HISTORY OF DAO

Several years after the purchase of Madi-as (Panay) by Datu Puti from the
Negrito Chief Marikudo, the Malay Chief Sumakwel, Bangkayawas assigned to
rule the Aklan Valley, (now Capiz) and designated his followers to settle in some
parts of the distant places following the course of river.
Tradition tells that one Barangay sailed down the river and stayed for
some time in a place now called Gapason, while another sailed up the river.
After a few days, yards away from its bank grew a big tree called “Dao”. The
two heads of the Barangay later agreed to stay and built houses for their
families.
During the coming of the Spaniards, the town folks, asked the name of
the town in Spanish not understanding a word, they pointed to a nearby tree in
the middle of the plaza and shouted “Dao, Dao”. From then on the Spaniards
called the plaza “Dao”.
It has been said that wealthy Malay, Isada, headed the Barangay from
Gapason. Very intelligent Malay headed the one from Cabatangan by the name
Dela Concepcion, thus recognized founders of the town were Dela Concepcions
and Isadas. In the course of time, these two barangays increased in number.
When the Spaniards came to Capiz to organize their governments. Dao was
made a pueblo.
The Spaniards imposed their power to influence the heads of the
barangays in collecting taxes they were called Cabesas de Barangays. In the
later years a Cabesa by the name of Luis Dela Concepcion was designated and
was friendly with the Spaniardas. Concepcion was the “first Captain” of the
town. Other who followed were: Don Felipe Isada, Don Francisco Dela
Concepcion, Don Agustin Salomeo and many more.
Since, it was the policy of Spain to spread Christianity in every land
colonized by them. Spanish missionaries were assigned to the different parts of
Capiz. Besides chief executive. The Spanish priest who ruled Dao after it was
considered a regular Parish were Father Jose Garcia, Father Elviro Jorda, Father
Agustin Alvares and Father Pedro Frat. The Church of Dao is considered one of
the biggest in the Province of Capiz. It is made of Adobe rock quarried from the
mountains of Dumalag. Reverend Father Elviro Jorda was responsible for the
construction of the church. It was burned by Filipino Revolution in 1886, and
was only rebuilt again by the concerned citizen of this town.