Alimanguan is a barangay, a smaller administrative division in the Philippines, located in the municipality of San Vicente, Palawan. Its name is derived from the native term “alimango,” which translates to “crab.” The term is used in reference to a specific type of crab that populates the local “katunggan” or “bakawan” – terms for mangrove areas in the Philippines. As per local lore, this region was once teeming with these crabs, to the extent that they could be seen crawling in the streets, hence the nomenclature.
The history of Alimanguan is rooted in the settlement of the Tagbanua people, an indigenous group in the Philippines. The original families that composed this barangay were the Rodriguez, Martinez, Talibod, and Francisco families. However, the area wasn’t always known as Alimanguan; originally, it was named “Aduas” and was a part of the municipality of Taytay.
In 1931, the region experienced a significant shift in its identity when it was renamed Alimanguan. Later, in 1945, following the end of World War II, it was officially recognized as a barangay. The administration of Alimanguan began with its first Teniente del barrio, Mison Gapilango, who was succeeded by Marciano Gabin in 1946, and later by Guillermo Estrada, Josefina Collado, and Floresto Abrina.
Another major shift in Alimanguan’s history occurred in 1972, when the municipality of San Vicente was officially recognized as a distinct municipality of the province of Palawan. In this administrative reorganization, Alimanguan was ceded by its former mother municipality, Taytay, to become a barangay of San Vicente.
In essence, Alimanguan’s story is one of evolving identities, from a habitat of crabs and Tagbanua settlers to an integral part of the municipality of San Vicente. It is a testament to the cultural, social, and administrative changes that have shaped the regions of the Philippines over the years.