Location Map of Barangay Manhac

About

Manhac is a barangay in the municipality of Looc, in the province of Romblon. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 1,262. This represented 5.79% of the total population of Looc.

Summary data
Type	Barangay
Island group	Luzon
Region	MIMAROPA Region
Province	Romblon
Municipality	Looc
Postal code	5507
Population (2020)	1,699
Philippine major island(s)	Tablas
Coordinates	12.2101, 122.0018 (12° 13′ North, 122° 0′ East)
Estimated elevation above sea level	22.9 meters (75.1 feet)

HISTORY
During the Spanish occupation some soldiers went on patrol as far as Manhac. They came to a group of men who were spending their leisure hours chatting. The soldiers inquired in Spanish tongue what was the name of the place, which was a barrio at that time. The group of men who did not understand the inquiry just laugh loudly, “Hah!Hah!Hah!”, to express friendship and to show they are welcome. Since then soldiers remembered the place and name “Manhac”, the place of laughing people.

The soldiers continue their patrol with some men in the group to carry their baggage for them. They met some women carrying bucket of water from the well. The soldiers greeted the young ladies but the passive ladies nodded their head to show that they were ashamed. The soldiers then asked their interpreter why the ladies did not answer their inquiry, and the interpreter told them “Tanghuya”. The Spanish soldiers that cannot speak straightly of the words, they ommitted the letter “h” from the word “Tanghuya”, and they just laugh at one another, and then that time on they name the place “TANGUYA”, which is one of the major sitios of Barangay Manhac.

The Spanish soldiers then preceded home and the same they were accompanied by some native men who are their baggage carriers and interpreters. They passed along the shores of Malbog. They made fun on wadding in the water but to their surprise the water was muddy. The interpreter told them that it had just rained that night thus causing the polluted water.

In local dialect “Malbog” was used by the natives to describe the dull and muddy water of the river. From the time on they named the place as “Malbog” which still a part as major sitio of barangay Manhac.

CENTRO is another major sitio of Barangay Manhac. Its name was adopted based on its strategic location of being at the middle part of Barangay, sandwitched by two other major sitio of Malbog and Tanguya. Centro is a term in Spanish language adopted in local dialect which means “Center” to the people from nearby and other places, Sitio Centro referred to as Manhac Proper. Being located at the center of Barangay, social and community activities during fiestas and holidays are being held here. It is the place for the conduct of assembly meetings, sports competitions, social gathering such as dancing and social baskets. It is also the center for worship during Sundays and church activities.

First People in the Barangay
A. ORIGIN. According to the old folks, the first people of barangay Manhac came from the different places of the province and nearby Islands. Special mentioned surnames which start with letter M, came from Romblon proper like Mazo, Madeja, Mariano, Minano while those which begin with letter R came from the Sibuyan Island like Rafols, Rios, Raymundo and Rada and the surnames beginning with letter S came from Panay Island and others. During the Spanish time, the surnames of the inhabitants was changed with the words which are commonly used as given names like Atilano, Venancio, Vicente, Fernando, Francisco, Mateo, Teologo, Geronimo, Bernardo, Lorenzo and Mariano for easy monitoring and census. Inhabitants from nearby municipality of Alcantara which was once part of the municipality of Looc originates the surnames which begins with the letter G like the Gelindon, Gatos, Galicia, Gante and Gapi. Other surnames presently existing in the barangay came from other province or places of the Philippines who have crossed marital union with the female inhabitants of this barangay while others settled in the barangay due to their occupation or work.

C. DIALECTS. The dialects widely and dominantly used or spoken in Manhac is known as “Inonhan”, a bisayan dialect used in the Southern part of Tablas Island,which is somewhat similar to the dialect spoken by the people in the Northwestern part of Panay Island like Antique, Municipalities of Boroanga, Malay, Navas, and Boracay of Aklan Province. The next dialect or language is Tagalog and English which are widely understand by the residents.

