History of Inopacan Leyte
History of Inopacan
Inopacan is a tiny western coastal municipality occupying a mere 182 square kilometers of green rolling hills bordered by narrow coastal plains. From the sea, it looks like a little coconut-convered rural community with a backdrop of high blue-greenish mountains. Beyod these mountains are the boundaries of Mahaplag and portions of Sogod, Southern Leyte and Hilongos. To the north is the progressive town of Baybay and the south is the equally small and peaceful Hindang town. The rich Camotes Sea Bound the western part.
The Town has twenty barangays, eight of which, including the poblacion, are along the coast. One is an island barangay and the rest are in the interior part. Sixty-five percent of the people live along the coast.
It is believed that the early settlers of Inopacan came from Cebu and Bohol. The Present site has been its original location because it had never been subjected to attacks from the moros. This was because of a dragon-sized snake that once lived in a cape located at the western sea approach to the town. This huge reptile would reportedly attack boats that would pass by it, so it prevented moro “pangkos” from landing at the settlement.
After the snake was killed, the settlement continued to enjoy a life of peace and safety because there appeared another protector of the people, a legendary hero by the name of “Inong.” The hero was said to be a leader of a well-trained band of men who successfully defended the pueblo from depredating moros. Believed to have possessed supernatural powers, Inong was said to be able to jump from hill to hill or from moro boat to boat wreaking havoc on the invaders so much so that he was commonly believed to have some kind of wings. Wings in the dialect means “pako” so that one who possessed wings is called “pak-an.” Inong therefore was known far and wide as Inong Pak-an, the winged Inong - which has been transformed to its present for easier pronunciation. Read more…