Before the construction of the Mabaysay Church (now known as Basey Church) in 1846, the area was inhabited by the Umhanan people, also referred to as the Tinawagan people}. Among the earliest recorded families were those of Agustin Grefiel, Logero Ferreras, and Catato Amantillo,[5] who intermarried.
In 1868, some settlers moved toward the shoreline, while others remained inland to avoid forced labor by the Guardia Civil during the church's construction. After the Balangiga massacre on September 28, 1901, additional settlers from Balangiga migrated inland to escape fears of American retaliation, increasing the local population.
One of the early settlers, Singoy Amantillo, had five children: Bicario, Mauricio (also known as "Iking"), Jacobo Alyas ("Ka Buta"), Enrique, and Lami. The family of Ysidro Mista Ferreras later joined the community.[citation needed]
During the Spanish period, Ysidro Ferreras encouraged Engracio Amantillo and Mauricio Amantillo to change the name from Umhanan to Tinawagan, and later to Sitio Lipata, in reference to the abundance of Lipata trees in the area.[citation needed] Local accounts state Bicario Amantillo organized residents for community protection during the revolutionary period, and leadership later passed to Ysidro Ferreras.[citation needed]
Under American rule,[citation needed] the population of Sitio Lipata grew significantly. Under Ysidro's leadership, residents once considered relocating to Hilaba (with its larger area and a hill suitable for a church), but abandoned the plan due to problems with shoreline access at low tide.[citation needed]
Ysidro Ferreras later transformed Sitio Lipata into Barrio Santo Niño of Basey, Samar. He served as Mayor of Basey, Engracio Amantillo as Vice Mayor, and Mauricio Amantillo as Cabeza del Barrio Santo Niño.[citation needed] During World War II elementary education in Barrio Santo Niño was suspended until the liberation of Samar in 1944.[citation needed]
In early 1949, Ysidro Ferreras submitted a proposal to President Elpidio Quirino to convert Barrio Santo Niño into a municipality. On July 22, 1949, Executive Order No. 247 was signed, creating the Municipality of Marabut, named in honor of Congressman Serafin Marabut of Basey, Samar. Ysidro Ferreras became the municipality's first mayor, and Engracio Amantillo the first vice mayor.[6]
Under the original organization, Marabut included 14 barangays: San Roque, Tag-Alag, Legaspi, Caluayan, Tinabanan, Osmeña, Canyoyo, Binocyahan, Odoc, Pinana-an, Santo Niño (Poblacion), Lipata, Amambucale, and Pinamitinan.[citation needed]
During the administration of Mayor Macario Ferreras, Poblacion Marabut was subdivided into four barangays: Amantillo, Sto. Niño, Catato, and Lipata. Other barangays were similarly divided (Pinamitinan into Sta. Rita, Malobago; Odoc into Ferreras; Binocyahan into Logero; Osmeña into Mabuhay, Roño, Panan-awan, etc.; Legaspi into Veloso), resulting in the present total of 24 barangays.[7]
Geography
Barangays
Barangays are the smallest administrative divisions in the Philippines. They function as local government units (LGUs), similar to neighborhoods, villages, or districts in other countries. The municipality of Marabut is politically subdivided into 24 barangays, each consisting of Puroks, with some also containing Sitios.[citation needed]
In 1957, the sitio of Pinana-an was converted into the barrio Pinalangga.[8]
Marabut has a tropical rainforest climate, meaning it experiences high humidity, warm temperatures, and significant rainfall year-round. The wettest months typically occur from October to December.
The economy of Marabut is primarily based on agriculture and fishing. According to recent data there has also been a gradual increase in local tourism, primarily due to the local beaches and rock formations.[citation needed]
Tourism
Marabut is known for its limestone rock formations and scenic coastal views. It has become a minor ecotourism destination for local travelers, offering activities such as island hopping and cave exploration.[citation needed]
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