History

Orani as an old community was founded by the Dominician Spanish Missionary in 1587 and became an independent missionary center in 1714, and placed under the patronage of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

The first blood compact of the Katipuneros during the Spanish acquisition took place within the enclosure of the chapel in Sitio Kabalutan, now a barangay. The blood compact was solemnized in the presence of a recognized supremo, Mario Medina, and a Chief of Staff, Major Faustino Garcia. Around six meeting were called in this place, all of which were aimed at over throwing the government of Spain in our country. San Roque Chapel located in Sitio Kabalutan had been destroyed with the belief that was being used for assembly by the Katipuneros. 

The word Orani is supposed to have originated from the word “maruani” (a group of settlers) which was probably introduced by the Samal people who wandered into the town and settled there in the early days. Some fair-minded natives of the town likewise believed that ‘Orani” was derived from the name of a big Orani Tree that had stood on the spot where the present church is situated. As to the form, shape and size of the tree, nobody now living knows. At present, no tree bearing the same name can be found.

There are also theories that because the shape of the town is round, it was named “orani’, which means circular. Some take Orani to be the synonym of mani or peanuts which abound in this place. Others believe that this word was derived from the name of a planet, and was given by an early Spanish priest who worked here as a missionary. If this supposition is true, then the possible origin of this word is “Oretani”, which refers to the powerful people in the southeast of Hispania Terraconesis.

Decades later, the town became prosperous but was, unfortunately, rocked by several natural and man-made calamities. In September of 1852, an earthquake struck Orani effectively destroying the municipal government building and the church the Dominicans built. These buildings were only rebuilt 39 years after the disaster. Things took another turn when the town suffered a major setback from the great fire of 1938, which burned down nearly three quarters of Orani, including schools, the church, and town hall. The town was at the cusp of rebuilding when World War II broke out, painfully destroying, once again, a great portion of the municipality. Finally, it was only after the war that Orani was able to rise from the ashes and restore its town once again. Since the 1930s, Orani has managed to develop to its current state and is home to multiple establishments and facilities for tourism, trade and industry.

In September 1944, Hon. Simeon Salonga, a native of Orani,was appointed Governor of Bataan by the Japanese Imperial Army. During that time he transferred the Provincial Capital positions in the province either as Governor or Congressman.

The site of the former Bataan High School, on where formerly stands the Municipal Government Building of Orani, was constructed through voluntary contributions of the different Municipalities of the Bataan. The Municipality of Orani gave the largest contribution so that the former Bataan High School could be built within its jurisdiction. The transfer of the Bataan High School from Orani to Balanga gave rise to a conflict which, nearly resulted in bloodshed and later on in a political split between the two towns--- Orani and Balanga.

One of the most anticipated events in the municipality is the celebration of the feast day of Orani’s patron saint, Sto. Rosario, which falls on the second Sunday of October. During this time, people from all over the country come to Orani to enjoy the merriment, attend mass at its very historical church, and purchase native delicacies sold near the town plaza.

HISTORICAL EVENTS 

In 1714, Dominican friars established the town of Orani as an independent missionary center and the church they built served as their quarters in Bataan since then. Decades later, the town became prosperous but was, unfortunately rocked by several natural and man-made calamities. Orani was plagued with successively, which devastated the town such as the 1781 locust infestation and the 1938 fire destroying three-fourths of the town including the church, the convent, the town hall, the 'Tercera" formerly Bataan High School, and later, the Orani Elementary School. In September of 1852, an earthquake struck Orani effectively destroying the municipal government building and the church the Dominicans built. Things took another turn when these buildings were only rebuilt 39 years after the disaster. Things took another turn when World War II broke out painfully destroying once again, a great portion of the municipality.

Finally, it was only after the war that Orani was able to rise from the ashes and restore its town once again. Since the 1930's, Orani has managed to develop to its current state and is a home to multiple establishments and facilities for tourism, trade, and industry.