Captivating Capiz-Capiz Shells

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ -Capiz shell is scientifically known as Placuna Placenta, a fan-shaped to nearly round sea shell. This is bivalve, slightly convex upper shell and almost flat lower shell providing a firmly strong protection for its delicious and edible meat.
The wonderful, unique quality of this shell is its translucent, thin and almost colorless nature. Very fine half round lines indicate the growth of this highly valued marine life. Commercially treasured lampshades, light diffusers, door and window shutters together with room dividers are among the handcrafted merchandise. So far no single machine has been invented to completely process a novelty from Capiz seashell. The brilliance and intrinsic beauty of this marine product is beyond human creation.

Captivating Capiz-everything about Capiz

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ.....There are still a lot that you have to know about Capiz. There are still so many treasures yet left unraveled. Capiz is indeed an alluring place. Full of myths and legends, of indigenous culture and people, of wealth and bounty of nature, Capiz has a lot to be proud of. This province is side by side flocked by the blessings of Mother Nature that really makes her thrive and flourish through the years. Be it culture, natural or man-made wonders, and even unexplainable phenomena, Capiz has a lot of spots and destinations to be proud of. These wonders continue to cast a spell to backpackers and tourists who want to enjoy the way the Capiceños live. Take a look at some of the less known, yet awesome and breathtaking wonders that are truly Capiceño. More than just the seafood capital of the country, Capiz also has unique island features and stuff that you can find only in the said province that makes tourists each year come back for more. This is also the best place where you can get your unique experience if you decide to spend a weekend or a vacation trip.

Captivating Capiz-Capiz, a Province

Captivating Capiz - Seafood Capital Of The Philippines

Click image to view a large Capiz Map

The Province of Capiz is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines.

Discover the Capiz mystic. Explore the rolling hills, mountain peaks and ranges. Enjoy

daytime excursions at the province’s wide beaches and isolated coves. Have a fill of a variety of seafoods available all year round. Visit local gardens, historical sites, old Spanish churches, Southeast Asia’s largest bell at Pan-ay Church, and the birthplace of Manuel A. Roxas (first Philippine President).

Experience local festivals like Balintawakan and Sinadya sa Halaran. Go spelunking. A lot of caves are waiting to be explored. Or you can make special arrangements to witness the Mundo tribe dance in Tapaz.

Accommodations in cottages, hotels, and resorts are available in Roxas City and other municipalities outside the city.

Captivating Capiz History - Capiz Islands Philippines

Capiz, a province where myth and reality merge. One enduring legend about how Capiz got its name goes like this: Balingangan, Datu Bankaya’s eldest son, named his two territories “Kapid” and“Akean” (meaning twin) in honor of his twin daughters “Bulan” and “Adlaw” (moon and sun). Spaniards who later settled in the area adopted the names of Capiz and Aklan.

The arrival of Spaniards in 1569 brought about major changes in the lives of the Capizeños. May 8, 1570, marked the conquest of Panay and consequently the district of Aklan by the Spaniards under the leadership of Martin de Goiti. Capiz was created into a separate ‘encomienda’ and later was organized into a politico-military province in 1716, embracing the neighboring island of Romblon, Tablas, and Sibuyan. The American takeover of the Philippines resulted in the establishment of a civil government in Capiz on April 15, 1901.

The City of Roxas is the provincial capital of Capiz, a part of Panay Island where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi settled when he arrived from Cebu. In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government although it was still ecclesiastically controlled by the Bishopric of Cebu. On May 31, 1847, a Royal Decree turned the province into an alcadia. Roxas City was once known as the Municipality of Capiz and it became a chartered city on May 12, 1951 by virtue of Republic Act No. 603 otherwise known as the City Charter. The late Hon. Lorenzo Arnaldo was its first City Mayor. This city was named “Roxas City” in honor of its most illustrious son, the first president of the Republic of the Philippines, President Manuel Acuña Roxas.

Captivating Capiz Geography - Capiz Islands Philippines

The Province of Capiz occupies a land area of 2,633 square kilometers, representing 21% of the total land area of Panay. It is composed of 16 municipalities and a city with a total of 472 barangays.

Captivating Capiz Political Subdivision - Capiz Islands Philippines

The province is composed of 16 municipalities comprising 473 barangays. It is divided into two political districts: 1st District covers the municipalities of Maayon, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas, and Roxas City; while the 2nd District covers the municipalities of Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Sapi-an, Mambusao, Sigma, and Tapaz.

