History of Barangay Himatagon

Before 1954, Saint Bernard did not yet exist as a municipality. It was formerly known as Barrio Himatagon, which was the largest and most prosperous barrio of the neighboring town of San Juan, then called Cabalian.

According to local legend, the name Himatagon comes from the Visayan phrase “Himata sayo sa kabuntagon,” which means to wake up early in the morning. This phrase reflects the hardworking nature of the early settlers in the area.

As Himatagon continued to grow rapidly, the residents sought independence from San Juan. Due to its development and increasing population, the community petitioned for the creation of a separate municipality. On December 9, 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay signed Executive Order No. 84, which officially created the Municipality of Saint Bernard.