UNIT 10: REGION VI (Western Visayas)

At the end of the topic, the students should be able to

1. Identify the general information of Western VIsayas Region;

2. Describe its attractions and culture;
3. Discuss its tourism facilities; and
4. List the famous gastronomy and delicacies.

Area and Location:

The region has a total land area of

about 20,098 square kilometers. It
is bounded by Cuyo Eas Pass, the
Sibuyan sea, Tanon strait , the
Visayan sea and Negros Oriental.

Geographic Profile:

Two thirds of the region is alienable

and disposable land (predominantly
classified as agricultural lands),
while the rest is classified as forest
land.

Political Profile:

The region is composed of six

provinces: Aklan, Capiz, Antique,
Iloilo, Negros Occidental and
Guimaras.

Regional Center:

Iloilo City, Iloilo

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 “The Philippines’ Oldest Province”

LOCATION:
CAPITAL: Kalibo
DEMONYM: Akeanon
PRODUCTS: Clay Pots, Pop Rice
TRIVIAS:
1.It was derived from the word
akean, Akeanon for "where there is boiling or
frothing,"describing the water flow of the Aklan
River at shallow areas near its mouth, where Kalibo is
located, especially during the dry season. Aclán was
the original name of Kalibo,
2. Aklan is said to be the oldest province in the
Philippines, organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo
as the Minuro it Aklan to include what is now the
province of Capiz. It was inaugurated as an
independent province in November 8, 1956.
3. Aklan is one of the most visited province in the
Philippines as of 2019.
CULTURE AND FESTIVAL/S:
Despite the prevalence of Christianity, native beliefs
about the aswang and the babaylan are still prevalent among the people. Kulam or witchcraft,
locally known as amulit is still feared by many residents. Ati-Atihan Festival is an annual
cultural and religious festivity celebrated in January in different towns of the province. It is also
known as "The Mother of All Philippine Festivals", attracting both local and foreign tourists and
participants. Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and the Malayan
tribes who settled in the Island. The Ati live in
the mountain regions and the Malay people in
the flatlands or close to the water. The
festivity begins on the dry season, at which
time the Ati come down from the mountains
to trade and celebrate with the Malayan
tribes. When the Spaniards settled in the
region and converted the Malays to their
Christian religion, they asked the Malays to
celebrate this festivity to coincide with
the Feast of the Santo Niño (Holy Child)
which is usually held during the third week
of January.

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ATTRACTIONS:

Boracay Island, Malay. Paradise

Island of the Philippines, world-
famous for its fine and lovely palm
fringe sugar-fine white sand
beaches, azure water, coral reefs
and rare shells. Its area is 1,083
hectares consisting of three
barangays: Balabag, Manok-manok
and Yapak.

Jawili Falls, Tangalan. Has seven

basins tiered about 20 feet apart. The
highest basin is about a hundred feet
high, oval-shaped around 240 sq. ft. in
area and 12 feet deep with clear water
almost like a small lake. The other basins
are of similar shapes from 130 sq. ft. to
240 sq. ft., in area and eight to 10 feet
deep, except the sixth basin that has a
swimming area of around 540 square feet.

Hinugtan White Beach – Located in

the town of Buruanga and considered as
Aklan’s secret hideaway and an
alternative to Boracay Island. This is a
perfect place for snorkeling and diving.
For adventurous visitors, Hinugtan White
Beach provides a multitude of
pleasurable experiences in which they
can explore the underwater world.

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FOODS:

Ampaw (Pop Rice)

Chorizo de Kalibo

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 “Where mountains meet the sea”
“Marble country of Panay”
LOCATION:

CAPITAL: San Jose de Buenavista

DEMONYM: Antiqueño/a
PRODUCTS: Marble Quarries, Coal
TRIVIAS:
1. Antique was one of the three sakups (districts)
of Panay before Spanish colonizers arrived on the
islands. The province was known at that time
as Hantík, the local name for the large black
ants found on the island.
2. Bearing the tagline “Where the mountains meet
the sea,” the province of Antique is a memorable
place to visit if you are in both seawater and land
terrains. If the tagline is not already ostensive in what
it means, it actually meant the short distances
between the province’s coastal waters and rising
mountains as both terrains parallel each other across
an elongated piece of land
3. Antique is currently an emerging Ecotourism
destination in Western Visayas.
CULTURE AND FESTIVAL/S:
Antiqueño’s has a distinct language called
“Kinaray-a”. They also celebrate the
Binirayan Festival which commemorates
the landing of the 10 Bornean Datus in
Malandong, Hamtic Antique in the middle
of the 13th century to set up the first
Malayan settlement or Barangay in this
country. The Antiqueños are noted for
their industry. They are renowned weavers
throughout the Visayas. The
Bugasong patadyong, a tube cotton fabric
of plaid design, is highly valued because of
its fineness of weaving. Piña cloth is also
produced in looms throughout the province.
Wine manufactured from the sap of the coconut is a cottage industry.

