Because Currimao is the only navigable part of Ilocos Norte, the early settlement of the place which was then a barrio of the town of Paoay could be traced back as early as the later part or the 19th century. Traders in the port sold or bartered their goods with those of the few inhabitants.
Permanent settlement in the place actually began in 1865 when the Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas inaugurated its trade line between Manila and Apani, thus making Currimao an intermediate port. The creation of Currimao in 1869 as a permanent storehouse of the Compania greatly con tributed to the growth of this town. Many people from Paoay, Batac and some towns of Ilocos Sur,who were originally peddling and trading with the in habitants of Currimao, wanted to live in the place permanently. Among the descendants of the early settlers are the members of the Quiamas, Aglipay, Ginman, Hurtado, Guerrero, and Quitoriano families.
Currimao became a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 59 issued by the then Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison on December 28, 1920. It was inaugurated, therefore, on Anuary 21, 1921 with the late Julian Aglipay as the first Municipal President
The town came to being through the joint petition of the Union Obrem and the people of the barrios of Currimao (Pias, Gaang, Maglaoi, and Pangil) which are now its integral parts.
Origin of its Name
During the Spanish regime, when the Galleon Trade Was still flourishing, Moro pirates frequented the coast of the China Sea. To protect the natives from these pirates, the Spanish authorities built two watchtowers at two strategic points, one at the tip of what is now called Arboledan Point and the other at Tone.
Whenever pirates appeared on the horizon to attack the villages, the people manning the watchtowers warned the people by shouting correr which means "to run." As soon as the natives heard the shouts, they would hide to save themselves. During those times, the pirates were known among the natives as Cumaws, a name which struck fear and terror among the people.
It was from these two words that the name Currimao was derived.
History
Name Origin
During the Spanish regime, when Galleon Trade was still flourishing, Moro pirates frequented the coast of the China Sea. To protect the natives, the Spanish authorities built watchtowers at two strategic points, one at the tip of what is now called Arboledan Point and the other at Barangay Torre. Whenever pirates appeared on the horizon to attack the villages, the people manning the watchtowers warned the people by shouting "CORRER" which means "to run". As soon as the natives heard the shouts, they would hide to save themselves. During those times, the pirates were known among the natives as "CUMAWS", a name which struck the fear and terror among the people. It was from these two words that name CURRIMAO was derived.
Political History
Currimao was once a barrio of the Municipality of Paoay. It was created as a Municipality by Executive Order No. 59 of the then Governor General Francis Burton Harrison on December 28, 1920. It was inaugurated on January 21, 1921 with the late Don Julian Aglipay as the first Municipal President.
The municipality came into existence by a joint and unanimous petition of the then Union Obrera and the people of the then barrios of Currimao; Pias, Maglaoi, Gaang and Pangil which now form an integral part of the municipality.
Because Currimao is the only navigable part of Ilocos Norte, the early settlement of the place which was then a barrio of Paoay could be traced back as early as the later part of the 19th century. Traders in the port, sold or bartered their goods with those of the few inhabitants.
Permanent settlement in the place actually began in 1895 when the "Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas" inaugurated its trade line between Manila and Aparri, thus eventually making Currimao an intermediate port. The creation of Currimao in 1869 as a permanent storehouse of the Compania greatly contributed to the growth of this town. People from Paoay, Batac, and some towns of Ilocos Sur who were originally peddling and trading with the inhabitants of Currimao finally decided to settle in the place permanently.
Recent Growth
Currimao, 90 years after its humble origin, had metamorphosed into an urban town, eventually sealing its identity within the map of Ilocos Norte and to a considerable degree, inched its way to economic prosperity.
From a lowly, unnoticed small town, Currimao had risen gradually, unmindful of the test of time and unperturbed by the fast changing style of its leaders. Some of the notable infrastructure projects undertaken by the Municipal Government which has substantially changed the town's facade are the re-construction and renovation of the Municipal Hall into a modern structure, and the construction of a Sea Wall along the shorelines of the town proper which virtually reclaimed a portion of the Currimao shores to protect from erosion.
Other face-lifting projects are the four lane boulevard fronting the Municipal Hall complete with hexagonal street lights, and the expansion and beautification of the Municipal Plaza with fountains, as well built whole basketball court, a kiosk, and a spacious municipal auditorium and amphitheater, now known as the new convention center.
