MUNICIPALITY OF PANAY CAPIZ

   The Municipality of Panay considered as one of the oldest town in the Province of Capiz. It was located on the northeastern part of the Province of Capiz. It has a varied natural resources such as a wide coastal areas, rich ocean resources, beautiful mountains, magnificent picturque scenery and bountiful ricefields. It has also a good aquaculture industry which contribute a lot to the economy of the town.

            Besides of its natural resources, it was widely known as one of the grandest town in the Province of Capiz in terms of Spanish influence. Its simple but elegant municipal church, the Sta. Monica Church was  beautifully constructed dated back from the Spanish period. Its design was nourished from Baroque Spanish style. Though it was simple, its tranquil and gracious wall creates an impression of elegance. Its altar, made from wooden architecture that beautifully carves, stand as a proof of its antiquity and bravery for a hundred of years. The Sta. Monica Church was the landmark of the Municipality of Panay through the years. And it was also made as the sanctuary of the largest bell in Asia. In which, it can be found at the belfry of the church. This bell, together with the church attract tourists every year that it had been a major tourist destination in the Province of Capiz.


             Aside from its beautiful and great church, the Municipality of Panay was the home of one of the most unspoiled beach in the province, the beach of Pawa. The municipality was also bountiful in delicious and nutritious seafoods and native cuisine.


             The Municipality of Panay was also a leading town when it comes to celebration, it has several festivities that shows the talent and skills of their lively citizens. Their festivities also showed the town products that are export quality. The town fiesta was a grand and exciting celebration that everyone were waiting for. There are games, street dances, exhibit of town products, huge crowd enjoying the events and very energetic audiences in the battle of the bands in the evening celebration. This shows that the people of Panay were hospitable and ejoyable to be with. And its vast resources both natural and man-made gives an outline of what's Panay can offer to the world.

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CAPIZ PRODUCT

Capiz Products

apiz is known as the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines", where farming and fishing are the primary sources of income of the people. The combined natural bounty of land and sea are enough to sustain a vibrant food industry. Its primary agricultural raw products are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, banana and cut flower. Apart from a surplus of agricultural products it generates every year, 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. The rich fishing grounds attract investors to venture into prawn culture, prawn feed manufacture, seaweed farming and the distribution and processing of other marine products. Bulad (Dried Fish) Bulad or dried fish is a major product of the province of Capiz considering that it is blessed with miles and miles of rich coasts. There are several varieties of dried fishes that can be found in Capiz that makes it a captivating land for the middleman sellers of dried fish in Metro Manila. Sellers of dried fish earn a living simply by exporting these to other areas in the country as well as abroad. Ornaments Made from Capiz Shells Known as one of the most versatile and elegant decorating raw materials, the Capiz shells are very important part of the culture of the local Capiznon. It is bread and butter source for many locals who engage in developing all sorts of designs for use as ornamental decoration in houses. The Capiz shells when used as ornaments and decors turn simple living into elegant and cozy-looking environment. It is well known to be a good indoor as well as outdoor décor major raw material. The Capiz shell products are also very well recognized in the world market because Capiz is the only living paradise for the Capiz shells that can be found in their vast sea treasure chest. Popular Capiz Shell Finished Products Some popular Capiz shell chips decorating design include gift items, indoor decoration and outdoor decoration ornaments. Capiz chip-made products range from lanterns, lamp shades, window pane, chandeliers, curtains, picture panels and frames, Capiz shell balls, plates, decorative bowls, candle holders, tiles, flower vase, door hanging chime, soapdish, pendant, globelight, necklace decor, beads, bird cage, floor lamp holders, faux chandelier, gift boxes, collection item rack and many more. This alone is proof to the wonders of the captivating Capiz treasures.

 

'DIWAL' IS AN EXOTIC SEAFOOD TREAT IN CAPIZ

ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ – The diwal or Angel Wing clam is an exotic treat popular among locals and tourists in Capiz.

The diwal used to be abundant in both Capiz and Negros Occidental until overfishing drastically affected the population of this marine seashell.

With the intervention of local government units, a sanctuary was built for the remaining seashells to breed and regulatory measures were issued limiting the harvest of the diwal.

After months of monitoring and continuous preservation efforts, the population of the diwal was revitalized. Locals even celebrate “Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival” every July.

Today, fishermen and merchants sell the diwal at P250 to P400 a kilo not only to local sellers but large-scale distributors, even fancy restaurants in Metro Manila.

The diwal, like other prized seafood, such as lobsters, oysters, and shrimps, is sourced all the way from Baybay Beach in Capiz or Villadolid in Negros Occidental.

The diwal is prized by fine dining restaurants primarily because of its distinct sweet flavor. Its succulent and rich flavor of “diwal” makes even non-seashell eaters like freelance writer Valerie Caulin an instant convert when she had her first plate of grilled diwal.

Glayd of Experience Negros in this post shared the ways on how to prepare the “diwal” for cooking.

