Long before the colonial Spanish, Japanese, or Americans set foot on Alabat Island, the mountains were already inhabited by the “Baluga” (aborigines).
The early inhabitants of this place made balustrades across their doors to prevent small children from walking out of the house or falling from the stairwells.
During the Spanish colonial period, Alabat was inhabited by the family of Caparros because of its safe landing shore and overflowing natural resources.
So he summoned the leaders of the settlers to congregate and encouraged them to settle at Ilangin in order to make a visita and build an Ermita in the year 1882.
Father Jesus called this village "GORDO" (meaning fat) and afterwards he named it Gordon in memory of his town in Spain.
Upon reaching the place they found out that anchorage was difficult on account of the shallow coral reefs and absence of navigable river.
Inquiries were made among the villagers and Don Pedro learned the suitability of Lupac, the present site of Alabat.
He accused these two men and by the order of Capitang Totoy of Gumaca, they were taken to prison until Don Pedro Pica secured freedom from the gobernadorcillos of Tayabas.
Through the order of Father Jesus, Don Pedro Pica changed the name Lupac to BARCELONA in memory of the beautiful coastal town in Spain.
When the American Expeditionary forces occupied Tayabas Province and appointed Carpenter as Military Governor, the name BARCELONA was changed to ALABAT.
By the end of the same year, Sangirin was granted freedom and became an independent municipality named in honor of then Felimon Perez, who was the Governor of the Province.
The town of Alabat saw new development in the early 21st century: a modern port was built to replace the old one, more paved roads are being constructed, telephone service, cellphone sites, wireless internet and local government projects to improve the lives of Alabateños.
[6] Alabat, Quezon has been featured several times in various television programs in the country such as Tapatan Ni Tunying, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Motorcycle Diaries and more, because of its natural beauty.
In an article published in Inquirer and written by Lester Villegas, Alabat was dubbed as the "Hidden Paradise of Quezon Province".
[7] Located centrally on the eponymous Alabat Island, It is between the Pacific Ocean and Lamon Bay, with good fishing grounds, fertile soil, wide plains and near to a river and safe landing shore.
This town are nested among a wide expanse of coconut trees, rice-land and moderately rolling hills of gross and shrinks for pleasure.
Alabat Island District Hospital, the institution which are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic facilities at hand.
The tertiary education system in Alabat provides instruction and training in fields of study, both for baccalaureate degrees and vocational courses.
Southern Luzon State University- Alabat Campus - the only university in the island offers degree programs including education, information technology and fisheries.
The Island Concept Dancers found in 2016, plays an important role on shaping the dance and performing arts scene of the municipality.