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REGION VIPREPARED BY:ROCHELLE I. LAZATINBSHRM-IIWESTERN VISAYAS REGION

AREA AND LOCATION

TOTAL LAND AREA: 20, O98 KM

It is bounded by Cuyo East Pass, the Sibuyan Sea, Tanon Strait, the Visayan Sea, and Negros Oriental.

GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Two-thirds of the region is alienable and disposable land (predominantly classified as agriculture), the rest is classified as forest land.

WESTERN VISAYAS REGION

POLITICAL PROFILE

PROVINCES: 1. Negros Occidental2. Aklan3. Capiz4. Antique5. Iloilo6. Guimaras

WESTERN VISAYAS REGION

HOW TO GET THERE

Regular buses service the routes to provinces within Panay Island.By air, major entry points to the region are the airports in Iloilo, Bacolod, Kalibo, Roxas City, and Caticlan.By sea, several shipping lines service the region from Manila and other provinces in the Visayas. To reach Guimaras, ferry services are available from Iloilo City.aklanCAPITAL: KALIBOAREA AND LOCATION

AKLAN is the youngest of the four provinces of Panay Island.

NORTHWEST: Sulu SeaNORTHEAST: Sibuyan Sea WEST: Antique SOUTH:Capiz

TOTAL LAND AREA: 1,818.9 KM

aklanCAPITAL: KALIBOGEOGRAPHICAL PROFILENorthern part is dominated by rolling terrain.Southern portion has mountains and dense vegetation.

HOW TO GET THEREIt can be reached by air through Kalibo and Caticlan. Daily flights are available from Manila to these entry points.Travel time: 50 mins.

By sea, several shipping lines service routes going to this province from Manila.Travel time: 13 hoursAGFA BEACH Tangalan

A two kilometer white sand beach with rocky promontories.

There is also a picturesque fishing village where nets of various colors are often hung out to dry.

AGTAWON HILL Balete

The last line of defense of the Filipino revolutionary forces against the Spanish colonizers.

It also served as a camp for Filipino guerillas during the Japanese occupation.

AKLAN FREEDOM SHRINE Kalibo

This landmark was built to commemorate the bravery of the Aklanons who fought during the World War II

AKLAN STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Banga

Situated at the base of Manduyog Hill, the 63-hectare college grounds includes green fields for pasture, rice fields, and several tropical tree plantations.

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL

Most celebrated events in the Philippines, wherein the lowlanders imitate their Ati brothers by rubbing their entire bodies with charcoal to blacken their skins.

Street dancing and spontaneous revelry dominate the event,held every third week of a January.

BORACAY ISLAND

Most celebrated attraction in the Philippines.Has sugar-fine white sands, calm emerald waters, and gently sloping seabed.

It has been voted in international magazines as one of the best beaches in the world.

KALANTIAW SHRINE Bataan

This historical marker stands on the original site of Datu Kalantiaws seat of government in Bataan.

An old schoolbuildng nearby has been converted into a museum housing a photostat of the purpotedly original Kalantiaw Code.21

22MANDUYOG HILL Banga

It was named after a pre-Hispanic datu.

It features life-size statues depicting the 14 stations of the cross, a chapel, and a huge cross located at the summit which overlooks the municipalities below.

PINK SISTER CONVENT New Washington

The convent belongs to the contemplative Order of the holy spirit. It is unusual because almost everything in it is colored pink, from the buildings faade and interiors to this sisters habits.

TIGAYON HILLKalibo

It stands solitary on the flatlands alongside Aklan River.At its base is a cave, wide and airy cave with numerous limestone formations. Dotting the hillside are 14 Stations of the Cross,leading to a chapel at the summit.

ANTIQUECAPITAL: SAN JOSEAREA AND LOCATION

It is in Panay Island in Western Visayas.It is bounded on the north and east by Aklan,along with Capiz and Iloilo; on the West by the Cuyo East Pass, and on the South by the PanayGulf.TOTAL LAND AREA:2,522 km

ANTIQUECAPITAL: SAN JOSEGEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Shaped like a seahorseAntique is the oversized serrated hemline of the western border of the three-cornered scarflike land mass that is Panay.Approximately 155 kms. long and 33 kms.at its widest.

ANTIQUECAPITAL: SAN JOSEHOW TO GET THERE

There are daily flights available from Manila to Iloilo.From there, buses leave hourly for a two-and-a-half hour trip to San Jose.

By sea,San Jose is 20 hours away from ManilaBATO CUEVA La Union, Remigio

Located on a a hilltop near forest nursery.

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL San Jose

Commemorates the landing of Malandog in the mid-13th century of the 10 Malay datus who set up the first Malayan settlement or barangay in tha country.

It is celebrated everyDecember 28 to 30.36

DANAO LAKE Mountains of San Remigio

Heavy rains do not raise the water level of this lake.

Monkey and wild chickens live in the nearby jungle ideal for nature tripping.

ESTACA HILL Bugasong

This 200-foot hill offers a view of the sea and hills surrounding Bugasong.

