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Aklan – Oldest Province
and Paradise Island of the Philippines
Aklan, one of the provinces
in the Panay Island, was originally known as "Minuro it
Akean". It is considered as the oldest province in the
country and is believed to have been established as early as
1213 by settlers from Borneo. No matter how old the province
is, its beauty never fades.
Aklan's beauty comes in the
form of Boracay Island and Ati-atihan Festival. Boracay has
become one of the premier destination in the Philippines due
to the captivating beauty of the island and its fine white sand
beach. Ati-atihan Festival, on the other hand is dubbed as the
“Queen of Philippine Festival”. Celebrated every
January, local and foreign tourist head out to Kalibo to witness
this colorful and lively event
Demographics
1.Population – 495,122
(as of 2007 Census)
2.Land Area – 1,821.4 sq. km
3.Capital – Kalibo
4.Language/Dialect – Aklanon/Akeanon, Hiligaynon, Cebuano,
English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (17)
- Altavas
- Balete
- Banga
- Batan
- Buruanga
- Ibajay
- Kalibo
- Lezo
- Libacao
- Madalag
- Makato
- Malay
- Malinao
- Nabas
- New Washington
- Numancia
- Tangalan
Famous For ...
Boracay Island
Boracay is a tropical island and is one of the country's most
popular tourist destinations. It is famous for its world’s
finest palm-fringed white sand beaches, azure waters, coral
reefs, and rare shells.
Ati-atihan Festival
The Ati-atihan Festival is the most famous celebration in honor
of the Santo Nino (Infant Jesus). Every year, tourists from
all over the country and around the world visit Kalibo to witness
this colorful Mardi Gra-like event.
Kalantiaw Shrine
Once the seat of government of Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw III,
the third chief of Panay and promulgator of the famous Code
of Kalantiaw.
Chicken Binakol
Savor the taste of this tasty chicken recipe cooked in a pot
or bamboo node,and mixed with potatoes,ginger,onions,tomatoes,lemon
grass,bay leaf and peppercorns.
Places of Interest
Cultural
Museo it Akean
Location: Corner Martelino and Burgos Sts., Kalibo, Aklan
The museum is a repository of antiques all dug up in Aklan.
Famous works of arts are likewise displayed. This traces the
province’s rich cultural and historical past.
Historical
Freedom Shrine
Location: Kalibo, Aklan
The shrine is a tribute to Aklanon revolutionaries of Katipunan
who gave their lives to the altar of patriotism. The 19 steps
adorning the monument contain the mortal remains of the 19 Martyrs
of Aklan and atop is the effigy of Gen. Francisco Del Castillo,
the leader of Katipunan in Aklan.
Kalantiaw Shrine
Location: Batan, Aklan
The shrine was built in 1957 to honor Datu Kalantiaw, the promulgator
of the Code of Kalantiaw – a collection of 17 laws used
during the time of the Datu. It displays a copy of the “original
manuscript” of the Code. IN 1998, after years of investigation
and historical findings, the National Historical Institute concluded
that the Code of Kalantiaw was a hoax.
Ingus-Ingus Hill
Location: Buruanga, Aklan
In Spanish time, it served as a lookout for approaching Moro
pirates that used to maraud coastal villages. Underneath the
hill is a cave, which according to folktales, was used as an
ambuscade of English pirates, buccaneers, and other plunderers
of Spanish galleons carrying precious cargoes.
Agtawagon Hill
Location: Balete, Aklan
Served as the last line of defense of the Filipino patriots
during the Spanish-Filipino conflict and during World War II.
Cross at Sitio Agbunsud
Location: Malinao, Aklan
Served as the last line of defense of the Filipino patriots
during the Spanish-Filipino conflict and during World War II.
Man-Made
Campo Verde
Location: Tangalan and Ibajay, Aklan
Its 3,700 feet altitude makes it a perfect retreat in the hot
summer months. Green pines, mahogany, acacia, ipil-ipil, and
butterfly trees draw visitors deeper into the woods - a hiker's
paradise.
Bakhawan Eco-Park
Location: Kalibo, Aklan
The eco-park features 75-hectare mangrove reforestation. Visitors
can take an “eco-walk" made of bamboos that serves
as pathway to the mangrove plantation. It has been awarded the
Golden Eagle Award for Excellence in environmental preservation.
D'Mall
Location: Kalibo, Aklan
It is a mini-mall with a beach setting, complete with sand and
wind ambiance. Stores located here offer a variety of beachwear,
jewelry, antique furniture, lamps, and native woodcarvings.
