Roxas City and the Many Colors of Capiz

Christmas Trip - Elvie's Dream Come True Revisited

2011-12-29T17:32:00.001-08:00

Let us revisit Elvie's Christmas Dream Come True. Photos, courtesy of photographer Joy Barza.

I have earlier written about Elvie's Dream Come True, located at Arellano Street. The place is one of the must-see places here in the city, so anyone who plans for a tour of Roxas will have better reasons to visit Elvie's because it displays a rich collection of Christmas decors, toys, mementos, and anything and everything nice about Christmas, stuffs that will really make your remember that the holidays is really a time for cheer and merriment.

Thanks a lot, Joy Barza, for letting me post some of the pics of the place.

Love the pictures? You can enjoy the same quality photography for your weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions with Joy Barza's help. You can contact her through her Facebook page.

Christmas Trip - Roxas City in Holiday Lights

2011-12-26T18:29:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas in the City!

The Capiz Provincial Capitol and RoxasCity Plaza in full colors at night, thanks to the rainbow of lightsthat shine and shimmer and dance amidst the bedazzled eyes ofspectators, indeed lending the Christmas spirit to every one.

Christmas Trip - Christmas Village at Pueblo de Panay

2011-12-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

Enjoy Christmas with the family at Pueblo de Panay's Christmas Village.

Pueblo de Panay, Roxas City's primeresidential and lifestyle hub, brings cheer and merriment to everyonewith its Christmas Village that's free for all to see. Perfect forkids and kids-at-heart who want to warm up the evening with holidaywarmth, the Christmas Village is ideal for bonding and of course,photo ops.

Situated just across the community'simposing Mediterranean villa, the Christmas Village welcomes you withlife size nativity scene that stands atop a two-storey bamboostructure that also serves as the village's entrance.

But before you even make it to thevillage, you'll be amazed with the sparkling LED lights that havebeen shaped into biblical characters that took part from theenunciation to the baptism of Christ.

Inside the village is a small pool withstatues of mermaids that splash you with some Christmas tree. A laneof snowmen heats up the excitement, while miniature trains are idealfor kids who want to experience some holiday fun ride. The village'sfocal spot is Santa's house, where a cozy nook awaits kids who wantto feel how it is to live in Santa's world.

Before the holiday ends, don't miss thechance to take the whole family to this dream wonderland. And beamazed at the beauty that Christmas brings.

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Christmas Trip - Elvie's Christmas Dream Come True

2011-12-19T03:52:00.000-08:00

A trip to Elvie's is a Christmas dream come true for the young and young-at-heart.

Elvie's Christmas Dream Come True is ashowcase of Elvie Batuampo's collections that she amassed, andcontinues to expand, for more than 20 years.

All displays, from thesmallest figurines to the most expensive Christmas décor werebrought straight from the United States and pieced together to offerkids and family a wonderful sight to behold this holiday.

The Christmas wonderland, situated atZamora Street on the site of Litte Learners Playing and LearningCenter, Inc., has seven rooms, all containing unique Christmas piecesthat were personally handpicked by Elvie.

A visit to this place begins with awarm welcome by Elvie herself and the school's director NenetDelgado. A small documentary is shown featuring her life and theevolution of her Christmas collections, before Elvie takes you ontour.

First stop is the winter wonderland where a woodland Santagives warmth to the chilly weather. Rich with igloos, snowmen, andeverything you want to see in snow, the winter room leads you to theliving area where a giant Christmas tree bedecked with candy canesawait you and an elaborate nativity scene welcome you.

Adjacent tothe living is the display of Victorian village, all complete withcharming houses, skating rink, and trains. g back to the living andproceed to the staircase and you'll be amazed with the Girl's room,home to

Elvie's collection of Barbie dolls in their festive holidaysuits. Right next is the Boy's room which displays expensive toy carsthat Elvie spared to penny to buy. Also worth taking an eye is thesinging Christmas that does a job once you clap your hands. Last stopis Santa's workroom where Grandpa and Grandma Claus await kids whowant to make their wish these holiday.

So if you something of a uniqueexperience this holiday, invite the family and visit Elvie's DreamCome True. Entrance costs P150 for adults and P50 for children.

2011 Sinadya sa Halaran in Colors

2011-12-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

Nurse and photographer Deane Fabiana captures the best in this year's Sinadya sa Halaran.

This year's Sinadya sa Halaran festivities has been glittering, colorful, and fun filled, as always. A little shower from up above didn't stop the merrymaking in honor of Roxas City and Capiz's patron, the Immaculate Conception. This year's celebration opened December 7, on the eve of the patron's day, and went through until December 8. It's theme is “Unity and Merriment with the Blessed Virgin Mary (Paghiliusa kag Pagkinasadya Kaupod ang Birhen Santa Maria).

The event's highlight was the street-dancing of colorful giant paper mascots made of paper mache (higantes) on December 9. Each mascot represented a seafood product that thrives on Roxas City's water, joined in by ten clusters. On December 10, a parade of festivals took place, showcasing the best that Roxas City and the municipalities of Capiz has to offer.

Deane Fabiana captures the festivity's best angles in her lens. A registered nurse and photographer, I am proud to feature some of the best shots she rendered during the celebration.

Personal note:

Deane is an old friend and elementary school classmate. You can check more of her photographic skills at her Facebook page.

Christmas Trip: Central Philippine University's Festival of Lights

2011-12-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

The Central Philippine University, the oldest Christian university in Western Visayas, renewed its tradition of bringing cheer through the holidays on its annual Festival of Lights, officially launched last December 2. This year, it has become brighter, merrier, and even better with more lights, more fun, and more excitement that grace visitors young and old alike. Not even the cloudy weather or the prolonged late-afternoon downpour dampened the Centralian spirit. The show went on and more than 10,000 visitors from all over Iloilo City arrived to witness the fireworks display and opening-of-the-lights ceremony. The event was graced by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, together with Iloilo governor, Arthur Defensor and City mayor Jed Mabilog.

Everyone is welcomed by a rich display of lights on the gate and the well-lighted administration building. The long expanse of Anahaw Road is a must see and a trek here will show you a display of bright holiday stars to cheer your spirits. The acacia- and palm tree-lined University Avenue hangs Christmas lights of all colors that look like fireflies brightening up your way. En route you will see scenes on the life of Jesus, from his birth til his resurrection.

The imposing University Church, a contemporary structure built in the 1970s, is bedecked with holiday shimmer from top to bottom. Picture taking is best on its rear view or on the fountain side, where you can capture the best angle that's worth making your Facebook profile pic. Beside the church is a nativity scene and straight ahead is the university lane that leads you straight to the flag pole with huge artificial candles that flare up with lights to glow the eyes of everyone with Christmas cheer. Across is a giant Christmas tree with a dancing star that crowns its glory.

More Photos... More Cheers!

