Historically, Sarangani already had an established community even before the Westerners came. The early Sarangani society was greatly affected by the Indian and Muslim cultures, and the first inhabitants were the indigenous natives called “Muna’To”, a native term meaning “the first people”. The Spaniards only managed to impose a minimal influence to the province, causing the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the original settlers.
By the American period, the area became a part of the Cotabato Empire and by 1966, a large part of it was incorporated in the province of South Cotabato. It was only changed on 1992, through the Republic Act No. 7228, making Sarangani an independent and separate province.
The island of Sarangani was named by Ruy López de Villalobos in 1543 as Antonia, in honor of Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco who commissioned Villalobos expedition to the Philippines. The early inhabitants who first inhabited Sarangani were the indigenous natives, called "MunaTo," a native term for "first people."
In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied Southern Cotabato (now Sarangani). In 1945, Filipino troops of the 6th, 10th, 101st and 102nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 10th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary entered and liberated in Southern Cotabato (now Sarangani) and fought against the Japanese Imperial Army forces during the Battle of Cotabato at the end of World War II under the Japanese Occupation.
Before its inception in 1992, Sarangani was part of South Cotabato as the Third District of South Cotabato. The province was created by Republic Act No. 7228 on March 16, 1992, penned by Congressman James L. Chiongbian. His wife, Priscilla L. Chiongbian, was the first Governor of Sarangani. They are known as the Father and Mother of Sarangani Province.