Wednesday, December 14, 2011

>.>Places to visit ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ:*



Captivating Places of Interest in Roxas City, Capiz






The Ancestral House of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas
 The birthplace of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas. First President of the Philippines Republic and Roxas City’s most illustrious son in whose honor the city got its name. 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.



Ang Panubli-on, the Roxas    City Museum

In 1910, President Pastor Alcazar, third President of the town of Capiz (1908-1912), constructed a water tank near the “Municipio” to provide water to the Kapisnon during the dry months. Water flowed from the roof of the two-storey municipal building to the tank.
The “Municipio” was destroyed during World War II, but the water tank which was 11.5 meters in diameter, 6.10 meters in height and with walls 11 inches thick was spared.
After the war, offices were built around the tank completely hiding it from view with only a water spout visible. In 1993, the offices were demolished and for the first time in three decades, the water tank could be seen. The young people, who were not aware of the existing structure, had to be told that originally, it was a water tank.
The old water tank looks quite imposing, like a lady, grown serene, yet gracious and to demolish it would be like cutting the umbilical cord from the past.
However, that water tank had outlived its usefulness because Roxas City now had a modern water system, a legacy from the late Congressman Gerardo “Dinggoy” Roxas, Jr.
The City Government with a group of culture buffs brain-stormed on what to do with the structure and the idea of converting it to a museum was born. Thus, the Roxas City Museum, Ang Panublion, became a reality with Mrs. Ofelia Rendon as its curator.
Ang Panublion, in its initial exhibit, showcased the Kapisnon: how they lived, how they prayed, how they danced, what they ate, what they wore (gowns, jewelry, etc., and how they spent their time.






Balay Capiznon (Formerly Roxas City Product Display Center)

This edifice is the venue where locally made products 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. It occupies 700 square meters of a city government lot.
The initiative to construct this edifice was spearheaded by the city government and the Dept. of Trade and Industry. Construction began in 1997 and was completed in the same year. The Capiz Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc., was designated as the caretaker of the place and was tasked to oversee the local products put up for display. Local products like preserved foods and delicacies, handicrafts like shellcraft and furniture made from rail ties can be seen at the place.
In the garden of the venue which occupies almost two thirds of the property, ornamental plants, orchids, fruits tree seedlings and other local plants are housed. This area is also the place where plant exhibits are held several times a year.
The Tourism Promotion and Development Office of the city government moved to this place last December 6, 2003 in order that it could cater more to the needs of the people of Roxas City and the domestic and foreign visitors who continue to frequent the city. The inauguration and blessing of the edifice was graced by Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas, Senator John Osmeña and Representaive Imee Marcos-Manotoc who came to attend the Sinadya sa Halaran celebrations. The display center was renamed Balay Kapisnon. As expected, the place has become a must see for visitors who come to Roxas City.



Moro Towers

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. Before they were destroyed, they were twice their present height. 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.



Olutayan Island

An hour’s travel from the city proper, this island barangay is blessed with white sand beach and serene shores that fits everyone’s dream for a honeymoon or a place to run away from the hassles of the city life. A boat ride can be arranged at the Banica wharf for a certain fee.



La Playa de Roxas : People’s Park

The seven kilometers stretch of ebony beach at barangay Baybay is one of the finest assets of the City of Roxas. When the Mayor noticed its potential, he allowed consigners to occupy the entire beachfront as long as the they sold seafood at low prices, and cleaned up all their areas upon closing. this area which is the favorite haunt of domestic and foreign tourist alike because of its succulent and fresh seafood became known as theRoxas City Seafood Plaza or Talabahan. Soon, the concessionaires, will not only have the convenience of more stable and more aesthetically appealing stalls but also a steady water supply, as well as other facilities needed in their day to day operations. The general public will also have permanent umbrellas in which to spend their beach holidays and wide tiled parks for children. Public facilities such as toilets and showers will also be installed in the area. In the evening, the place will glow with mercury lamps – but not before everyone is able to witness the breathtaking sunset at Baybay Beach, Roxas City.

Capiz ^.^

Captivating CapizSimply Bewitching
an awesome sights to behold about Capiz and Roxas City





Captivating Capiz - Seafood Capital of the Philippines
Captivating Capiz is dubbed as “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, “Garden Capital of Western Visayas” and soon to be the “Center of “Seafood Trip Tourism” in the Philippines” and even to those unfamiliar and unacquainted with this serene and special place, the reasons are obvious and well deserved for them to know what is enchanting Capiz.