Roxas City: My Beautiful Home

2010-07-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

Roxas City Cathedral

Capiz Provincial Capitol

The old fountain before the Capiz Provincial Capital

The Roxas City Cathedral

Marker of the Roxas City Bridge

The City's riverside scenery

The Roxas City Bandstand

Pres. Manuel A. Roxas' Monument at the Plaza

Ang Panublion - The Roxas City Museum

Pres. Roxas' birthplace and ancestral house

Pres. Roxas's birthplace and ancestral house

Tension in Roxas City Politics Escalates

2009-11-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

The tension between Senator Roxas’ Liberal Party and Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante’s Ugyon Kita Capiz continues to escalate in magnitude and intensity.

Just recently, Roxas City Mayor Vic Bermejo, together with 38 chieftains of the city affirmed their support to Bolante during a meeting at Villa Patria Resort. Together with Bermejo were his running-mate Councilor Dennis Altobano, and candidates for councilors: former City Councilor Teresa Almalbis, Tiza Brgy. Kagawad John Heredia, Lauro Lima, and Nonoy Albar.

On LP’s side, Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas met 164 of the city’s 329 barangay councilmen at the Governor’s Mansion last Saturday. In the meeting, Mrs. Roxas extended her gratitude for their support to LP, despite the fact that Mayor Bermejo and Bolante have already established an alliance. Mrs. Roxas will continue holding a series of meetings to win back the other local officials before November 30.

Historically quiet: the unknown heritages of our Mother Town

2009-11-02T00:15:00.000-08:00

The Roxas City Bandstand: The epitome of the best that the past has to offer.

We pass through them every now and then. We always have a glimpse of them, even to the point that we even don’t bother to take a note whether or not they really matter. But even though we think of them as a part of our heritage or not, still, they are as historic as much as we value the Santa Monica Parish in Pan-ay and it’s resident, Southeast Asia’s celebrated big churchbell.

Sites like the The Roxas City bandstand, unknown to others, are as old as the city itself. While Calle Revolucion and Tadiao Bridge in Pan-ay have their marks in our country’s history books, though to this day, they remain relatively obscure and their historical importance unknown to most of us.

We esteem our province too little, but taking another look and you will see that Roxas City and Capiz are actually home to some of the countries most historically significant sites. And for this, let’s take a peek at some of our province’s bridge to the past.

The Roxas City Band Stand

Standing even before the municipality of Capiz was chartered as a city, Roxas City bandstand is a quintessential pre-war infrastructure that epitomizes the richness of culture and architecture of our country. Typical of every town-capital, the band stand, built in ornate architecture, became the center of town life of the past, as it is the center of city activities today. It had before served the venue of the coronation of the fiesta queens and it also graced celebrations that color the everyday life of the past.

Tadiao Bridge

Before you reach the municipality of Pan-ay, you have first to pass through the Tadiao Bridge. Though no historical mark emanates the image and importance of this bridge, word-of-mouth, and a glance at a reliable source unveiled the fact that Tadiao Bridge is where revolutionary leader Gen. Esteban Contreras defeated the Spanish troops in Capiz. Tadiao Bridge was indeed a strategic location that aided the then-scarcely armed revolutionary troops in their efforts to successfully drive the Spaniards out from Capiz.

Calle Revolution

Calle Revolucion, according to the Provincial Tourism Office, is considered as the country’s second oldest street in the Philippines. It is today a national road that you could pass through whenever you enter the town proper of Pan-ay. Indeed, it is only fitting for the street to be the country’s second oldest since it is in shores of Pan-ay that the Spaniards landed and established the second Spanish settlement in the country after Cebu.

Roxas City Celebrates All Saints' Day

2009-11-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

It was all Saint’s Day yesterday. All the people in Roxas City found themselves treading the same path. If the age-old maxim says all the roads lead to Rome, well, forget it! For here, every November 1, all the roads lead to the cemetery.

What is peculiar about this VERY Filipino tradition is that it’s supposed to be the day of the saints, not day of the dead. But that’s what we’re used to here. Much more, I can’t yell at people and tell them to go home and return to the cemetery on November 2.

Anyways, expect for clichés to converge. People from all walks of life have one and only aim on this day: and that is to visit the dead and offer them prayers and bunches of blooms. Never will you be able to see the kind of reverence that Filipinos give to the dead. The elders always say that the dead has this power and ability to intercede between us and God and that if you pray for your dead loved one, he’ll for sure guide you and protect you at all times. And as a part of the overflowing faith of the Filipinos, reverence to the dead is like a ritual that should never be forgotten, at least once a year, least bad luck strikes!

I do not eagerly share this belief with the elders. The reason why I can’t help but visit the church is to pray to God and hope that my long-gone loved ones are now at His kingdom, resting in peace and enjoying eternal life with Him.

And as for the crowd, they just keep on getting more and more, that when nighttime arrived, there was a commotion rushing to and fro. Lights are all on and it seems that this Filipino holiday is always here to stay, just as it has been for centuries now.

Time to Pause, time to rethink, time to revisit Roxas City

2009-10-23T18:07:00.001-07:00

It’s Saturday right now. And every Saturday, Roxas City and her inhabitants are lazily tucked within her nightful of sleep. It’s really worth note taking that even at seven o’clock, on October days like these, students, to be exact, seem not to bother whether or not the sun has already risen. What matters most is to for these temporal vacationers to make the most of their short-lived annual sem-break for one, two, three, or four years from now, never will they ever experience the right to have a vacation. When they’re all professionals and when they’re too engrossed minding their filled pockets and empty lives, they’ll have the word vacation on their vocabulary.

Sem-breaks like this, I will never have. Six months ago, the moment I stepped down from my graduation stage, I have forevermore relinquished my rights to have this to-die-for sembreak. So even now, even though everyone around me are still lazily tucked on their beds, unconsciously salivating and dreaming of the best dreams they can have in the world, here I am, scribbling on my laptop, trying to make a living and trying to find the life of my own. But I’ll make amends, and I’ll make sure that three to five years from now, I’ll still be enjoying my life and have time to myself. Here in this small yet serene city I call home, here I am, finding ways on how to live and enjoy life to the fullest.

Time to Pause, time to rethink, time to revisit Roxas City

2009-10-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

It’s Saturday right now. And every Saturday, Roxas City and her inhabitants are lazily tucked within her night-long sleep. It’s really worth note taking that even at seven o’clock, on October days like these, students, to be exact, seem not to bother whether or not the sun has already risen. What matters most is for these temporal vacationers to make the most of their short-lived annual sem-break for one, two, three, or four years from now, never will they ever experience the right to have a vacation. When they’re all professionals and when they’re too engrossed minding their filled pockets and empty lives, they’ll have the word vacation on their vocabulary.

Thank You President Cory

2009-08-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

The citizens of Roxas City and Capiz were shocked with the announcement of the passing of former President Cory Aquino. A democracy icon tagged as the Woman in Yellow, Mrs. Aquino died 3:00 am, Saturday, Aug. 1. Her family was around her, saying the rosary, when she breathed her last due to cardiac arrest. Mrs. Aquino had suffered from colon cancer since last year.

