Legend relates that Mulanay derived its name from the Tagalog word Malunay which means "plenty of lunay". Lunay is the vernacular term for pili wax which is abundant in the area.
The evangelization of Mulanay by the Franciscan Missioneries was in 1960 while its civil foundation as a municipality was effected in through the approval of the King of Spain.During the Spanish regime, Mulanay was composed of the municipal territories of San Narciso, San Francisco, Catanuan and San Andres which was as big as the province of Bataan.In 1755, Catanuan became a separate municipality followed by other remaining municipalities. Mulanay's territorial jurisdiction was reduced to 42,000 hectares. The original town of Mulanay composed of six (6) barangays was raided by the Moro pirates that led the town's executive together with the barangay heads to transfer the town site to the so called Mayodomo, a sitio of Barangay Latangan.After several years, raids along coastal areas were lessened. The people returned to the town site, however, few barangay heads disagreed and left for Bantuin, Marinduque and Mindoro.
The populace of Mulanay is composed of different ethnic groups like Tagalogs, Visayas and Bicolanos.
Although they have some dissimilarity, they manage to live harmoniously with love, respect and understanding that serve as great factors valuable to social changes towards development development and progress. Based on the national Statistics Office Census Calendar Year 2007, it has a population of 48,538.
The first town head of Mulanay during the Spanish Regime was Alcalde Mayor Eutaquio Manlangit, while the first town mayor during the American Occupation was Mayor Anatacio Ojeda. The municipality had been under twenty six mayors from Spanish Regime up to present. The incumbent mayor is Honorable Prudencio M. Maxino, Jr.
At present, Mulanay is composed of twenty eight (28) barangay's, four of which comprise the poblacion. The municipality is an agricultural town where farm crops like cocunot, garlic, bananas, rice, corn, peanuts, mongo,ginger,squash, and other vegetables are abundantly harvested. Mulanay lies along the coast of Tayabas Bay, an abundant fishing ground.
The richness of Mulanay not only lies in her buried treasures, bountiful harvest from the vast fertile lands, but also on her industrious, peace-loving, hospitable and God-fearing people, qualities proving its empression of Mulanay sa Pusod ng Paraiso.
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