Captivating Capiz Population - Capiz Islands Philippines

As of the year 2000 survey, Capiz has a population of 654,156.

Captivating Capiz Language - Capiz Islands Philippines

Hiligaynon is the dominant dialect spoken in the province.

Captivating Capiz Industries - Capiz Islands Philippines

The even distribution of rainfall throughout the year and the infrequent occurrence of typhoons make the province highly suitable for agriculture, aquaculture, and other related activities – which explains why these are major industries of the province.

Farms for orchids, various ornamental plants, and different varieties of heliconia supply a thriving cut-flower business that is carving a market niche in Southern Philippine provinces. The land has also proven to be good grazing ground for cattle and for raising swine, goats, and poultry. Its long coastal areas abound with “kapis” shells, which are used in the manufacture of exportable novelty items. Numerous home and cottage industries amply augment household incomes, among which are poultry, livestock raising, handicraft, shell-craft, ceramics, lime processing, garments, farm-tool fabrication, furniture and boat making.

Captivating Capiz Special Interest - Capiz Islands Philippines

Spelunking
Go spelunking. The caves of Pilar, Suhot, Igang and Suhoton are waiting for you.

Captivating Capiz Economic - Capiz Islands Philippines

Cutflowers
Aside from its rich fishing grounds, cutflower cultivation is now gaining popularity among the residents in Roxas City as an agri-based income-generating industry.

Cottage Industry
Numerous home and cottage industries amply augment household incomes, among which are poultry and liverstock raising, handicraft, shellcraft, ceramics, lime processing, garments, farm tools fabrication, furniture and boat making.

Captivating Capiz-Capiz Festivals

Capiz Festivals - Capiz Islands Philippines

Sinadya sa Halaran
One of Roxas City’s most important annual events is the Sinadya sa Halaran festival. A fusion of two festivals – “Sinadya” (City) and “Halaran” (Province) which literally means joy in sharing and thanksgiving. It is celebrated on December 4-8 to commemorate the religious activities that embody the true Capiceño spirit. The highlights of the celebration are the Dancing Parade, ”Higantes”, Fluvial Parade, Fireworks display, Mutya sa Halaran beauty pageant, Coronation of the Fiesta Queen, and Agri-Aqua Trade Fair.

Balintawakan Festival
Pontevedra. Balintawakan 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 WWII. Every December 31 people hold a Binayle at the town’s public market. Its highlight is the search for Miss Balintawakan as the Festival Queen. The event is capped by a Rigodon de Honor. The Filipino costume called Balintawak is the official attire of the womenfolk participating in the affair.

Captivating Capiz-Sinadya sa Halaran

Roxas City, Capiz -- Sinadya sa Halaran is as much an artistic and cultural celebration as it is a religious celebration. Every year, during the festival, artists emerge from their hiding places to showcase the richness and color of Capiznon tradition, arts and culture.

The parade of festivals is a grand testimony of how rich Capiznon culture is. In this parade, each municipality in the province of Capiz brings their festival to the city in the form of street dancing and pageantry. The richness of culture and tradition in the Province of Capiz and the City of Roxas is very evident in the people's way of life. Aesthetic sense and style are the most common determinants of this affinity to arts and culture.

During the festival arts and culture explode in a rainbow of colors and flavors. The fluvial parade which happens on the Panay River is a reflection of the religiosity of the Capiznons as well as it is evidence of the creativity and the artistry of the people. The solemn procession begins with the public letting afloat hundreds, or even thousands of candles covered with colored cellophane, lighting up the water for the entrance of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. The entourage of the main float of the icon is led by numerous colorful lanterns in the shape of huge fishes and other seafood to lay claim to the City's title as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines and to show gratitude for the bounties of the sea. Upon the float's docking at the bank of the river, the night sky explodes with a grand fireworks display. This is only one of the many activities that showcase Capiznon artistry and creativity.

The tribal competition which takes on seafood as its theme is also a colorful display of Capiznon talent. During this contest the streets fill up with energetic dancers in bright and innovative seafood costumes. Some come as mythical sea creatures and dance to the inviting rhythm of drums and bamboo instruments.

