Macrohon, since 1895, was known to be named in memory of Spanish Governor-General Manuel Macrohon. Another legend states that the name Macrohon came from the word "manhaon", meaning removing cooked food, from the practice of Moro raiders removing the food left behind by fleeing residents. Whichever, the town of Macrohon holds the distinction of having a son who led the resistance in Leyte and prep
ared the landing of the Liberation Forces which earned him high posts after the war and posthumous promotion by President Fidel V. Ramos to Brigadier General Ruperto K. Kangleon. Back to ancient times, after the United States took over the Philippines from Spain,
Macrohon became a municipality. However, in 1906, it was reverted as a barrio. When Salvador Demeterio was elected a delegate to the First National Assembly, he made Macrohon a separate municipality in 1907. Demeterio was also elected as governor of Leyte and the Capitol Building of Tacloban was built during his term. A historic edifice that during the naval pre- invasion bombardment, Ruperto K. Kangleon persuaded Gen. Douglas MacArthur on board the USS Nashville to desist the inclusion of Tacloban as target to preserve the capitol building. Thus, Macrohon earned a unique distinction of having great leaders deserving hallowed place in history. The town has a land area of 120 hectares. Its coastline has many mangroves, resort beaches and springs. A tiny islet in barrio Molopolo, a vacation home of its owner, continue to attract visitors and the beaches and springs inveigle bathers.The barrios of Aguinaldo (since 1870, named in memory of the 1st Filipino Revolutionary leader, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo); Amparo (in memory of its Patron Saint and river); Asuncion; Bag-ong Silang; Buscayan, Cambaro, Canlusay, Flordeliz (was named barrio Katung, a name of a revolutionary commander); Guadalupe; Ichon (named in memory of Emilio Ichon, secretary to the Leyte revolutionary commander); Ilihan, Laray; Mabini; Mohon; Molopolo ( barrio since 1845, a name from the abundant mangrove trees along the coast); Rizal ( a barrio since 1858; it was known then as Baliw, it was change to Rizal to honor the National Filipino Hero and to remind the people of Macrohon the Philippines' struggle for freedom); San Joaquin ( a barrio since 1896, known then as Luuk); San Roque ( a barrio since 1873, known as Panagsaan); San Vicente (Poblacion); San Vicente (Upper); Sta. Cruz(also known as Katunggan); Sto. Niรฑo; Sto. Rosario; Sindangan; Lower and Upper Villa Jacinta and Upper Ichon (also known as Lumbang). These barangays constitutes the political units of the town of Macrohon. Distinguished luminaries from Macrohon, who earned renown, are the following: WWII Resistance Hero, Gen. Ruperto K. Kangleon, also assigned as Secretary of National Defense and was also elected as senator; Rep. Ciriaco K. Kangleon and Leyte Governor Salvador Demeterio. Archbishop Mariano G. Gaviola; former Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Ramon G. Gaviola, Jr.; and former Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports Ricardo Gloria, trace their roots from Macrohon. Their exemplary lives inspired others as to append the honor to Macrohon as the fountainhead of successful sons.
