[3] In the beginning, the place was only a wilderness, a thick forest where peaceful nomads roamed and hunted.

On these occasional visits, the hunters noticed the fertile and flatlands that could be tilled, and they decided to stay.

In a rivalry, Kabu Angaw suffered defeat, forcing him and his remaining warriors to move southward until they reached the town where the friendly and hospitable nomads settled.

His fairness and righteousness earned him respect and esteem, eventually making him the lord of the land.

Finding difficulty in pronouncing the headman's name, the Spaniards contracted it to “Cabugao” denoting not only the ruler but also the place he ruled.

It is accessible by almost all modes of land transportation and a 7–kilometer portion of the MacArthur Highway passes through the town center.

The barangays that lie along the Cabugao River are flood prone areas during the rainy season.

The uncontrollable surges of water erode the properties that line the Cabugao River endangering life and limb.

Occasional rainfall also occurs at the onset of the dry season caused by the north-east monsoon passing through the region.

In the middle of May, drift winds from the Pacific Ocean sweep over the area, signaling the imminent wet season.

Poverty incidence of Cabugao Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] People are primarily engaged in farming and fishing.