Brief History:
Santa Rita, a former barrio named Gasac of the town of Porac, is nationally famous for a delicacy called "turones de casoy" and other pastillas as the town's contribution to the Kapampangan culinary arts. It was officially founded by Rev. Father Eustaquio Polina in 1770. Formerly a part of Porac, it became the playground of Aetas during that time who usually came to the lowlands to steal and plunder.
Due to this havoc wrought by the Aetas, and because of the distance from the town proper, the parish priest, Fr. Vicente Polina, worked for the separation of Sta. Rita from Porac both for purposes of government and religious administration.
During the time of Pampanga Governor Joven under the Taft Administration (U.S), Sta. Rita was merged with Bacolor. Dr. Basilio Ocampo and Don Magno Gosioco, two local patriots, worked for the town's restoration to its own status, splitting it from Bacolor.
Population
Total Population: 32,780
Household Population: 32,768
Number of Households: 6,118
Barangays (10)
Becuran, Dila-dila, San Agustin, San Basilio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Juan, San Matias, San Vicente, Santa Monica
Major Industry
Sta. Rita is known for its confectionery industry, with the famous turrones de casoy