History

The first Catholic temple in Aibonito was built in 1825. The building was replaced by the current temple, which was started in 1887 and completed in 1897.

Flag

Blue for the sky, white for air purity, red for love of the motherland, and gold (yellow) for the traditional Hispanic values.

Coat of Arms

The shield is divided in four corners or quarters. The superior left corner represents the Asomante where last battles of the Hispano-American War took place, symbolized by the sword.

In the right corner we find: a white band symbolizing the fog that covers the Aiboniteños valleys and mountains in winter; on a blue field, a purple color flower typical of the region and declared official by the organizers of the First Festival of the Flowers in 1969; and in the inferior end a golden lily to remember San José, patron of the Parochial Church of the town and also symbolizing the Eminence Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican Cardinal of the Catholic Church. The bottom left corner on a blue background is placed the gold tower of the Manresa House to symbolize the spiritual value that such institution represents for all Puerto Rico. In the right corner a divided mountain of green color which represents the San Cristóbal Canon with a seashell in the superior part that symbolizes Apostle Santiago

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Asomante
• Algarrobo
• Caonillas
• Cuyón
• Llanos
• Pasto
• Plata
• Robles

Geo/Topography

Mountains: Asomante (2,042 feet), La Sierra (2,394 feet) and the Torre Degetau (2,109 feet).

Rivers: Aibonito, Cuyon, La Plata and Usabon.

Agriculture

Mainly flowers, some tobacco and coffee.
Large chicken producer such as Pollos To-Ricos hailed from here.
Cattle production.

Industrial

Clothing, furniture and tapestry as well as pottery and ceramics.

Tourism

Landmarks and Places of Interest

• Cañon de San Cristóbal
• Casa Manresa
• La Piedra de Degetau
• La Trinchera de Asomante

Festivals and Events

• Fiestas de Pueblo - May
• Aibonito is known for its flowers, and every year, many visitors from other Puerto Rican areas and other countries are attracted to Aibonito's annual Festival de las Flores (Festival of the Flowers). - July
• Patron Celebrations - July
• Festival del Pollo - August
• Maratón del Pavo - November
• Festival de la Montaña - November

Sports

Aibonito has a BSN basketball franchise, the Polluelos de Aibonito. In 1986, with such players as Angel Cachorro Santiago, Enrique Aponte, Willie Melendez and Panama's Rolando Frazer, the Polluelos, sponsored by To-Ricos, beat the defending champions Jose Piculin Ortiz and his Atleticos de San German in seven games (game seven score: 94-92 Aibonito) to win their only championship. In 1987, the Polluelos reached the finals once again, but that time, they lost in seven games to the Titanes de Morovis. Recently, the Polluelos have not been able to see action on the BSN's tournaments because of economic problems.

Notable "Aiboniteños"

• Juan Martínez Capó - Writer
• Manuel Alvarez Nazario (1924- ) - Professor & writer
• Papito
• Rafael Pont Flores - Journalist
• Ruben Berrios Martinez (1939- ) - Senator

Aibonito, Puerto Rico. (2006, September 12). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:26, October 11, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aibonito%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=75190442