Founding Anniversary of the Barangay
There was no exact date as to when it started as barangay but according to the ten respected elders of the community, it was established during 17th century.

Geographical Description
A. LOCATIONS: Barangay Manhac is one among the twelve barangay in the municipality of Looc, in the province of Romblon. It is located at the Eastern side of the famous Looc Bay; South of the barangay Guinhaya-an of the municipality of Looc;West of barangay Danao del Norte, barangay Magsaysay and barangay Pandan, North of barangay Mat-I of the municipality of Sta. Fe. It is 187 nautical miles south of Manila and 169 Air Miles south of Manila. It is 10 kilometers away from the sea port of Sta. Fe going southern part while 20 kilometers away from Tugdan Airport of the Municipality of Alcantara going to Southwestern direction; 48 kilometers away from the sea port of Odiongan going to Southern direction; 10 kilometers away from the Sea Port of Looc going to the Southeastern direction. Manhac has its own pleader se port of Sitio Malbog.

B. ACCESSIBILITY: Manhac could be reached by plain via Tugdan Airport at Alcantara, Romblon which is about 15 kilometers away from it. A regular schedule of the trips by Cebu Pacific is availed for three times a week. It could be likewise reached by ship from Manila and Batangas via Odiongan Sea port and San Agustin port which are estimated about 48 and 55 kilometers away respectively, both going to Southern direction. A regular trips of pump boats going to and from Caticlan, Malay, Boracay and other parts of Panay Island is likewise available via Sta. Fe and Looc. Pump boats going to and from island of Mindoro via Danggay, Roxas, and Oriental Mindoro are likewise available via sea port of Looc and its own feather Sea Port at sitio Malbog. From and within the Island of Tablas, barangay of Manhac could be reached by passenger jeeps from Sta. Fe, Looc, and other municipalities within the island of Tablas. The National road stretching from barangay Guinhayaan to Malbog feather Sea Port is about 1.5 kilometers while the provincial roads that stretch through going to Sta. Fe is 3 kilometers.

If coming to and from the Island of Tablas, Barangay Manhac could be reached through passenger jeepneys which are plying daily from Sta. Fe to Looc which passes through this barangay of Manhac. Manhac is both 10 kilometers away from to Santa Fe and Looc.The National Road which stretches from barangay Guinhayaan to sitio Malbog is about 2 kilometers while the provincial road that stretches through going to barangay Mat-I of Sta. Fe is 3 kilometers.

List of Tenientes, Captains, Barrio Captains, Barangay Captains, Punong Barangay from the earliest Time to Date:

Teniente Del Barrio

► 1. Gaytano Vicente

►2. Ereneo Garcia

► 3. Gaytano Venancio

► 4. Rafael Vicente

► 5. Julian Venancio

► 6. Santiago Vicente

Capitan Del Barrio

► 7. Paulin° Venancio

► 8. Rizalito Pastor

► 9. Isidro Umali

► 10. Felipe Soriano

► 11. Macario Soriano

► 12. Leopoldo Salvador

► 13. Leonardo Minano

► 14. Amado Fabila

Barrio Captain

► 15. Lupercio Garcia

► 16. Telesporo Galicia

► 17. Reynaldo M. Acebedo

Barangay Captain

► 18. Rohito R. Garcia

Punong Barangay

► 19. Dioscoro I. Cordova- July 15,1997-August 15,2002

► 20. Apolinario M. Bernardo- August 16,2002-October 2013

► 21. Ernesto G. Galicia-

►22. Shirley F. Lorenzo – Present

Biophysical Features

► A. STRUCTURES. Feather sea Port at sitio Malbog which serves as going and departing point for Boracay, Caticlan, and other parts of Panay Island, Island of Mindoro, Batangas or other parts in Luzon or Manila from 19 to 19 . Presently, this port is under rehabilitation to improve this facility so the operation is temporarily unavailable.

