Region 6( Western Visayas )

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE REGION

It was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1 as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.

Region VI is composed of 6 provinces :

Aklan

Antique

Capiz

Iloilo

Guimaras

Negros Occidental

Languages or dialectsHILIGAYNON

-spoken in:-Iloilo- Negros Occidental- Guimaras - Capiz

KINIRAY-A-spoken in:

- Antique- some parts of Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan

AKEANON-spoken in Aklan

MALAYNON- spoken in Aklan

CEBUANO- spoken in the northern part of Negros Occidental

AKLAN

the capital is Kalibo

it has a total land area of 1,853 sq. km.

oldest province in the Philippines

Jose Raz Menez was the first appointed governor

their most prominent dialect are Akeanon, Malaynon, and the Buruanganon.

(Home of Abaca and Piña Fibers)

AKLAN

location

northeastern portion of PanayBOUNDED BY:

Sulu Sea on NorthwestSibuyan Sea on the Northeast Antique on the west Capiz on the South

economyMAJOR INDUSTRIES:

Agriculture Tourism Abaca Production Pinya Cloth Weaving “Queen of the Philippine Fabrics” Pot Making (in Lezo, Aklan) “red clay”

PRODUCTS:

Banana Palay (no. 1 grown in

the province) fiber crops Coconut rambutan mango abaca

FESTIVAL

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL (Kalibo, Aklan)

every 3rd Sunday of January Revelers in colorful costumes and bodies painted black and their faces

made up of grotesquely. A celebration of the treaty between the Ati and Malayan tribes who

settled in the island. When the spaniards settled in the region and converted the Malays to Christian religion.

the festivity was celebrated in honor of the Holy Child- Sto. Ninio.

Historical attractions

Freedom Shrine

dedicated to the 19 martyrs of Aklan who started the revolution against Spain.

Historical attractions

Kalantiaw Shrine, BataanOnce the seat of government of Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw promulgator

of the famous Code of Kalantiaw.

Cultural attractions

Museo At Aklan, Kalibo

A repository of Antiques dug up in Aklan which trace the province’s rich cultural and historical past; also houses famous works of arts.

natural attractions

Boracay Island, Malay“Paradise Island of the Philippines”

It is world-famous for its fine lovely palm fringed sugar-fine white sand beaches, azure waters, coral reefs and rare shells.

Its area is 1,083 hectares Consisting of 3 barangays (Balabag, Manok-manok and

Yapak)

natural attractions

Ignito Cave, Buruanga

Locally known as “elephant cave” due to its appearance Beautiful limestone formation of stalagmites, stalactites and other

crystalline structures abound. It has a “skylight” in one of its chambers that lets in a soft glow of light

at noontime.

EconomyMAJOR INDUSTRIES:

Agriculture Tourism Milling Food Processing

CROPS:

Banana PalayCorn Coconut Jackfruit

natural attractions

Jawili Falls, Tangalan

It has 7 basins tiered about 20 feet apartThe highest basin is about 100 feet high, oval-shaped, around 240 sq. ft. in area and 12 feet deep clear water

almost like a small lake.

ANTIQUE

the capital is San Jose De Buenavista

It was one of the three districts of Panay before the Spanish colonizers arrived

formerly known as “Hantik”

Negritos or the “Atis” were believed to be the earliest people who settled in the island of Panay

They have developed their own distinct language called Kinaray-a.

“Gemstone Country”

ANTIQUE

elongated stretch of land It is bounded by the rugged mountains of Panay Aklan in the northeast Capiz on the east Iloilo in the southeast part of China Sea on the west

location

economyMAJOR INDUSTRIES

Agriculture Fishing

PRODUCTS copra Palay Muscovado sugar legumes fruits vegetables livestock fish seaweeds coal marbleSilicaCopperGemstones

FESTIVAL

BINIRAYAN FESTIVALCelebrated every December 27 to 29

It was started in San Jose 34 years ago by the late Gov. Evelio Javier, brother of former Congressman now Gov. Exequiel B.A week long festivities of colorful street parades, beach shows, plaza concerts and beauty concerts.“Binirayan” biray or “sailboat in Kinaray-a.

Historical attractions

ANINI-Y CHURCH

A massive white coral building located in Poblacion Anini-ySouth of San Jose de Buenavista

Natural attractions

BUGTONG BATO WATERFALLS, Tibiao

Ideal for excursions/ picnics with excellent opportunities for bathing, swimming and picture taking.