It was once the site of a watchtower that guarded the people against Muslim pirates.41

MACALBAG WATERFALLS Barbaza

This 50-foot high waterfalls has several caves, one of which is believed to have seven rooms.43

MT. MADIA-AS Culasi

Just to get to a vllage at the foot of Mt. Madi-as, one would have to trek for 15 kms. Through a rock trail leading to a dry riverbed, cross an improvised wood-bamboo bridge over a boulder-strewn river and hurdle numerous hill.

PATADYONG WEAVING Bugasong

The famous Bugasong patadyong ( a colorful native fabric ) is the only one of its kind in the Visayas and is well-known throughout the islands.TIBIAO RIVER Tibiao

It is considered one of the premier white-water kayaking destinations in the Philippines, and is often visited by tourists vacationing in Boracay.48

CAPIZCAPITAL: ROXAS CITYAREA AND LOCATION

Located in the northeasternPart of Panay Island, 375 milesof Manila, 138 kms. NorthwestOf Iloilo City, and 86 kms. East of Kalibo.

It is bounded by the Sibuyan Sea on the north, by Iloilo on the east and south. By Antique on the west and by Aklan on the Northwest.

TOTAL LAND AREA: 2,633.2 km

BAYBAY BEACH Roxas City

The waters of this black-sand beach are ideal for water skiing

CASANAYAN BEACH Brgy. Casanayan, Pilar

Vast fields of sugarcane, rice, and corn lie beside the three-kilometer road from the highway to this beautiful stretch of gray-sand-beach

Nearby is a fishing village where patis and ginamos are made.

GUGMA BEACH Sapian

The waters of this quiet and unspoiled are so clear that one can easily see fishes swimming beneath.

Gugma means love and the place indeed an ideal place for lovers

HALARAN FESTIVALRoxas City

Depicts the colorful history and culture of the Capizeos.Legend has ir that the Bornean datus gave halaran to the original settlers in the area,the Aetas.Halaran means gift or offerHeld every firt weekend of October.

MUNDO DANCE Tapaz

This dance of the mountain tribe known as mundo, a vanishing remnant of the pre- Malayan Indonesian immigrants of Panay.

The dance retains to this day the original choreography arranged around ancient Indonesian fertility rites.

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PAN-AY CHURCH Pan-ay

This awe-inspiring-church-monument to a past Spanish grandeur in Pan-ay town is a about 250 feet long and 80 feet wide with 9-foot thuck walls of coral blocks. Its central altar, and elaborately sculptured retablo, are made of silver.

PILAR CAVE Pilar

Several years ago, the townspeople discovered earthern pots with intricately incised designs inside this cave,which must have been a burial site of the pre- Spanish Filipinos.

QUIPOT CAVE Brgy. Burias Mambusao

Wild birds,deer and wild ducks abound near this cave, which consists of many chambers of different levels and sizes.

SINADYA FESTIVAL Roxas City

Held every December 5 to 8 in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate of Concepcion. Highlights of the affair include a grand fireworks display.

GUIMARASCAPITAL: JORDANAREA AND LOCATION

Guimaras lies southeast of Panay Island and northwest of Negros Island in WesternVisayas.

It is bounded on the north and northwest by the Iloilo Strait, on the North by the Ioilo City, on the East by the Bacolod, and on the and south by Panay and the Panay Sea.TOTAL LAND AREA: 604.65 km

GUIMARASCAPITAL: JORDANGEOGRAPHICALNPROFILE

Guimaras is the only island province in Western Visayas with lands fit for agriculture.The coastline is a contrast rugged cliffs and white beaches, and the island itself is surrounded by breathtaking islets.

HOW TO GET THEREGuimaras mainland is close to the Iloilo harbor and can be reached in 15 mins. By motorboats or ferry boats that service the island from six in the morning to six in the evening daily.

ALUBIJOD BEACH Nueva Valencia

One of the most popular beach areas in the province and is frequented by many locals and Iloilo residents.

GUISI BEACH Nueva Valencia

This white-sand beach has a long shoreline ideal for sunbathing, swimming, picknicking, and excursions.Seashells are abundant in the area during high tide.

INAMPULUGAN ISLAND Sibunag

This crocodile-shaped island has an area of 1,067 hectares.It has rolling mountains, virgin forests, bamboo and coconut groves, and clean white sand beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters rich in marine life

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ISLA NABUROT Sinapnapan,Jordan

This 2.5 hectare islet has a white-sand beach rich in coral and marine life.Ideal for fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, island hopping, and scuba diving.

MACOPO FALLS San Miguel, Jordan

Cottages built near the waterfalls provide excursionists with a scenic picnic venue.82

MANGGAHAN SA GUIMARAS FESTIVAL Jordan

This festival is held every May 15 to 22 which commemorates the establishment of Guimaras as a provinceThe highlight of the event is the karosahan, a parade of beautiful muses on karosas or floats and of people dressed in colorful mango costumes.

ORO VERDE MANGO Buenavista

This 240-hectare mango plantation is owned by the Marsman-Drysdale Groupof CompaniesIt is the second largest mango plantation in the world.

