They officially established the place and named it Manito, because it was abounding in clinging vine called nito, which belongs to the rattan family and is used as raw material for making baskets.

Later, natives from the neighboring towns of Albay, Bacon, and Rapu-rapu who fled from the Moro raiders found a safer place near the seashore and near the thick west Of Manito.

In the past this town was surrounded by thick forest that gave natural fiction — a haven of safety and comfort — to the Visayan settlers.

Due to the abundance of food and money which the people earned through the sale of their forest and agricultural products, Manito became a progressive settlement.

To the east and south of Manito is the province of Sorsogon separated by the Pocdol Mountains, which is also called as the Bacon-Manito Volcanic Complex.

Poverty incidence of Manito Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The municipality is a supplier of lasa grass and its final product - soft broom.

Many households are still engaged in cottage industries like basket making in spite of the dwindling supply of nito vines.

In June 1994, the Bacman Geothermal Production Field has started its full operation and in October 1998, President Joseph Estrada inaugurated the additional 1.5 megawatt power/multi-crop drying plant located at Pawa, Manito in support of his food security program.