When the early Spanish missionaries were busy laying the foundation of a church late in the 16th century at a site about six kilometers from the present town of Tuao, a big bird came circling over them and then alighted on the wooden cross erected to mark the place where the cornerstone was laid.

built a strong brick and mortar church, a rectory (convento) and a fort (cotta) in which the Spaniards and the natives sought refuge every time the town was raided by the Kalingas from the Cordillera ranges.

In protest of abuses committed by Spanish civil officials and soldiers, the inhabitants of Tuao and neighboring Malaueg, rose in revolt in 1718 under Luis Magtangaga and Tomas Sinaguingan.

Donald Blackburn, "assisted by his intelligence officer Lt. Mariano D. Manawis, from the prominent Daquial family who served in the 11th Infantry;";[6]: 112–113  staged from Tuao, his guerrilla headquarters, attacks against the Japanese in Tuguegarao.

Poverty incidence of Tuao Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Tuao, belonging to the third 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.