San Jose was a neophyte barangay formerly sitio of Anilao known as Pelapon. Though it was only a green horn, it is one of the most progressive barangays in the municipality of Mabini. It was the very first barangay to separate from Anilao, shortly Anilao East, and Majuben formed independent barangays, too.

It was created in November, 1965 upon the petition of the barangay folks spearheaded by Mr. Tomas B. Ramirez, the dynamic principal of Mabini Central School. He worked head over toes to become independent barangay for obvious reasons. First, it met the requirements as stated in the Barrio Chapter. Second the lion share from the national and the municapal government was only used for the improvement in the mother barangay.

The folks, young and old alike rejected the approval of the newborn barangay. The man behind who blazed the trail of forming into a separate barangay called for a meeting as to what will be the name of the newborn barangay. Suggestions like San Rafael, upon the patron saint of fisherman being a fishing village and of Rafael Amurao; their idol politics; Anilao West, due to the geographical position of the place; Pelapon, taken from the sitios of Perasan, Lagundi, and Puntang Kawayan; and San Jose, the loving spouse of the Blessed mother. The later was chosen with a slide margin.

San Jose is bounded by Balayan Bay on the north, Majuben on the east, Pulong Anahao on the south and Solo on the west. The sitios are popularly known now as Better Living, White Plains, Millionaires Row, Greenhills and Tundo but they are not registered. Pirasan, Lagundi, and Puntang Kawayan were registered sitios.

It has a total land area of 40 hectares, 725 inhabitants, 325 registered voters and 91 houses. The dialect of the people is Taaglog. All are Roman Catholics.

There was a special election for barangay councilmen. Mr. Simeon Casapao was unanimously elected as the barangay captain because of his experience as municipal councilor for three terms. Elected councilmen were Felilx Casapao, Andres de Castro, Pablo Casapao, Bernardo Amboy, Mrs. Marcelina Manalo and Gregorio Matira. The topnotcher, Felix Casapao though young, had a rich background in leadership being the president of Student Council in his high school days. All others were veterans in their positions having served as barangay captain and councilmen.

The memorable and historic inauguration of San Jose was on March 19, 1966, feast day of Saint Joseph. PACD Chairman Ernesto Maceda with his beautious wife Marichu Perez Maceda served as guest's speakers. Acting Mayor Rufo Generoso and municipal officials, all barangay captains of the municipality were present because the guest speaker called for a meeting to talk on program in their communities and barangay problems. Father Eleuterio Aquino officiated the Thanksgiving Mass. It was a well-attended and successful inauguration.

One of the marked achievements of the elected councilmen was the construction of a school building in 1967.
In the election of 1968, it was Mr. Simon Casapao who was elected barangay captain. New faces were elected councilmen; Cesario Castillo, Andres de Castro, Armingel Amboy, Gregorio Matira, Gregorio Garcia and Domingo Amboy.

A very noticeable achievement was the construction of Spring Development and the completion of the provincial road to RF Rest House. On March 3-6, 1969 San Jose hosted the First Mabini District Boy Scout Jamboree.

In 1969 national election, President E. Marcos showered each barangay with P 2,000.00. The councilman spent in a worthy purpose by distributing three sacks of cement and a water sealed toilet bowl for every house. 94% had a functional toilet.

Of worth mentioning also on May 21-22, 1970, the Barrio Council in cooperation with Kapisanan ng Muling Sumilang celebrated a grand barrio fiesta. There were stage show, movies, and ball. Miss Tessie Evangelista, Miss Arcelie Amboy, Miss Emma Casapao, Miss Eleanor Buenviaje and Miss Efrenia delos Reyes were crowned Miss San Jose, Miss High Ball, Miss INA, Miss Muling Sumilang and Miss Flores de Mayo respectively.

On January 9, 1971, Barangay Captain Simeon Casapao was re-elected for the third time because of his integrity, honesty, dedication and tangible improvements of the barrio. Some new faces mostly professionals came out of the race. Arturo Casapao, Armingel Amboy, Cesario Castillo, Roman Garcia, Antonio Evangelista and Mario Amboy were elected councimen. Miss Simplicia Castillo and Mr. Victorino Boongaling both BSEEd graduates lost from the race.

With the advent of the New Society, the elected officials remained to their positions up to the present because of election ban. However, the barangay captain appointed substitutes because of some who were incapacitated to act. Mr. Arturo Casapao, an immigrant in Canada, by his brother Raymundo Casapao, Mr. Antonio Evangelista a permanent resident of General Santos City by his father Benjamin Evangelista and Roman Garcia a seaman, by his brother, Cayetano Garcia.

Notable achievements were the construction of two school room in 1974, a stair way to school in 1976 and barangay chapel in 1978.

On May 21-22, 1977 another grand barrio fiesta was celebrated. Miss Eleanor Buenviaje was crowned Miss San Jose, Miss Gloria Evangelista, Miss Kabataang Barangay and Miss Grace Vivian Buenviaje, Miss Muling Sumilang. It was an affair to remember.
Fishing is the chief means of livelihood. The method used are "basnigan", "bayakos", "pantihan", and "salambao". Tambakol, gulyasan, tuna, dilis, dulong, galonggong are caught in abundance. Backyard gardening, cattle raising, poultry and swine are secondary. Embroidery and sewing are popular among women. Brain drain lured the professionals. Dollar earners are broken down as follow: 13 in the United States, 10 in Canada, 4 in Germany, 3 in Saudi Arabia, 1 in Iran, 1 in Greece and 5 seamen. 25 are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Other professionals like nurses, teachers, accountants are public and private employees. Some are factory workers in Manila. The economic condition of the people is relatively high in comparison to other barangays of the town.

Peace and order has never been a problem. The people in general are hard working, religious and law-abiding. Hospitality is a virtue of the inhabitants of San Jose. Above all San Jose is the home of beautiful women with fine character.

San Jose is blessed with scenic spots. The caravan of sun and beach worshippers came in tourist buses, mini makes, fierras, buggies, beetles, jeepneys and what have you heading for the unspoiled beaches and wonderful caves San Jose is noted for. The long summer mecca to the beaches was enjoined by the tourists, scuba divers, picnickers from the nearby towns and Manilanians. Swaying palm trees, white beach, cool bluewaters plus many more lures of summer await the poor, tired city souls every weekends at the beach summer cottages.

"Divemaster Seafari" is the most popular cottage at the rate of P 120.00 per person overnight with meals. "Vineyard by the Sea" demands P120.00 per cottage without meals. "Aqua World" asks P120.00 a room. Peter Casapao's 5 cottages range from P 50 to P 100 on work days and flat P 120.00 on weekends. At night San Jose looks like a little city, a paradise on earth. Come and see!!!