Despite the destruction of their town , the former inhabitants of '' Cerrito de Cocorote '' still wished to be independent of Nueva Segovia de Barquisimeto . They received the support of Fray Marcelino de San Vicente , who helped them obtain a Royal Certificate from King Philip V of Spain to establish a town independent from Nueva Segovia de Barquisimeto . On November 6 , 1729 , the same day the villagers had received the Royal Certificate , they began the reconstruction of their town in the Valle Hondo region , naming it San Felipe El Fuerte in homage to Philip V of Spain . The city expanded in subsequent years , until it was destroyed by the 1812 Caracas earthquake on March 26 , 1812 . After the earthquake , the town 's remaining inhabitants again rebuilt it
1812 Caracas earthquake
1812 Caracas earthquake
San Felipe, Yaracuy