Long before the Spaniards came to the island, this place was named "Kangminya" in honor of the famous woman who lived in the heart of the town. In the year 1880 a group of religious Spanish priest named Father Ramon Orza, when Kangminya was changed to its reigning name "Maria" in honor of Patron Saint Our Divine Providence.

The Municipality of Maria is situated on the eastern part of Siquijor Island with a total lan area of 5,342 hectares. It is politicaly divided into 22 barangays.. Liloan and Minalulan lies in the interior part of Saguing going eastward in the shore where you can reach Kagusuan Beach Resort, which is also owned by the Provincial Government of Siquijor. It has a population of 12,275.