BRIEF HISTORY

This place formerly had a big population. However, due to frequent floods, some of the residents moved to other barangays. The place then became haunted and the population decreased, one of the reasons why every time someone comes to visit the place he/she will always utter “bari-bari” – a word which they believe will drive away evil spirits.

One time, a Spanish Missionary Priest dropped by this place and asked its name. The resident cannot understand the priest and answered with fear: “bari-bari”, then ran away. The priest was puzzled with the man’s behavior. When he arrived at the convent, he asked one of the helpers about the place. From that time on, the priest coined the word “Baritao” to name the place. The priest used the word “BARI” and added “TAO” meaning person in the Ilocano vernacular. When the time came that the “Panglakayens” or Barrio Officials were required to register their barrio, they registered the name BARITAO which was carried and known in the Municipality of Tagudin until this time.