Municipality of Santa Monica

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      Santa Monica is one of the towns in Siargao Island. It lies along the northern seacoast. It is approximately fifty-five nautical miles away from the mainland of Surigao. Its former name  was Sapao. It was the name given by the first Spaniards who reached the place. It was believed that a fisherman who casted a net was asked by the Spaniards as to the name of the place. The fisherman’s reply was “no sapao”, meaning he missed to catch the school of fish.   Another version of the story states that the fisherman had caught so much fish that filled his banca. When the fisherman was asked by the Spaniards as to the name of the place,his answer was “sapao”, meaning his banca was full of fish.  Since then, this place has been called “Sapao”.

 

       Sapao had been a pueblo (town) during the Spanish regime. But later on, the town of Sapao was reverted into a barrio. Sapao belong to the municipality of Numancia (now Del Carmen) until September 30, 1953. During that time, Sapao has given several municipal mayors from Numancia. Nicolas Vitanzos, Teodulfo Concha and Maximino Cometa, Sr. were elected mayors of Numancia during    pre-war   period. During the Japanese occupation, the late Vice Mayor Ricardo Platil was appointed Mayor of Numancia of the Free Philippines to head the        Municipal Government of the Resistance Movement.

 

       Sapaonons had a dream. They wanted Sapao to become a municipality once again. The 14-man mission approached Congressman Ricarido Navarro (lone representative of the Province of Surigao) in order to express the great     desire of the people to convert the barrio of Sapao into a municipality. The 14-man  mission composed of the following: Zosimo Nogaliza, Timoteo Nogaliza, Ruperto Beterbo, Teotimo Arlan, Jose Golo, Aurelio Espolita, Sr. Conrado Arlan, Bernabe Arlan, Deogracio Merlin, Florito Arlan, Asclipio Febra, Jose Dolar, Rosalio Patagan, and Macario Febra. The aforementioned appealed to the late Congressman Ricarido Navarro. Maximino Cometa, Sr. personally went to Manila to make a follow-up on the resolution converting the barrio of Sapao into a  municipality. By virtue of Executive Order No. 624 of President Elpidio Quirino,   Sapao became a municipality which took effect on October 1, 1953. The  effort of Maximino Cometa, Sr. was rewarded for being the first appointed   municipal mayor and Teotimo Arlan as his vice mayor until December 31, 1956. Zosimo Nogaliza was the last Barrio Lieutenant of Barrio Sapao. Wenceslao Andanar and Filomeno Arlan were the first elected mayor and vice mayor. From 1964-1967, Flordicante M. Platil, Sr. was elected as mayor. During his  incumbency, a House Bill No. 7233 changing the name Sapao to Santa  Monica was approved by His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos under Republic Act No. 4998.

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            This was the inspired initiative of Mayor Flordicante Ma. Platil, Sr. to give honor to the miraculous Patron Saint SANTA MONICA, whom the residents considered their guardian and example of Christian life. He was re-elected from      January 1, 1981 until December 31, 1984.

 

            During that time, Mayor  Flordicante Ma. Platil, Sr. suffered severe illness, so he was not able to finish his term. Mayor Herminio E. Tan acted as officer- in-charge in the office of the municipal mayor from October 1984 until December 31, 1984. He was elected municipal  mayor from January 1, 1985 to November 30, 1987. He was re-elected from February 3, 1988 to June 30, 1991 and from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 1998. Mayor Leonides P. Arlan was the mayor from 1968-1980. He was appointed as officer in charge of the mayor’s office from December 1, 1987 to February 2, 1988 during President Corazon C. Aquino’s governance. Mayor Rumar T. Andanar was elected municipal  mayor from July 1, 1998 to January 2001. He was succeeded  by Sensualito D. Febra as municipal mayor from February 2001 to June 2001 when Mayor Rumar T. Andanar   resigned. Mayor Edgar T.     Andanar was then elected as municipal mayor from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004. He was re-elected as mayor from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007. Mayor Rosalinda C. Penera was elected as municipal mayor from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010 and was re-elected as municipal mayor from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013.

 

           Then, election came again in May 2013, and it marked a significant day to jubilant Sapaonon. It was the day which paved the way to a new leadership, a new hope and a new vision. Hon. Fernando Nogaliza Dolar, the man with          integrity and dedication assumed into office as the newly elected Municipal Mayor of our beloved town and was re-elected on May 9, 2016.

 

           Sta. Monica has a total land area of 39.19 square kilometres. It has a      moderate climate the whole year round except in the month of November to January where there is sometime severe Northeastern Monsoon wind. In addition, this beautiful town was blessed with attractive sceneries such as Danjug Cave – an underground place of a tribal king, the Taktak Falls  frequented by holiday     makers and three (3) kilometres of white beaches  conducive for those who love weekend holidays.

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           With the advent of globalization, there are also overseas Filipino workers (skilled and non-skilled) from Santa Monica who worked in the Middle East, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and in the United States of America. However, those who went away, always find time to return home and visit their loved ones in Santa Monica. Indeed, they say their hometown is beyond compare because there’s no place like home. 

