Before the coming of the Spaniards, the term “Bukidnon” referred to as the semi-sedentary indigenous inhabitants of the high plateaus and rugged mountain ranges of central Mindanao. The more prominent of these peoples were the “Manobos” who were the earliest settlers of this region. Located on the northern part of Bukidnon, is the Municipality of ManoloFortich.

The great pre-historic Asiatic migration was believed to have brought the early settlers of Bukidnon. It was theorized that they came from places of what is now known as Indonesia. Traveling by the sea, these migrants reached the gulf of Davao where some ventured further to areas of what is presently known as Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. Today, the Asiatic beginnings of these people can be seen from their oral tradition and folktales, like the “Kalikat Hu MgaElawDini Ta Mindanao” (Origin of the People of Mindanao). This folktale revolved on the story of two brothers from Asia “who crossed the seas” in their long journey “towards the east” which refers to the islands of the Philippines. The brothers reportedly landed in the island of Mindanao. With the region experiencing a drought, one of the brothers was forced to venture Northward in order to survive. He did this by following a dried up river to its almost dried up source, a lake. He settled and inter-married with the local inhabitants in the upstream of what is now known as Pulangi River. He and his family were considered as the ancestors of the present Bukidnons.

During the pre-historic era, the Bukidnons, also called Montesses or mountain-people, had settled in the area of what is now the Province of Bukidnon. These people have remained traditional till 1860 preserving most of their customs and traditions. Furthermore, these people had not been significantly influenced by the Spanish colonizers because of their isolation. The rugged mountain ranges and high plateaus which serve as home to these people presented an overwhelming obstacle to these colonizers. The Bukidnons undoubtedly have links to the culture predominant in the Southeast Asian region as evidenced by the similar customs and traditions. Their presence here can be traced to the early migration of these Asians throughout the region. Today, the surviving tribes inhabiting the mountains of Bukidnon still bear the culture they have inherited from their ancestors.

Manolo Fortich is named after Don Manolo Fortich, a provincial resident of Barrio Damilag being the first Governor (1902-1914) of the District of Bukidnon.

The original name of the Municipality is Maluko, was governed by Santiago Mambinonsad who was appointed as Alcalde de Barrio from 1922 to 1924. It was during the term of Ciriaco Asilan as Presidente del Barrio from 1926 to 1928, that the seat of government was transferred in Tankulan, which became the permanent seat of Municipal Government. Mayor Mateo Gumaling, was the first appointed mayor of Manolo Fortich and in 1940 Margarito Cabang became the first elected Mayor.