Long after the discovery of the Philippines by the Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan on March 16, 1521,

there was already an established settlement in a place presumably now Barangay Esparar. In later years
however, the Moros from Palawan and Mindoro started coming to raid and plunder the inhabitants, and often
abducted beautiful maidens and men to be made slaves. Because of fear, the inhabitants moved to a much safer
place, in a narrow strip of land at the foot of Mt. Dumangsal. The site of the new settlement up to this day is
called Igtara. The population rapidly increased. So, when the Moros stopped coming, they decided to move
down to a much wider plain. The settlement started to flourish and later a church and a town hall were built out
of bamboo and cogon grass. Today, it is where Barangay Binanu-an stands. Binanu-an means “Ginbanwahan or
Binanwahan”.

The formation of a formal government which was headed either by a Teniente or a Captain, started at Binanu-
an. The settlement in Binanu-an lasted so long until sometime in the 17th century when the inhabitants, again,
found a much better place to live in because it is nearer to the sea which yields fish in abundance. So, they
decided to transfer from Binanu-an to the seashore by the bank of the once deep river called Nalupa. The new
settlement was named Nalupa Nuevo. Permanent structures like a church and a Municipal Hall were built.

Unfortunately, sometime in the 18th century the settlement suffered another drawback. Dalanas river, one of the
bigger rivers in Antique, used to overflow during heavy rains causing destruction to properties and lives of
people living near the area. Alarmed by the situation affecting the settlement at Nalupa Nuevo, the Spanish
Governor named Enrique Barboza ordered to transfer the people to another site called Otngol which was at that
time, part of what is now the town of Laua-an.

It should be recalled that during the transfer of the settlement from Nalupa to Otngol the Municipal Government
was already run by a Capitan. The first Capitan was ('Tan) Julian Flores. He was later succeeded by ('Tan)
Roman Francisco, then by Capitan Justiniano Ogatis-Barrientos. ('Tan) Justiniano Ogatis-Barrientos was a big
man with a loud harsh voice and with his “anting-anting” could drive back “Pulahans” (outlaws, so named
because they wear red clothes) to their mountain lairs whenever they come down to town. It was during his
administration sometime in 1886 when he worked out for the separation of the town from the Municipality of
Laua-an. The town's name was changed to Barboza in honor of Spanish Governor Enrique Barboza of Antique.
The spelling was later changed to Barbaza because of the difficulty in pronouncing the former name. To this
day the town is officially named the Municipality of Barbaza.

In 1942, during the Second World War, the Japanese Imperial forces occupied the town of Barbaza. Liberation
came when the Philippine Commonwealth troops under the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army in the town of Barbaza, Antique and attacked and defeated the Japanese Imperial forces
in 1945.

In 1859, the town was transferred from Nalupa Viejo to Otñgol, probably by the order of Governor Barbaza of
Antique. Nalupa Viejo was then called Jinalinan and Otñgol was then called Barbaza after the name of the
governor. A church was created on the plaza where the present Rizal monument stands. A convent was also
created in front of the church. Father Lorenzo Flores, a Filipino priest from Miag-ao was the parish priest of
Barbaza. Many people from Nalupa or Jinalinan transferred their residence to Otñgol or Barbaza. When the
town was still at Nalupa Viejo or Jinalinan, the cemetery was on the hill outside Esparar, between Esparar and
Iglanot. In 1882 and 1887, many people died of cholera. Capitan Fermin Marquez was the president of that
town at that time.

In 1898, the Filipinos rose against the Spanish government. In October of that year, the Filipinos or the
insurrectos came here from Culasi. Father Seferino was not here at that time. He was with the priest in
Patnongon. In his absence, two priests from the north came here. They were dressed in civilian clothes. They
stayed with the Spaniard and his family, the Spaniard’s name was Tolido. On the following mornig, one priest
left for the south. Tolido and his family went with him. The other priest stayed and waited for the coming home
of Father Zeferino. Then the church was robbed. Garments and tabernacles were stolen. The people gathered
around the convent and wept. The priest then gave the keys of the convent to Capitan Fermin Marquez.

