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REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS
Gastronomy
The following are the most common and famous delicacies in Western Visayas:
• Batchoy – it is a delicacy made with miki (round noodles), pork liver, spleen, kidneys and heart, chicken
stock, beef loin, shrimp stock, and garnished with chicharon (crispy pork rinds) (Explore Iloilo, n.d.).
• Kansi – this dish is a crossover between Bulalo, a beef bone marrow and vegetables soup, and Sinigang, a
sour pork soup (Pinoy Recipe, 2011).
Province
Aklan
Capital:
Kalibo
Tourist Destinations
Boracay
It is a tropical island surrounded by stunning
white sand beaches and clear blue waters
located about an hour's flight from Manila.
Here, beachfront hotels usually have lounge
chairs set up just a few steps away from its
entrances. There are water sports activities
such as sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving,
and jet skiing. At night, bars and restaurants are
open serving different kinds of food, drinks,
and fun until dawn.
Bakhawan Eco-Park
It is a 220-hectare mangrove forest located in
Kalibo. It is a reforestation project that started
in 1990 as the local government and several
non-government organizations decided to
transform the muddy shoreline of Barangay
New Buswang to prevent flood and storm
surges in the community. It is operated by the
Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association
(KASAMA). The word bakhawan, in the local
dialect, means mangrove.
Antique
Capital:
San Jose
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Hacienda Maria
This is an ecotourism site located in Sitio
Sapsapon, which can be reached by hiking two
(2) kilometers up a steep mountain. Here, the
first thing to be seen is a waterfall which base
is 10 feet deep. Next are two (2) caves where
various forms of stalactite and stalagmite are
inside. Lastly, there are hot pot jacuzzis
available in the parameter.
Mararison Island
This is a small island and a barangay in Culasi.
The word Mararison means ‘the one who
refuses to follow rules’, which is based on a
local legend where two (2) deities Madya-as
and Kanlaon had three (3) offspring who grew
up to be stubborn. Their names are Mararison,
Batbatan, and Maningning. It offers clear blue
waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. It
also has a sandbar that stretches 100 meters
from the beach with white sand, which changes
Festivals
Ati-Atihan Festival
It is a feast held annually in January to
honor Santo Niño. The term Ati-Atihan
means "to be like Atis" where Ati is the
colloquial name for Aetas who are the
primary settlers of the islands. The
festival consists of tribal dance, music,
accompanied by indigenous costumes
and weapons, and parade along the
streets. This is observed by Christians
and non-Christians through religious
processions.
Kalibo Food Festival
This festival is held every June 18 to 23
at Magsaysay Park to commemorate the
feast of St. John the Baptist. Various
kiosks serve a variety of local dishes in
Kalibonhon style with live musical bands
providing entertainment.
Aklan Day
It is a special non-working holiday in the
province to celebrate its foundation day.
The festival starts with a thanksgiving
mass at the Kalibo Cathedral. It is
followed by a parade from Kalibo
Pastrana Park to Godofredo P. Ramos
Park, which is participated by local
government units, schools, public and
private offices, and socio-civic and nongovernmental organizations in the
province.
Binirayan Festival
It is a month-long celebration every
month of December to celebrate
Antique’s rich history and tradition. It
also commemorates the Antiqueños
roots, which are the Malays and Atis.
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Province
Capiz
Capital:
Roxas City
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Tourist Destinations
Festivals
its curve and shape depending on the direction Tiringbanay Festival
of the wind and strength of the waves.
This festival is celebrated by locals of
San Jose de Buenavista just to go home
to their families and friends and
Bugtong Bato Waterfalls
It is a 7-layered waterfall that is accessible celebrate from April 30 to May 1.
through a 20-minute trail across rivers and During this event, locals trace back their
terraces inside the thriving forest of Brgy. Tuno, history and converge for renewal of
Tibiao. The area was attacked by Japanese commitment as a community of
responsible men and women in honor
soldiers during World War II.
of their patron saint, St. Joseph the
Worker. Tiringbanay comes from the
Duyong Golden Beach
It is a long stretch of white sand beach where native word tiringub, which means ‘to
visitors could see the panorama of the Duyong be together’.