Panlakbay Travel proves that you don’t have to go on a date in an expensive restaurant to enjoy the diwal gourmet style and how white wine and cheese makes the diwal more heavenly. When in Capiz, forget polished manners when eating your seafood. It’s all about using bare hands, even when enjoying one of the most expensive seashells in the country.

GEOGRAPHY OF CAPIZ

Capiz is located on a small island formed by the Panay and Banica rivers. The Panay river used to be famous for the great number of alligators thriving there. The soil is poor in the northern part of the island and is most productive only in the southern part. Capiz is bounded by the Mindoro sea, the Panay, Loctugan and Ivisan rivers.

Economy of Capiz

Dubbed as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, Capiz boasts of its 80-kilometer coastline and wide expanse of swampy lands easily converted into fishponds. It holds one of the richest fishing grounds and a major contributor in the aquamarine industry of the Philippines.

Four big telecommunication companies offer telegraph, telex and telephone services. There are 33 banking institutions and 116 intermediaries operating in the province.

Farming and fishing are the primary sources of income of the people. The combined natural bounty of land and sea sustain a vibrant food industry. Primary agricultural raw products are rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, banana and cut flower.

Apart from a surplus of agricultural products, Capiz is also a major supplier of prawn and milk fish of the country. Other agro-industrial harvests include blue marlin, squid, oysters, shrimp, seaweed, squid and angel wings. Rich fish ponds attract investors to venture into prawn culture, prawn feed manufacture, seaweed farming and the distribution and processing of other marine products.

A robust workforce of 445,246 operates with a literacy rate of 90.5% The agricultural sector ensures the province as one of the wealthiest in the Western Visayas Region although progress is impeded by corruption.

Its relatively unexplored caves are said to have high deposits of mineral resources such as limestone, gold and metal.

PANAY LARGEST CHURCH BELL

Pan-ay Capiz: Ringing the Largest Church Bell in the Philippines

Pan-ay Church Bells

After spending lunch at Roxas City, we went our way to Pan-ay, Capiz. A few kilometers away from the capital, the surrounding gradually turns from a bustling provincial city to a laid back and quiet town. Surprisingly, their town proper is silent during siesta time.

Pan-ay, Capiz has a lot of history in its sleeves. Some believe that in this town was the first contact of the Spaniards (men of conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi) at the island of Panay while looking for food provisions. Another was that it became the capital of Provincia de Panay (northern province of Panay because Provincia de Oton occupies the south) for two centuries before it was transferred to Capiz (today’s Roxas City). And finally, a massive church in front of a wide plaza with a massive treasure it holds, and said to be the largest church bell in Asia.

Pan-ay Church, Capiz

The Church of Santa Monica’s belfry,  (current stone church) holds the long recognized by generations as the largest church bell here in our country. Locally known as “dakung lingganay” or simply as “big bell.” It is believed to have been conceived from 70 sacks of coins belonging to the townsfolk, it was completed in 1878.

It weighs about 10 tons, 7 feet in height and 7 feet in diameter. This humongous bell can be heard several kilometers away from the town center! Talk about administering a big parcel of land under the bajo de la campana policy of the Spanish authorities during those times!

Going up there at the belfry needs permission from the Parish Office or the church caretaker. Just visit the convent beside the church for inquiries. And by the way, during the time that I was there, the caretaker doesn’t allow taking pictures of the interior of the church due to security reasons at that time.

The church on the other hand is made of coral stone and depicts baroque architecture which was a trend in churches in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The first church was built in 1698 yet it didn’t last long until Fr. Jose Beloso restored the church to it’s full grandeur of today in 1884. It’s foundations were built by Agustinians.

Today, it’s a cultural treasure guarded by the Panay-anons. With their history that anchors the identity of the whole island of Panay and the bells remind the people of their faith and their heritage.

Going there:

Going there, you’ll take a jeep to Pilar at Banica District of Roxas City. Just tell the tricycle driver to have you brought to the jeepney terminal bound for Pan-ay. By the time you reach the small makeshift jeepney terminal, expect that you’ll be jam-packed to the brim! Fare costs more or less P10 when I went there. (Please correct me if I have the wrong fare) It’s just within 30 minutes.

Going back to Roxas City though, you’ll just have to wait for the next jeepney to pass by at the Plaza going back to the city. But take note though, they are not as frequent as Manila’s. Take time to relax and enjoy the town.

CULTURE OF PANAY CAPIZ

A Wisdom Archive on capiz - culture

capiz - culture A selection of articles related to capiz - culture:  Antique P is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is San Jose and is located at the western portion of Panay island, bordering Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo to the east. Antique faces the Sulu Sea to the west Capiz - Aswang. Among Filipinos, Capiz is subject or focus of many Aswang, and other types of mythylogical ghost, goblins, ghouls and manananggal and other monster stories. Capiz is ( unfairly ) rumored to have a number of aswang and covens of witches