Captivating CAPIZ

AN ENCHANTING PARADISE

Pangilatan Eco-Tourism Park, Brgy. Artuz, Tapaz, Capiz

Olotayan Island, Brgy. Olotayan, Roxas City

A home to colorful fishes and coral reefs, this 53-hectare island is blessed with white sand beach and serene shores.  It has crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Suhot Cave and Spring, Dumalag, Capiz

At the mouth of the cave is a pool of clear cold water flowing from a spring inside the cave.  This very long cave, which is believed to have a connecting tunnel leading to a 6 km. away Badiang Cave in the middle of the dense jungle of neighboring town of Dumarao, is actually a chain of interconnected caverns of different sizes.

Pilar Caves, Pilar, Capiz

From a distance, the 200ft. high grayish black rock cliff of the mountain that hosts these caves offers spectacular sight for tourists.  Exotic orchids and other plants fill the air with adorable fragrance especially during summer.  Wild animals and birds can also be found in the area.

These caves are revered for their cultural and historical significance.  These have been used as burial sites of pre-Spanish inhabitants.  One of the greatest battles in the province against Spanish soldiers took place in one of its caves, the Balisong Cave.  Juan Arce, Capiz greatest revolutionario died during this battle.

Baybay Beach, Brgy. Baybay, Roxas City

Baybay Beach is not just of its fresh clean air and fine black sand but also of its bountiful produce.  Along the seashore are seafood stalls where tourists can spot fresh fishes and shells to be cooked in front of them.  Capiz is known as the “Center of Seafood-Trip Tourism in the Philippines” not only for its abundance of marine life but especially for its best quality.  This place is a center of water sports at the day time and also a great social scene at night, when bars pulsate to the latest rhythms.  In here, also, is the La Playa de Roxas (People’s Park), where one can relax and enjoy the beauty of the Baybay Beach.

Suhoton Caves, Agcagay, Jamindan, Capiz

It has several multi-layered chambers which some are as big as cathedrals.  Inside one chamber is an alter-like formation surrounded by stalagmites that seem like giant images in silent repose.

Pawa Mangrove Reforestation, Brgy. Pawa, Panay, Capiz

This 70-hectare mangrove reforestation serves as nursery for spawning fishes, buffer for strong winds and barriers from strong wind and hurricane.  Several endemic species of mangroves can be found in the area.

Kipot Cave, Burias, Mambusao, Capiz

Its many chambers of different level offer extreme adventure and thrill.  More exciting is crawling through 2 or 3 feet openings leading to “Kipot Hilton,” the main chamber which is a big as a hotel ballroom.  Outside the cave is a stream with cool water.  Will animals such as deer and birds can also be found in the area.

Hinulugan Falls, Tabun-acan, Pilar, Capiz

One of Capiz highest waterfalls plunges over the brink into a shaded pool.  The waters cascade through three waterfalls among beautiful woodland settings.  Along the way is another gigantic falls, where waters magnificently flow from the top of the mountain along gorge and stands of unspoiled timbers.  Its rustling sound can be clearly heard along the road which is more than 200 mts. away.

Culajao Mangrove Eco-Park, Brgy. Culajao, Roxas City

This sanctuary has the distinction of being the only community protected and the only mangrove reserve within the city.  This place stretches over 4.69 hectares and is home to diversity of marine life.  Marvel at the wonder of marine biodiversity in several nipa huts interconnected by more than 100 meters long pedestrian suspension bridge or join an educational tour by riding in a bamboo raft or banca to take a closer look at 19 species of mangroves that serve as habitat for a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and shells while listening to a live composo about mangroves and Barangay Culajao.  Look out also for exotic birds and insects.

This reserve is under the purview of Roxas City Government in partnership with PEW Fellows in Marine Conservation and Katunggan Sa Culajao Salbaron Association (KACUSA), Inc.

Weny’s Garden, Panay, Capiz

A perfect place for environmentalists as herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants are grown organically.  A good number of different varieties of endemic freshwater fishes can also be found inside this lovely paradise.  Another interesting experience here is going inside a butterfly pen farm where million of various local species of butterfly surrounds the tourists.

Paraiso del Rio, Brgy. Tumalalod, Mambusao, Capiz

Paraiso del Rio offers a totally contrasting experience: an adventure and thrill in a serene exotic woodland.  A truly back-to-nature experience.  Enjoy a river safari in bamboo raft as the boatsmen skillfully navigate in a river dam teeming with a variety of freshwater fish, and the surrounding wilderness is home to unique flora and fauna.

