When the Spaniards came to the Island of Siquijor a group of people arrived in Barangay Cabulihan, Larena Siquijor.

At the time, Cabulihan was still big. It extended from the seashore of Cangmalalag, which was then a sitio. While the foreigners walked from the seashore up to the mountain they noticed several palms with big rounded trunks, thorny stems and long wide leaves. These palms were abundant that time. When these foreigners met a resident of locality, they asked the name of the palms and the resident answered “BULI”. Then the Spaniards said we will call this place “CABULIHAN”

From that time, till the present the barangay is called Cabulihan because of the Buli palms that growing abundantly in the place. Such palms are the great help to the residents. They weave them into mats and hats for home used and for sale.
 
As it was said earlier, Cangmalalag was a sitio of the place. It was popularly known as lower Cabulihan, where Cabulihan Elementary School is situated. Upper Cabulihan, was now the Barangay Cabulihan then sitio Cangmalalag became a barangay itself.

During the Spanish time, Gregorio Jumamil was the head of the barangay, known as the Cabeza de Barangay. Then came to the American rule, Sixto Kilat, Cerilo Manosa, Joaqin Yurong were the Teñente del Barrio successively. During the Philippine Republic, Mr. Eulogio Demaluan was the Barrio Lieutenant followed by Mrs. Lucita D. Macahidhid, then followed by Mrs. Encarnacion S. Jumamil, Mrs. Basilia S. Manosa, Mr. Venjie B. Suan and the present Punong Barangay Jeany L. Gomez.