Dingras

Dingras
Municipality
Facade of the church of Dingras
Seal
Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of Dingras
Dingras Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 18°06′33″N 120°41′34″E / 18.10917°N 120.69278°E / 18.10917; 120.69278Coordinates: 18°06′33″N 120°41′34″E / 18.10917°N 120.69278°E / 18.10917; 120.69278
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos (Region I)
Province	Ilocos Norte
District	2nd District
Founded	1598
Barangays	31
Government
• Mayor	Erdio Valenzuela
Area
• Total	96.00 km2 (37.07 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)
• Total	38,562
• Density	400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	2913
IDD : area code	+63 (0)77
Income class	2nd class; rural
Website	www.dingras.gov.ph

Dingras is a second class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 38,562 people.

The Municipality of Dingras has a total area of 17,962 hectares, ranking 8th in size among the 23 municipalities including Laoag City. It accounts for practically 5.2% of the total land area of Ilocos Norte and corresponding percentage to the municipal area composed of thirty one (31) barangays. Six (6) are on the Poblacion and twenty five (25) in the rural area. Out of the total area 6,305 hectares is devoted to rice and corn production. Other non-productive areas are devoted to livestock production, swine production and other livelihood projects. Most of the population are engaged in farming as the primary source of income.

Dingras is politically subdivided into 31 barangays. 

The Legend of DINGRAS

As in other communities, the town of Dingras has an interesting legend as to how its name evolved. The legend, as handed down from generation to generation, was classically romantic, a gallant heir - warrior fighting for a lady’s love.

In the early times, there were two prosperous barangays in the present site of the town each one ruled by a powerful chief or datu. They were bitter and mortal enemies. Naslag was the powerful chief of the barangay north of the river while Allawigan was the chief of the south of the river. One day, Allawigan and his warriors went to hunt. Rass, his son, was the bravest among them. During the hunt, Ras followed the deer, which went north across the river. While he was watching the fleeing deer, he saw a beautiful damsel gathering wild flowers on the opposite side of the riverbank. She was Ding, the daughter of Naslag. To help the lady, Ras gathered the most beautiful flowers near him; put them at the head of his arrow and shoot near the lady’s feet. Ding looked at the other side of the river and waved her hands. Ras went home happily.

Ras begged his father for permission to win Ding for his wife. But because the fathers of Ding and Ras were bitter enemies, the only way he could win her was in the open battle fiercely fought between the two tribes. Ras led his father’s warriors. They fought valiant and came out victorious in the end. Ras asked for Ding as a prize but Naslag refused. This angered him and hurled a challenge to the bravest warrior of Naslag in single combat with Ding as prize. The challenge was accepted. The combat was fought, and again, Ras was victorious. He brought Ding triumphantly to Allawigan, his father. Thereafter, the people named the two barangays Dingras, after Ras, their valiant warrior ruler, and Ding, his beautiful wife.