It all started one time when of one of the Spanish Missionaries came into group of natives trying to get over to the otherside of a creek. Said creek was not that wide to need a bridge but seemed wide enough for leaping across. It was also too deep and steep to be waded through. One who would want to go over to the other side would always experience a point of indecision. A Friar, approached this group and in Spanish, inquired what the name of the place was. The natives thinking that the stranger was asking what their problem was, answered, “hi-alang,” referring to their difficulty in getting across the creek. Repeating the inquiry several times, the missionary got back the same response, “hi-alang”. So, he accepted it. It was a case of miscommunication rolled over the years and later on formally registered as “Alangalang”.

Alangalang has grown from the interplay of various historical, political and socio-cultural influences. Politically, men and women with strong conviction and dedication, guided by their vision and dreams, emerged as leaders. This paved the way for what Alangalang is at present and where it will be in the future. From Bukid settlement and down the hill to the place across the Mainit River (now called Binongto-an) and finally to the present townsite. These men and women, who eventually became executives of our town, made significant contributions to its evolution and development. Every Alangalanganon will look at the past with gratitude and pride, the present with resolve to make a difference despite several challenges and the future with endless hope for greater and brighter things to come.

When the Spaniards came, there was already a settlement at a Bukid, a hilly place along Mainit River where lived in simplicity yet rich in culture. In 1850, Tomas Pongol was the lay leader. As the place became populated, some of the settlers began to move and spread to other places down the hill and to a nearby creek and along the banks of Mainit river. However, geographically the place was prone to flooding which was the reason why the town was transferred to the present site. The Spanish Governor at that time appointed Francisco Pongol as the First “Jefe Local or Captain of Bukid from 1854 to 1855. He was succeeded by the following appointed Jefe Local namely:Manamot (term of office not defined), Antonio Francisco (Term of Office not defined), Tomas Villanueva (term of office not defined), Antonio Barrantes (term of office not defined), Rafael Antoni (part of 1857), Francisco Gariando (part of 1857), Edalgo Pedrera (part of 1858) and Adlao Solang (part of 1858).

When the settlers of Bukid moved to a place across the Mainit River (now called Binongto-an), Silvestre Villanueva was appointed as Jefe Local from 1859 to 1861. He was succeeded by Bernardo Barrantes (1862-1864); Esteban Pedrera (1865-1867); Alejo Caldosa (1868-1871); Eulogio Barrantes (1872-1874); and Eulogio Alore (1875-1876). Binongtoan was often flooded by Mainit River. In 1883, a big flood swept the place and in November of the same year the Gobernadorcillo moved the town to the present site. The newly relocated town was headed by the following jefe local or captain namely: Agustin Barrantes (1877-1878), Crisanto Pabilona (1879-1881), Donato Barrantes (1882-1883), Gualberto Gariando de Borja (1884-1885), Eduardo Villanueva (1856-1886), Julian Pedrera (1886-1887), Gualberto Gariando de Borja (1888-1889), Benardino caldosa (1892-1893), Roque Pulga (1894-18950, Alfonso Barrantes (1896-1898), and Leocadio Pabilona (1899-1900). In 1901, during the American period, elections were held. This time the head of the towns was addressed as Municipal President. Below were the elected Municipal Presidents from 1901 to 1937. In the elections for mayorship in 1937, Nicolas Salazar was elected as the 1st Municipal Mayor. In 1944, the Japanese Government appointed Gualberto Gariando as the Municipal Mayor.

The ALANGALANG we have now is the fruit of the labor and sacrifices of our ancestors. It went through deep tests and struggles. From a settlement to balangay/barangay in the pre-Spanish regime, to a municipality. Much have been experienced in the course of development. With the struggle undertaken by our forefathers, exerting efforts and hurdling encumbrances we have Alangalang which we should preserve, protect, strengthen and develop for the future. We are privileged to harvest what our forefathers planted. Their efforts are now reaped by us. May our efforts then, at the present, be worthy harvests by those who will come after us. Today let us plant more goodness to ensure bountiful harvest to be reaped by the generations to come.

Alangalang is a truly blessed land God gave to its people. Situated in a wide plain, it promises a land area suitable for agricultural use which is favorable for the inhabitants. Putting this land to good use, hunger would have no place.

There are significant spots and tales giving light and life to its history which every Alangalanganon should familiarize oneself with: The HILL, the ALANGALANG CREEK, BAKGA: The ENCHANTED LAKE, and the MAINIT RIVER; HOW ALANGALANG GOT ITS NAME, and the MYTHICAL BELL OF BAKGA.