Capiz – Seafood Capital of the Philippines

Another province in Panay Island, Capiz boasts of its rich marine life which supplies the seafood demand of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Its 80-kilometer coastline and wide expanse of swampy lands are easily converted into fishponds. It holds one of the richest fishing grounds and a major contributor in the aquamarine industry of the Philippines. Capiz is also one of the country’s major suppliers of prawn and milk fish. Other agro-industrial harvests include blue marlin, squid, oysters, shrimp, seaweed, squid and angel wings.

Aside from its marine life, Capiz houses other treasures such as the biggest bell in Southeast Asia and the most versatile and commercially viable sea shell, the pi-os or the Capiz shell.

Demographics

1. Population – 701,664 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 2,633.2 sq. km
3. Capital – Roxas City
4. Language/Dialect – Hiligaynon, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (1)
Roxas City

Municipalities (16)

• Baao
• Cuartero
• Dao
• Dumalag
• Dumarao
• Ivisan
• Jamindan
• Ma-ayon
• Mambusao
• Panay
• Panitan
• Pilar
• Pontevedra
• President Roxas
• Sapi-an or Sapian
• Sigma
• Tapaz

Capiz Shells
These shells, locally called pi-os, are said to be the most versatile type of all sea shells. Its translucent quality makes it in demand here and abroad. These shells are made into different gift items and decors, even as Christmas Lanterns (parol).

Sinadya sa Halaran
This twin festival celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the rich cultural heritage of Roxas City. It is celebrated in a show of unity that speaks of their determined quest for a better life.

Biggest Bell in Southeast Asia
Found in Sta. Monica Church in the town of Pana-ay, this 10.4 ton bell is seven feet in diameter, making it the biggest in Southeast Asia.

Seafoods
The province is abundant in marine life like blue marlin, tuna, prawns and shrimps, seaweed, crabs ells, and shellfish such as oysters and mussels. Testaments of its abundance are numerous mussel farms found near the town of Sapian.

Cultural

Ang Panublion (Roxas City Museum)
Location: Roxas City, Capiz
Built in 1910 as a water tank, it house memorabilia of illustrious sons and daughters of Roxas City. Inside are collections of religious icons, artifacts, and artworks

Historical

President Manuel Roxas National Shrine
Location: Roxas City, Capiz
The two-storey hardwood and stone house was the birthplace of former President Manuel Roxas. The house was declared as a national shrine in 1949

Moro Towers
Location: Sitio Nipa, Roxas City, Capiz
Built in 1814, these half-torn stone structures were created to repel the invading Moors and Portuguese colonizers. One tower is atop the hill in Sitio Nipa, the other one is near Roxas City airport.

Roxas City Bridge (Old Capiz Bridge)
Location: Roxas City, Capiz
The old and imposing bridge remained strong and firm after it was built in 1910. Overlooking the Panay River. Passing the major edifice of the city, the river of Roxas City has been dubbed as the “Venice of the Visayas”.

Man-Made

Mussel Farms
Location: Sitio Angkin, Sapian, Capiz
These mussel farms are found near the sea shore are. Here, thousand of bamboo stilts are arrayed 6 feet apart into the briny water. Each bamboo pole is stuck through the sea floor 6 to 7 feet deep. Each one of these poles yields hundreds of fat dark green mussels sticking on each stilt.

Natural

Quipot Cave
Location: Bgy. Burias, Mambusao, Capiz
The cave consists of many chambers, each at a level different from other chambers. In certain sections, one has to crawl because the space between the roof and cave floor is just two or three feet. There are also sections that seem like a dead end, except for small openings through which only one person can crawl. These holes lead to a chamber as big as a hotel ballroom, which is why it is dubbed as the “Quipot Hilton”.

Suhot Cave
Location: Dumalag, Capiz
It is actually a series of interconnected caverns of different sizes. At the cave’s arched entrance is a pool of clear, ice-cold water fed by a rock spring from within the cave. Further on, however, is a crack in the rocks where sulfurous water comes out. Suhot is believed to have a connecting tunnel to the Badiang Cave in Dumarao.

