A Peaceful and drug-free Barangay with GOD Fearing and healthy community, clean environment, competent leaders towards a progressivee Barangay.

To serve and attain the mandate of governance to exercise transparency and accountability and to maintain the beauty of its environmental resources and surroundings.

To protect and improve the lives of the unfortunate people of the barangay.

Tracing back the historical development of Virac, Sta. Cruz has its special share for its spiritual Socio-Economic and Political Progress. Taking into account landmark in existence which must have been constructed early during Spanish Era has its Chapel and other structures maintained.

First and foremost is the Parola, the lighthouse fronting the Pacific Ocean, the sailor’s guide whose stewardship must be handed to the late Don Agustin Tabligan. It must be this Parola that guide one of the galleons on harsh weather which unfortunately was wrecked down. Its remains were blown and carried by the current of strong waves to the shore of Sta. Cruz, several meters east of the Parola. The rusted ship skeleton has remained there until the broke of World War II.

The first Pantalan, the wooden structure where small transportation vessels and bolandros anchored, was at the junction of Rawis and Sta.Cruz leading to the Almasin or storage of hemp and copra owned by Suyo Tan Family, now the Ching Bee. The Parao, smaller than balandros that cater earthen pots and jars or salted fish like kuyog and balao just anchored by the shallow seashore where trade is just carried on.

It must also this Parola that guided the Japanese Naval warship that anchored a distance away, carrying the plane bomber that incidentally failed to hit the Casa de Gobyerno, the seat of the JMA now. Instead the bomb fell on the field by the side of Sta. Elena creek, creating a thirty.

Adjacent to that house of Rev. Fr. Molina was the home of the first Schools Supervisor of Catanduanes (still a sub-province of Albay then) Mr. Melanio Francisco, whose wife, Dona Maria (Tiya Ling Ling), was the first elected woman Board Member, the position reigned only by political men; it is inherent them from the clan that Dr. Ricardo Francisco became a Schools Division Superintendent of Catanduanes. That space was now occupied Caltex. There was also the late Mrs. Gloria M. Icaranom, with an angelic voice, who became the first lady councilor then the Matanda of Sta. Cruz who finished the task of renovating the chapel altar with her co-officers that has been started by Matanda Pedro Vargas followed by Matanda Manuel Balmadrid, with Brgy. Captain Nelson Marzo, has spear headed the construction of the canopy of the chapel which added to the beauty and solidity of the structure.

The Co’s residence and business spaces were formerly occupied by the Boy Scouts Provincial Headquarters. But prior to that it was part of a portion of the old Youth Center and the business establishment was then the Official Territory of the Police and its Commanding Officer. It must have been the official residence of General Lizaso, where the triangle space with the fountain was named Plaza Lizaso.

During those days, Sta. Cruz was inhabited only by families of: Aguilar, Alpapara, Arcilla, Avila, Benitez, Camacho, Francisco, Gianan, de leon, Masagca, Molina, Oclarino, Sarmiento, Socito, Sorreta, Tabirara, Tacorda, Vargas and Villegas. Pennames or alias were prominent to identify clans on humorous jokes. They were the Apopo, Baga, Kalunggay, Gayo-gayo, and Hamies, por Dios, Pata, Pulot, Pusoan, Mon-ak, Putak , Madulom and Ubong.

Other have migrated in Sta. Cruz due to work and employment there, by the Vallejos and Siatong families, the surveyors, followed by Mr. Hilario Diasanta, Gorgoing (Police) Tejada, who upon retirement, established a store which channeled dried fish and salted cuyog and balao from the parao of the mainland vendors. Mr. Ambrosio Balmadrid was an employee in Public Works. Judge Juan Templonuevo, though a transcient, has established their family residence in Sta. Cruz.

After the World War II, many had permanently transferred here (Sta. Cruz). Among them was the Congressman Severiano de leon. Later, Atty. San Roque, Atty. Velasco and Atty. Atencia, then Mr. Jesus Oliver and Mr. Policarpio Tindugan did the same as the politic. Other family names were acquired due to marriages between the members of the mentioned clans like Tiagong Police Sgt. Santiago Talan, who was the cause of the absence of juvenile delinquency due to his disciplinary measures, which had been much appreciated by the folks.

It could be noted in the spiritual and political development that position titles and addresses were changed: from the Aquasel, “The facilitator and Mediator to the Cabesa de Barangay, then, to Teniente Del Barrio and later to Barangay Captain. And from the simple Matanda nin Centro Catolico. While the Brgy. Captain and Council men were officially elected through secret balloting, the Matanda nin Centro Catolico and other officers with the Cabos were just appointed or on informal election or designed by few members.

A very salient point here is the position of the Barangay Captain. He had been a Phoenix Leader, who rose from a simple industrious youth, working to help augment the family income, became the uncontested and consistent Youth President in 1980 until he filed his candidacy for Brgy. Captain and still single when elected. Now, he had completed the successive Four Years terms as Brgy. Captain. He had been instrumental with his subsequent Council Men in Sta. Cruz in their spiritual and political and even socio-economical development. Congratulations Brgy. Captain Nelson C. Marzo. No one in your level can ever surpass your service. You are indeed a Phoenix Leader.

Kudos to Mrs. Efigenia Gianan Aguilar, who despite not in profession, had been a livewire in the activities in the medical missions in Catanduanes in 1993. Her performance is well-known throughout the USA because of the Catanduanes International Association activities.

Sta. Cruz is graced with industrious and God-loving people. From the farmers, fishermen, carpenters, housekeepers and business-minded individuals, Sta. Cruz had been the home of various personalities.

Congressman - 1

Mayor - 1

Nuns - 2

Priests - 7

EDUCATORS

Prewar - countless

Superintendent - 1

School Technicians - 4

School Principal

Teachers

Engineers

Accountants

Judge

Nurse

Generally, the unemployed earned their living through self-help small-scale business industry, aside from business establishments by the capitalist. Farming and fishing have now become a side line jobs and also hobbies.

Sta. Cruz, with the Patron Saints, is lovely to emulate and peaceful place to live.