Three days after that, Angel Salazar Sr., the Secretary of General Fullon came to Barbaza at about 10:00 in the
morning. He went to the Municipal Building and conducted an election. Francisco Ybera was elected president.
At 4:00 in the afternoon the insurrectos came. General Fullon stayed in the convent. The insurrectos brought
with them seven Spaniards from Culasi as prisoners. The insurrectos stayed in Casa Real or the Municipal
Building. Two days after, the insurrectos went to the south leaving the seven Spaniards prisoners to Capitan
Francisco Ybera. In Bugasong, the insurrectos set the casadores. There was a fight. The insurrectos were lowing
after a day and a night fighting. The Filipino soldiers killed, bringing with them their ammunitions. Before they
left the place, General Fullon told the people to flee to the mountains. The seven Spaniards from Barbaza were
sent to Bugasong by the insurrectos for the fear of the casadores anger for imprisoning those Spaniards. When
the Spaniards arrived at Bugasong, they asked mercy from the people of the town, telling them that they have
been treated well in Barbaza. At the same time there was also a fight at Culasi and the Filipino soldiers were
also defeated. When the cassadores left, Capitan Fermin Marquez and Roman Bautista were made prisoners and
were brought to Culasi. They were imprisoned for a month. The insurrectos remained in Barbaza and the nearby
mountains for a month until the Americans came.

In 1901, there was a fight in Labañgan, Barbaza. The insurrectos burned the houses in Barbaza, except the
church and the convent. A week later, houses, churches and convents in the barrios were burned except of those
in Baghari. That was done by the American soldiers because they were accused of burning the town and
because no principal of the town obeued when the United States Commandant orderd them to appear before
him. The Americans sent a Filipino to General Fullon, ordering him to come and meet the American
Commandant. Later, General Fullon and his subordinate officers assembled in Carapunan on the other side of
Dalanas Riverand talked about a plan for peace. Finally, a meeting and a feast was held in Igpalge. The final
peace agreement was made at Jinalinan in the house of Domingo Yongque. All ammunitions were turned over
by the insurrectos to the Americans. Peace treaties were made and signed by the parties concerned. The
Americans ordered a president to be appointed. Capitan Justiniano Barrientos was elected to serve a term from
1901 to 1903.

In 1902, Father Morales came and requested the people of Barbaza to join the Aglipayan religion. Capitan
Justiniano Barrientos and Matao Andres were the ones asked. They replied, “If you want to do something
against our established beliefs in God and religion, you may do it in Jinalinan but leave us here to be
Romanistas”. So Father Morales and his companions went to Jinalinan and thus the people there became
Aglipayans. In 1903, the three towns of Barbaza, Laua-an and Guisijan were joined into one municipality with
Laua-an as the town proper. When the term of Capitan Justiniano Barrientos as president expired, Capitan Luis
elected to serve from 1904 to 1905. In the same year, Jinalinan had their first Filipino priest. Then Capitan
Justiniano Barrientos was again elected to serve for a term from 1906 to 1909. During his second term he
worked hard to improve the lot of all people. He cooperated with the Spanish priests. In 1905, Bishop Roober
was in Barbaza. In 1908, Fathers Calixto, Vaccing and Juan Fernandez who were priests in Bugasong, made
visits up to Pandan. They made many improvements.

A chapel was erected in Barbaza but the typhoon destroyed it in 1903. Then a temporary church was erected
among the ruins of the old church in the plaza. In 1909, Capitan Justiniano Barrientos transferred the Municipal
Building from Laua-an to Barbaza. His house in Barbaza was used as a municipal building. That gave him more
convenience in discharging his duties as head of the town. It was also during his time that Gabaldon building
was constructed to be use as school building. This building is one of the present school buildings in Barbaza.
Capitan Justiniano Barrientos donated one half hectares of land as site of that school building. In 1908, Father
Santiago Cleven, a Mill Hill missionary arrived. He was later succeeded by Father De Vries. Capitan Fermin
Marquez succeeded Capitan Justiniano Barrientos. In 1910, Capitan Fermin Marquez built a permanent
municipal building (the one that was burned by the Army during World War II).

In 1910, Father Pedro Stuart succeeded Father Santiago Cleven. Changes were made by the new priest. All
people were under the jurisdiction of the priest. Ten years later, a controversy arose between the priest and the
people because the priest wanted to take hold of the municipal properties.

Then Father Jose Hinterbuber succeeded Father Stuart. During Father Jose’s time, some improvements in the
church’s life were made. He manages the transfer of the church from the plaza to the place where it is now. He
erected a new convent and when this was completed, he opened a private school. Classes from grades one to
seven were open. The school was called Saint Anthony Parochial School, after the name of the patron saint of
the town of Barbaza. Many children attended the private school.

