Candon

Component City

Candon City Hall

Seal

Nickname(s): Tobacco Capital of the Philippines

Motto: Liberty, Justice and Unity

Map of Ilocos Sur showing the location of Candon City

Candon

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 17°12′N 120°27′E / 17.2°N 120.45°ECoordinates: 17°12′N 120°27′E / 17.2°N 120.45°E

Country

Ilocos (Region I)

Established

1780 (as municipality)

Cityhood

March 28, 2001

Barangays

Government

• Mayor

Ericson Gacula Singson

Area

• Total

103.28 km² (39.88 sq mi)

Population (2015 census)

• Total

60,623

• Density

590/km² (1,500/sq mi)

Time zone

PST (UTC+8)

ZIP code

2710

IDD : area code

+63 (0)77

Website

www.candoncity.gov.ph

Candon is a fourth class city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 60,623 people.

Dubbed as the "Tobacco Capital of the Philippines" the city is the country's largest producer of Virginia-type tobacco.

This once small resort town is known for making the heaviest and largest kalamay, a sweet and sticky snack made from sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar, in the world. This city also has a rich historical background. In its legends, the name of the city is derived from the legendary "kandong" tree which is now but extinct in the area. Its patron saint is John of Sahagun and his feast day is celebrated every June 12.

Candon is the center of the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur. Government District offices are all located in the city. The city supports more than 100,000 citizens in terms of commercial and industrial services.

Several theories exist about the etymology of the city. One is that the name of the city was derived from the now rare "candong" tree. It is said by locals that during Spanish times, the powerful chieftains of the area, after having a gathering called a "kaniaw," held a contest (called "gabbu," a wrestling contest) to decide the husband of Ineng, the daughter of the most powerful chieftain, Madal-ang, and his would-be successor, owing to his advancing age. The contest was held under the shade of the candong trees, the residence of Madal-ang. The winner was the chieftain named Kalinio, resident of the caves of Cauplasan who defeated Madal-ang and another chieftain named Abay-a from the caves of Cadanglaan. Kalinio and the daughter of the chieftain were wed under the shade of a candong tree in grandiose ceremonies.

During this wedding, a group of Spaniards, which included Captain Juan de Salcedo, passed by, and asked what was going on. Natives thought they were asking for the name of the tree, so they uttered, "Candong." Candon in Spanish would be pronounced as Candong.

Another theory is that the place was named after the town of Candon in Spain.

Candon City 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. The city is bounded by the municipality of Santa Lucia in the south; the municipality of Salcedo is the southeast,; the municipalities of Galimuyod and San Emilio in the east; the municipalities of Santiago and Banayoyo in the north and the South China Sea in the west.

...
Wikipedia