Bulalacao

Bulalacao is located in the southernmost tip of the island of Mindoro within the province of Oriental Mindoro.

In ancient times, Bulalacao was called by a different name, "Ma-it". To this day, the Hanunoo Mangyans of Bulalacao still call the lowlands by this name. 

Ma-it or Ma-i, was an important seaside trading hub with recorded trade relationships with Imperial China and the Sultanate of Brunei. The History of Song, an official historical document commissioned by the imperial court, describes the trade relationship and protocol between Chinese traders and the rulers of Ma-I, who were referred to and styled as "wang", meaning "ruler". The Chinese records makes Ma-i one of the few Philippine polities mentioned in foreign accounts, with reference going back to as early as 982 AD, according to American historian, William Henry Scott.

At the height of the Sultanate of Brunei's political and military might, Bulalacao moved to its political orbit. The decline of Brunei was followed by the entry of Spain as the new power over Mindoro, with intermittent raids from Brunei and Mindanao taking place as late as mid-1800s. 

At the turn of the 20th century, the Philippines became an American Commonwealth and Bulalacao was administered by a Municipal Presidente. Post WWII saw little economic advancement in the island of Mindoro, save for Puerto Galera which became a popular destination for Manila residents. At the turn of the 21st century, Bulalacao once again became a burgeoning trading hub with the completion of the Port of Bulalacao.