Fragmentary reports on written and unrecorded information regarding the origin and founding of the town, dating back from early Spanish domination over the islands to the present, have been gleamed from all available sources. It is gathered that the Spanish Expeditionary Forces having landed at Ciudad Fernandina, now known as Vigan, the Capital Town of Nueva Segovia, sought for further conquest.

Going westward, they came upon the Sand Dunes of Mindoro and Pantay (Vigan), overlooking the Govantes River that serves as the natural boundary of Vigan and Sta. Catalina. From there they noticed a small island lying across the river. Crossing then the river with rafts, they landed at a place called “CABITTAOGAN”, so called because of the abundance and luxuriant growth of a certain of specie of tree called PALOMARIA, OR “BITAOG” in the Local Dialect.

Tired from their arduous journey, the Spanish Forces rested a while (sic). When they were rested, they planted a big wooden cross, the symbol of Christianity. They marked the Christianization of the inhabitants of the place. No documentary material could be found to show the exact date as to when the Cross was planted. However, the fact remains that the cross still stands at exactly the same spot where it was originally planted centuries ago, and this can be seen right in front of the main gate of the Cabittaogan Elementary School. Continuing their journey, the Spanish Expeditionary Forces proceeded northward, and came upon a spring just west of the place where the present Catholic Church of the town now stands. The Spanish soldiers took turns in drinking the water from the spring. Just as their leader was about to drink, there was an apparition, whom the oldest soldier among the group recognized to be that of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. From that time on, the place was named STA. CATALINA, in honor of St. Catherine who had been chosen the Patron Saint, and has remained up to the present. The water from the above-mentioned spring, so it was told from generation to generation, had some kind of a miraculous healing power.