PAGTALTAL Brgy. Rizal, Jordan

A reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ, patterned after Germanys Oberammergu.It focuses on the scene wherev Christs body was removed from the cross and laid on His mothers lap.

SIETE PECADOS San Miguel, Buenavista

Also known as the Isles of the Seven Sins.According to legend, these were seven young virgins who were cursed by their parents and turned into these small islands because of disobedience.

TRAPPIST MONASTERY San Miguel, Jordan

The contemplative monks in this monastery teach the natives how to make fruit jams and religious souvenir iems that they can sell.

ILOILOCAPITAL: ILOILO CITYAREA AND LOCATION

Iloilo is located in the southern part of Panay Island.

NORTH: CapizEAST: Visayan Sea and Guimaras StraitWEST: AntiqueSOUTH: Iloilo Strait

TOTAL LAND AREA: 5,234 km

ILOILOCAPITAL: ILOILO CITYGEOGRAPHICAL PROFILEMountain ranges with peaks as high as 7,000 feet. The rest of the mainland is composed largely of plains interspersed with highlands.

HOW TO GET THERECommercial flights are available daily from Manila and Cebu.

Shipping lines also service route to this province from Manila and other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.

By land from other provinces within Panay Island.

ASILO DE MOLO Iloilo City

An orphanage where church vestments, barongs, handkerchiefs, and other items are made and hand embroidered by orphaned girls.

BALARING BEACH San Francisco

An abundance of colorful stones are scattered all over this beach.

BULABOG-PUTIAN NATIONAL PARK Dingle

It is a 500-hectare natural area whose main feature is a cave system that harbors endemic wildlife, and is an important ecosystem in the area.

DINAGYANG Streets of Iloilo City

This colorful cavalcade is held every fourth weekend of January in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLESJaro,Iloilo City

The biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in W. Visayas.

This festival features agro-industrial exhibits, garden shows, carnivals, and grand cock derbies among others.It is celebrated every Feb.2

GUIMBAL BEACHES Guimbal

There are a number of beaches in Guimbal but very none of them have been developed for tourism.

JARO DISTRICT Northern part of Iloilo City

Considered the seat of Catholicism in Western Visayas.

Only three kilometers from the city proper stand old colonial houses owned by sugar barons and other members of the elite.

MIAG-AO CHURCH 40 kms. Southwest of Iloilo City

It was built in 1786,declared a national landmark in 1973 and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

SAN JOAQUIN BEACHES San Joaquin

Among the numerous natural attractions in the municipality of San Joaquin that have not yet been fully developed for tourism.107

SICOGON ISLAND Estancia

This 1,104-hectare island is lined with coconut palms and white-sand beaches stretching 350 feet beyond the shoreline.NEGROS OCCIDENTALCAPITAL: BACOLOD CITYAREA AND LOCATION

NORTH: Visayan SeaEAST: Negros OccidentalWEST: Panay GulfSOUTH: Tanon Strait

TOTAL LAND AREA:7,926.1 km

NEGROS OCCIDENTALCAPITAL: BACOLOD CITYGEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Bacolod lies in the northwestern part of Negros Occidental, in a sprawling, 16 000-hectare coastal plain surrounded by sugarcane plantations, prawn farms, and rice fields.

HOW TO GET THERECommercial flights are available from Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Shipping lines also service routes to this province from Manila and other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.

BALAY NEGRENSE 5 De Noviembre St. Silay City

This hose was originally owned by Victor Gaston, the eldest son of the Frenchman Yves Germaine Leopold Gaston, who developed the sugar industry in Northern Negros during 19th century.

It was donated by Msgr. Guillermo Gaston to the Negros Cultural Foundation.

CHAPEL OF CARTWHEELS Manapla

Among the unique features of this chapel are an image of Christ portrayed as a farmer and crucified on a cartwheel, an altar made from solid rock, and an image of the Virgin Mary carved out of the bark of a santol tree

DANJUGAN ISLAND Danjugan

A dive siteAn excellent place for bird watching. Its forests teem with warblers, flycatchers, bulbuls, weaverbirds, and sunbirds, as well as migrating swallows, swifts, and kingfishers.

HOFILEA ANCESTRAL HOUSES 145 De Noviembre St. Silay City

This old building houses a collection of rare art pieces, antiques and paintings done by Luna, Rizal and Hidalgo, as well as the earliest known wood prints in Negros.MASSKARA FESTIVAL Bacolod City

A famous festival began in 1980.Masskara (mask) symbolizes the happy disposition of the Negrenses despite adversities in life.Usually held on the third weekend of October.

MT. KANLAON Northern Section of Negros OccidentalRising 2,435 meters above sea level.It has two craters-Margaja Valley, is dead,while other crater is active.

SAN ANTONIO ABAD CHURCH San Antonio Abad

A crown-shaped church featuring the masterpiece, The Risen Christ, by the national artist Solomon Saprid.

YULO ANCESTRAL HOUSES Bacolod City

The residence of Don Alfredo Yulo, the mayor of Bacolod at the onset of World War II. It was built in the early 1900s.