Throughout the city center, yellow ribbons can be found hanging on trees, lampposts, and pillars, signifying the local government’s condolences for the loss of the former president. The Philippine flag is at half-mast, done only when a Philippine president or a dignitary of great honor has died. Likewise, the provincial capitol hung a streamer on its balcony saying “Thank You President Cory,” in gratitude for the president for all that she had done to the Filipinos during her brief but telling term as president.

Tomorrow, to coincide with her necrological service and burial, a requiem mass will be held 9 am at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Destination Roxas City: The Roxas City Bridge

2009-07-31T03:37:00.000-07:00

Long before Henry Ford’s Model T could make their trip to the shores of the Philippines, Roxas City Bridge (then known as Capiz Bridge) has been standing mighty and proud connecting the two islands that comprise what is now the heart of Roxas City.

The Roxas City Bridge was built between 1908 and 1910, when the American’s bridge-building hysteria was at its height. The construction took place during terms of two governors, Antonio Habana and Jose Cortez Altavas, and during the administration of Capiz Town’s president, Pastor Alcazar (1908-1912). The country’s resident commissioner to the US House of Representatives that time was Manuel Luis M. Quezon, with the American-run Bureau of Public Works (the precursor of today’s DPWH) taking care of the construction of bridges and other public infrastructures across the country.

The bridge was constructed in line with the American’s belief that “what could be linked with a bridge was indeed connected.” The bridge withstood the bombings of World War II and thereafter, it remained virtually unaltered or renovated. Thus, to this day, the bridge you see upon passing on it is almost exactly as it was more than a century ago.

Tanco spearheads healing mass for Cory

2009-07-29T22:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Provincial Government of Capiz, under the stewardship of Governor Victor A. Tanco, spearheaded a healing mass for the speedy recover of Former President Corazon C. Aquino. The said mass was held 10:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral.

The former president has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer May last year. She was admitted at Saint Luke’s Medical Center last month after she lost her appetite. Her condition has been rallying from now and then but it is unsure whether she would be fine in the days to come.

Late last Tuesday this week, the Aquino family divulged to the press that Mrs. Aquino’s condition had been stabilized, with her blood pressure and condition back to normal.

Capiznon Tops Architecture Board Exam

2009-07-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

Another applause for us Capiznons! Our kasimanwa Rojeh James Tumlos Balahay has made it to the Top Ten of the recently released result of the Licensure Exam for Architects. Balahay, a BS Architecture graduate of Capiz State University Main Campus, Roxas City, garnered a rating of 80.80 percent, placing him fifth on the top ten slot.

CapSU Main Campus is also home to earlier board topnotchers: Jeffrey Ubugan Buhat, who placed 7th during the 2005 Licensure Exam for Teachers; and Glen Acaso, who placed 4th during the Mechanical Engineering Exam in the 1980s. Likewise, from Filamer Christian College came Josephine Elvas who placed 6th at the November 2008 Licensure Examination for Nurses.

It is indeed a pride for us Capiznons to have our kasimanwas achieve that level of success as it reflects the way we are honed and think, making us prouder not only our culture, but also as out heritage as a whole. They are the real people worth emulating as they are the beacons for leading the youth of today towards an unprecedented success for the coming future.

WHEN ANGELS LOST THEIR WINGS: What Happened to the Diwal?

2009-07-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

Juicy and savory Diwal: Pride of Roxas City

It has been four years since Roxas City first celebrated the great comeback of the much-celebrated and sought-after seafood called diwal, otherwise known as the angel wings. It has not only gained the admiration of the local populace, but also made Roxas City draw the attention of the country and of world because this was the only place to hold such a festival.

It was held with great gaiety. Seafood seemed to be flooding the streets along the plaza. Tourists, both local and foreign mixed with Capiceños as they enjoyed the exotic taste of the delicacy that made Roxas City the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines,” or even perhaps that of Southeast Asia.

But the seemingly stellar ascension of the festival to popularity crashed. It seemed that the winged of all the seafood ceased to multiply and the diwal became scarce. As early as 2006 festival, the sagging harvest of the seafood was felt. This prompted the then-newly elected mayor, Vicente B. Bermejo, to cancel the festival, which should have been on its third year.

THE WINGED OF ALL ANGELS

According to the City Agricultural Services Office, “diwal is a very sought after bivalve which is very delicious.” But most especially, it owed its name and popularity to the fact that when its delicate white shells were opened, it resembled that of an angel’s wings.

Diwal’s scientific name is Pholas orientalis and belongs to Phylum Mollusca, family Poladidae, and its class is Pelycypoda. It thrives in the waters surrounding Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. Here in Roxas City, diwal usually thrive in the coastal waters of Punta Cogon, Barra, and Libas.

The Agriculture Office added that the diwal “burrows into the muddy sand substratum in the littoral zone or compact bluish gray muddy sand in the littoral zone.” It buries itself into a depth of two feet under the sand substratum found in some 10 to 20 feet under water.

A male diwal usually reaches 59 millimeter (or 2.2 inches) before it matures. Females on the other hand can reach up to 64 mm (or 2.5 inches). Spawning period of diwal is usually between January to July. A single diwal can produce a massive 800 thousand to two million eggs but the percentage of survival is only one percent.

A primer of the Office of the City Agricultural Services entitled Establishment of the Diwal Sanctuaries Thru Transportation in Roxas City Waters, discussed that the “gathering of diwal in Roxas City waters dates back to the ‘70s.”

By 1980 the price of diwal swelled as it was primarily pushed up by the increasing demand on the said shell fish. Its price hiked from five to 25 cents per kilo. Nevertheless in 1987, when the prawn industry boomed, the diwal disappeared and it was not until 1992 did it begin to appear again though in another site.

With the combined efforts of the Roxas City government and of the Institute of Aquaculture of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo, a study was conducted on the lifecycle of the diwal and formulated policies to conserve the bivalve.

According to the primer, “transplantation was done in the study area after two months when the stocks were depleted.” A two-year moratorium which was extended for another two years was issued, prohibiting the gathering of the diwal along with other valuable shell fish species in 1999-2002. Through the City Ordinance 104, series of 2002, a shell fish reservation was established along the coastal areas.

In 2004, the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council issued guidelines on sustainable harvesting. Among the guidelines included the limiting of the number of diwal gathered, as well as, the period of harvesting. Divers were required to attend the orientation of the Coastal Resource Management before they were given diving permits.

The Bantay Dagat patrol was mobilized to operate day and night to secure the areas where diwals are cultured, most especially during harvest season. The team also issued flags to those licensed boats and divers to distinguish them from non-licensed groups. A consultation on the part of the harvesters and buyers was conducted whenever issues arose. Divers were clarified of the maximum volume of diwal that is allowed to be harvested and to make sure that there will be enough diwal left for the next breeding season.