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Vision

Captivating scene of sunset at Capiz Bay“Captivating Capiz” is the provincial governments’ development vision or battle cry to promote the province as a tourist destination and envisioned to be the “Eco-Cultural Tourism Hub in Central Philippines”.  Tourism development and promotion is one of the major thrusts of the administration of Hon. Victor Tanco, Governor of Capiz.


CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Location

Capiz is one the five provinces of Panay Island, Western Visayas. Located 375 miles southwest of Manila, 136 kilometers northwest of Iloilo City and 86 kilometers east of Kalibo, Aklan, once a part of the early Malay settlement known as Aklan. It is composed of 16 municipalities, 1 chartered city (Roxas City) and 472 barangays. Its capital, Roxas City is the seat of the provincial and city governments and center of trade. Capiz’ topography varies from rolling lands and hills to mountain peaks and ranges. Entrancing Capiz was divided into two (2) districts:
  • 1st District
    • Roxas City, Panay, Panit-an, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas, Pilar, Maayon
  • 2nd District

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Travel and Transportation


Captivating Festival of Capiz, Sinadya sa Halaran 
Travel time to Roxas City is 45 minutes by plane and around 16 hours by ship from Manila. From Iloilo City, it is approximately 2 hours by bus or private car. It will take approximately 4 hours travel going to Boracay Island by land. There are two (2) airlines operating in Roxas City (RXS): Philippine Airlines (PAL)  and Cebu Pacific. PAL has daily schedule flight from Roxas-Manila and Manila-Roxas, while Cebu Pacific has a schedule 3x a week.  Approximately 2 to 3 hours travel would spent from Roxas City to Iloilo International Airport at Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
The primary transportation vehicle used in Roxas City and other municipalities in captivating Capiz is the Tricycle.  An P8.00 fare per passenger could be charged when you ride a tricycle within the City. “Capiz Cab”, the city’s new taxi that plys Roxas City and the 16 municipalities of the Capiz with a flagdown rate of P30.00 with a maximum of 5 passengers.  Capiz Cabs,  are the first receipt-issuing taxis in the Philippines apart from those operating out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. As of now, there where 5 Capiz cabs that operates in the province.
Capiz is part of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, which is a major tourism gateway in Western Visayas, as well as the Central Philippines Super Region which has been acknowledge by President Arroyo as the country’s tourism belt.   Roll On-Roll Off (Ro-Ro) buses are operating to fetch passengers from Roxas City to Manila (Cubao or Pasay) via Catiklan, Aklan-Mindoro-Batangas-Manila.
PAL and Cebu Pacific Airlines Flight Schedules
from Roxas City, Capiz (RXS) – Manila (MNL) – Roxas City, Capiz
There are two Airline companies that serves Roxas City.  The Philippine Airlines (PAL) (Tel No. 6210-618) and Cebu Pacific Air (Tel. No. 6214-548). Fare rates varies depending on their promotion campaign. Philippine Airlines has a daily schedule flight from Roxas City-Manila and Manila to Roxas City while Cebu Pacific has a daily flight schedule from Roxas City to Manila and Manila to Roxas City.
Airlines Dept. Arrival Flight Schedule Fare (as of Oct. 13, 2008)
PAL – RXS to MNL (NAIA Terminal 2) 07:25am 08:35am PR190 M,T,W,Th,F,S,S
PAL – MNL to RXS 05:30am 06:45am PR189 M,T,W,Th,F,S,S
Cebu Pacific – RXS to MNL (Domestic) 10:30nn 11:30pm 5J-374 M,T,Th,W,F,S,S
Cebu Pacific – MNL to RXS 09:00am 10:00am 5J-373 M,T,Th,W,F,S,S

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Festivities / Fiestas

Sinadya sa Halaran is a merging of the Roxas City Fiesta “Sinadya” and the Province celebration of “Halaran”. “Sinadya sa Halaran” is a commemoration of the feast of the patroness of Roxas City which is the Immaculate Concepcion and a thanksgiving. It literally means “Joy in Sharing and Thanksgiving” . Rituals and festivities of every municipalities where captivated in this occasion.  Fireworks, grand parade, fluvial processions, fair and food festival, street dancing, and exhibits are some of the things to see of this event.
Every municipalities has its own festivities and fiesta, such as Buylogonay of Ivisan, Capiz (1st Week of September) , Hil-o-hanay of Sigma, Capiz (June 24), Linga-anay of Panay, Capiz (May 4), Balintawakan of Pontevedra, Capiz (May 15), Dinagsa and Ikin-ikin Festival of Dumalag, Capiz (Last Sunday of January and Nov. 11), Padagyaw of Dumarao, Capiz (August 5),  Inilusan Festival of Mambusao, Capiz (Nov. 20-25), Tilibyugan Festival of Sapi-an, Capiz (July 26), Agdahanay Festival of Cuartero, Capiz (June 13, 2008), Hil-0 hil-o Festival of Maayon, Capiz (Feb. 23) and Sina-ot Festival of President Roxas, Capiz.

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Simply Bewitching


Captivating mystic beauty of sunset 

Discover the mystic beauty of enchanting Capiz. Catch a wave on the wide powdery gray-sand beaches of Bay bay and Olutayan Island where a fascinating sunset and stunning view to die for can be seen. As your feet squeak with each step as you walk across the fine powdery gray sand, enjoy the sand caressing between your toes. This is the ultimate place to go barefoot and enjoy the casual laid back life style. It is very relaxing and therapeutic. There are different places to be visited when you are in Capiz and Roxas City.

St. Martin of Tours Parish, Dumalag, Capiz




Explore its isolated coves at Tinagung Dagat. Spelunking the caves of Pilar,Suhot, Igang and Suhoton and be captivated by its mystery.








Visit the majestic century old churches like Sta. Monica Parish Churchat Pan-ay, Capiz where the biggest church bell in Asiamade of silver coins could be found and St. Martin of Tours Parish at Dumalag, Capiz, the oldest church in captivating Capiz.



Biggest Bell in Asia, Sta. Monica Parish Church, Pan-ay, Capiz

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Seafood Capital of the Philippines


Relish the inviting seafood that will captivate your taste while watching the sunset at Baybay beach 

Alluring Capiz is abundant with seafood found on its rich marine fishing ground. Savor the taste of mouth watering, tempting, fresh, safe, yummy, plentiful and cheap seafood, such as oysters or “talaba”, clams, mussel, greenshell or “tahong”,” angel wings or “diwal”, milk-fish or “bangrus”, king crab or “alimango”, blue crab or “kasag”, shrimp or “pasayan”, prawn or “lukon”, squid, tangigue, scallops, seaweeds or “gulaman”, lobster and Lapu-lapu. These seafood where served at restaurants located at Baybay beach. Our seafood is the freshest and the tastiest you will ever experience and truly captivating.
Cutflower and Dried Fish industry captivates business economy of CapizCapiz is also known for its cutflower production and marketing.  Orchids, heliconias, anthuriums, roses, and other ornamental plants are suitable for reproduction in the province. Having a 400-hectare site ready for contract-growing arrangements, the cutflower industry is poised to become a major income-earner for the province and attracts investors mostly from Japan.


Your experience in visiting mezmerizing Capiz will not be completed without bringing home dried fish pasalubong such as  “Tabagak”, “uga” or “tuyo” and dried squid or “pusit”, also banana crackers, banana chips , fresh lumpia and “dayok”.  All these can be bought in Balay Capiznon, Banica market and Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center.

CAPTIVATING CAPIZ – Cultural and Social Life


Enticing Capiz is a great place to live. This is the birthplace of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, the 1st President of the Philippine Republic, the grandfather of Sen. Mar Roxas. Feel the truly charming experience of a gentle, affectionate and hospitable welcome of at least 701,644 Capiceños that would really captivate your heart.  Affordable hotels, lodging houses and beach resorts are available within and outside the city. Human interaction is far and away the most important value of Capiznon, and people take time to say hello to neighbours or to make small talk with clerks and tricycle drivers.
Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc or DSI, a community based theater from Sigma, Capiz is one of the most-sought after cultural group in Capiz and in the country in recent years, is into advocacy on social issues through the performing arts. Performers are out-of-school youth, students and professionals.  DSI garnered awards in promoting tourism and in cultural presentation. The group likewise represented the Province of Capiz in WOW! Philippines (2003,2005), Intramuros, Manila, 2006 and 2007 Western Visyas Regional Tourism Assembly as well as in various theater festivals in the country. DSI is finalist in the Best Cultural Group Category in 21st Aliw Awards.
A cultural presentation “Saot Capiz”-The First Capiz Dance Season is held every Saturday 6:00pm at Capiz Provincial Park, Roxas City. This was participated by the different Performing Groups in the Province of Capiz.