According to a pioneer, San Miguel was once a sitio originally known as "Aguas" named after fish species bigger than the "Balanak".

In the 1930s during the celebration of the feast in honor of Santa Cruz, the former patron saint, Aguas was changed to San Miguel in grateful recognition and commendation to the invaluable services of Don Miguel Triumfante and Juez de Cnado of Bato who were present then during the celebration.

There was also a legend handed down to the present generation that once upon a time the chapel caretaker in the person of Marcelo Tapanan, in one early morning heard a long and loud ringing of bells.

The story passed on every ear of the residents and finally made a common move of changing the name of the place from Aguas to San Miguel.

The present mayor is SP Francisco Camano Jr.[citation needed] San Miguel is located at the mid-south part of the province of Catanduanes, the only inland municipality of the island.