It was a forested, mountainous area with early Chinese influences, evidenced by artifacts from the Ming and Sung dynasties found along its shores.

Frequent Moro pirate raids forced villagers to relocate to higher ground at Sitio Kampana for protection.

In 1898, Barrio Bondo briefly became the independent municipality of San Emilio, but financial constraints led it to revert back to being part of Mulanay by 1904.

In 1936, a group of eight men, led by Andres Castillejo, formed the Dakilang Mithi Association with the goal of separating Bondo from Mulanay to become an independent municipality.

On April 16, 1938, Don Venancio Queblar, along with councilor Jose Allarey and Dakilang Mithi secretary Miguel Gutierez, invited President Manuel L. Quezon to visit barrio Bondo.