The first 3 waterfalls with a height up to 150 ft. is accesable.

Natural attractions

Bugang River, Pandan “Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran” as the cleanest inland body of water in the

Philippines.

2006, Gold Winner in the International Green Apple Environment Awards for Environmental Best Practice, Local Authorities and Ecotourism category in London.

1st runner-up during the “Hiyas ng Turismo 2006″ Nationwide Search.

2005, Bugang River was the winner of the “Dangal Ng Ilog” Award during the 1st National Summit on the State of Philippine Rivers.

was eventually elevated to the Hall of Fame as the “Cleanest Inland Body of Water” in the Gawad Pangulo Sa Kapaligiran.

Natural attractions

Caluya, A hidden gem in Antique

The absence of high-rises further makes the islands a perfect getaway for nature trippers who want a respite from the pains of city

life. There, they can go snorkeling, diving, boating or swimming alongside playful dolphins.

CAPIZ

“Seafood Capital of the Philippines”

There are two main versions of how Capiz got this name:

1. AKEAN and KAPID-meaning “twins” which

Balingangan, Datu Bangkaya’s eldest son, names his territories in honor of his twin daughters.

2. When the Spaniards established a settlement, the found an abundance of a mollusk called pios or kapid, the old native name which has also come to known as Capiz.

It is known for its mother-of-pearl shells that have the same name are used for decoration, making lampshades, trays, and window doors.

The birth place of former Pres. Manuel L. Roxas

location

Northeastern portion of Panay Island bordering Aklan and Antique to the west Iloilo to the south It faces the Sibuyan Sea to the North

economy

MAJOR INDUSTRIES Agriculture FishingOther manufacturing Industries; garments furniture-makingBakery processed foods handicraftsShell crafts

PRODUCTSAgri:

Palay Sugar canecoconutcornBanana

Agro:Blue marlin squid oyster shrimpseaweedsquidAngel wings

Festivals

ASWANG FESTIVAL The town people celebrate their Annual Festival or called it

the Aswang Festival is celebrated every 29th and 30th day on the month of October.

This includes the parade of participants donning the foremost dreadful costumes like “kapre”, “wak-wak”, and “tikbalang”.

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS

MORO TOWER Built in 1814 in order to repel the invading Moors and Portuguese

colonizers. These half-torn structures, 7 feet squares, 10 feet high, are vivid souls of

the past. These towers are made of black pebbles, and are gradually eroding. One

tower is on top of the hill at Sitio Nipa, Culasi and the other one is at Brgy. Dumolog.

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS

STA. MONICA CHURCH

This ancient and historic monument represents the founding of christianity on the island of Panay.

it is also the home of the largest Church bell in the Philippines and Asia.

dakong lingganay (big bell)

10.4 tons

“I am God’s voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Pan-ay to the other, so that Christ’s faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces.”

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

PILAR CAVE About two years ago, townspeople discovered earthen pots with intricately incised

designs. The caves must have been burial sites of pre-Spanish Filipinos. The Balisong Cave where the Capiz revolucionarios routed Spanish soldiers is also

found hereabouts.

QUIPOT CAVE consists of many chambers, each at a level different from other chambers. In certain sections, 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”.

NAPTI ISLAND 

Napti is uninhabited island, about three to four hectares big, Has white sands, a small cave and abundant shells can be found in the area.

waters are cool and free of troublesome jellyfish the whole year round.

GUIMARAS

“The Mango Country”

An island province of the Philippines. The youngest and smallest of the 6 provinces on region 6. located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and

Negros. Northwest of Iloilo Southeast of Negros Occidental

EconomyMAJOR INDUSTRIES:

Agriculture Fishing

Principal agricultural Crops

food crops corn rice vegetables

Commercial crops coconuts mangoesCashew citrusJackfruits bananas Fruit trees

MAJOR COMMERCIAL SPECIES: shrimps mackerel moonfish Cavalas Round scad Anchovies Slip mounths Groupers Sardines

Festivals

MANGGAHAN SA GUIMARAS FESTIVAL

An identity festival of the province Celebrated every April 16-20 for the sustained promotion of Mango Industry. Manggahan culminates in a grand showcase of cultural festivals to show the world that there is more in Guimaras than its sweet, fiber and pest-free mangos.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

GUISI LIGHTHOUSE

An 18th-century lighthouse built during the Spanish-colonial era,

it is considered as the second oldest lighthouse in the Philippines, next to the one found in Aparri, Cagayan.