Jojo's Christmas
Cottage
Location: Sampaguita Gardens, Kalibo, Aklan
It is a 3-storey Victorian mansion that celebrates Christmas
365 days a year—the first of its kind in the Philippines
and even in the Asian region. Inside are various dolls, figurinnes,
and decors for Christmas as well as Precious Moments collection.
Natural
Boracay Island
Location: Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
The 1,083-hectare island consist of three barangays namely Balabag,
Manok-manok, and Yapak. Its shores are covered with its famous
palm-fringed white sand. There are three primary tourism beaches
in the island:
- Bulabog Beach – main windsurfing and kiteboarding
area. During windsurfing and kiteboarding off-season, it is
often deserted, allowing you to feel the "Other side"
of Boracay
- Puka Shell Beach – It is the second longest in the
island, covers half of the northern tip of the island. The
beach is 800 meters long and has an abundance of small shells
and tiny, white coral amulets, called Puka shells, which are
suitable for necklace pendants.
- White Beach - It is 4 kilometers long and up to 100 meters
wide. This famous stretch of white sand is the premier beauty
and tourist attraction of the island. Skimboarding, banana
boat ride, glass bottom boat, sailing, wading and snorkeling
are popular activities here
Tigwati-an Island
(Crystal Cove)
Location: Tigwati-an Island, Malay, Aklan
Located near Boracay Island, shells of varying sizes and kinds
lie on its predominantly white sand beach. Caves with interesting
crystalline formations can be found in the area.
Ob-Ob Hill
Location: Batan, Aklan
It stands like a lighthouse facing the Sibuyan Sea with an altitude
of 200 meters. At the foot of the rocky hill is the beach of
Ob-ob.
Jawili Falls
Location:Tangalan, Aklan
It has seven basins tiered about 20 feet apart. The highest
basin is about 100 feet high, oval-shaped, around 240 sq. ft.
in area, and 12 feet deep with clear water
Tindog Falls
Location: Madalag, Aklan
It is a unique falls with its basin above instead of having
it below the falls. Water cascades on a stair-like,carved stones.
Basang and Hurom-Hurom
Cold Springs
Location: Brgy. Laserna, Nabas, Aklan
These alternative summer destinations offer the beauty of fresh
water gushing from nature-hewn rocks and exhilarating adventure
down from Gibon river in a kayak.
Tulingon Cave
Location: Bgy. Libertad, Nabas, Aklan - Bgy. Patria, Pandan,
Antique
It is believed to be one of the longest caves in the Philippines.
Survey indicates an enormous deposit of guano. Cave entrance
is at Nabas.
Ignito Cave
Location:Buruanga, Aklan
Locally known as Elephant Cave due to its appearance. Beautiful
limestone formations of stalagmites, stalactites, and other
crystalline structures abound. It has a "skylight"
in one of its chambers that lets in a soft glow of light at
noontime.
Religious
Immaculata Adoration
Chapel & Convent (Pink Sisters Convent)
Location: Brgy. Polo, New Washington, Aklan
It is the only contemporary nunnery in Aklan and in the whole
island of Panay. Everything in the convent is pink – from
its facade down to the nun's habit.
Fatima Hill
Location: Brgy. Rosario, Malinao, Aklan
It serves as the home of the Monastery of Our Lady of Fatima
and the Congregation of the Penitent Sisters. it is noted for
its stations of the cross on the hillside culminating in a chapel
made of marble on top of the hill.
St. John the Baptist
Cathedral
Location:Kalibo, Aklan
Originally built in 1581 and stands as the oldest church in
the province and in the country. It was renovated in 1993 through
the spiritual and monetary help of the Aklanons. The church's
renovation designs are one of the last works of the renowned
national artist Leandro V. Locsin.
Festivals
Ati-atihan Festival
Place: Kalibo, Aklan
Date: Second Sunday After Epiphany -
It is considered as the Mardi Gra of the Philippines. Celebrants
paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish
costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days
of this two week-long festival. Costumes, including the headdress,
are made of abaca fibers, shells, feathers, bamboo, plant leaves,
cogon, sugar cane flowers, beads, trinkets and an assortment
of pieces of glass, metals and plastics
Bariw Festival
Place: Nabas, Aklan
Date: May 12- 15
The festival commemorates the feast day of St. Isidore the Farmer,
the patron saint of Nabas, and celebrates the productive used
of the bariw leaves, an indigenous plant used to make hat, bags,and
mats. Highlight of the event is the street dancing competition
where local wear costumes made of bariw leaves
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