Mountain Ranges on the east, and the
spectacular view of Batbatan Island and the Banigan Festival
setting sun on the west. Phaidon Villas and This involves various activities such as
Resort, a white sand beach resort, is also banig-making contests, trade fairs,
situated here wherein the rainforest of the Mardi Gras, and beauty pageants to
Northwest Panay Peninsula can be viewed.
celebrate the bariw-based products of
Antique.
Panublion Museum
Sinadya sa Halaran Festival
It is a circular water tank built in 1910 and re- It is the joint festival of the City of Roxas
purposed as a museum in 1993. The term and the Province of Capiz, which
Panubli-on is a Hiligaynon term meaning celebrates the provinces’ religious
‘guardian of precious things’. The museum culture. It is celebrated every first
houses artifacts of the Panay-anon Bukidnon - weekend
of
December
in
an indigenous people in the Visayas mountains. commemoration of the Feast of the
It also exhibits antique furniture, collections of Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion. It
stamps, currencies, and shells dating back to boasts of colorful activities like the
the Spanish Era.
grand parade of festivals, the fluvial
parade, the lighted river floaters, the
People’s Park (La Playa de Roxas)
traditional seafood festival, and the
This is a seashore-manmade park with a cool grand pyrotechnic display.
breeze blowing and the sound of the ocean
waves splashing against the park’s breakwater. Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival
It is ideal for family picnics at daytime and a Diwal is a rare bivalve found abundantly
romantic date at night. It has a cobble-stone- along the coastal waters of Roxas City
feel footpath and palm trees.
and Capiz. It is known for its sweet and
juicy qualities and its immaculately
Roxas City Bridge
white elliptical shells, hence the name
This site has remained strong and firm since it ‘Angel Wing’ Shell. Every year on the
was built in 1910. It connects the commercial second week of July, tons of bivalves are
center of the city to the main road as it harvested and sold in the open market
traverses the Panay River. Many visit this site to with drinks and music for this festival.
see the alluring huge stretch of the Panay River This is a thanksgiving to God for the
that traverses the very heart of the city. This is great and rare bounty of Diwal.
the reason why Roxas City has been dubbed as
the "Venice of the Visayas".
Aswang Festival
This showcases the handicrafts, and the
food and services of local businesses in
trade fairs and educational symposiums
about local history and the possible
origins of the aswang myth in Capiz.
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Province
Guimaras
Capital:
Jordan
Iloilo
Capital:
Iloilo City
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Tourist Destinations
Festivals
During this event, there is a parade of
mythical creatures such as tikbalang,
wak-wak, and kapre.
Palayag Festival
This festival celebrates the culture and
tradition from Buenavista, the oldest
town of the province, every third Sunday
of January. It showcases different kinds
of presentations such as songs, dances,
and a musical tableau that describe the
various influences the town has been
subjected to. It is done to honor the
town’s Patron Saint, Santo Niño.
Trappist Monastery
It is a peaceful and sacred enclave in Guimaras
run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the
Strict Observance. There are souvenir shops
within the monastery that are filled with
products made by the monks such as souvenir
items and processed food such as jellies, jams,
candies, piaya. All these products are from
ingredients grown in the Trappist grounds.
Tourist can visit the monastery grounds and
prayer areas and usually talk with the monks
and nuns to ask for wisdom. There are also Balsahan Festival
It is celebrated by the locals as a way to
guest houses available at reasonable prices.
immortalize the Sibunag River. This river
is a major feature of the place since it
Balaan Bukid Shrine
This site has a church and a huge cross, which makes its way through most of the
can be seen from Iloilo City coast and known for barangays in this town. It has a lot of
being a pilgrimage site for Catholic devotees, legends and myths. Usually, there is a
especially during the Holy Week. Alongside the parade of different balsas throughout
trail to the top are 14 stations called ‘Way of the river and visitors can also watch
the Cross’, which depicts significant events in different
activities
like
sports
the life of Jesus Christ.
competitions, beauty contests, and the
products of the town at a trade fair.
Guisi Beach
This site is a considerable stretch of golden Asinan Festival
yellow sand beach and emerald green waters. This festival is celebrated every February
Visitors find this very alluring since the sea 20 each year in San Lorenzo. It aims to
water on the shore is so transparent that one show visitors how locals appreciate,
could see through the sand or pebbles below. cherish, and use salt in their daily lives
As one goes further from the shore, the color especially in the food they prepare like
of the water turns from emerald green to blue. tuyo and other fish products. In this
Interesting rock formations can also be found event, visitors can see how locals use
in both ends of the beach, which is perfect for salt as part of their customs and props in
swimming, cliff jumping or just taking beautiful their yearly dance contest participated
pictures.
by different age groups, schools, and
barangays.
Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral
Dinagyang Festival
This site is formally known as the National It is a religious and cultural festival held
Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles as declared on the fourth Sunday of January to
by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the honor Santo Niño and to celebrate the
Philippines in 2012. It is the seat of the Roman arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and
Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro. It was initially the subsequent selling of the island to
placed under the patronage of Saint Elizabeth them by the Atis. It is the first festival in
of Hungary. It is the second national shrine in the world to get the support of the
the Visayas.
United Nations for the promotion of the
Millennium Development Goals.
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Province
Negros
Occidental
Capital:
Bacolod City
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Tourist Destinations
Molo Church
It is a famous Spanish-colonial church with a
neogothic style, which is a heritage site in Molo
District. It is known for the prominent red
spires that crown its tall bell towers and also as
a ‘feminist church’ because of the all-women
ensemble of saints represented in the 16
statues perched on the aisle pillars. There are
also a couple of remarkable heritage houses
around the area.
Museo Iloilo
It is a museum that was originally a one-story
stone building where government offices were
located. Its second story finished construction
in 1873. From 1873 to 1898, 15 Spanish
governors lived there. On December 24, 1898,
Governor-General Diego de los Rios
surrendered the city to the Council of the
Federal State of the Visayas headed by their
President, Roque Lopez. The next day, Gen.
Martin Delgado and the revolutionary army
ceremoniously hoisted the Philippine flag up
the tall flagpole before the building. The
museum houses an impressive collection
of Iloilo’s cultural heritage, which includes
stone age native pottery, fossils, jewelry, burial
sites, trade pottery from China, Annam and
Siam, era photos, mementos and war relics.
Tourists can also find a British sunken ship,
Spanish-era Filipino sculpture, and modern art
done by Ilonggo artists and craftsmen.
Sipalay
It is dubbed as the Jewel of Negros because of
its beautiful beaches, natural attractions,
caves, waterfalls, coves, bays, and underwater
treasures. The term sipalay came from Chinese
traders because they believed that rice (palay)
grows abundantly in the area.
Festivals
Pagdihon Festival
It is a festival where Dingleanons give
thanks to their local heroes for the
sacrifices they had done in the name of
freedom. The central figure of the
celebration is Adriano Hernandez, a
native of Dingle, who is a Visayan
general and military strategist. He is
recognized as a patriot because when
the natives were asked to volunteer in
fighting the Filipino revolutionaries,
Hernandez secretly organized a rebel
movement in Iloilo against the Spaniards
and staged the first armed uprising in
the province. In this festival, Hernandez
is the main character in dance-drama
presentations where locals depict the
war of those times.
Feast of Our Lady of Candles
This is a festival held every February 2
with agro-industrial exhibits, garden
shows, carnivals, and grand cock
derbies. It is held to commemorate the
local patron, Lady of Candles.
MassKara Festival
This is a festival celebrated every fourth
Sunday of October. It is held to
symbolize the happy disposition of the
Negrenses despite experiencing bad
times in the sugar industry. The word
MassKara is created by the late artist Ely
Santiago from the words mass, which
means a multitude of people, and the
The Ruins
It features the ruins of a mansion built in the Spanish word cara, which means face.
1900’s by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his
Portuguese wife. It is structured by an Italian Bailes De Luces
architecture with neoclassical columns. During This festival is held in celebration of
World War II, guerillas burned it down to hope and thanksgiving for the people of
prevent the Japanese from occupying the area. La Castellana. It is celebrated every 30th
Despite the burning, the concrete structure day of December and ends on the 5th day
still stands to this day.
of January. Bailes de Luces is a Spanish
phrase, which means ‘Dances of Lights’.
This is why it is celebrated with dances
and parades during night time.
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Province
Tourist Destinations
Pulupandan (Bird Watching)
It is a bird sanctuary located at Sitio Cavan in
Barangay Tapong. It is a visual paradise for
both
professional
birdwatchers
and
photography enthusiasts. It hosts a number of
bird species, some of which are migratory.
