Baao is an old settlement which existed even
before the coming of the Spaniards. The primitive settlers were
believed to have come from the provinces of Albay and some towns in
Sorsogon and even hailing as far from Masbate province.
This municipality became dependent to the town
of Bula for many years although historical records show that in the
early part of the 18th century, Baao was already a separate parish for
about 87 years.
There are
different accounts on the origin of the town's name although what was
considered to be more credible was the noted physical structure of the
original location of the town which was shaped like the back of a
turtle. Also in this area, "ba-o-o" or turtles were great in number.
