You are on page 1of 4

History of Luna

Luna was once called Namacpacan, which is an Ilocano word meaning "one who
feeds".

As early as 1587, Namacpacan was recorded as a visita (satellite mission, whose


church is manned by non-resident clergy based in the cabecera) of Purao (now
Balaoan). It was a settlement along the camino real (national road) from Vigan to
Manila, and travellers stopped there to refresh themselves. Since restaurants was
not yet in vogue, local families offered the travellers food and lodging, hence the
name.

On 18 October 1906, during the terms of Governor Joaquin Luna and Mayor
Primitivo Resurrección Novicio, the town was renamed "Luna" through Philippine
Commission Act No. 1543. It was the first town that altered its name since the
creation of the province in 1850. The change was to honour the famous Luna
brothers: Revolutionary General Antonio and Spoliarium painter Juan; their
mother, Doña Laureana Novicio Luna, was a native of Namacpacan.

Tourist attractions

Luna is also known for its beaches, particularly in Nalvo Sur and Darigayos. Beach
shades, cottages and resorts are found in these barangays. The municipality is also
known for its native delicacies and pottery products which are comparable to San
Juan's.

The town is a pilgrimage site as it enshrines the Apo Baket Namacpacan, a


wooden Marian image.
On the beach of barangay Victoria rests the ruins of an old Spanish watch tower,
locally named as Balauarte. The tower was intended to guard the shores of the
town primarily from Muslim and pirate attacks during the Spanish period. During
World War II, the tower served as the communication tower post for a temporary
airfield for the USAFIP-NL forces. Due to years of quarrying within the site of the
tower (1980 to 2000), the coastline receded and sea waves severely damaged the
foundation of the tower, which eventually caused major damage to its structure.
At present, efforts were initiated to preserve the tower from further damage

Education

Luna has Public Elementary schools in each barangay. There are 6 public high
schools (Luna National Science High School - Central in Barangay Barrientos, LNHS
- Rimos and Cantoria Annex; and Oanari National High School) Bungro-Sucoc
Integrated School in Bungro, Luna Technical Vocational High School and 1 Private
High School (Santa Catalina Academy).

Barangays

Luna is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.

*Alcala

*Ayaoan

*Barangobong

*Barrientos

*Bungro

*Busel-Busel

*Cabalitocan
*Cantoria No. 1

*Cantoria No. 2

*Cantoria No. 3

*Cantoria No. 4

*Carisquis

*Darigayos

*Magallanes

*Magsiping

*Mamay

*Nagrebcan

*Nalvo Norte

*Nalvo Sur

*Napaset

*Oaqui No. 1

*Oaqui No. 2

*Oaqui No. 3

*Oaqui No. 4

*Pila

*Pitpitac

*Rimos No. 1

*Rimos No. 2

*Rimos No. 3
*Rimos No. 4

*Rimos No. 5

*Rissing

*Salcedo

*Santo Domingo Norte

*Santo Domingo Sur

*Sucoc Norte

*Sucoc Sur

*Suyo

*Tallaoen

*Victoria

You might also like