In 1996, transplantation of diwal in suitable water was introduced, which was then a new technology applied in Roxas City. In 2004, three locations which used to be traditional growing areas for diwal in Roxas city were declared sanctuary sites. Steel quadrants were set up. These protected places served as transplanting sites for diwal seeds. These sites underwent monthly monitoring to check the stocks.

As of 2005, the diwal industry was already a million-peso industry estimated to have an economic value at around PhP 9.5 million, generating some 219 number of registered divers with 57 registered boats and the volume of harvest was set at 63.615 tons.

With the revival of diwal, the then-Roxas City Mayor Antonio del Rosario initiated the diwal festival which coincided during the harvest season in June 2005.

THE DIWAL FESTIVAL

The opening of the Diwal Festival steered excitement and drew the attention of the local residents who thought the seafood was gone.

The celebration, which ran for two days, became a showcase of Roxas City’s seafood rich shores and also served as a coronation-cum-welcoming of the diwal, as well as a thanksgiving for its comeback.

“A seafood feast which was focused on the various ways of savoring this seafood,” according to the Roxas City Tourism Office. For two days, residents, together with visitors from around the country and the globe came to the Roxas City plaza to get a taste of the much talked-about diwal and requested that the diwal festival be lengthened the next time around. Indeed, the first diwal festival was a big success. As tons and tons of diwal were sold, it was sure indication that the exotic bivalve is a wanted delicacy for the mouth of everyone.

In 2006, the Regional Development Council 6 declared the local government of Roxas City winner during the search for the Best Public Sector Projects-City Level for the Calendar Year 2005 for the establishment of the diwal sanctuaries and for the success in reviving the seafood.

THE LOST WINGS

As early as last year’s festival, the crisis over the diwal was already felt. Since harvest was not sufficient to carry out a five-day event, the festival ran for only two-days. Finally, Roxas City Mayor Vicente B. Bemejo cancelled the festival for this year.

Many were saddened not only for the cancellation of the festival, but also for the scarcity of the seafood. According to the Office of the City Agricultural Services, the following factors were considered for its decline in number.

Overharvesting

According to the Office, there were divers who gathered diwal even though they were still young and immature for harvesting. Besides, most divers have also no knowledge of the law of supply and demand. At first, they used to harvest everday since they reasoned out that they need an everyday source of income. But when they overharvested and the seafood flooded the market, the price declined and most of their stocks were spoiled, prompting them to schedule there diving thrice a week (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), which was later lowered to twice a week (Monday and Thursday).

Trawling

Trawling is a form of fishing that uses a “large net dragged along the sea bottom behind a commercial fishing boat” (Encarta Dictionary, 1999).

Indeed, trawling was a difficult challenge to the existence of diwal since it scoured sea bed in the growing area. Efforts were already done by the city government but divers and operators, who were the direct beneficiaries, have done little to protect the growing areas.

Bad Weather Condition and

Siltation

Whenever hard rain and flood come, the tendency is that sediments will flow to the sea, thus, causing siltation. Maria Chona S. Braganza, in her book Earth Science (1999) tackled that whenever rain occurs, “flood water carry and later deposit large amount of sediments at the bottom of the rivers and reservoirs. Siltation reduces the amount of water that rivers and reservoirs can hold.” Aside from the erosion strong winds also carry sediments to the bottom of the rivers. These sediments can cover the growing diwal, thus, killing them.

As for the role of global warming, Belinda Garrido, Coastal Resource Management Coordinator of the city government, said that it has very little effect on the current state of the diwal.

“Study shows that global warming has no significant effect on marine life since there has been no significant rise on the temperature lately,” she said.

Pollution

According to Christine and Tyrone Chanco, water pollution is “any alteration in the original quantity of water” caused by organic matter or change in temperature. According to Encarta Encyclopedia (2002), water pollution, if severe, “can kill large numbers of fish, birds, and other animals or, in some cases killing all members of specie in an affected area.

Pollution makes streams, lakes, and coastal waters unpleasant to look at, to smell, and to swim in.” As for the case of diwal, the bivalve came on the verge of extinction in the city waters during the 1990s during the boom years of the prawn industry. Since diwals are very sensitive to chemical, the waters from the surrounding fishponds which flow to the estuary near breeding sites kill large numbers of diwal.

Harvesting During Closed Season.

Closed season is the period allotted for spawning of the diwal. Nevertheless, there are, some divers who sneaked into the growing sites and gather diwal, though the bivalve is not yet ready and is still immature for harvesting.

REHABILITATING WHAT WAS LOST

Alarmed by this crisis, the Roxas City government has already begun to rehabilitate the diwal industry. Among the measures that the City Agricultural Services have drawn include the strict implementation of the open and closed season.

The Office also reiterated that the remaining number of diwals should not be harvested since the lesser the brooding stock, the fewer the number of diwals will be. Regular monitoring is also frequently conducted to gather data as basis for sound management of the resource.

The Coastal Resource Management (CRM) has also organized the the Roxas City Diwal Divers’ Association as partner in the development of the diwal industry. In general, the City Agriculture Office has been involving these divers in the transplantation, monitoring, and management of the resource.

According to the primer Roxas City Diwal Rehabilitation Project, “monthly monitoring will continue and replacement of dead breeders and member of the RCDDA (Roxas City Diwal Diver’s Association) will take turns in monitoring their assigned areas.”

To address the sea currents and strong waves that scoured the diwal, the Office proposed for the construction of sea fences. There was also a plan to set up jackstone barricade in the diwal growing areas. This barricade will serve as barrier against drifting sands and trawling.

It is surely a tough but laudable struggle for the city government, specifically for the City Agricultural Services Office. But with the help of the divers and of the local people, and proper management of our natural resources, it is not impossible that the diwal will once again grace our waters and flood the markets or probably, enter Roxas City into the annals of the Guinness World Record.

A Glimpse of the Past and Present Governors of Capiz

2009-07-26T21:55:00.000-07:00

Capiz Provincial Capitol: Home to the province's great leaders.

Hon. Victor A. Tanco (center), present governor of Capiz, with other
government officials of the province.

Every community needs a leader. He must be a man of wisdom, integrity, strength, honesty and dedication to public service.

Capiz has its share of these breed of leaders. Let us have a glimpse of the people who have held the most prestigious position in the province – the past and present governors of Capiz.

SIMPLICIO JUGO VIDAL (1901 – 1903) was the 1st governor of Capiz. He was a man of integrity and belonged to a respectable family. It was in his term that the Capiceños were in the midst of transition after the liberation from Spain and the brief conflict with the Americans.
The rehabilitation of Capiz was his main concern. He instilled the sense of unity among the Akleanos and Capiceños rather than the divisional aspect brought by the move to separate Aklan from the province of Capiz.

He further made his years of public service more colorful by extending his effort and using his own personal resources in initiating the construction of several buildings that were necessary in his governance.

SIMEON MOBO REYES (1904 – 1906) became the 2nd governor of Capiz. He was a devoted mentor who never dreamed of becoming the highest official of Capiceños. The turning point of his life came when he was appointed chairman of the peaceful negotiators between the Americans and the local revolutionaries.