While Sinadya sa Halaran is one of those activities that puts Capiznon arts and culture up on a pedestal, you can simply look around you and see tangible evidence of the Capiznon artistic spirit. In the Panublion Museum one can marvel at the art work that the local artists group has created through the years. Paintings speak of pastoral scenes derived from everyday Capiznon life as well as creative and insightful renditions of issues and events. There are also sculptures and commercial art for sale that would definitely look appropriate in any metropolitan home.

The food in Capiz and Roxas City is also living evidence of Capiznon culture and tradition. Presentation may not be a big factor in Capiz culinary exploits but the flavor can make you come back for more. The secret to Capiznon cooking is particular attention given to the freshness of ingredients, as well as the harmonious mix of indigenous herbs and spices. The culinary experience in Capiz and Roxas City can be experienced during the Seafood Festival of Sinadya sa Halaran which runs every night for the entire duration of the festival. Here, local concessionaires sell their culinary masterpieces at the city plaza for all to savor and experience. Of course the best way to enjoy the country's freshest seafood is by simply broiling methods, but come to the festival and you will be astonished at how simple broiling can bring out the best in the best seafood in the country.

All in all, Roxas City and Capiz can truly present you with a very exciting mix of culture, arts, and tradition. In this place myth, legend, tradition, culture, and history blend together to give you a multi-sensory experience of what the Seafood Capital of the Philippines and the Garden Center of Panay is truly like. Sinadya sa Halaran is the best time to experience this grand unison. The festive mood will definitely plunge you into a diverse pallet of culture, history, art, and tradition. Welcome to Sinadya sa Halaran 2005!

Captivating Capiz-Capiz Beaches Photos

captivating capiz-beaches-mantalinga-01 captivating capiz-beaches-baybay-roxas- captivating capiz-beaches-baybay-roxas4 captivating capiz-beaches-baybay-roxas2 captivating capiz-peoples-park2 captivating capiz-skimboarding3 captivating Capiz_Bay captivating capiz-flatrock-skimboarding-3 captivating capiz-flatrock-bridge captivating capiz-flatrock-green captivating capiz-flatrock-rock

Captivating Capiz-Places to Visit

Captivating Capiz is one of province of the Philippines that is considered to be the seafood capital of the country because of its abundance of the natural resources get from its surrounding sea. Crab, diwal (angel wings, a popular seashell that is abundant in the place), oysters and shrimps can be bought in cheap from different small stalls gathered in the surrounding beaches of the province. The place is also known to have a lot of dried fish sold in their local markets. Aside from being known to be the largest source of tasty seafoods in the country, Capiz is also known to have several amazing places where tourists are really attracted. Some of them are the following:

a. Olotayan Island - It is an island that can be overseen whenever you are in the Roxas City beaches. Its white sand makes it to be a potential future Boracay Island of the province. The place is not yet developed but it already attracted a lot of divers and jet ski hobbyists. The combination of the black sand and white sand in its beaches making it unique and very eye catching. If you're a nature lover and love a peaceful place to have your vacation, Olotayan Island is for you. The place is not yet populated and does not have any night life yet which is very suited to people who wants to sleep in a very peaceful night.

b. The Ancestral House of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas - This is the birthplace of first president of the Republic of the Philippines, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas. The original house still stands at its original site at corner Rizal-Zamora Streets, a few minutes walk from the City hall and the City plaza.

c. Ang Panubli-on, the Roxas City Museum - This is one of the remains of the WWII in Capiz which is only converted into a museum to showcase the art and culture of the native of Capiz, now and then.

d. Balay Capiznon (Previously was the Roxas City Product Display Center) - The venue is the place where the local products of Capiz are displayed. It is located at the foot of the Capiz Bridge and is in the vicinity of the Rizal Monument and the Capiz Provincial Capitol.

e. People's Park - This is the newly constructed (2008) structure of the City government in Baybay, Roxas City. What so nice about this place is this where you can find a lot of appealing stalls selling delightful seafoods where you can choose what to eat and where you can dine while watching the sunset.

There are some of the historical places that the province have. It is a testament of the richness of the history and culture of the province. Now, do you know how to get there? It will only took at about 45 minutes by plane and around 16 hours by boat from Manila, Philippines. But if you are from Iloilo City, travel time to Roxas City, Capiz will be approximately 2 hours by bus or by a private car.