In addition, Malinao rose to prominence in Philippine history during the struggle against colonial rule under Spain at the end of the 19th century.By the close of the 19th century, the political, economic and even the physical structure of Malinao conform to the classical colonial and feudal set-up existing throughout Christian Philippines.The layout of the Poblacion follows the classical Spanish town plan of the church facing the municipio with the plaza in between and streets laid out in grid pattern.The land west of the Aklan River, because of its topography, must have escaped the encomienderos and hacienderos in the early part of Spanish colonization.Despite its seeming ordinariness and unimportance in the national or provincial scheme of things, Malinao rose in prominence during the struggle against colonial rule at the end of the 19th century.A native of Lilo-an, Malinao, Candido Iban was a member of the inner circle of the original Katipuneros directly under Andres Bonifacio.When democratic election were started during the American colonial regime, the leading families divided into two factions, each vying for leadership of the town.