Among the position he has occupied before he became governor were: provincial secretary of Capiz; representative of the 3rd district (Aklan Section) Capiz, a municipal councilor of Kalibo, presidente municipal (mayor) of Kalibo and later, he became a member of the provincial board for two terms until his retirement.

EMILIANO BALTAZAR ACEVEDO (1906 – 1907) There was no exact date and reason for the governorship of Emiliano Baltazar Acevedo but he acted as Provincial Governor of Capiz for almost two years.

He started his political career when he worked as secretary to a 100 – man designation from Aklan in 1901 which was composed of prominent citizens and headed by Simplicio Jugo Vidal and his brother Don Natalio B. Acevedo.

They passed a petition to the Taft Commission of Capiz for the establishment of Aklan as a distinct province from Capiz. Though the bid was not successful, still it served as an initial move for the establishment of Aklan which finally came on April 14, 1901.

ANTONIO HABANA(1907 – 1909) was the 3rd governor of Capiz. A native of Curatero, Habana was raised diligently by his parents. Among his achievements on his three – year service were the construction of several road networks that led to the improvement of the trade and commerce on Capiz (now Roxas City).

The life of Habana, although unpublicized was difficult to surpass by his successors. He was the Governor, who only wanted to be an agent of change.

JOSE CORTES ALTAVAS (1901 – 1916) was the 4th governor of Capiz. Born to a business – inclined family, Jose at theage of 12 already managed the distillery store of his father. He was popularly known as emperador by his professor and fellow his professor and fellow classmates because he topped every exam he took.

During his governance, he introduced many development projects from Capiz to Aklan and from Capiz Iloilo. After his stint as governor of Capiz, he ran for senator and got elected.

JOSE MIRAFLORES HONTIVEROS (1917 – 1919) became the 5th governor of Capiz. A jurist, public official and statesman, Hontiveros rendered distinguished service which was crowned with notable achievements of far – reaching signifance.

During his term, he devoted his time and efforts to improving the social economic conditions of his constituents. He worked on building roads connecting the towns to the provincial capital and on constructing government buildings for schools and markets, as well as bridges.

MANUEL ACUÑA ROXAS (1919 – 1921) was elected the 6th Governor of Capiz. Later, he became the 3rd and last President of the President of the Philippine Commonwealth in the 1946 and the First President of the Philippines Republic (1946 – 1948). He was a lawyer, parliamentarian, constitutionalist, economist, stateman, soldier and patriot. It was after him that the town Capiz was named when it was declared a charter City in 1951.

In 1919, at the age of 27, Manuel A. Roxas was elected governor of Capiz. Two years later, he won the seat for the first district of Capiz and eventually was elected Speaker of the House by his colleagues in Congress, a position he held for twelve years.

Roxas dedicated his life to the pursuit of freedom for his country and to the welfare of his countrymen.

Along with senate President Protempore Sergio Osmeña, he headed the crusade for full independence of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. for most of the 1920’s in what was popularly known as OSROX Mission.

RAFAEL ACUÑA (1920 – 1932) became the 7th governor of Capiz for three successive terms. He finished his Dramatic Arts from Spain. “Peping’ as he was fondly called by his politician friends, started his public service and political career when he was chosen representative to the second Philippines Assembly in 1914 and later as Governor of Agusan Province in 1917 – 1921.
Peping went back to Capiz and run for governor and won in the 1922 election.

Rafel Acuña’s governance was marked with various accomplishments and developmental projects. Capiz province remained a peaceful place to live in during his terms.

GABRIEL (KUROKI) HERNANDEZ became the 8th governor of Capiz (1932 – 1942). He was later on re-appointed in 1945 – 1946.

Popularly known as “Kuroki’ to his relatives, friends and constituents, his courage and intense love for freedom very well described him.

He stubbornly refused to serve the enemy during ark days of the Japanese occupation by escaping at one time, to Sibuyan Island to elude the Japanese.

In his quest to help his fellow Capiceños from Japanese atrocities and to finally liberate Capiz, he continued lending them a hand by continuously sending foods and other sustenance and ammunitions to the Filipino soldiers and the outnumbered and beleaguered Americans while in Sibuyan Island.

CORNELTO T. VILLAREAL SR. (1942 – 1945) was 9th governor of Capiz. He was a native of Burias, Mambusao, Capiz where he honed his intellectual processes and strengthened his moral fiber.

Being from the rural backwoods, Cornelio Villareal Sr. understood the plight of those who had to struggle for an education.

The miserable plight of the poor, who used to be helpless and threatened into silence by the coercive force of the powerful, drove him to defend their rights in court. He saw to it that ordinary citizens would have “a day in court.”

LUDOVICO ADVINCULA HIDROSOLLO (1948 – 1951) was the 10th governor of Capiz. For the Dumaraonons, he was a man who engaged in various forms of endeavor, in public service and humanitarian concern.

Ludovico served as interpreter between American soldiers and his town folk during his adulthood. He became the first Filipino teacher in Dumarao under the Americans, which led him to be promoted as supervising techer in Ilog, Negros Occidental.

He ran for governor of Capiz and won in the 1947 election. After he won, he kept himself busy by serving in various capacities until he retired in 1954. he also received the highest honor an academic institution could give, the Honorary Degree as Doctor of Law from his Alma mater, the Michigan State University.

EDUARDO VIDAL ABALO SR. (1952 – 1956) became the 11th governor of Capiz. His inherent traits of dedication and leadership made him a notable person thus becoming one of Capiz great sons.

Before he was elected governor, he first served as Mayor of Capiz (now Roxas City) and as Provincial Board Member. He had accomplished a lot of projects. One of it was the construction of the concrete provincial jail (now Capiz Rehabilation Center0 brought safety to its inmates. During his entire term, he was more concerned with how the money of the province was spent. He saw to it that all projects were being implemented and the expenses were properly accounted up to the last centavo. After his retirement, he engaged himself in farming.

JOSE A. DINGALASAN (1956 – 1959) became the 12th governor of Capiz at the age of 43. Dingalasan was known for his belief that, “Every man is blessed with skills and wisdom. If he uses these gifts for the good to which it was intended, chances are he is likely to succeed or excel. Otherwise, he is likely to scrumb or fail.” This adage led himto be successful in his chosen career.
Under his governance, he implemented various projects like concreting the provincial road network in order to make it easier for farmers to transport their products. He also encouraged the farmers to increase their production. During the big fire that raged Roxas City in the late 1950’s, he envisioned a better fire prevention program for the province and he also gave priority to the housing project, which provided shelter for those who needed it.

The name Jose Dinglasan was marked, with various accomplishments and projects that helped shape the province of Capiz. After his retirement, he spent his peaceful and fruitful life with his wife “Marsing” and his children.

