Moca Tree Flowers Courtesy National Parks Board, Signapore Foundation: On April 7, 1772, Don José de Quiñones was empowered by 71 neighbors from Moca (MO-kah) to appear before Governor Don Miguel de Muesas and request permission to found a town and a church. After completing the requirements of recognition, borders, granting of finances and insurance of rent for the priest, and thanks to Cándida Vives who donated the land of Moca, the town was developed. Moca was officially founded June 22, 1772.     Although the origin of the name of Moca is not known with certainty, it is thought to be derived from the great abundance of Moca trees (Andira inermes). These trees have beautiful pink or purple flowers, and are very common in this region. The Moca tree was officially adopted as the representative tree of the town on February 19, 1972.     Moca is famous for its "mundillo" lace. Mundillo is the Puerto Rican name for handmade bobbin lace. It is almost synonymous with the small town of Moca. Location: The municipality of Moca is bordered by: Aguadilla and Isabela on the north, Añasco on the south, Aguada and Aguadilla on the west, and Isabela and San Sebastián on the east. Area: 131.8 sq km / 50.7 sq mi Population: 39,697 (census 2000) Population Density: 301.1 per sq km / 782.9 per sq mi People are known as: Mocanos Moca is also known as: Capital del Mundillo (The Mundillo Lace Capital) Los Vampiros (The Vampires) Wards: Census 2000: Population by Wards - Moca Habitants Aceitunas 3,199 Capá 3,354 Centro 1,139 Cerro Gordo 3,875 Cruz 1,147 Cuchillas 4,507 Marías 1,932 Moca Town 1,980 Naranjo 2,690 Plata 996 Barrio Pueblo 6,600 Rocha 3,707 Voladoras 4,571 Total 39,697 Source: Census 2000 Political Division - Administrative: Senatorial District # 4 Mayagüez represented by Hon. Luis Daniel (PNP) and Hon. Carlos Pagán (PNP). Representative District # 17 & 18 represented by Hon. José L. Rivera Guerra # 17 (PNP) and Hon. Tomás Bonilla Feliciano # 18 (PNP) . Matron: Virgen de la Monserrate Topography: In general its terrain is level. The northern part is in the karst zone. Monte El Ojo, Cerro Moca and Monte Mariquita of the Jaicoa Mountain Range form part of the topography. To the south the Cadena (Chain) de San Francisco, separates it from Añasco. Hydrography: It is bathed by the Culebrinos river and its affluents; the Gatas, Lassalle, Las Damas, Viejo, Los Romances, Los Morones, Higuillo, Chiquita, Yagrumo, Echevarria, Aguas Frías, Las Marias, Los Méndez, La Caraima, Grande y Dulce gorges. Economy: Manufacturing: footwear, electronic machinery, plastic products, alarms, and clothing. Agriculture: sugar cane, fruits and some cattle ranching. Average Salary: $268.78 weekly (1998) Flag: Mr.Augusto Hernández was the person designated to design and prepare the flag. The Pro Bicentennial Society approved the design on the 10th of February of 1972. The Municipal Assembly adopted the flag officially the 19th of February of 1972, and on June 22nd-Day of the Bicentennial- the flag was presented to the town.     The rectangular flag consists of a purple equilateral triangular field, the color of the Moca tree flower. In this field appear five point stars, silver-plated, surrounding a greater gold star, also with five points.     Over the purple equilateral triangular field there is another gold triangle. The fields refer to the horizon as the blue superior portion and the countryside as the green inferior portion of the flag. The triangular field purple, also symbolize a field of blooming of Moca trees, which represent humility and wisdom. The gold star stands for the town of Moca and suburbs. The eleven gold stars represent the eleven wards, whose order begins with the star that is directly above the gold star. The blue field, besides representing our sky, symbolizes peace and freedom. The green field, besides representing the countryside or the Moca land, is symbol of fertility and immortality. Coat Of Arms: Designed by the mocano painter Augusto Hernández at the request of the Bicentennial Pro Commemoration Society of Moca. The Pro Bicentennial Society approved the design on the 10th of February of 1972. The Municipal Assembly adopted the flag officially the 19th of February of 1972, and on June 22nd -Day of the Bicentennial- the flag was presented to the town with the Coat of Arms based on the original and prepared in wood by the mocano painter Valentín Pérez.     