For several decades, Tacloban was a barrio of Basey, Samar. At the time, the place was known as Kankabatok - meaning belonging to Kabatok, because its most prominent inhabitant was named Kabatok.
Noong unang panahon na kung saan ang Tacloban ay isa pa lamang baryo ng Basey, Samar. Tinatawag ito “kankabatok” – na ang ibig sabihin ay pagmamay-ari ng kabato, dahil ang prominenting naninirahan ay kabatok.