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    This town is situated on the northern part of Siargao Island, approximately 60 nautical miles from Surigao City.  The municipality was known as Sapao, a name given by Spanish colonizers who accidentally were stranded ashore and met a native fishermen catching fish with his fish net.  One of the Spaniards asked the fishermen “como se llma este pueblo.”  The fisherman, thinking he was asked regarding his catch answered, “no Sapao ra”, signifying that he was not able to catch the whole fish for it went over the fish net he casted.  So the Spaniards believing that the word uttered by the fisherman was the correct answer to the question recorded “Sapao” as the name of the place.

    This place was first created into a town during the Spanish regime, but later was converted into a barrio during the early part of the American occupation due to some defects in the administration of the municipal government.  After the lapse of more than half of a century, this town was recreated into a municipality by an Executive Order No. 623 dated October 1, 1953. Recently, however, the name Sapao was changed to Sta. Monica, in honor of the Patron Saint of the town, by virtue of an Act of Congress.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
  The Municipality of Sta. Monica formerly known as “Sapao”, is part of Siargao (“Sidargo”) Island, that belongs to Surigao which is part of the old territory that existed in Northern Mindanao called “Caraga”. The latter was named after the people called “Calagans”, believed to be of Visayan origin. They were the inhabitants of the Province of Surigao at that time.
 
  Historically, in 1538, the Spanish Expedition led by Francisco del Castro, a Portuguese-born Spanish, landed in what is presently Surigao del Norte province, and therein baptized theinhabitants to Christianity. The legendary name “Sapao” originated from a native fisherman, who threw his net to catch a school of fish that exclaimed “Sapao-sapao” whenever it was full, meaning the catch was so plenty that it overloaded the net. Hence, the name Sapao was given to the place.
 
  As early as 1683, a Spanish settlement and development was established in Tandag by the Recollect Fathers who had residence at Tandag, Butuan, Bislig, Linao-an in the interior of Agusan and Siargao Island. The stone arched gate of the old church of Sapao is the strong permanent legacy of this early Spanish settlement in Siargao Island.
 
  After the Spanish-American War, the American military governor issued an Executive Order to revert Sapao into a barrio under the municipality of Numancia, until October 1, 1953. In March, 1947, a massive activity of revision and division of tax declarations at the Provincial Officer were undertaken between Numancia and Sapao in an effort to create Sapao into a municipality. The revision was completed in March, 1952. In the succeeding year, on October 1, 1953, His Excellency, President Elpidio Quirino issued Executive Order No. 624 officially creating Sapao into a municipality. A few years later, House Bill No. 7233 which became RA 4998, duly approved by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, changed the name Sapao into Sta. Monica.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
    Sta. Monica has a population of 7,916 as of 2007 and a total land area of 39.19 square kilometres. It is blessed with beautiful sights and sceneries such as the Danjug Cave, an underground palace of a certain tribal king, Taktak Falls, and a 3-kilometer stretch of fine, white sand beach which has become an attraction for all Sapaonon and tourists as well. It has also a moderate climate all year round, except in the months of November to January when there are occurrences of severe northeastern monsoon wind.
 
  Sta. Monica is 45 kilometers north of Dapa, the island’s commercial center, which can be reached from Surigao City via 2-3 hours boat ride to Dapa from where jeepneys and motorcycles are available to take travellers to any point in the mainland Siargao. Direct launch trips to Sta. Monica from Surigao City is also available, taking about 3 hours boat ride to and from the island.
 
POCKET PROFILE
  Land Area       : 39.19 square kilometers
  Population       : 7,916 as of 2007 (NSCB)
  Class            : 5th class; partially urban
 
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

BRGY. TANGBO SURFING AREA
  Albeit undeveloped, this site will qualify as a world-class surifing site like the more popular Cloud 9 in General Luna. The area has an wide stretch of coral reefs that serves as a natural break for the waves. It is ideal for back packers who want to enjoy the relatively undeveloped area in the north side of Siargao Island.
 
BAJUHAN SURFING AREA
  Another surfing site within the vicinity; perfect for beginners who want to learn surfing.
 
BITAUG BREAK POINT
    Is where the biggest swells in Siargao Island are found during the Amihan season
 
RIZAL SURFING AREA
    The longest surfing ride in the island
 
KIBRADA SHIP WRECK DIVING SPOT
  A historic site and an enthralling experience for divers as it where the Spanish Galleons sunk during the Philippines and Mexico Trade in the 1600’s.
 
DANJUG CAVE
  Just beside the diving spot is a cave called “Danjug”, so-called because it was believed to be the place where a Muslim pirate with the same name hid his loot. This site is perfect for adventure tourists who fancies an action-packed experienced with nature.
 
FLORENTINO DAS LANDING
     A stone-throw away is another historic site where it was believed was the landing area of the first Filipino who sailed from Hawaii to the Philippines.
 
ALEGRIA WHITE SAND BEACH
  The long stretch of fine, powdery white sand beach will be every beach-lover’s delight. Truly undisturbed and a perfect place to commune with nature.
 

TAK-TAK WATERFALLS
  This is one of the best finds in the area, a falls which boasts of its crystal clear and soothing cold waters.