Group of Surveyors came to Bawani. There were plenty of wild mangoes thriving robustly around. When the surveyors got tired, they rested under a very big mango tree. It happened that while they were resting, some natives passed by. The surveyors asked the name of the tree. They answered “wani.” The surveyors being `Ilongos’ were amazed and said: “Baw!” “Wani”?

  Bawani is a combination of ilongo expression “baw” and the name of the wild mango tree, “wani”. Bawani was then coined and named.

  As the years moved, people full of hope, sought for greener pasture and came to settle in Bawani. They migrated from Northern Luzon, Ilo-ilo and Bohol. Consequently, the inhabitants of Bawani are compositions of Ilocanos, Ilongos, Boholanos and some minority tribe, who have different ethnical background and culture, but lovers peace.

  The native tribe mansakas, under their chieftain, Agotot, were the first native settlers. The first Christian settlers were the families of Villans, Espaniolas, Masangyas, Cadetes, Pedronios, and Solacitos. They were then followed by the Ilocanos and Boholanos. These were the families of Tambis, Bonillias, Taguirans and Batingals.

  First, Bawani was composed of sitios from the Barangays of Sao-Sao and Nuevo Iloco. When it became progressive; it was created into a barangay by virtue of Executive Order No. 301 on June 20,1960. The first designated Teniente del Barrio was the late Damiano Tambis, He was followed by the first elected Barangay Captain in the name of the late Ireneo Fernandez, who was then succeeded by the late Antonio Batingal from 1972-1982. The next  Barangay Captain who served from 1982-1986 was Victorio Macatumbas. The latter’s administration was interrupted by OIC Brgy. Captain Pedro H. Ocay, from 1986-1987 during the People Power Revolution. Mr. Victorio Macatumbas served again as Brgy. Captain from 1987-2002 and had a record so far as the longest serving Barangay Captain of Bawani. Mr. Pedro H. Ocay served as elected Barangay Captain in the year 2002-2007. Presently, Engr. Roland Alviso serves as Barangay Chairman.

  Bawani Elementary School was created through the initiative of the late Felimon Villan and the other families who donated the 2.5 hectare-lot area, materials and for labor for its building in the year 1958. This was then under the district of Compostela. The first teacher assigned was Miss Remidios Mercado, followed by Miss Rosario De Jarne and Miss Maria Bonilla in the year 1962.

  In 1960, Sr. San Vicente Ferrer chapel was constructed with the families of Batino, Tambis, Batingal, Geolina, Masangya, Sumabong, Escabillias as pioneering elders. Now, it has more than 140 family members with the chapel still standing at the lot of Alino Family.

  Bawani Assembly of God Church started its existence with the pioneering workers, like Ptr. Samuel Gloria, Bro. Cresencio Porras, and the Families of Bonilla, Julian, Magno, Antonio and Bayani. The Church now stands in the area of the Late Placido Bonilla with its very active and longest serving Pastor Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Salvino.

  Tabon Tabon Assembly of God Church first constructed in the area of Carlos Barayuga. Mr. Fernandico Fabian donated an area for the Church and now is served by Ptr. Rev. and Mrs. Arthur Francisco.

  Lower Saosao Irrigators’ Service Association came in Bawani and started its operation in the year 1980 to manage the irrigation needs of the farming communities.

  Electricity came into Purok 4 in the year 2002. Tabontabon Potable Water System was also constructed in the year 2002, followed by the Pottery Project and the resettlement site of 5 hectare-project of the Municipal Government of Mawab.

  In 1988, Tabontabon Primary School at Purok 5 came into existence at the area of Mr. Isais Gamez who donated a 0.5 hectare school site. During that year, Tabontabon was created as special Barangay with Mr. Fernandico Fabian as an appointed Brgy. Captain. This school year, Tabontabon Elementary School has a complete Elementary Education and has Kindergarten Class under the Department of Education.

  Spring Development at Purok 3 came in the year 1987, through the management of Brgy. Capt. Victorio Macatumbas.

  Cafgu detachment was constructed in 1989. The Barangay Hall and Bawani Public Market were built in 1994. In 1999, the Local Government Unit through the CIDSS (Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services) constructed the Bawani Potable Water Supply at Purok 2. Bawani Shallow tube well, water pumps and jetmatic pumps were also constructed as component project.

  In 1993, Alta Vista Agri-Ventures Corporation came and started its Banana Plantation Business.

  In 2000, NICIP (Nuevo Iloco Communal Irrigation Project) began to irrigate farms traversing the riceland of Purok 1 and Purok 2.

  Barangay Bawani has a total population of 1,920 based in 2007 census. Has 5 existing Puroks; has 333 household and 327 number of families distributed by ethnic groups: Ilongo – 25%; Boholano – 30%; Ilocano – 20% and 25% compose of Cebuano and other tribes.

  Bawani has an area 822.0792 hectares. It is 6% of the total area of the Municipality of Mawab. It has good climate and topography. Has flat plains planted with rice; low rolling hills and mountains planted with corn and coconut. Bawani has three types of soil: the clay loam which is good for rice growing; the sandy loam which is good for root crops and the sandy clay loam which is good for fruit bearing trees.

  Bawani derives its source of livelihood from agriculture. It is composed of 300 hectares of rice land; 250 hectares of upland planted with coconut and other fruit-bearing trees. The rest of the area were planted with rubbers, bamboo groves, bananas, and other kinds of plants and crops. Some parts are sloping which is a due for forestation.