Patillas, Puerto Rico

Emerald of the South

Patillas (pah-TEE-yahs) is known as “The Emerald of the South” and “the Melons”. The patron saint is Holy Christ the Healer and the saint’s festival is held in August. Attractions of the town include beaches, forests, and Patillas Lake. The coastal waters and the lake are used by many for recreational fishing.

Patillas is located on the southeast coast of the island. It is bordered on the north by Cayey and San Lorenzo and the south by the Caribbean Sea, on the east by Yabucoa and Maunabo, on the west by Arroyo, and on the northeast by Guayama.

Although a significant part of the land is mountainous, belonging to the semi-arid southern hills and the eastern humid mountains, most of the land belongs to the southern coastal plains.

At present, there are several manufacturing plants in the town and some of the land is used for growing produce. Tourism is an important source of income.

Foundation:

The town of Patillas was founded in 1811. Doña Adelina Cintrón, donated eight acres of land to unite the settlers and to construct the basic municipal works: church, mayorship, priest’s house, plaza and slaughter house.

The fundamental reason for the foundation of the town was the establishment of sugar cane mills in the valley, which brought as a consequence the need for more land to cultivate the sugar cane, thus the residents decided to congregate themselves as a population center.

The name of Patillas originates due to the abundance of watermelons or “sandías” (patillas) in its lands. It is known as the “Emerald of the South” because of its beauty and enchantment. Attractions of the town include beaches, forests, and Patillas Lake. The coastal waters and the lake are used by many for recreational fishing.

Location:

Patillas is located in the southeastern region of Puerto Rico. It is bordered by: San Lorenzo on the north; the Caribbean Sea on the south; Yabucoa, Cayey and Maunabo on the northeast and east; Arroyo on the west; and Guayama on the northeast.

Superficie:

122.9 kilometros cuadrados / 47.3 millas cuadradas

Area:

122.9 sq km / 47.3 sq mi

Population:

20,152 (census 2000)

Population Density:

163.9 per sq km / 426.0 per sq mi

People are known as:

Patillences

Patillas is also known as:

La Esmeralda del Sur (Emerald of the South)
Los Melones (The Melons)

Wards: Patillas, Puerto Rico

Source: Censo 2000

Patron:

INMACULADO CORAZÓN DE MARÍA PARISH
PO Box 635
Calle 1 Cristo
Patillas, Puerto Rico 00723
Tel. 787-839-5333

Topography:

In spite of being located in the region that is known as the Coastal Plains of the South, part of its surface is mountainous. The Cayey Mountain Range crosses its northwest, north and northeast territories, and the Guardarraya Mountain Range crosses the eastern region.

Hydrography:

It is bathed by the Grande de Patillas, Chico, Jacaboa, Marín rivers, and also receives waters from the Colones, Barros, Guano, Quebrada Arriba, Sonadora, Farallón, Mulas, Hormiga and Hicacos gorges.

Economy:

Mainly agriculture, with a tourist sector in development.

Average Salary:

$279.16 weekly (1998)

Flag:

The design of the flag consists of four green rectangles in the corners symbolizing the valleys and mountains. The golden cross represents fidelity to the patron saint, Santo Cristo de la Salud. In the center of the cross, an extended octagonal figure that symbolizes an emerald because the town it is known as the “Emerald of the South”.

The flag was designed by Pedro de Pedro. The symbols and the history were creation of Pedro J. Rivera Arbolay. The adviser was Lic. Robert Beascochea Lota.

Coat Of Arms:

The crow with a piece of bread in its beak, bird that saves the life to San Benito Abad, patron of the town, from being poisoned with a piece of bread. The castle with three windows symbolizes the captivity of Santa Barbara, matron of Patillas in the first years of the foundation and the devotion to the Santísima Trinidad. The cross represents Santo Cristo de la Salud. The two crossed machetes underneath the cross represent the peasants struggle in the sugar cane plantations and the origins of economic development.

The three towers in the superior part mean that Patillas is categorized as a town. The watermelon leaf, fruit that abounded in the west of Patillas, is the reason for the name of the town. The motto “Ora Et Labora”, means Pray and Work; motto of the religious order of San Benito Abad.

The shield of Patillas was drawn by Pedro de Pedro. The symbols and the history are a creation of Pedro J. Rivera Arbolay and the heraldic adviser was Lic. Robert Beascochea Lota..

Beaches:

Distinguished Citizens:

• Sigfredo Badillo-Rivero – poet and reciter
• Francisco Cervoni-Gely – poet, playwright, journalist, and political figure. He was a delegate to the House for Guayama (1911 – 1912). His plays include Los suegros (1897) and La cruz roja (1928). His poetry was published in newspapers and magazines.
• José Dávila Ricci – political figure and journalist. Dávila was a member of the governing board of the Liberal Party (1932 – 1940). He also founded and presided the Puerto Rico Journalism Association (1938). He collaborated with newspapers such as El Mundo and El Universal, and headed La Democracia (1928 – 1932), Puerto Rico Ilustrado (1937 – 1938) and El Imparcial.
• Edmundo Disdier – musician and composer. His compositions include Amor soñado, Lo imposible and Reflejo.
• Ramón Lebrón-Rodríguez – writer. His works include Esbozo histórico del Derecho Penal (1916) and La vida de un prócer (1954), among others.
• Angelita Lind – outstanding athlete. Named the Angel of Puerto Rico by the people of the Island. Winner of three gold medals, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal, she participated in 3 Central American and Caribbean Games, 3 Pan American Games and the Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
• Jalil Sued-Badillo – historian and teacher.

Hymn:

Patillenses By Andrés Plaud Soto