► B. WATER SOURCES. The water spring development project at sitio Malbog has been constructed in 1998 and presently serving the water needs in sitio Malbog. About 27 households are benefited in this project. A public water pump has been established to augment the water needs of the resident in this barangay. Tangguya-three sources (two portable and one unportable); Malbog three shallow walls; Centro-artesian well and four shallow wells. Artesian in Centro now is not functional.Other sources of water are from the open wells like Tangguya have 2 sources;Centro- 2 and Malbog are 3 sources. Private water pumps have been putted up by 68 households for their own use throughout the barangay.

► C. ELECTRICITY. Electric power in this barangay is served by the Island Electric Power (TIELCO) which serves about 80 households mostly along the main roads. Household who lives on the remote area was operated by BAPA in every sitio. At sitio Tangguya there are household members of BAPA, household members in Mangharus, household members in Tabok and household member in Calbidok.

► D. SCHOOL BUILDING. The Manhac Elementary School is located at sitio Centro with complete grades from Pre-school to grade six manned by eight teachers presently supervised by Ms. Mary Jean P. Fornal, the Teacher In- Charge. School facilities are composed of five buildings which is a combination of 3 classrooms buildings. It has a public stage with pavements wherein school activities and ground demonstration are held. Barangay Assemblies and Fiesta Celebrations are held here for having a spacious area. School ground is also spacious for playing children. The school has facilities for Audio visual demonstrations with complete facilities for Science and other subject. A new constructed covered court and Multi-Purpose Building Cum Evacuation centeris constructed along the vicinity of School Campus.

► E. BARANGAY HALL. The barangay hall is located at sitio Centro along the provincial road constructed inside a lot of 1,000 square meters.

► F. DAYCARE CENTER. A Day Care Center is likewise located inside a lot owned by the Barangay along the provincial road. A Day Care Worker has been assigned to teach the children in the person of Mr. Elsie G. Panagsagan. The building was constructed thru the DSWD Fund and was completed by the local government of
Looc with counterpart from the barangay.

► G. HEALTH CENTER. It is located at the lot of the Barangay, likewise along the provincial road. A midwife and barangay health workers are regularly attending to the health needs of the constituents of the barangay.

► WAITING SHED. There are five waiting sheds within the barangay. Two at sitio Malbog, 3 in sitio Centro and two in sitio Tangguya.

► CULVERTS. There are seven culverts constructed within the barangay. Five of which are on the major roads and two are constructed on barangay roads. There is no bridge within the barangay.

► BARANGAY STAGE AND MULTIPURPOSE PAVEMENT. It is located at Sitio Sports competitions and social gatherings are likewise held here. The lot was donated by the late Librado and Amado Fabila. Another solar drier and multipurpose pavement is to be constructed at sitio Tangguya.

Churches and Religious Sects:

► Barangay Manhac is dominantly followers of Roman Catholic. The Roman Catholic Church is located at Sitio Centro along the Barangay Hall and provincial road. Sitio Malbog has its own Roman Catholic Church. Saint Vincent Ferrer is the Patron saint of barangay Manhac which is celebrated every second week of April as its festivity, while Sto. Nino is the patron of Sitio Malbog which celebrated festivity also every third week of January. The secondary religion in Manhac is the Philippine Independent Church. Its church is located at Sitio Tangguya which celebrated its festivity every second week of April with the same patron saint with the Roman Catholic. The Assemblies Sitio Malbog which celebrated festivity also every third week of January. The secondary religion in Manhac is the Philippine Independent Church. Its church is located at Sitio Tangguya which celebrated its festivity every second week of April with the same patron saint with the Roman Catholic. The Assemblies secondary religion in Manhac is the Philippine Independent Church. Its church is located at Sitio Tangguya which celebrated its festivity every second week of April with the same patron saint with the Roman Catholic. The Assemblies is located at Sitio Tangguya which celebrated its festivity every second week of April with the same patron saint with the Roman Catholic. The Assemblies of April with the same patron saint with the Roman Catholic. The Assemblies of God, Born Again Foursquare Church are likewise available in Manhac.

