Historical Development
Municipality of Mabinay, once a part of then municipality of Bais, became a town on June 21, 1959 by virtue of R.A. 2496 under the sponsorship of congressman Lorenzo Teves. Upon its creation, its mother municipality ceded to Mabinay some of her big barangays, namely: Bagtic, Himocdongon, Bato, Luyang, Namangka, Tadlong, Lumbangan, Paniabonan, Tubod, Inapoy, Barras and Banban.
On January 24, 1996, under R.A. 4818, Mabinay’s territory was expanded to cover 12 more barangays. Four from municipality of Manjuyod: Pandanon, Dahile, Samac and Namangka; and eight from municipality of Bais: Tara, Campanun-an, Pantao, Cansal-ing, Dagbasan, Bagtic, Mayaposi and Mabaja.
Traditional Folklore
Once upon a time in an inland part of the Province of Negros Oriental, there lived two rival powerful datus named Datu lIog and Datu Namangyan. Datu Ilog had a very beautiful daughter named Binay whom he loved very much. Datu Namangyan, on the other hand, had a brave and dauntless son, Binto whose hobby is hunting wild animals.
One day while Binto was chasing a deer, he unconsciously entered the territory of Datu Ilog and saw Binay bathing in the river. It was love at first sight for Binto since this was the first time he saw such a beauty. He proposed to Binay who also became attracted to him. That started their love affair but they had to keep it a secret because they knew that their fathers are mortal enemies.
Unfortunately, secret like smoke can’t be kept hidden for long. Datu Ilog watchful of Binay noticed his daughter’s changed behavior of being a woman in love. He snooped at her and caught the two lovers red-handed. Binay pleaded with her father to spare Binto but angry Datu Ilog can’t be placated upon knowing that his daughter’s lover is the son of his mortal enemy. Datu Ilog stuck a spear at Binto hitting on the chest and killing him. A small pool of water sprang forth in the place where Binto died. Because of Binay’s grief over her lover’s death and her fear of her angry father, she ran wild without direction like a mad woman. Mother earth that pitied the two lovers swallowed Binay. On the spot where she disappeared came forth a spring we now call Mabinay Spring.
Datu Ilog, worried of his daughter, ran after her and met Datu Namangyan on the way. He spoke to Datu Namangyan relating what happened to Binay and Binto. Datu Namangyan was surprised to see his proud and brave enemy became meek and repenting. Instead of being angry with Datu Ilog for his son’s death, he joined him and symphatized with his grief. Mother Earth, angry at the two datus, swallowed them. The joining of the two big rivers, Ilog River, and Namangyan River now marks the place where they met.
One day while Binto was chasing a deer, he unconsciously entered the territory of Datu Ilog and saw Binay bathing in the river. It was love at first sight for Binto since this was the first time he saw such a beauty. He proposed to Binay who also became attracted to him. That started their love affair but they had to keep it a secret because they knew that their fathers are mortal enemies.
Unfortunately, secret like smoke can’t be kept hidden for long. Datu Ilog watchful of Binay noticed his daughter’s changed behavior of being a woman in love. He snooped at her and caught the two lovers red-handed. Binay pleaded with her father to spare Binto but angry Datu Ilog can’t be placated upon knowing that his daughter’s lover is the son of his mortal enemy. Datu Ilog stuck a spear at Binto hitting on the chest and killing him. A small pool of water sprang forth in the place where Binto died. Because of Binay’s grief over her lover’s death and her fear of her angry father, she ran wild without direction like a mad woman. Mother earth that pitied the two lovers swallowed Binay. On the spot where she disappeared came forth a spring we now call Mabinay Spring.
Datu Ilog, worried of his daughter, ran after her and met Datu Namangyan on the way. He spoke to Datu Namangyan relating what happened to Binay and Binto. Datu Namangyan was surprised to see his proud and brave enemy became meek and repenting. Instead of being angry with Datu Ilog for his son’s death, he joined him and symphatized with his grief. Mother Earth, angry at the two datus, swallowed them. The joining of the two big rivers, Ilog River, and Namangyan River now marks the place where they met.