History of Cabatuan

Towns people believed that Cabatuan, Iloilo could have gotten its name from three words in the local dialect describing certain facets of prehistoric Cabatuan. The name might have evolved from (1) Kabatuhan which means rock-strewn, (2) Batu-an which means to fight, defy, or oppose, and (3) Batuan which is a sour-fruit-bearing tree that grew abundantly in the region. Another theory, however, suggests that the name was derived from “naga-batu” (fighting or opposing) which is used to describe a creek in the town that flowed from east to west opposite to that of the usual flows of the rivers in the region.

The town of Cabatuan was first noted for the “Sinulugans” or hillside tribesmen who annually practice the art of “Sinulog” or Dance of Death characterized by sword fighting rituals. “Tulisanes” and Rustlers also inhabit the place before the Spaniards came in 1732.

The town was founded on April 9, 1732 after a molave cross (with only its base currently existing) was planted on the peak of Pamul-ogan Hill. It was originally planned by Tono whose statue now stands in front of the Municipal Building. He was then a town leader together with two other leaders Gomoc and Amihan. This early settlement was then flourishing on a level zone of land near the northern bank of the Tigum River where the poblacion or the commercial center of the town is now located.

In 1733, Cabatuan was officially organized upon the installation of Rev. Fr. Antonio Lopez as its first priest and Tono as its first “gobernadorcillo”. Furthermore, the town was placed by the priest under the spiritual protection of Saint Nicholas de Tolentino whom Cabatuananons venerate as their Patron Saint whose feast is celebrated from September 1-10 every year through a 10-day celebration that is grandiosely culminated on September 10 by the highly-anticipated Tinuom Festival patterned from Iloilo’s Kasadyahan Festival.

During the Second World War, Cabatuan officially became the last defense of Western Visayas against the Japanese forces which led to the destruction of most of its edifices.