Dimiao

Because of the lack of records from the time of the Spanish rule to the late 19th century, there have been no accurate information regarding the time and manner of the establishment of the town.

However, some say that long before the blood compact between Legaspi and Sikatuna in 1565, there were already savage inhabitants called “Lo-og”. These people lived in caves and big trees. Later they were overpowered by the Malay pioneers, who grew in number and eventually took over the place. The “Lo-og” people gradually disappeared leaving no trace of their ancestry.
As for how the town got its name, it has been said that long ago, there was a chieftain named Mayaw, who had a beautiful wife named Ida. Mayaw was a great leader not only because of his superior strength but also of his wealth. Despite the couple’s power and prestige, they were imbued with genuine concern for their subjects. They shared whatever they had especially during times of calamity. Because of this, the people idolized them. One summertime, a group of Spanish explorers arrived and were welcomed by the native inhabitants. Mayaw and Ida, were not informed of the arrival. After brief formalities, a Spaniard asked, “Como se llama este lugar?.” A native, thinking that the former was asking who the masters of the place were, answered “Ka Ida Mayaw.” Before departure, the Spaniards echoed the name and the natives nodded in agreement. Henceforth, the vocabulary stuck in with the Spaniards and gave the town its name, Dimiao.
Another tale, was that when a group if Spaniards arrived they found Dimiao desolate unlike the others, which were already thriving. The silence was broken from time to time by counter wailing “meow-meows” of wild cats. One of them blurted out, “Que triste, El sitio es un desierto. Oimes solamente voces de los gatos. Caramba! Sitio de Meow.”

native name: Ida-miyaw
no. of barangays: 35
rep. dist.: 3rd district
patron saint: St. Nicolas Tolentino
feast day: September 10