ATILA OXILIO “Oxiong” ACEVEDO BALGOS (1960 – 1962) was the 13th governor of Capiz.
During his term as governor he accomplished many projects. He was the instrument in the establishment of Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz. He was also responsible for the re-opening of the expansion of the Cotabato Court to become a part of the Capiz High School now Capiz national High School. In the 1962 West Visayas Meet, he was the one who led the province of Capiz to victory. He was also the one who donated the land in Agbalo, Panay, Capiz where the Don Felix Balgos Memorial School was built.

After he retired from government service and politics, he developed most of his time in joining different civic activities such as being the President of the Boys Scouts of the Philippines, Capiz Chapter, VFP commander of Capiz and many others. Until the time of his death on February 8, 1990 he maintained his good standing as a leader of the different civic organizations.

FILOMINO SAPROSA VILLANUEVA (1962 – 1965) became the 14th governor of Capiz. He was a mayor for four successful terms (1948 – 1964) an engineer by profession and a businessman who engaged in fishpond venture.

During his governance, statues were built in several municipal plazas. A number of steel gates were also donated by Villanueva in order to protect government properties all over the province. He did not claim his salary as governor of the province; instead, he donated it back to the province to finance other worthwhile projects.

ANTONIO JAYMALEN REYES SR. (1965 – 1967) was the 15th governor of Capiz. During his term, he received an award from the National Press Club for being an outstanding governor.
He had accomplished a lot of projects during his reign. Some of them were the construction of the former provincial health building likewise, there was no budget deficit during his term, instead, collection of revenues was intensified and improvement and proper maintenance of all provincial hospitals, the Capiz High School and all other government entities were given priorities.
After all political career he returned and engaged himself in warming which was his first love.

CORNELIO VILLAREAL JR. (1968 – 1987) was the 16th governor of Capiz. Cornelio Villareal Jr. was the man who initiated the celebration of Halaran Festival.

His strong spiritual belief and strict moral values led him to conceptualize this festivity to make every Capiceños respect and preserve his own cultural heritage. The celebration began as a thanksgiving activity and later became a major provincial affair in the life of Capiceños.

JOSE E. BORDA (1988 – 1992) became the 17th governor of Capiz A licensed civil engineer, Jose E. Borda or popularly known to the people close to him as “Ting” gave priority to the development of infrastructure projects in the entire province. The rehabilitation of the provincial roads and bridges became a big help to the farmers in transporting the products.

Uplifting the trade and commerce in the province was also his concern. The provincial capitol building was also renovated during his term, including the upgrading of the office equipment and the purchase of computers for the government office.

The Halaran celebrations during his term were full of media exposure, because the invited media practitioners from both the regional and national levels. That put Capiz on several pages of the Philippines journals and dailies.

ESTEBAN ESPINOSA CONTRERAS (1992 – 1998) was the 18th governor of Capiz. Being a doctor of medicine had made Esteban Espinosa Contreras close to the heart of the barrio folks even in the remotest barangay in different towns of the province.

Due to his sympathy and concern for the poor, he went to far-flung areas and barangays to render medical service and give medicine at his own expense.

In his term as governor, he was more concerned on giving free medical services to the people of Capiz, as well as on improving farming.

VICENTE BILLONES BERMEJO (1998 – 2007) is the 19th and the present governor of Capiz. He assumed his office in June 1998 and was tagged with is famous quote, “Serving best what is best of Capiz.”

Despite the inadequate financial resources of Capiz, he still tried to uplift the situation in the Province.

Among his accomplishments are the rehabilitation of Roxas Memorial General Hospital and some other government hospitals in Bailan, Dao, Tapaz, Dumarao, Jamindan and Pilar. He also worked on the improvement of agricultural productivity by extending help to the fisher folks by providing loans for milkfish fingerlings and other types of fish fingerlings.

But most of all, through his administration and in cooperation with Mayor Antonio del Rosario, Roxas City was put to fame by winning the cleanest and greenest component city in region VI for three consecutive years and also placed Capiz as the second cleanest and greenest province in the region this year.

VICTOR ARANCILLO TANCO, SR. (2007- PRESENT) is the 20th governor of the province. He was hailed from the municipality of Dumarao, where he served as mayor for eighteen years (1980-1998), before he was elected vice-governor (1998-2007), and eventually, governor of the province. Tanco is famous for his signature smile and approachable character, which indeed endears him to much of the Capicenos.

Governor Tanco's administration centers in developing Capiz as a cultural and tourism hub not just of Western Visayas, but of the Philippines, without diverging attention in developing the country's resources for the better, attending the needs of the locals, especially the indigenous groups, living in the mountains, and projecting the province's positive image in the national and international arenas.

Destination Roxas City: Manuel Roxas’ Birthday Place

2009-07-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Standing at the crossing of Legazpi and Zamora Streets is the ancestral house and birthday place of Manuel Roxas, the last president of the Commonwealth and first president of the Philippine Republic. The house predates all the structures surrounding it. As a bahay na bato, it is a two-storey structure, with the bottom floor used as the garage of kalesas and stock area for household supplies.

I was eight years old when Lolo and I passed by the centuries-old structure. It was during the Holy Friday procession when he told me it was where the Manuel Roxas was born. I innocently asked him, “does Mar Roxas (his grandson) lived there?” He answered no. “He is now in Manila where he works in the Congress.” From that day on, my fascination with the Roxas ancestral home never ceased. Every time I passed along the house, I cannot help but take a glimpse at this proud, old structure.

Indeed, upon looking at the Manuel Roxas’ birthplace, I cannot help myself but imagine what it was like to live like a well-off in the past. I have longed to get inside the house but it’s doors and windows are always closed. Besides, it’s now in the private hands and seldom is the house opened to the public.

ROXAS CITY: THE VENICE OF WESTERN VISAYAS

2009-07-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

Roxas City is the heart of Capiz. The city is dubbed at the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. And because of this distinction, Roxas City prides herself of having one of the richest and rarest of all the marine lives in the Philippines. Much has been said about Roxas City. But let this blog be another reliable source of what Roxas City is all about and has to offer.

PROFILE Roxas City is the capital and only component city of Capiz. It is a second class, located in the northern part of Panay Island. The main source of livelihood here is agriculture and aquaculture. Roxas City is also a center for the copra industry and of the blooming cut-flower industry. Tobacco, rice, hemp, and fruits are also grown in the city and the surrounding towns. The regional language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon. People here also speaks English, Filipino, and Kinaray-a with relative fluency, if not mastery.

SEAFOOD CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Because of its abundance in fish, clams, oysters, and other marine life, Roxas City earned the sobriquet "Seafood Capital of the Philippienes." Its marine wealth owed is owed to the fact that it is located near the sea. Aside from seafood, Roxas City is also home to dry-fish and smoke-fish businesses. These particularly thrive in the seaside barangays Baybay and Dumulog, with the locals particularly engaged in this form of livelihood. Roxas City has, for all the development that continually invades her, maintains herself as being an environmentally friendly place. It has 16 miles of beach, which up to now, has remained untouched by development and continues to lure tourists and visitors, both local and foreign. Baybay, the name of the city's beach, according to Wikipedia.org, is the 15th largest natural bay in the world, with the beach’s cliff as one of the highest in Western Visayas.