Festivals
Sinulog De Kabankalan
It is celebrated every third week of
January and is the city’s version of AtiAtihan. In this event, there are dancers
in distinctively colorful costumes with
bare bodies painted in black who
perform with riotous and frenzied beats
of drums in celebration of the feast of El
Señor Santo Niño.
REFERENCES:
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Pinoy Recipe. (2011). Kansi. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.pinoyrecipe.net/kansi-recipe/
Philippine
Country.
(2006).
Philippine
Provinces.
Retrieved
on
October
23,
2017
from:
http://www.philippinecountry.com/provcitmun.html#abra
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2017). Philippine Provincial Summary. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://nap.psa.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/SUMWEBPROV-DEC2016-CODED-HUC-FINAL.pdf
Window Seat. (2016). 7 Beautiful Spots Worth the Visit in Aklan. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://windowseat.ph/aklanthings-to-do/
Kalibo Aklan. (2015). Events. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.kaliboaklan.gov.ph/tourism/events/
Manila Bulletin. (2017). Aklan celebrates 61st year as a province. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/23/aklan-celebrates-61st-year-as-a-province/
Choose Philippines. (2015). Cool Down at Antique’s Bugtong-Bato this Summer. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/mountains-and-volcanoes/2808/bugtong-bato-waterfalls
Vigattin
Tourism.
(2012).
Duyong
Golden
Beach.
Retrieved
on
October
23,
2017
from:
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Duyong-Golden-Beach
Press Reader. (2017). Banig. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/panaynews/20170322/281535110810980
Choose Philippines. (2015). Binirayan Festival 2015: Celebrating Antique’s Glorious Past. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/3867/binirayan-festival-2015/
Vigattin Tourism. (2012). Antique's Showcase of Richness at San Jose. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Antiques-Showcase-of-Richness-at-San-Jose
Greedy Peg. (ND). Panublion Museum. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://greedypeg.org/capiz/Panublion-Museum.html
Travel Advisor. (2015). People’s Park (La Playa de Roxas). Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.traveladvisor.ph/?p=48
Vigattin Tourism. (2012). Crossing the Roxas City Bridge. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Crossing-the-Roxas-City-Bridge
Roxas City Gov. (2010). Festivities and Events in Roxas City. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.roxascity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&id=98:festivities-and-events-in-roxas-city&Itemid=186
Aswang Project. (2017). ASWANG FESTIVAL in Roxas City, Capiz: What Happened. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
https://www.aswangproject.com/aswang-festival-in-roxas-city-capiz-what-happened/
Explore Iloilo. (ND). Trappist Monastery. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.exploreiloilo.com/do/info/trappistmonastery/
Tourist Spots Finder. (2017). Top 10 Tourist Spots in Guimaras. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://touristspotsfinder.com/2017/04/top-10-tourist-spots-in-guimaras/
Travel to the Philippines. (2016). Colorful and Meaningful Festivals and Events in Guimaras. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from:
http://www.traveltothephilippines.info/2016/04/17/colorful-and-meaningful-festivals-and-events-in-guimaras/
Explore Iloilo. (ND). Molo Church. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.exploreiloilo.com/do/info/molo-church/
Explore Iloilo. (ND). Museo Iloilo. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.exploreiloilo.com/do/info/museo-iloilo/
Iloilo Gov. (2016). Pagdihon Festival. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://www.iloilo.gov.ph/tourism/category/festivals/
Vigattin
Tourism.
(2012).
The
Many
Festivals
of
Iloilo.
Retrieved
on
October
23,
2017
from:
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Tourism Negros Occidental. (n.d). Bird Watching in Pulupandan. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: http://tourism.negrosocc.gov.ph/bird-watching-in-pulupandan/
The Happy Trip. (2017). Malalison Island Travel Guide. Retrieved on November 29, 2017 from:
http://www.thehappytrip.com/2017/01/malalison-island-travel-guide/
GASTRONOMICAL MAP REFERENCES:
Sarie Cruz Wordpress. (2011). Batchoy. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: https://sariecruz.wordpress.com/tag/la-paz-batchoy/
Kawaling Pinoy. (2016). Kansi. Retrieved on October 23, 2017 from: https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/kansi/
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*Property of STI
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