Ibaan was then just a barrio of Batangas, which is today Batangas City. The first Poblacion was established at Matala, presently a part of Ibaan, four kilometers from the aforementioned town, in the year 1780. Many dwellers approved of the Poblacion's transfer and official separation from the town of Batangas in 1832. The so-called "Principalia" was the primary form of government at the time, and it had a structure and leaders such as the Gobernadorcillo, Cabeza de Barangay.
According to local historians, the region that is now the Municipality of Ibaan was thickly forested with "Iba" trees. The "calamias" tree and the Iba tree have a very similar structure, with both growing in clusters. The only differences between "Iba" and "Calamias" fruits are their forms. While Iba fruits are round, Calamias fruits are oblong in shape. The first settlers gave this little town the name "Ibaan" (the town where "Iba" flourishes).
This community has been referred to as the "Kulambo Capital," or origin of the mosquito net. At one time, the looms of the Ibaan weavers produced 90% of the mosquito nets used in the Philippines. Mosquito nets, blankets, bedcovers, pillowcases, other apparel items, and kitchenware are all sold by sellers connected to the municipality.
Nationalism was created and spread throughout the world as a result of the injustices and self-centeredness of the Spanish leaders. Since they had not abandoned their desire for freedom until a republic was founded, their loyalty to Spain was replaced by a spirit of nationalism. Baltazar Ramirez, who is currently regarded as our town's mayor, served as Ibaan's first leader at that time. The Ibaanians endured a lot of hardships, much like many other uprisings in our nation. The American invasion brought about the death of the Republic, and an Ibaeño named Mateo Illustre led an army that was sent to fight the Americans. However, what could a smaller force possibly do to a stronger one? They were unsuccessful in their fight for democracy.
Filipinos eventually came to the realization that Americans were good leaders, but their satisfaction with having a democracy was snuffed out by the arrival of Japanese soldiers, who ruthlessly tortured, massacred, and set fire to the homes of the populace. Ibaeños and other Filipinos battled hand in hand for a similar goal of obtaining freedom.