TATLONG PULO (“THREE ISLANDS”)

One of them named after the three karst formations fronting the coves,  some privately owned.

A seclusion and a place for any child of the sun to find peace and harmony.

NAVALAS CHURCH 

Considered to be the oldest structure in this island.

Built in 1880 Navalas Church also known as San Isidro Labrador Church in Barangay Navalas.

The municipality of Buenavista has been the oldest seat of the Catholicism in this island and the product of community labor and unity.

made of coral rocks abundant in the area during the construction of this edifice.

ILOILO

“ Food Basket and Rice Granary of

Western Visayas ”

Geography and location

Southern shores of Panay Island Faces Iloilo Strait and Guimaras Island It lies on a flat alluvial plain, reclaimed mostly from

the swampy areas due to urbanization and industrialization in the late 19th century until the present.

economy Agriculture - main source of livelihood Fishing - second best industry.

It’s the site of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center which conducts researches on the spawning of milkfish and prawns; and the University of Philippines (Miag-ao) which is the center of marine and aquatic studies in the Philippines.

The Iloilo Commercial Port Complex - the first island pier in the country.

Multi-purpose port terminal which caters to both domestic and foreign containerized and convention sites.

Cottage industries include pottery, ceramics-making, weaving, woodcraft and handicraft.

Festivals

DINAGYANG FESTIVAL A religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City Held on the 4th weekend of January Held to honor the Santo Nino and to celebrate the arrival

on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Alis.

CARABAO CARROZA FESTIVAL Celebrated every 3rd of May since 1973 consists of three (3) main attractions namely;

a.) Carabao Carroza Parade b.) Carabao Carroza Race and c.) Search for Carabao Carroza Queen.

Historical Attractions

MOLO CHURCH “Church of Women” because of the statues of women

saints that decorate its pillars. A Gothic renaissance church made of coral rock Located 3 km from the city proper It was completed in 19th century It was visited by Dr. Jose Rizal on his way to exile in

Dapitan, Mindanao.

JARO CATHEDRAL

“Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria”

It’s dedicated to St. Elizabeth of HungaryFamous for its Shrine of Our Lady of Candle which

according to pious tradition has been miraculously growing. the only sacred icon in the Philippines ever crowned

personally by a Pope.

Historical Attractions

THE MIAG-AO CHURCH

This impressive 212 year old architectural treasure,

constructed in 1786 and finished in 1797, has every right to be

considering that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Baroque

Churches of the Philippines).

NEGROS

OCCIDENTAL

Geography and location western side of Negros Island (4th

largest island in the Philippines with a total land area of 972,607 hectares or 9,726.06 sq. km

It is bounded by the Visayan Sea in the North Panay Gulf on the west Tanon Strait Negros Oriental province on the east Sulu Sea on the south

Negros is basically volcanic, makingits soil ideal for agriculture.

Economy Fishing- major industry

based in Cadiz City. Philippine’s major sugar

producer It has substantial

production of coffee, cacao, black pepper, fruits and grains

It has a large copper mine. Gold, silver, molybdenum, iron, gypsum, coal, and other minerals are mined.

Other agricultural products:RiceCornCoconutsAbacaBananasMangoesPineapples

FESTIVALS

MASKARA FESTIVAL

It gives the people of Negros, as well as local foreign visitors, a chance to drink and be merry for 20 days.

Originally designed to show the hardships of the people of Negros

Has become a tool of escapism and a way to generate revenues for big business.

Celebrated during October 1-20

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

MT. KANLAON One of the mountains found in the north-central portion of the

island of Negros. It is the highest peak in Central Philippines, the most dominant

and attractive feature of which is the active summit crater of a volcano.

REVOLUTIONARY MARKERS

Commemorate the spots where local revolutionaries fought against Spanish authorities during the Negros revolution of 1898 and the American forces later.

OUR LADY OF PEACE AND GOOD VOYAGE

A century-old church located at the heart of the city

It has the distinction of being one of the very few churches of Romanesque architectural design in

the region.

The Ruins in Bacolod City Philippines The mansion was built in the early 1900’s by the sugar baron, Don

Mariano Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948) a Portuguese from Macau.

The mansion was the largest residential structure ever built at that time and had in it one of the finest furniture, chinaware, and decorative items.

4-tiered fountain fronting the mansion, all brought in from abroad.

THE END!Thankyou for listening.