Canuto Larrobis, first elected president of Minglanilla, Cebu

When the Americans replaced the Spanish colonizers as the Philippines was sold by Spain to the Americans by virtue of the Treaty of Paris signed on December 10, 1898 they came to our shores on January 1899.

A town in Cebu, earlier called as "Buat", coined from the word Buwad, which means to hang as well as dried fish, as early settlers were fishermen and hang or dried the fishes they caught. Buat was renamed as Minglanilla by the Spaniards.

The Americans introduced the conduct of popular elections. Townspeople were given the right to elect their leaders instead of the practice of the Spaniards of appointing its town or pueblo leaders. The Americans also changed the title of the town chief executive, instead of "capitan" they called it president, who was assisted by a council instead of a junta during the Spanish period.

The first elected municipal president of Minglanilla, Cebu was Canuto Larrobis, who was born in 1882. He was the son of Jovino Larrobis and Silvestra Engbino both of Minglanilla, Cebu.

Before being elected as president of Minglanilla, Cebu, Canuto was appointed Justice of the Peace of Talisay (which was part of the what was known as the 11th Judicial District), a nearby town. Canuto concurrently was also Notary Public from 1911 to 1941. Canuto used to live in Pooc, Talisay.

The known siblings of Canuto were Alberto and Severa. Canuto Larrobis married Emilia Guerrero of San Marcelino, Manila. Canuto and Emilia had the following children: Cesar, Joel, Misael, Edilberto, Lauro, Rogelio, Sagrario (who married Conrado Gerali), Araceli (who married Gaudencio Gabaya).

A son of Canuto followed his footsteps in the judiciary and in politics. Cesar became a lawyer on August 22, 1946, appointed as municipal judge of Malabuyoc, Cebu. Before passing the Bar examinations, Cesar was appointed by then President Sergio S. Osmeña Sr. as acting Justice of the Peace of Talisayan, Gingoog and Qunoquitas of Misamis Oriental on October 4, 1945. Cesar, like his father, also became the chief executive of Minglanilla, Cebu, this time the title of the position was mayor.

The sons of Cesar also became lawyers, a namesake, Cesar Jr., was admitted to the Bar on March 8, 1972. Another son of Cesar, from his third wife, Irene Creus), by the name of Dennis Creus Larrobis, became a lawyer on May 4, 2000. The first woman member of the Larrobis clan, Ma. Christine C. Larrobis, became a lawyer on May 2, 2005.

The first to be appointed as capitan of Minglanilla was Hilario Castanares, succeeded by Nemesio Lascuna, Pio Diaz, Narciso Sacjadas, Ramon Villordon, Alejandro Larrobis, and Ambrosio Canares.

When the Americans arrived, Canuto Larrobis became the first elected president followed by Gregorio Basalo, Anastacio Sedoriosa, Restituto Villordon, Alfonso Tecson, Cesar Larrobis, Cipriano Villordon, Vicente Roble, Serafin Cana and Santiago Villordon.

In 1964, these were the officials of Minglanilla: Felicisimo A. Cana, Mayor, Jose R. Gimenez, Vice Mayor, Nicolas Oberes, Municipal Secretary, Filomeno T. Enriquez (of Carcar, Cebu became a lawyer on May 11, 1949), Judge, Anastacio R. Bacolod, Treasurer, Gil M. Zafra, Chief of Police ( Zafra on March 10, 1966 became a lawyer), Dr. Dera S. Legaspi, Health Officer. As Councilors: Vicente Villordon, Lauro G. La Rosa, Manuel dela Calzada, Melecio D. Abatayo, Anastacio R. Unabia, Mariano U. Aranas, Eulalio del Socorro and Celedonia M. Caballero.