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ATTRACTIONS:

Malalison Island, known to the locals as Mararison Island was only seen and given much
attention by some travelers and social media influencers after it was hardly hit by Typhoon
Yolanda. This 54-hectare island in Culasi, Antique boasts of its beautiful clear waters, pebble
beach on one side of the island, spectacular view of its rolling hills , white sandbar and
hospitable people. Other notable islands in Antique are Nogas Island and Seco Island.

Tibiao- Popular for its Antique’s unique Kawa Hot Bath can now be experienced at Tibiao Fish
Spa, in addition to a memorable (and very affordable) fish spa experience and also the
Bugtong-Bato which is a 7-tiered waterfall that is accessible through a 20-minute walk or foot
trail. One has to cross rivers and terraces inside the thriving forest of Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao,
Antique.

Sibalom Natural Park is a 5,511.47-hectare protected

area in the Philippines on the island of Panay in the
municipality of Sibalom, Antique. It was proclaimed a
natural park on 23 April 2000. It is considered as one of
the last remaining lowland rainforests on Panay and the
home of the biggest flower in the world the Rafflesia.

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FOODS:

Hinanggup is a Hiligaynon word which means “Soaked in salt and water” and this is what
exactly this dish is, a Karay-a dish of flaked broiled fish and/or fried dried anchovies, sliced
onions, spring onions, tomatoes, and salt simply cooked in boiling water,

Porbida (similar to adobo but makes use of coconut milk)

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 “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”
LOCATION:

CAPITAL: Roxas City

DEMONYM: Capizeño/a
PRODUCTS: Seafoods
TRIVIAS:
1. The name Capiz was a Hispanicized form of kapid,
a Capiznon term for the translucent shells that come
from a species of bivalve pearl oysters, which were
found in abundance in the coastal settlement that
formerly bore this name, which serves as the
provincial capital.
2. Capiz is a rising eco-tourism province that has a
lot to offer for different types of travelers. History
buffs can visit sites of historic and religious interest,
nature-trippers can venture out and explore the off-
the-beaten natural tourist spots like islands and
waterfalls, while culture buffs can enjoy the
province’s rich handicrafts.

CULTURE AND FESTIVAL/S:

Often misunderstood by others that they are popular of aswang mythology (though it is not
true because it has no actual records about it). Capiz takes pride of their famous Capiztahan
Festival, a three day celebration showcasing their bountiful catch and different types of
Seafoods. A street dancing is held and most of all the famous Seafood Eat all You can where
mounds and mounds of seafood such as prawn, talaba and other shellfish were served.

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ATTRACTIONS:

Pan-ay Church, also known as

Sta. Monica Parish Church
located on the town of Pan-ay
this awe inspiring church of coral
blocks; monuments to past
Spanish grandeur; its bell is
made of 76 sacks of silver coins
and is known as the largest bell
in South East Asia. It is located
just along the 2nd oldest street in
the Philippines the Calle
Revolucion.

Ang Panublion Museum- Built in 1910 as a water

tank, it has a memorabilia of illustrious sons and
daughters of Roxas City and collections of religious
icons artifacts and artworks.

Ruins of Alcatraz- The ruins can be

found in Brgy. Culasi, Sitio Nipa in
Roxas City, Capiz. Based from the
information we gathered, the ruins are
remnants of the supposedly resort to
be built by Bermejo family.
Unfortunately, it was unfinished and
abandoned.The place is naturally
weathered and tested by time giving it
a surprisingly ancient vibe. Not to
mention it stands just near the beach. On the
other hand, the gigantic walls for us are comparable to that of Attack on Titan anime featuring
the walls – Wall Maria, Wall Rose and Wall Sheena.

Baybay Beach- This clean black sand beach has beach houses, restaurants and motorboats.
This the ideal place to try the famous seafoods of Capiz.

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FOODS:
Given the fact that Capiz has a bountiful harvest of marine life the following gastronomic foods
are quite popular in the province of Capiz.

Diwal (angelwing clams)

Kapis Aligue Puyoy (eels)