History
Before the construction of the Mabaysay Church (now Basey Church) in 1846, Marabut was inhabited by the Umhanan people, also referred to as the Tinawagan people. Among the first recorded inhabitants were the families of Agustin Grefiel, Logero Ferreras, and Catato Amantillo. [5] These families were intermarried. In 1868, some settlers moved to the shoreline. Fearing forced labor by the Guardia Civil during the construction of the Mabaysay Church, others chose to settle in the hinterlands. Following the Balangiga massacre on September 28, 1901, some settlers from Balangiga relocated to the community due to fears of American retaliation, which gradually increased the local population. Singoy Amantillo had five children: Bicario, Mauricio Enrique, also known as "IKING", Jacobo Alyas, also known as "Ka Buta," and Lami. The family of Ysidro Mista Ferreras later also settled in the area.
During Spanish rule, Ysidro encouraged Engracio Amantillo and Mauricio Amantillo to change the name from Umhanan to Tinawagan and then to Sitio Lipata, named after the abundance of Lipata trees in the area. According to local accounts, Bicario Amantillo played a leadership role in organizing residents for community protection during the revolutionary period. He organized the residents of Sitio Lipata to defend the community against bandits and other threats. Ysidro M. Ferreras succeeded him and continued developing the area.
The population of Sitio Lipata increased rapidly during American rule. Under the leadership of Ysidro, residents considered settling in a barrio called Hilaba instead of Sitio Lipata due to its larger land area and a hill suitable for church construction. However, most residents retracted the proposal, citing concerns about access to the shoreline at low tide, particularly for boats.
Ultimately, Ysidro transformed Sitio Lipata into the Barrio Santo Niño of Basey, Samar. Ysidro was elected Mayor of Basey, while Engracio was elected Municipal Vice Mayor; likewise, Mauricio was elected Cabeza del Barrio Santo Niño. When World War II broke out, elementary education in Barrio Santo Niño was suspended until the end of the war in Samar in 1944.
In early 1949, Ysidro submitted a proposal to President Elpidio Quirino for the conversion of Barrio Santo Niño into a municipality. On July 22, 1949, with the assistance of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lorenzo Perez, Executive Order No. 247 was issued and signed by the President, creating the Municipality of Marabut, Samar, named in honor of Congressman Serafin Marabut, a native of Basey, Samar. Ysidro M. Ferreras was elected the first municipal mayor, and Engracio Amantillo was elected the vice mayor. The municipality was then composed of 14 barangays: San Roque, Tag-Alag, Legaspi, Caluayan, Tinabanan, Osmena, Canyoyo, Binocyahan, Odoc, Pinana-an, and Sto. Nino (Poblacion), Lipata, Amambucale, and Pinamitinan.
A year later, during the term of Mayor Macario Ferreras, Poblacion Marabut was divided into four barangays: Amantillo, Sto. Nino, Catato, and Lipata, through a municipal ordinance. Barangay Pinamitinan was split into three barangays: Sta. Rita, and Malobago. Barangay Odoc was divided into two barangays, Barangay Ferreras. Barangay Binocyahan was divided into two barangays, Barangay Logero. Osmeña was divided into four barangays: Mabuhay, Rono, Panan-awan, and another one. Legaspi was divided into two brigades: Veloso. Marabut now has 24 barangays. [6]