Badiang Cave
Location: Dumarao, Capiz
Found on a higher elevation, Badiang Cave is believed to have a connecting tunnel to the Suhot cave in Dumarang since both caves are found in the same mountain only 6 km. apart from each other. The entrance to Badiang is hidden by dense jungle.

Igang Cave
Location: Brgy. Tapulang, Maayon, Capiz
It has several entrances at different levels which lead to a central chamber and fan out again to different passages. Big star-like structures connect upper portions to the central chamber, which is well lighted and well ventilated. A gradually sloping passage, 7 feet wide and a foot high, takes one to the lower chamber, which unlike the upper and central chambers is dark. The floor here is covered with guano which townspeople use as fertilizer.

Suhoton Cave
Location: Jamindan, Capiz
It has several multi-layered chambers in its vast interior. Inside one chamber is an altar-like formation surrounded by stalagmites that seem like giant images in silent repose. Some chambers are as big as hotel ballrooms or cathedrals.

Mantalinga Island
Location: Capiz
It is an ideal spot for scuba divers and a perfect rotunda for sailboat (dilayag) and kayaking contests. Recently named “Good Luck Island” by DOT consultants, the place is believed by the local fisher folk as source of luck when names of their fish boats are written on the side of the island before it goes fishing for the first time.

Napti Island
Location: Pan-ay, Capiz
It is gifted wiht white sand beach, a small cave, and abundant shells for necklaces. The water is cool and clear and free of troublesome jellyfish the whole year round. A small cave, about 100 meters long, winds several feet below the surface across the island. It commands a breathtaking view of Roxas City and Pan-ay.

Olutayan Island
Location: Roxas City, Capiz
Thirty feet below, multi-colored fishes cavort in flashes of blue, yellow and red colors sliding through colorful seaweeds. The island’s beach is carpeted with tiny crushed shells called cascaho.

Tucad Reef
Location: Pilar, Capiz
This is a submarine islet of seashells and corals topped with thin layers of sand. When the tide is low the whole island emerges, and with it, shells and corals of different colors - green, red, blue, pink, clear water. From this marine garden, the mountains of Masbate can be seen.

Buntod Beach
Location: Pan-ay, Capiz
It is one of the cleanest beaches in Capiz. It has fine black sand with a beach free of jellyfish all year round.

Vrigin Beach
Location: Ivisan, Capiz
This white sand beach has a beautiful ambiance and abundant with seafood. There is an area in the beach where picnickers can purchase seafoods on site.

Religious

Sta. Monica Church
Location: Pan-ay, Capiz
Almost a small fortress, it is about 250 ft. long and 80 ft. wide with 9-ft. thick walls of coral blocks. The central altar is an elaborately sculptured retablo of silver and hardwood in florid Baroque style. Its five story belfry shelters a huge antique bell surrounded by 8 smaller bells. This bell is the largest in Southeast Asia. It was cast from 76 sacks of coins believed to have been contributed by the citizens of the town

Dumalag Church
Location: Dumalag, Capiz
Finished in 1872 during the time of Fr. Andel Abasolo, the church is 200 feet long and 50 feet wide wiht walls that are 3 feet thick and made of yellow sandstone. At the front left side of the church is the 5-storey belfry housing 5 bells of different sizes made in 1881. The church’s interior is shaped like a cross.

Sinadya sa Halaran
Place: Roxas City, Capiz
Date: December 4 - 8
It is a fusion of two festivals – “Sinadya” (City) and “Halaran” (Province) which literally means joy in sharing and thanksgiving. The highlights of the celebration are the dancing parade, ”Higantes”, fluvial parade, Mutya sa Halaran beauty pageant, and agri-aqua trade fair.

Balintawakan Festival
Place: Pontevedra, Capiz
Date: December 31
Its is a simple gathering, mostly of senior citizens of Pontevedra, Capiz who are sentimentally bound together to an unwritten commitment to preserve a simple tradition which began long ago and was only interrupted by World War II. People hold a Binayle at the town’s public market followed by the search for Miss Balintawakan as the Festival Queen and Rigodon de Honor.

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