Anything under the sun
Origins of place-names (13)
After human activities
Many towns in West Visayas were named after some activities of the people in the community, thus:
Lambunao, Iloilo – from "lambo sa linao." Lambo is a method of fishing where the fishing rod instead of being handled by a person, is being planted on the ground with its bait in water. Usually done at night, the fisherman left it that way and returns the next morning to check whether a fish had been caught by the hook.
Escalante City – originally named Manlabus – a method of fishing where the fish is struck with a big stick while swimming in the stream. Its present name was taken from a place in Spain.
Mambusao, Capiz – from "busao" - the washing of the wild cassava (kayos) in the running water of the river to wash away its poisonous sap.
Tapaz, Capiz – the cutting of the shrubs, trees, grasses by the pioneer settlers of the town when clearing the front of their new home.
Bugasong, Antique – from "bugas sa lusong" - rice inside the mortar. The ancient Malay mill their rice by pounding (bayo) the palay inside the mortar with a pestle.
Anilao – from "ilaw" (light). During the early Malay days, the natives of Anilao were mostly fishermen who go out into the sea at night for fishing. They go home very early in the morning which was still dark. To guide them where to land, their families go to the shore with lights (torches).