In 1610, Sgt. Juan Camachode dela Peña and Fr. Miguel de Sto. Tomas visited Cateel. They landed at the northern side of the riverbank before called Sitio Lapad, now Barangay San Rafael. After giving their offering for a safe landing, the two encomienderos entered within the vicinity following the path. They came to land where a man was busy splitting a piece of rattan vine. The strangers asked the man what the place was called, the man replied “CATEEL”, thinking that they were asking him the name the vine he was splitting. From then on, the valley and the river were then called “Cateel”.
How Cateel Got Its Name?
