Barangay Maruglu

History of Barangay Maruglu

Long before the Spanish occupation took over the country. Aetas from the certain places like Flora, Sapangcawayan, Manabayucan and Cawayan Bugtong – now known collectively as Barangay Maruglo –  go to strips at least once a month to trade goods at the lowlands of Patling. (O’Donnell).

As the folklore entailed, just near Patling or the other side of the creek, Aetas used to rest in a certain wooded place in the course of their trek to the lowland and back. As told in the story, time came that some of them built shacks for the better rest and cooking but unfortunately, but eventually this place became rendezvous for gamblers and other vices that failed to halt for some time.

Soon after, a certain disease hit the place and Aetas sought aid from lowlanders and were given advice by a certain old lowlander man to make tea out of a grass called “allabon” which were abundant in the area. Hence, some people called the place as “Mallabon”.

In the verge of World War II in the country, Aetas resorted to living in Mallabon when the Japanese Soldiers invaded their homes in the mountains. Later, hunger reigned over the place when Americans fled after the war, leaving the unfortunate Aetas and Mallabon settlers in famine.

Years after while he population were under the progression of recovery, “Mallabon” was officially named “Sampucao” in the integrity of their losses. The etymology came from two words “Sam” and “Pucao”. As the the folklore supposed, “Sam” came from the word “San” as Filipinos refer to “Saints” while “Pucao” is an assumed Ilocano word which means  “lost”, hence, Sampucao.

Thrpught time, the name Sampucao was change to “Maruglu” and the story in which as to why and how it was changed still remains hazy up to date as there were no proven and verified data to claim.

Today, Barangay Maruglo is the home of the municipality’s largest Aeta community engaged in the agriculture, taro and other root crops and a modest Eco-Park form tourist with the great interest in horseback riding, nature community immersion.