THE CLEANEST AND GREENEST OF THEM ALL

If there is any award to official recognize the beauty of Roxas City, it is the Gawad Pangulo Para sa Kalisan (The Presidential Honor for the Environment). The honor was conferred to the city as being the cleanest and the greenest component city in Western Visayas. And the city made it into the roster for three consecutive years, thus, affording her to enter in the hall of fame of the said award.

FESTIVALS Roxas City is home to a number of festivals, namely The Sinadya sa Halaran, Diwal Festival, and The Aswang Festival. Each of the three festivals showcases the diverse ethnic and cultural diversities that thrive in Capiz up to the now. Indeed, these festivals add up color to the kaleidoscope of tourist spots, traditions, and culture that live with harmony brought about by modern times.

Photo credits:

http://images.habagatcentral.multiply.com/image/5/photos/68/500x500/10/IM000115.JPG?et=1ylGVOxcT7o6BycEtJw1SQ

www.clickthecity.com/.../CTC-2195-image4.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/256086805_182eeacdbd.jpg?v=0 http://capiz.i.ph/photo/d/248-2/flatrock-bridge.jpg

The Capiz Hymn

2009-07-19T01:57:00.000-07:00

O, Capiz, the official hymn of the province, was a product of a song-writing competition spearheaded by the Department of Education and Provincial Government of Capiz, which aimed to compose an official march song that the province can call its own. The said competition was held last 2006 and the result was announced in 2007.

Out of the 25 entries composed of individuals and Capiceños based in the province, it was the entry of Charmaine O. Guartero, secondary school Music teacher from Filamer Christian College, entitled O, Capiz, which was chosen the winner.

The song was first performed during the charter anniversary of the province before the local government officials, guests, and citizens of the province. Governor Victor Tanco and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan eventually passed a resolution making it the official march song of the province.

The hymn’s lyrics go this way:

O Capiz duog nga hamili

Dunang manggad sang

Diyos pinili, kadagatan

Mo kag kabukiran

Pagatatapon imong kabuganaan

Capiz matahum nga ngalan

Sa tagipusuon ikaw

Mapahamtang dumuluong ka o

Capizeno man ang

Kagayon sa gihapon

Nahamut’an

Chorus:

O, Capiz Capiz bisan

Diin kami padulong

O, Capiz Capiz imo

Ngalan pagadal’on

Capiz probinsiya nga

Pinasahi bilidhon ang mga

Palanublion ipadayon, palig-onon

Photo credit:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/capiz/aswang_rxs/CAPIZ57.jpg

THE MANY COLORS OF CAPIZ

2009-07-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

MUCH celebrated as the “Seafood Capital of Philippines,” Roxas City, as well as Capiz, has truly metamorphosed from being typecast as aswang haven to one of the road maps of tourists whenever they come to the Philippines.

Rich in culture, steep in tradition and blessed with the bounties of nature, Capiz is home to festivals that have caught the eyes of the country as well as the whole world.

SINADYA SA HALARAN

An infusion of two of the province’s biggest festivals, Sinadya sa Halaran is an artistic and cultural pageantry as well as a religious celebration held every first week of December.

Literally known as “joy in giving and thanksgiving,” Sinadya sa Halaran was originally celebrated separately. Sinadya was a festival celebrated every December in Roxas City in honor of its patron saint, the Immaculate Conception. Among the famous activities during this celebration were displays of rituals and festivities originally Capiceño, including fireworks display, parade of giant paper images, fairs and food exhibits, as well as dance contests.

On the other hands, the Halaran festival, which was celebrated every first week of October, showcased the history of Capiz from the landing of the Bornean datus on the shores of Panay. Halaran, which came from the Visayan word halad, means gift or offer. This came from the legend of the Bornean datus’ gift of golden salakot to the native aborigines’ chief. This resulted to festivity and celebration which was offered by the natives to the deities.

In 1997, these two festivals were fused together and since then, it became grander than ever. According to Bryan Mari Argos, “the parade of festivals is a testimony of how rich Capiznon culture is.” This richness is clearly exhibited in the people’s love for merrymaking and enjoyment.

During this December festival, color and excitement flows everywhere in Roxas City. A solemn procession on the river, fireworks display, and trade fairs were held aside from the street performances staged by the different municipalities of the province.

The seafood-themed tribal competition held in the city plaza is also a breathtaking event that adds up to the excitement of the festival.

But the most opulent event of them all is the coronation of the festival queen, who usually comes from a prominent family in the city. A parade follows the day after the coronation where she is usually driven in a flower-filled and elegant vehicle that drives her around the city.

DIWAL FESTIVAL

Initiated by the then-City Mayor Antonio del Rosario in 2005, Diwal festival coincides with the harvest of the said seafood every July.

Famous for its exotic taste, Diwal is also known as the angel wings since for if two shells are opened up; they certainly look like an angel’s wings. It came close to extinction from the city waters in the 1980s after man-made abuses, but due to the measures made by the city government and with the efforts of Dr. Liberato Ureta and Evelyn Marasigan of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, the celebrated bivalve was restored to its original number.
And to celebrate its great comeback, the Roxas City government took it as a celebration not only to show the whole world its rich marine life that made the city and he province as the “seafoods capital of the Philippines,” but also to promote tourism by luring visitors from around the country and the world to the enticing taste of diwal.

ASWANG FESTIVAL

Held every last week of October shortly before All Saints’ Day, Aswang Festival was organized in 2004 by the Dugo Capiznon, Inc. with the prime role of promoting tourism as erasing from Capiz the trademark as a place of aswang.

A very Capizeño version of the Western world’s Halloween, the festival garnered controversy and strong opposition from the local Catholic Church, since accordingly, it promotes to the belief of aswang and scares off children.

Nevertheless, according to Cherryl Ann R. Lastimoso, head of Dugo Capiznon, Inc., the main purpose of the festival is to undo the belief of many that Capiz is really a place of aswang and other creepy creatures. It also stress out that they are instead promoting tourism since the festival has already garnered a considerable number of visitors attracted with its pristine beaches and exotic delicacies. Lastly, according to Lastimoso, they aimed to promote economic progress since the festival has generated income for small and medium businesses.
Among the activities during the festival were educational symposiums about the aswang, trade fairs, street dancing competitions, among other.

HIL-O-HANAY FESTIVAL

Pailig it lantay, or parade of raft in the river, celebrating the spirit of bayahanihan and simply celebrating the abundant life in the countryside are the essence of the Hil-o-hanay festival of the
Municapality of Sigma.

Although it has been a traditional way, the Hil-o-hanay festival, which means reciprocation, is manifested by the bayanihan spirit. It is coincided with the feast of Sigma’s patron saint, John the Baptist every June.

In the past, when farming was still made by hand, farmers depended on one another to accomplish their planting, harvesting, winnowing, and threshing of the crop. When the cycle is ended, farmers and their families gathered and shared their crops and products with one another.