Educational Development

► In the year 1925, the school was opened in Manhac. During that time, the people of this barangay were not yet interested to educate their children and improve their school building in which case it was almost closed by the school officials. They were given three days to repair the building. The barrio captain on that time then tried his best to meet the deadline. He called for all the barrio fotks and tried their best to do what they can and able them to meet the deadline.

► In the year 1929, the barrio lieutenant headed the reconstruction of school building. People cooperated in order to educate their children. A parent has realized the importance of education to their children. They worked hand in hand to construct their building, which was made of light materials which served only for a few years.

► In the year 1949-1950, the semi-permanent building was constructed with the aid of the government. This building had only one room which could not accommodate all the attending children in the barrio. The common people to augment the needs for the additional room then constructed PTA building.

► Presently the school is located at sitio Centro in 6 hectares of the school ground donated by Mr. Paquito Soriano, a former teacher of the school. The school building and other structures constructed within the premises are the following: Three buildings for classroom with eight classrooms with toilets. The rooms occupied are for classes by the preschoolers to grade six and the office of the Teacher-In-Charge. The school has also an audiovisual room with the television and viewing apparatus and plastic chairs, experiment apparatus and other educational equipment’s. The school has a spacious Cultural Stage and Multi-purpose pavement wherein the scholastic ground activities are being held. It has also a newly constructed covered court constructed in the year 2016 and a Multi-Purpose Building Cum Evacuation Center funded from KALAHI-CIDDS (NCDDP) in the year 2014. The school is presently manned by seven teachers headed by the Teacher-In-Charge- Ms. Mary Jean P. Fornal-Grade Three adviser; Lissette T. Galicia- Kinder, Shellane G. Fabila- Grade One, Joanne G. Garcia- Grade Two, Mary Jane G. Fabila- Grade Four, Angeline D. Muleta- Grade Five, Marissa M. Gadacho-Grade Six.

Barangay officials

HON. VICENTE T. FABILA

PUNONG BARANGAY

WILFREDO T. GARCIA

KAGAWAD

JHONNY F. PAZ JR.

KAGAWAD

LUZVIMINDA M. BERNARDO

KAGAWAD

JESS G. TEOLOGO

KAGAWAD

WARRY P. MONTAÑO

KAGAWAD

ZENY M. GARCIA

KAGAWAD

LUZ E. SORIANO

KAGAWAD

LEA M. FERNANDO

SECRETARY

MARY JANE P. VICENTE

TREASURER

Vision

“Isang pamayanang may malusog na pangangatawan, sapat na kaalaman na naninirahan sa may maayos na pagsasamahan sa isang balansing kapaligiran at sapat na kabuhayan”

Mission

Walang sakit at malnourist na mamayan
Makapagtapos ang mayorya ng kabataan/mamamayan
Magkaroon ng sapat na kabuhayan at pagkain ang mamamayan
Maging Malaya sa droga at bisyo ang barangay
Mapanatiling tahimik at maayos ang kapaligiran
Masugpo ang lahat ng mga bisyo at katiwalian
Isang Barangay na makatao at may takot sa ating DIYOS.

Sangguniang Kabataan officials

ANTHONY M. VENANCIO

SK CHAIRMAN

SARAH JEAN C. GAITO

SK KAGAWAD

RONIEL G. TIMBAS

SK KAGAWAD

WILLY JOHN T. SORIANO

SK KAGAWAD

JOHN ALBERT F. MAZO

SK KAGAWAD

JOSHUA G. RAYOS

SK KAGAWAD

ARJHON C. TIMBAS

SK KAGAWAD

EDUARDO T. RAFOL JR.

SK KAGAWAD

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SK SECRETARY

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SK TREASURER