Geography
The Municipality of Currimao is located in the southwestern portion of the province of Ilocos Norte along the vast shorelines of the China Sea. It is bounded in the North by the town of Paoay (formerly the mother town), on the east by Batac, on the south by Pinili and Badoc, and on the west by China Sea. It is approximately 465 kilometers northwest of Manila and about 27 kilometers from Laoag City. It's total land area is 3,590 hectares of flat, upland, rolling and forest lands.
The Municipality of Currimao is composed of 23 barangays of which four (4) are located within the town proper namely; Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Lioes, and Torre. The outlying barangays are Salugan, Victoria, San Simeon, Gaang, Pias Sur, Maglaoi Norte, Maglaoi Centro, Maglaoi Sur, Cabuusan, Comcomloong, Anggapang Sur, Langayan-Baramban, Sta. Cruz, Tapao-Tique, Bimmanga, Pangil and Paguludan-Salindeg.
Tourism
Currimao, small as it may seen, is blessed with several tourist attractions. These include the Gaang Beach Cove with its wide expanse of unpolluted beaches and tranquil waters which is a by-word of picnickers and beach lovers.
It boasts also of beach resorts such as D'Coral Beach Resort and Hotel and the Nipa Beach Resort which cater to foreign as well as local tourists.
It also includes D & D Girls Scout Beach Camp, the center of provincial and regional Girls Scouts camping and outdoor activities, Currimao Christian Conference Grounds where religious conferences and seminars are often held. The most recent additions are The Heritage Resort, Playa Tropical and Pangil Beach Resort.
In the fishing town of Currimao, fishermen still use the traditional three-km fishnets. The Eastern Telecoms Currimao Cable station, built in 1976, can also be found here. It was converted into a museum.
Events
The Dinaklisan Festival of Currimao (You Tube Video)
Held on April 29, 30 and May 1st of every year. This is Currimao's way of reviving their rich cultural heritage. The festivities coincide with the town fiesta.
The festival is designed to let people focus on the activity of the fishermen. It is devised to attract local, domestic and foreign tourists to witness this colorful festival full of songs and dance that depict the ethnic way of living of early fishermen of this coastal town.
The last day of the festivities (after the morning mass), the people will proceed to the Victoria-Gaang Beach to join the “Tuno Fiesta ‘diay
Igid Baybay” Free fish are provided for wildfire Barbeques. Friends, relatives, people from other towns, tourists and balikbayans are welcome to join.
_____
Daklis is a very large rectangular fishing net provided with a bag at the center and mounted on a rope of more or less 500 feet.
____
Pinagdaklis is an ethnic way of catching fish.
Resorts
D'Coral Beach Resort Barangay Pias Sur, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines General Manager: Avelina T. Quilala Accredited Resort Expiry: 3/22/ 2010 ** Classification: A No. of Rooms: 7 Tel. (77) 670-1488
Playa Tropical
Barangay Victoria, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines
General Manager: Marnelyn L. Carag Accredited Resort Expiry: 4/27/2009 ** Classification: A No. of Rooms: 4 Tel. (77) 676-1001
D & D Girls Scout Beach Camp *
Barangay Victoria, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Sitio Remedios Heritage House Barangay Victoria, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines General Manager: Josue Raymund C Barona Accredited Resort Expiry: 6/04/2009 ** Classification: SIR No. of Rooms: Tel. (0917) 332-0217
Currimao Green Nipa Beach Resort
Barangay Salugan, Currimao 2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines General Manager: Corrine Co Accredited Resort Expiry: 2/18/2009 ** Classification: AAA No. of Rooms: 132 Tel. (77) 773-2049
Subli Subli Beach Resort *
Barangay Salugan, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Currimao Christian Conference Grounds *
Barangay Salugan, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Kadillian Beach *
Barangay Torre, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Pangil Beach Resort
Barangay Pangil, Currimao
2903 Ilocos Norte, Philippines General Manager: George Q Pula Accredited Resort Expiry: 6/19/2009 ** Classification: SIR No. of Rooms: 10 Tel. (77) 676-1229