BRIEF HISTORY

Biton was honored to have been the first barrio of Parina, now the town of Magallanes, to have a complete elementary school and can be seen in the old map of the country and was developed many years even before the coming of Spaniards.

Like any other settlement in the Philippines, this humble barrio started with only few families who came from Albay. These adventurers found their way by hiking through trails and small roads until finally they settled here. These families were clannish in nature. The Handig’s, Bobis’s, Bono’s, Decano’s and others were said to be the pioneers of this place.

The barangay all started with a small cluster of improvised huts along the shores bounded by thick forest of big and sturdy trees. Among these trees were the beautiful and shady Boton that grows abundantly along the shores. By nature, these trees are the heaven of fireflies at night. From a distance one would mistake them for a cluster of natural light that seems to twinkle as one group of these creatures lighted up and put out their light in a rhythmic pattern.

It did not take too long however for these first people to curve out of the thick forest. They planted camote, cassava, rice, corn and other crops to small patches of farms that are fertile and productive; these provided them enough food for their daily sustenance. These supplies were augmented with wild animals they haunted and caught using their crude implements. The early inhabitants have common interest but with little needs and wants; they lived a simply in a slowly growing barangay.

Although this place was not so conspicuous outside having been hidden by big Boton trees, yet this did not escape from the sight of some people fishing at sea.  The light provided by the numerous fireflies made the place a prominent land mark for the shore especially during dark night and unfair weather such place served as compass of sailors thus, fore references they used to call it “MABITON” or “MABITOON” which means having numerous star lights.

However, said light was not known to the early inhabitants of the place and was not significant to them either. Their lives were focused to earning a living. In the course of time, these references become prominent and the early settlers therein became aware of it. As more and more people came to settle permanently because the site was abundant in resources the name of Mabiton became the name itself adopted by the settlers. Thus for some time this name held on but often times uttered as BOTON or BITON depending on the person speaking. Then the village became the Sitio of Ginangra and more and more people came to settle. The place became more progressive than the mother barrio. Not long after, Biton was made a full grown barangay, headed by a Cabeza de Barangay. Pablo Handig, the brother of Agustin Handig, become the head and was fondly called as Cabesang Pablo.

Barangay Biton became a barangay through Republic Act 1408, 2370 and 3590. It is composed of eight (8) puroks namely Barangay Proper, Barangay Site, Lipata, Talisay 1, Talisay 2, Punta, Gimantao and Iraya. Each purok is headed by individual purok leaders.

Barangay Biton has a total land area of 496 hectares bounded by Barangay Ginangra in the north, by R. Gerona, Bulan in the south, by Barangay Lapinig in the east and Ticao Pass in the west. It is seven (7) kms away from the Magallanes town proper and 49 kms away from Provincial Capital.

Soon there was a felt need for a school because of its growing population. With the help of the municipal officials a primary school was opened. Grade 1 enrollees were as old as 12 years old and above. For years the people were happy and content. In fact, whenever there were important affairs in Ginangra or Biton the prominent people used to attend such affairs; Ginangra and Biton remained closed to each other.

But strange enough, Biton became more and more progressive, while Ginangra was left behind. A complete elementary school was then established in the barrio with school building constructed mainly by the parents from durable wood that are available in the locality. The skilled workers from Lapinig also contributed in the construction of school buildings. Pupils from Ginangra, Biton and Lapinig enrolled in the school.

Today, Biton is still progressing. And more and more people are pursuing their education in the hope that someday will be able to contribute to the prosperity of the place.