When Capitan Fermin died, Antonio Ybera was elected president of the town for three years. The people were
disgusted during his time because no improvement in the town was made. In 1917, there was an election.
Roman Bautista was elected president of the town. He held that office for three years. He improved the
municipal building built during the time of Capitan Fermin. In 1922, there was another election. Rafael Necor
was selected president. He improved the town plaza. He planted flowers all around. Antonio Inocentes was his
Vice-President. Rafael Necor improved the balcony of the municipal building. He also had that building
painted. When another election came, Antonio Inocentes was elected president. A public market was planned to
be built. Inocentes wanted to be placed near the plaza but the people made petition and it was later constructed
in Sitio Binangbang.
Rafael Juanitas was elected President for the term from 1937 to 1940. It was during his incumbency that the
public dispensary was constructed. The barrios or construction of new streets to the barrios and named them
after him. Pedro Gindap won the election over Rafael Juanitas in the election in 1938. During the term of Pedro
Gindap he put up the Rizal monument on the plaza, in the town. He caused the construction of concrete bridges
around the town. Concretes linings were made around the town plaza. Later he built up a bandstand on the
plaza. In 1941, when the war broke out Pedro Gindap was still the mayor of Barbaza. Destruction of public
buildings and private houses were ordered by array officers. In 1942, Mayor Gindap joined the Japanese
Imperial Forces which invaded our country. The mayor left the town of Barbaza and stayed with the Japanese in
Laua-an. Not long after, the Japanese left Laua-an and fled to San Jose. The mayor went with the Japanese to
San Jose for security’s sake. During the absence of Mayor Gindap, Antonio Nacionales was nominated mayor
of Barbaza by the guerrilla officers. During the war, the municipal building was in the barrio Binangbang and
later it was transferred to Jinalinan. The acting mayor stayed in Jinalinan too. His house was temporarily used as
a municipal building. The town was left uncared because his people evacuated to the mountains. Later Antonio
Inocentes requested the people to clear the town plaza and have it planted to rice. The crop raised was given to
the army. In 1944, the American liberating forces came and liberated Antique from the handle of the Japanese.
The people from the mountains returned to their old and forsaken homes. They rebuilt the burned houses and
began life anew.

It took years for the people of this town to hurdle these sufferings and tribulations of war, when at last the long
awaited liberation day came. General McArthur fulfilled his promise “I shall return” on his going home to the
United States from the Philippines after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. People came down from the
mountains where they evacuated filled with joy. Now, they had to start a new life over again in town. People
built their temporary homes. The church was reconstructed and a temporary convent was built. The priest
continued his daily church services. Continuation of classes was immediately opened in private houses until the
ruins of Gabaldon Building were put up again. The municipal building was also temporary. Other offices had to
be held in private houses until the present dilapidated building is set up. A marked progress was later seen when
the aid of the American people arrived. Pedro L. Gindap continued his term as Municipal Mayor until 1968 that
he was replaced by Fidel Yongque in 1968 and 1972. He returned to power in 1972-1976. His son, Carlo
Magno Gimotea Gindap succeeded him from 1977-1985. Mayor David H. Daquila started his term as OIC in
1986 until he won the election in 1988 and gained control of the municipal government of Barbaza for three
consecutive terms, 1988 to 1998. He was succeeded by Atty. Jose T. Maghari in LAMMP bet in Barbaza.
Hence for the first time in Barbaza, it has seasoned practicing lawyer for a mayor.[5]

In May 14, 2007, under the banner slogan “Katimbang sa Pagbag-o” Mayor Faith “Pingping” Estolloso
Francisco ascended to power by overwhelming victory as the First lady Mayor and the youngest, the
Barbazeños ever elected to the top post.
 Baghari
Bahuyan
Beri
Biga-a
Binangbang
Binangbang Centro
Binanu-an
Cadiao
Calapadan
Capoyuan
Cubay
Embrangga-an
Esparar
Gua
Idao
Igpalge
Igtunarum
Integasan
Ipil
Jinalinan
Lanas
Langcaon
Lisub
Lombuyan
Mablad
Magtulis
Marigne
Mayabay
Mayos
Nalusdan
Narirong
Palma
Poblacion
San Antonio
San Ramon
 Soligao
Tabongtabong
Tig-Alaran
Yapo