Loay

The town name Loay originated from the pliable and useful vine, “oway” which grew in abundance in the ancient village. The reason for the addition of the “L” in the name was probably because of the erroneous pronunciation of the Spanish colonizers.
No written source was found as to when the pueblo or paroquia of Loay was exactly established, but the old residents say it was around the year 1700. The two ground levels in the poblacion area of Loay have been, and still are called by their respective natural locations. The lower-ground section is called Canipaan because of the existence of nipa swamps, and the upper ground level is called Ibabao, the plateau-like valley where the church, convent and elementary schools are located, and where the Holy Trinity Academy can be found. Aside from the church and towers, there are three stone tablet buildings nearby constructed in the same manner as the church and tower.
Loay is reputed to be the home of the Clarins. Among the pioneers of the place was Andres Clarin, one of its earliest gobernadorcillos.

native name: Oway
no. of barangays: 24
patron: Holy Trinity
feast day: every 8th sunday after the Easter Sunday