Since time immemorial and as far as the indigenous Subanen can remember, the most prominent landmark of Lake Wood, aside from the slopes of its rugged hills, is the lake. For the Subanen inhabitants, this body of water, which comprise of 729 hectares, as known as Danao (Subanen term of LAKE). Today the land mass around the lake, which also serves as its catchments, comprises what is now the jurisdiction barangay poblacion, noted to be the center of development and the seat of municipality of Lake Wood.

 

           Danao and Lake Wood take prominence both in the oral and written history of its people.

 

           In the Subanen oral traditions, the discovery of the lake is attributed to the two brothers, known to be Gatao de Baloy (people of the mountain) origin. Sometime in the remote past the two were believed to have undertaken a long journey for their search for food. They have travelled to the mountain slopes and the river from the Salug Valley through Pagadian, after few weeks, the have reached the alluvial plains of Lake Wood. Accidentally, through a dog that accompanied them, they have found the lake. Old folks tell that their haunting dog had approached them in their makeshift camp with a lot of fish (Purang) caught on its mouth. They followed the dog and finally found the lake, abundant with endemic fish now named Purang (dried fish).

 

           On the other hand, the americans recorded history claims that it was the americans who christened the lake as Lake Wood, in honor of the general Leonard Wood, the American general at the turn of the century. The “discovery” of the lake in 1906 was attributed to a group of American soldiers under Captain Smith, who had received an order from higher command based in Manila, and undertook an expedition in the eastern portion of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Captain Smith headed the mission known as mapping operations.

 

           From Iligan, the soldiers traverse the bay and landed in Sumirap, a Subanen settlements by the Pangil Bay. A small group of Subanen met and accompanied them as they crossed the hills and river rails until they reached the foot of Malindang Mountain range. Eventually they have reached Lipaya, a settlement known as Subanen Kingdom under the able leadership of young Datu Guilingan. In Lipaya, the American soldiers took few days of rest and Datu Guilingan instructed two of his men to guide the American in their mapping operation. Their mission took them to Danao which they called Lake Wood and stayed for few weeks in the area.

 

           From Lake Wood, the soldiers proceeded to LApuyan and finally reached Margosatubig, where an American navy boat was stationed. From Margosatubig, the navy boat brought them to Malabang and finally they went back to their camp in Cotabato.

           The political history of Lake Wood, took shape during the 1950 when Kumalarang was created as barrio and Danao was component area. Several years have passed and in 1964, Lake Wood its charter as barrio, through a bill ably authored by Senator Magsaysay and Manahan. The election of local leadders commenced with Mr. Bonifacion Zakal as the first elected Barangay Captain in 1965.

 

           Shortly after, the charter the created the municipality of Lake Wood, was passed in the early 70s. The people chose Barangay Poblacion as the seat of the municipality. Soon various leaders came and went and left some considerable imprints of the local history of the barangay.

 

           There were few limnological studies were conducted and affirmed that lake Lake Wood is a young lake. However, this study could not ascertain as the definite geological formation process of the lake. A conjecture is floated that the lake formation could have been due to volcanic movements and the lake may also be the crater. However, aside from the oral accounts of seemingly volcanic eruption that took place many years ago, so far, no other hard evidence can prove the hypothesis.

 

           There are various factors for the continuing growth of the culturally mix population of Lake Wood. The Subanen still comprise a little more than half of its people. Most of their low and settlers of various ethnicities came from various origins in the country, particularly in the Visayas and from other points in Mindanao.

 

           The growth of the population contributes the changing landscape of the barangay. The Subanen can still remember the tale of their ancestors that Danao is bought the lake and forest. With the entry of the lowland settlers during the last three decades however, the lush forest of Danao were converted into farmlands.  Now, open grass lands embrush lands dominate the landscape of Barangay Poblacion.