[1][2] The river may derive its name from Sterculia foetida, a tree which whose local name is alternately spelled calumpang or kalumpang in Tagalog.

[4] Another legend states that a statue of the Holy Infant Jesus on board a Spanish ship en route from Manila to Cebu sought shelter on the coast of city after its voyage was interrupted by a bad weather.

At the same time, a deaf-mute boy who was playing along the river found the statue atop a floating log.

In memory of this, a floral procession and a bangkarera or boat racing are held on the river every January 16, the Catholic feast day of Batangas City.

The factors causing water pollution in the river are direct disposal of household and livestock wastes and untreated sewage.