Rizal is home to Cagayan's legendary figures – Biuag and Malana – who were said to have fought their epic battle for supremacy over the hand of the beautiful "Maguinganay" by swapping volleys of uprooted trees and live cattle.

Their hangouts, two high mountains and a steep trail called "escolta" from where they uprooted trees to hurl at one another, can still be seen in Malaueg (Rizal).

It is known before of its specie[clarification needed] as "Matalag", which means men and women alike to go for its aroma and suaveness.

At that time, the town was called "Malaueg", from the word "ueg" that means creek or river.

[5] The name was used until 1903 when the town was renamed in the honor of the Philippine National Hero Dr. José Rizal.

During the Spanish–American War, the town was almost destroyed when the soldiers used its towering mountains to hide their ammunition and dug some trenches.

Mauanan was named Rizal in the year 1914 and the sitios of Lattut, Capacuaan and Macatal were annexed from Rippang in 1933, under executive Order No.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, the town was largely destroyed in bombing attacks.

On December 3, 2008, elected mayor Raul dela Cruz sustained bullet wounds to the body and died while being taken to hospital in Tuguegarao.

The neighbouring barangays are situated on the slopes of hills and some are located along the banks of Matalag River.

Poverty incidence of Rizal Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Rizal, belonging to the second legislative district of the province of Cagayan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code.

The tourism development includes the Alsung Cave, the Sinicking National Park and Mount Annaguan forest reservations that will serve as the home for the rare species exclusively found in the area.

The Cagayan–Apayao Road connects Rizal and nearby Conner to the neighboring towns of Tuao, Piat, Solana and Tuguegarao City.