The festival had its humble beginning when it was established in 1990. Back then, it was almost unknown except in Capiz. But since 2001, Hil-o-anay festival began to make news and continuously progressed to one of the region’s most awaited events.
After the then-municipal Mayor Roberto Sualug legally appointed the Sigmahanon Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Inc. (SFCAI) to spearhead the festival and since then, promotion of Sigma’s cultural heritage seemed to be in an upswing mood.

The two-day festival is itself staged to make Sigmahanons appreciate their rich culture and feel the virtue of reciprocation. Aside from the pailig it lantay, hut making contest is another event to be watched. Payag or hut, is the conventional home of Sigmahanons, as also those who live in the countryside. The contest is made to emphasize on conserving the traditional architecture as well as promoting the payag-making industry.

Another unique event in the festival is the hi-o-hanay sa plaza, where everyone joins one another for sharing of native food and drinks, the very reason why the Hil-o-hanay Festival was established.

LINGGA-ANAY FESTIVAL

Housing Southeast Asia’s largest bell, the Municipality of Pan-ay has more to offer other than its much-celebrated bell or the history Sta. Monica Parish. Celebrated every April, Lingga-anay Festival is a display of Pan-ay’s significant history as well as its marine resources.
According to historical accounts, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi ran out of supply in Cebu, he moved to Panay and landed at the banks of Sta. Monica River in Pan-ay, thereby establishing the first Spanish settlement on the island.

With last year’s theme “Dunang Manggad kag Ikasangkol Pasanyugon, Kaumwaran Pangkalibutan Maagum,” (Enhancing Natural and Human Resources for Global Competitiveness), the municipal government lined up different activities to attract local and international aficionados. Among of which included painting and kite flying contests and agri-fishery biggest product contest. The festival also was highlighted by a spectacular fireworks display and the solemn coronation of the fiesta queen.

BALINTAWAKAN FESTIVAL

Celebrated every May, Balintawakan Festival began as a simple gathering of old folks of the Municipality of Pontevedra who were bound by an unwritten dedication to preserve a simple custom began long ago but only halted by World War II. Among the things to see in the festival are the binayle at the town’s public market and highlighted by the search for Miss Balintawakan and by the Rigodon de Honor. The balintaw, a Filipino costume is the official outfit of womenfolk taking part in the event.

PATABANG FESTIVAL

Patabang Festival was an annual event in the Municipality of Tapaz based on the munificence of heart and the idea of helping one another in case of need, or in local term tabang.
Patabang is one of the virtues of Tapaznons when time comes to some occasional time of hard work such as working in the farm during the planting and harvesting season, moving houses from one place to another, preparing foods during thanksgiving and many more. This bayanihan spirit is very common among the Tapaznons simple way of way of life particularly during times of hardships and difficulties. Patabang plays a essential part in every Tapaznon’s life serving as the tie that binds them together in their aim to achieve prosperity and progress.
Photocredits:

http://youngearner.i.ph/blogs/youngearner/index.php?tag=sinadya-sa-halaran-2008
http://www.pia.gov.ph/press/image/071205-r6-tribes.jpg
http://lehcark14.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/diwal_jpg.jpg
http://www.thenewstoday.info/20051107/aswang1.jpg
http://www.thenewstoday.info/festivals/hilohanay/hilohanay2.jpg

This article was earlier published on print and had won Best Travel Page during the 2008 SanAg Award in Iloilo City. It was also named by the Department of Tourism as a Tourism Oriented Paper, while the author was acknowledged as Tourism Oriented Writer.

Ohio’s Beaver Creek

2009-05-15T04:19:00.000-07:00

You can find a lot of tourism gems when you come to Ohio. And one of them is Beaver Creek City. A suburb of Dayton, Beaver Creek has a population of 37,984 based on the 2000 census. The first settlers established Beaver Creek Township in during the early 19th century. In February 1980, the place was declared a city.

It has two huge malls and is famous for its fantastic golf courses. With the best spots that you can go around, Beaver Creek was place 84th by the Money Magazine in search for the Top 100 places to live on Earth.

Each season that you spend while you are in Beaver Creek promises you of a wonderful life. During winter, especially, the place is teeming with people, thanks to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort that offers skiing enthusiast to enjoy this kind of sports. You can also learn this from the Beaver Creek Ski School.

And while you are in Beaver Creek, don’t forget to book for an accommodation at the Beaver Creek vacation rentals and Beaver Creek rentals. These accommodations will offer you a very wonderful time while you are here.

Go for a Weekend at Guanacaste

2009-05-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

If you want a new weekend getaway, try heading to Guanacaste. Guanacaste in one of Costa Rica’s provinces and is located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

Location

It lies in the north western part of the country, near the border of Nicaragua in the north. According to the 2000 statistics, Guanacaste has 264,238 people, making it the least populated provinces of Costa Rica.
Weather

Guanacaste’s climate is mild with little rain falling whole year round. Summer is from November to April, making the province’s beached hit all year round. However, it is during the winter time in North America that beach is teeming with visitors who come here to escape the bitter winter season.

Things to do

To enjoy the Guanacaste, all you have to do is visit the beautiful sites and sounds that are available all through out the year. Don’t forget to take the other adventures like visiting the beautiful national parks, world class diving, fishing, and more!

If you are an avid sunbather, don’t miss taking a plenty of tanning with trees and profusion of colors abiding everywhere, making it a favorite to nature lovers and thrill seekers.

For your next trip to Guanacaste, make sure that you can book for accommodations at the Guanacaste rentals and Guanacaste vacation rentals. Experience the amazing wildlife and nature all at the comfort of your own rental.

Hints and Tips to Enjoy your Camping in Rocky Point

2009-04-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Camping can be one of the most exciting thing that anyone of us love to do. So why not plan a camping trip in Rocky Point? Indeed, it can be a very exciting event and can cause a lot of joy and thrill not just for us adults, but also to kids and kids at heart.

So how to enjoy camping in Rocky Poin t? Here are some tips that might help you along the way as you plan for your next big trip.

If you want to stay at a tent overnight, practice setting up the tent while you are still in your house. This will not only a very fun-filled activity, it will also make you used to it whenever you are camping already.

Other than swimming in the beach, think of other worthwhile things that you may want to do while you are in Rocky Point. You may want to enjoy boating of fishing, and even swimming there. Indeed, you’ll never get empty for camping in Rocky Point can provide you with a lot of activities.

Just like new

2009-01-20T00:45:00.000-08:00

Driving alone can become as unpredictable as the weather. Most crime scenes involve vehicular accidents and sometimes, bodies are discovered long after the event. These bodies become and ecosystem to bacteria that feed on decomposing bodies. This usually causes foul smell. At this rate, an automobile/vehicle blood clean up becomes inevitable. ACT Remediation Services makes sure that the public isn’t disturbed with these scenes by providing trauma scene cleanup services and professionals who can sanitize the area back to the state it was before the accident.