every August 4, was placed. When the church was burned in 1882, the Spanish priests built a new one the present artistic church with “piedras ladradas” chiseled balustrades and twin domes.

The town of Sto. Domingo was originally named Libog. Albay historians say that there were a number of stories on the origin of the name Libog. One version is that libog was derived from the Bikol word “labog” meaning unclear water for there was a time when there was no potable water anywhere in the locality. Another has it that the town might have been called after “labog” (jellyfish), which abound in its coastal water. “Libod” (behind) is another version because the town’s position is behind the straight road from Legazpi to Tabaco across Basud to Sta. Misericordia.

Still another version is the corrupted form of the word “libot” which means round about or winding way. In the early days of Spanish invasion, there were two routes passing through this place to Tabaco: one trail was straight or a short cut and the other was a round about (libot) way passing through the center of the town (via Poblacion). Later when the time came to classify and arrange this settlement to give it a political status as a visita of Binanuahan, now Legazpi Port, the corruption crept in – Libog for Libot. Hence, this town was named “El Pueblo de Liboug”, by the Spanish conquerors.

In 1816, one hundred fifty-nine (159 Moro pirates and six (6) vintas attacked the town, taking them one captive, Juan de la Conception, who was able to return after 30 years. The attack prompted the people to construct watchtowers and walls along the shores, which served as their shelter from attacks. Ruins of there walls are still existence.

The year 1832 provided memorable events to the people of Sto. Domingo: first, the town received its pioneer Filipino priest, father Martin Martinez, and, second, the Presidencia Municipal was completed under Captain Teodoro Felebrico. This building was ruined and rehabilitated a public school building in 1918.

Demographics

Tourism

Potenciano Gregorio, Sr., a famous Bicolano composer and musician was born here on May 19, 1880. A shrine where his remains are kept is located in the Town Plaza.

Sarung Banggi Festival, an eight-day summer festivity immortalizing Potenciano Gregorio, Sr.'s timeless composition is held here annually in the month of May.

The beaches in this area are best for viewing. Resorts along the Sto Domingo coastline offer a wonderful view of the black beach, the Albay Gulf and a part of the Legazpi City area. Some resorts offer entertainment facilities like videoke and billiards. Some have private pools.

Spanish galleon wreck site which serves as a strong reminder of the rich Manila to Acapulco (Mexico) trade routes during the Spanish era. Found along the shores of Buhatan beach at Sto. Domingo, Albay, this galleon relic was wrought by a strong typhoon on its way to Acapulco and crushed on the reefs of Albay Gulf. This historical remains lie at five fathoms (9 m) under the sea. It is an ideal place for scuba diving, fishing or boating.^[4]

See also

• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

References

External links

• Sto. Domingo Albay Official Website
• DILG Regional Office No. 5 (Bicol Region)
• Region V Local Government Units
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information

	Malilipot	Bacacay
	Mayon Volcano		Albay Gulf
		Santo Domingo
		Legazpi	Albay Gulf / Manito

Province of Albay Legazpi (capital) Municipalities Bacacay Camalig Daraga Guinobatan Jovellar Libon Malilipot Malinao Manito Oas Pio Duran Polangui Rapu-Rapu Santo Domingo Tiwi Component cities Legazpi Tabaco Ligao