MAASIN THROUGH THE YEARS
When the Spanish missionaries came to Maasin, they found out that a progressive community was already established and the hospitable people readily accepted the faith of Roman Catholicism. The very popular congeniality of the people of Maasin was indeed legendary because it originated from our forefathers.
The settlement was founded by the Jesuits in 1700 and was called “Tagnipa” owing to the presence of several swamps grown with palm called “nipa.” Now Tagnipa is one of the biggest barangays found at the heart of Maasin.
The town was established officially in 1755 as part of the Leyte province. Maasin that time was the hub of business and government activities from Palompon to Hinunangan. A Fiscal’s Office, a Court of First Instance, and an “Administrador de Hacienda” equivalent to a treasurer were already established in Maasin.
The name Maasin said to originate when some Spaniards looking for water to drink, navigated the waters of Canturing River from the shore. They asked the natives in Spanish about the name of the town. The natives did not understand what the visitors meant and thought the foreigners were asking whether the water was fresh for drinking. They answered “maasin-asin” meaning “salty.” So the Spaniards believed that the inhabitants were referring to the place. Thus the name Maasin came to be known.
The Jesuits built the first church when they occupied the parish from 1700 to 1768. It was later burned and was situated in what is now the existing cemetery with the ruins still there. It is located in what is now known as Barangay Mambajao.
The Augustinians replaced the Jesuits and administered the parish from 1768 to 1843. They built the second church, which is now the present cathedral at Barangay Tunga-tunga facing the public plaza now called Anatalio Gaviola Plaza.
The Franciscans later took the reins of the parish until 1896, when the revolution broke out. Since then, the native priests managed the religious affairs of the town.
Under the Spaniards, Maasin became a more prosperous municipality. The town’s seaport became the center of trade and commerce to and from Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao islands. It was the reason why our dialect is Cebuano with a Boholano accent.
From “Gobernadorcillo” the local executive was changed to “Capitan Municipal.” The last Gobernadorcillo was Alejo Alcantara from 1892 to 1894. Then Capitan Municipal Julio Raagas became the town’s executive from 1894 to 1896.
After the short-lived Philippine revolution against Spain, the Americans took over the administration of the national government. The American government instituted so many reforms most particularly a good public school system.
The town executive that time was called Municipal President and the first to hold such position was Eustaquio Rafols. Under the Americans, Maasin flourished and became the most progressive town in southwest Leyte.
In 1942, the Japanese occupied Maasin and many of the townspeople escaped to the mountains to evade the abuses and hostility of the Japanese soldiers. During the war, local heroes led by Colonel Ruperto Kangleon emerged to lead the guerrillas against the Japanese.
When the war was over and the Philippine Independence was granted, Maasin continued to be more progressive and became the center of commerce and industry in this part of the Leyte island.
Congressman Nicanor Yñiguez filed House Bill No. 1318 which proposed the creation of a new province of Southern Leyte comprising Third Congressional District of Leyte to include sixteen municipalities, from Maasin to Silago in the mainland and in the Panaon Island.
The bill became Republic Act 2227 otherwise known as an "Act Creating the Province of Southern Leyte" and was approved by President Carlos P. Garcia on May 22, 1959. On July 1, 1960, Southern Leyte was inaugurated as a province with Maasin as the capital town. Thus the third District of Leyte became the province of Southern Leyte and Lone District of Southern Leyte.
Congressman Anecito Saludo, Jr. authored R.A. 8796 converting Maasin into a component city and was overwhelmingly approved by a plebiscite on August 10, 2000. Maasin became the First City of the Philippines in the New Millennium.
Maasin qualified under the Local Government Code requirement of land area of not less than 100 sq. km. since the actual area of Maasin is 211.70 sq. km. The income also exceeded the required P 20 million per annum.
It also passed the requirements for government center site, market site, plaza, school site, cemetery site, potable water supply, sewerage, garbage and waste disposal site and number of commercial establishments.
It took exactly 300 years from the founding of the Jesuit missionaries in 1700 up to the conversion of Maasin into a city in 2000.
Maasin is also the seat of religion in the entire province of Southern Leyte and the western part of Leyte, from Matalom to Baybay. The Diocese of Maasin was launched on August 14, 1968 with Most Rev. Vicente Ataviado as the first bishop. The Maasin Cathedral is where Our Lady of Assumption Parish is situated.
With a pre-dominantly Roman Catholic population, the church has a vast influence on the culture, morals and even governance in Maasin. The history of Maasin has mostly been associated with the missionaries and the priests.
