Legends relates that Mulanay derived its name from the tagalog word Malunay which means "plenty of Lunay". Lunay is the vernacular term for pili wax which is abundant in the area.
The evangelization of Mulanay under Franciscan Missionaries was in 1980> However,its civil foundation as a municipality was affected only in 1745 thru the approval of the King of Spain as that time encompasses the municipal territorries of San Narciso,San Andres,San Francisco and Catanauan which if measured will be as big as the province of Bataan.The territorial land that was left is now called Mulanay. After giving the four municipalities their local autonomy,Mulanay's territorial jurisdiction was reduced to 42,000 hectares. The original town of mulanay was composed of only 6 brgys.The majority of the town of popuace preffered to linve exactly where the town is situated now. When pirates frequently plundered the place,the town's executive together with the barangays heads decided to transfer the town site to a place distance from the seashore this place is now called Mayordomo, a sitio of Brgy.Latangan. After several years when raids along coastal areas were lessened,the people clamored to return to the town site where it was before. A few barangay heads disagrred so they left to Bantain, Marinduque and Mindoro.
The populace of Mulanay is composed of different ethnic groups like Tagalog,Visayas and Bicolanos.Although they have some dissimilarities they could manage to live harmoniously with love,respect,and understanding that served as great factors towards valuable changes for progress.
The first town head of Mulanay during the Spanish Regime was Alcalde Mayor Eustaquio Manlangit, while the first town Mayor during the American Occupation was Mayor Atanacio Ojeda. The municipality had been under twenty six mayors from Spanish Regime to present the incumbent mayor is Hon. Prudencio Maxino Jr.
At present Mulanay is composed of 28 barangays, four of which comprised the poblacion. The Municipality is an agricultural as well as an industrial town under the 3rd District of Quezon Province. From her rich soil, farm crops like cocuonut,garlic,bananas,rice,corn,peanuts, monggo,ginger,squash,and other vegetable are abundantly harvested.Fish--dried and fresh are sold by tons to big towns and cities during peak seasons.
It has a population of 45,903 based on NSO census CY 2000 ans is classified as a third class municipalities with an annual of P 41,091,624.54 CY 2000.
The richness of Mulanay not only lies in her buried treasures,bountiful harvest from the vast fertile lands but also on her industrious, peace-- loving,happy,hospitable,and God fearing people,qualities proving its impression of "Mulanay sa pusod ng Paraiso".