Lolet’s Eco-Park, Duyoc, Dao, Capiz

Enjoy a host of beauty of nature and man’s creativeness at his theme park, located in the midst of a farm.  Each of its themed sections offers fantastic experience for the family and groups.  Amenities include swimming pools, boating, pavilion, flower garden, aviary, fishpond, playground, and many more.

Agtalin Shrine, Brgy. Dulangan, Pilar, Capiz

Considered as one of the tallest religious icons in the country, Agtalin Shrine is an 80ft statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop a mountain.  Thousands of devotees attend mass here every first Saturday of the month.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Meditation Hills, Sapian, Capiz

Nestled on top of a hill among giant boulders that seems landscaped by a divine force in the middle of a wide area of well-manicured carabao grass surrounded by tall trees, this grotto is a place of beauty and peace – a perfect location for meditation and prayer.  Climbing the hill with a fresh escort of nature; cool breeze, clear water in a creek seeping out from a rock and various species of birds, to the life-size statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette is quite fulfilling.

Cadimahan-Libotong River Cruise, Baybay, Roxas City

Experience life being a fisherman while riding on a bamboo raft in this two-hour long tour along river shaded with different species of mangrove.  In the water, you can see different species of freshwater fishes and other marine life forms.  You can also listen to “composo,” the songs about life and stories of local people while on the raft.

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HERITAGE PARADISE

In 1569, Capiz became the second Spanish settlement in the country after Cebu.  Here, they found people with tattoos, thus they called this paradise “Isla de los Pintados.”

Relive Capiz glorious pre-hispanic and colonial past with its revered and well-preserved way of life of Panay Bukidnon, Capisnon indigenous peoples in the mountainous region of Central Panay who refused to be under Spanish and American colonization, and magnificent centuries-old edifices that serve as testaments to its colorful history.

Sta. Monica Church and Panay Bell, Panay, Capiz

One of the oldest churches in the country, Sta. Monica Church was built on 1774.  With majestic Baroque influences defined by the use of attached coupled piers in Corinthian style, the architecture of the façade is articulated following the tenets of the Baroque movement.  It was declared a National Landmark by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines on 1997.  In the topmost tier of its five-level belfry is the biggest and most likely the heaviest Christian bell in Asia which was cast in 1878 using 70 sacks of coins.  It is about 7ft. in height and 5ft. in diameter and weighs 10.4 tons.

Christianity was established here when Fray Martin de Rada, OSA first preached the gospel to its native in 1566.  Miguel Lopez de Legaspi set camp in Panay in 1569, making the town his temporary administrative capital after leaving Cebu for lack of food.

Birthplace of President Manuel Acuña Roxas, Cor. Rizal—Zamora Sts., Roxas City

Located in the city proper is the two-storey hardwood and stone house where the first president of Philippine Republic, Manuel A. Roxas was born on January 1, 1892.

 President Roxas is the third son of Gerardo Roxas and Rosario Acuña.  Became a lawyer in 1913; Town Councilor, 1917; Provincial Governor, 1919; Speaker, House of Representatives, 1922-1934; Secretary of Finance, 1938; President, Philippine Senate, 1945-1946; Last President of the Commonwealth and First President of the Third Republic, 1946-1948

St. Martin of Tours Church, Dumalag, Capiz

This century-old Church’s interior is shaped like a cross and is made from yellow sandstone.  The Church’s six arched windows at each side with columns between them reaching the roof with buttresses at the side give it a different look.  It was finished in 1872 when Fr. Andel Abasolo was the parish priest of the town.  At the front left side of the church is the five-story belfry housing five bells of different sizes, all made in 1881.

Sinadya sa Halaran Festival, Roxas City

 Feel the intensity of faith and fun in Capiznon grateful celebration of sharing of blessings.  Thousand of devotees of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Roxas City and the Archdiocese, jubilantly exclaim “Viva Santa Maria” during solemn fluvial procession lighted by millions of candles and multicolored lights in other floats of other saints and along both sides of Panay River.  Other highlights include firework display, food tripping, dancing in the streets in the music of Capiznon songs, and showcase of festivals of Roxas City and various municipalities. 

Ang Panublion Museum, Hughes St., Roxas City

Originally built as water tank in 1910, holds a comprehensive collection of the province’s rich culture and history.