It has oblong form. Divided in a silver-plated field and blue sky united by a purple rhombus (diamond shape), the color of the Moca flower. The rhombus has within religious symbolisms. The rhombus is surrounded, in its inferior part, by two branches of the Moca tree; in its superior part, an arc of eleven silver-plated five-point stars. Within the rhombus is a gold monogram (of the Virgin Mary) topped by a Christian crown of the same metal. A silver-lined crown in form of a three-tower castle crowns the shield. On the frontal portion of the crown, carved in gold, the word Moca. The stones of the castle are lined in blue. The doors and windows are purple. Public Schools for the Moca district. Name Localization Cerro Gordo Lao Bo. Cerro Gordo Dr. Efraín Sánchez Hidalgo Bo. Pueblo Julio Babilonia Bo. Naranjo Cerro Gordo medina Bo. Cerro Gordo 3er Unidad de Cuchillas Bo. Cuchillas Marcelino Rodríguez Román Bo. Voladoras Marías III Bo. Marías Juan De Dios Quiñones Bo. Voladoras George Washington Bo. Rocha Basilio Charneco Bo. Marías Antonio S. Pedreira Bo. Pueblo Voladoras Lomas Bo. Voladoras Tomas Vera Ayala Bo. Plata Arístides Maisonave Bo. Aceitunas Narciso Bosques Bo. Capá Escuela Superior Nueva Bo. Pueblo Adolfo Babilonia Quiñones Bo. Pueblo Luis Alfredo Colón Bo. Pueblo Source: Departamento De Educación Hymn: By Augusto Hernández Doce barrios, doce estrellas en nuestra constelación que queremos con orgullo y defedemos con tezón. Sus veredas, sus campiñas, sus mocas de verde y flor dan belleza a nuestro suelo con un radiante esplendor. Desde el norte de la Sierra hasta el sur del Culebrinas laboramos los mocanos hasta conquistar la cima. Las nuevas generaciones se están nutriendo con gloria del legado que ha dejado lo héroes de nuestra historia. Moca Tree (Andira inermes) Courtesy National Parks Board, Signapore Events: Shrimp Festival - May Patron Celebrations - September Mundillo (lace) Festival - December Enchaquetao Parranda - December Places To Visit: Enrique Laguerre House The Mercado Castles Enriqueta Hacienda Our Lady of Monserrate Parish Julia's Mundillo Shop Distinguished Citizens: Enrique A. Laguerre Vélez - Doctor in philosophy and letters (biography) Dr. Efraín Sánchez Hidalgo - Professor in psychology Moca Mayors 1772 - Present Year Mayor Year Mayor 1772-1783 José de Quiñones 1883 Ramón E. Martínez 1784-1789 Francisco Hernández 1884-1886 Federico Clascar 1790-1795 Martín Lorenzo de Acevedo 1887 Restituto Pagán 1808 Martín Lorenzo de Acevedo 1887-1888 Agustín Hernández Mora 1820 Francisco de Nieves 1888-1890 Francisco Molina Nebot 1826-1827 Antonio de Rivera Quiñones 1890-1891 Sandalio Valencia 1828-1829 Miguel Polidoro 1892-1893 Fulgencio Muñiz 1830-1831 Antonio Rivera Quiñones 1894-1896 Benito García López 1832 Capitán Jaime Cedo 1897-1898 Pedro Acevedo Rivera 1833 Miguel Polidoro 1899 Juan Climaco Sánchez 1839 José Pérez del Río 1899 Cosme Benejam 1841 Francisco Babilonia Acevedo 1900-1901 José Laó Polanco 1844 Francisco Ruiz 1902 Fausto Morales 1848-1849 Gabriel Seguí 1902-1905 Miguel A. Babilonia 1849 José Simón Romero 1905-1910 Miguel A. Babilonia 1849 Antonio B Sanz 1911-1920 Nemesio González 1853 Casimiro Gutiérrez Canedo 1921-1928 Francisco Acevedo Nieves 1854 Pedro Maria García 1929-1932 José Calazan Lassalle 1858-1860 Pedro de García 1933-1940 Arístides Maisonave 1861 Julián López Pitrat 1941-1944 Alejandro Galarza 1864 Carlos González 1945-1952 Arcadio Colón Serrano 1865 Sebastián Porrata 1953-1962 Áureo Sánchez Pérez 1866-1867 Salvador Valls Burgueras 1963-1965 Nicasio Loperena 1867 Francisco Delgado 1965-1968 Santiago Cordero Soto 1867 Miguel Martínez de Campos 1969-1972 Fermín Medina 1867 Restituto Pagán 1972-1976 Nicasio Loperena 1868 Pedro San Antonio 1976-1984   Juan Sánchez Acevedo 1868 Salustino Sierra 1984-1988 Juan de J. Méndez 1869 Melquíades Ginorio 1988-2000 Eustaquio Vélez Hernández 1869 Manuel González 2000-Present José E. Aviles Santiago 1871-1879 Restituto Pagán     1879-1882 Ramón Méndez Quiñones     Source: Municipality of Moca Mayor: Hon. José E. Aviles Santiago (PNP) P.O. Box 1571 Moca, P.R. 00676 (787) 877-2270       2004 General Election Results Municipality of Moca Party Candidate Votes Percent   KIKO AVILES 12,822 57.83% MARIANITO 8,542 38.53% MIGUEL A. CHEVERE 442 1.99% *OTHERS 366 1.65% Total 22,172   Breakdown of Others   Reported Voting Centers Participation Direct Nomination 34   Registered Voters 26,595 Blank 182   Votes 22,172 Null 150   Participation Percent 83.37% Reported Voting Centers: 91 out of 91 for 100.00%   Total Registered 26,595 Source: Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico