There have been several attempts on documenting the history of Mauban. Written below is just one of the historical accounts of the municipality taken from Grand Balik- Mauban Millennium Celebration material.

 

    Early Settlements. Accounts from 1677 records show that Mauban was initially composed of five small settlements known as Cagsiay, Daungang Dumagat, Pinagbayanan, Luya-luya and Tubog. Gat Pagil, a Dumagat himself leads the community of Daungang Dumagat that is situated at what today is the pier area. On the other hand, Pinagbayanan was the seat of government among the Tagalogs led by Luis Bernardo located at the side of the mouth of Maapon River. Both communities were always subjected to raids by the Moros. These settlers from other region plundered Pinagbayan of its precious possessions. On the other hand, the community of Daungang Dumagat, through their great warrior and leader, Gat Pagil, their community felt secured all the time. Luis Bernardo and Gat Pagil desired to combine forces to repel the barbaric raids, however, lack of roads prevented them from doing so.

 

 

   At an early age of 20, with a graying hair, Gat Pagil’s military genius became a by-word. He was admired and respected by the folks who affectionately called him Gat Uban (“uban” a Tagalog term for white hair). As Gat Uban became closer to his people, he was fondly called Mauban.

    Luis Bernardo died in 1678 and was succeed by Baltazar Palad. Recognizing the strength of Gat Pagil, Baltazar Palad, joined forces with Gat Pagil’s group by relocating Pinagbayanan near Daungang Dumagat. The place was called Batis Malinaw. This joining of forces produced peace and order in the region. Later, more settlers from Laguna migrated to Batis-Malinaw. People from Cavinti, Laguna came and mingled with the new community. It was during this time that a certain Rev. Fr. Labor came. The new community was created and spread toward the seashore and finally reached Daungang Dumagat community. The new settlers brought with them their own ways of life which were far different from the Dumagats. Living together generated differences in the way of life among the Tagalog and the Dumagats. As this developed, the Dumagat community, who were known to have the character of preserving their culture by isolating themselves from civilization, left Batis-Malinaw and settled to another place. The Dumagats took it to themselves to move where they could live in isolation and far from the evangelizing conquistadors. It was during this period that Baltazar Palad was formally acknowledged as Kapitan, leader of the community. The community was patterned to the common Spanish government structure practiced in different parts of the conquered Philippines. A new community name accompanied these developments. In tribute to the heroics of Gat Uban, the locality was named Mauban.