Explore Captivating Capiz

City of Roxas, Province of Capiz

Photo source: Province of Capiz website

I heard two different versions on how the province derived its name “Capiz”. For many, the name “Capiz” was derived from the “kapis”, an abundant sea shell found in the place and according to few, it was derived from a Capiznon word “kapid” which means, twins. They said that when the Spaniards first arrived at the place, they saw a lady holding her twins. When the Spaniards asked her about the place, she replied “kapid” assuming that the Spaniards were asking about her twins. The word “kapid” later became “Capiz” when the Spaniards pronounced it.

The first time I heard about the province of Capiz was about twenty years ago. I was a primary grade school then in my hometown up north. One night, my grand father was telling a story. He said that in a place called Capiz, there lived fairy-like ladies and when the night falls, their hands will turn into wings and their bodies separate into two. The other half will fly to find food, while the other half will be left at the ground waiting for the other half to return.

He said that when a salt or garlic is smeared into the half part of the body on the ground, the other half part of the body would cry because it can no longer join the other half part of the body on the ground.

Since then, I told myself, I will never go to that place.

Twenty years had past and as the saying goes “nothing is permanent in this world but change” everything changed. My love for travel and photography had brought me to the island of Panay several times exploring the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan, but not Capiz.

I had planned to see the place in the later part of 2013 but due to typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), I had to postpone my travel to the province twice.

Nine months had past since super typhoon Yolanda landed on several islands in the south, Capiz included, I finally made my booking and traveled to this myth-cloaked province to explore, dream and discover.

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Day 01: 22nd of August

Travel from Manila to Roxas City and the City Tour

I took an early flight from Manila to the city of Roxas on the 22^nd of August. Flight time from Manila to Roxas city takes approximately fifty minutes. 

People's Park Seafood Court

I landed at Roxas city airport two hours before lunch time and I met a good friend Mr. Dino Altobano from the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Capiz. He was referred to me by a another good friend and a tour operator in Capiz, Madam Vicky Baes.

From the airport, we took a tricycle going to the People’s Park. In the city of Roxas, tricycle is the primary mode of transportation. Capiz is known in the entire archipelago as the “Seafood Capital” of the Philippines. 

Talaba

Sea Foods of Many Kinds

My experience at the People’s Park indeed reaffirmed Capiz as the “Seafood Capital” of the archipelago. The People’s Park is one of the many places in Roxas city to enjoy sea foods at anytime. 

Lunch with Sir Dino

I had a sumptuous lunch with sir Dino at the People’s Park. Madam Vicky met us at the park later before she traveled back to the city proper.

Aside from the seafood feast, I had a relaxing time at the park looking at the blue and calm waters of the Baybay beach with the Olotayan island at the background. It was so relaxing. 

View of Baybay

According to sir Dino, it’s also nice to visit the place at night. According to him, most of the foreign tourists prefer to dine at the park at night than at day time. We had a very nice conversation about Capiz and the tourism industry in the province.

From the People’s Park, we took another tricycle and went straight to the city proper. It’s a fifteen minute ride and there was a downpour.

I checked in at Plaza Central Inn, a nice budget place located just beside the central plaza and few steps away from the main heritage sites (attractions) in the city: Cathedral, Roxas City Bridge and the "Ang Panublion" Museum. The provincial capitol is located at the other side of the plaza opposite my place.

A Nice Place to Stay at the City of Roxas

After fixing my things inside my room, I went out to explore the plaza and the surrounding heritage sites. I was so excited.

Roxas City Cathedral Facade

Wooden Altar "Retablo"

The first thing that caught my attention was the cathedral standing proudly at the middle of the plaza facing the Roxas city bridge and the fountain, considered by Capizenos as the “ground zero” just like our “kilometer zero” in Manila.

Roxas City Bridge

According to the Tourism Department in Capiz, it has been said that the bridge connects two islands (as both halves of Roxas City are surrounded by water). Looking at the marker, this European-looking bridge was constructed in the early 1900s.

Fountain

I had a chance to explore the interior of the provincial capitol with the assistance of sir Dino. 

Facade of the Provincial Capitol

I was so happy to see that the building has been maintained well and its original architecture preserved. 

Capiz Provincial Capitol Interior

The windows are made of thinly polished kapis shells and the floor at the function hall is made of thick hard wood. The grandeur of the function hall has been well preserved.

From the provincial capitol, we walked to the “Ang Panublion” Museum. 

Ang Panublion Museum

I learned that the structure of the museum is used to be a circular water tank. According to the Tourism Department, it was built in the year 1910 by the town mayor, Presidente Pastor Alcazar. 

Display of Museum Collections

Ang Panublion Museum is a guardian of precious things – the Capizenos legacy.

Posing beside a Bast Sculpture

From the Museum, we took a tricycle to the birthplace of President Manuel Roxas. The two-storey “Bahay Na Bato” still stands at the corner of Rizal and Zamora streets.

Historical Marker

Bahay na Bato, Birthplace of Philippine President Manuel Roxas

Although the house was closed at that time, I felt proud standing in front of the historical structure where one of the Philippine Presidents was born.

Going back to the city proper, we had a rendezvous at Roxas President’s Inn, another nice Inn located near the central plaza.

Facade of Roxas President's Inn

We met Ms. Edna Agustin, the Hotel Manager. We had a short tour inside the Inn and I must say – I was impressed at the elegance of the place.

Standard Room

Room Name Assignment - After a Philippine President

Each of the rooms is named after a Philippine President. I was so eager to see the inside of the Marcos room but it was occupied by a guest at that time. I enjoyed the deliciously-tasty tablea hot chocolate and sandwitch served by Ms. Edna Agustin.

Restaurant and the Lobby Area

From the Roxas President’s Inn, we went straight to see the Capiz Gymnasium.

Capiz Gymnasium

Track Field

Along the way, we passed-by the Roxas City National High School and gazed at the old school building.

Capiz National High School

My first day in Capiz culminated at the People’s Park turned into a cozy park at night. I was waiting for the sunset but the sky was cloudy at that time.

People's Park at Night

Other sights near the plaza:

Panay River

Bandstand

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Day 02: 23rd of August

Explore Talon Adventure Park and Cadimahan River

On my second day in Capiz, I had a quick breakfast at Café 1927, a cozy restaurant adjacent to my place. After having breakfast, I had a short early morning photo walk at the plaza. I took this opportunity to make shots at sunrise.

At 0830H, sir Dino and myself traveled to a nearby barangay called Talon to explore the Talon Adventure Park. 

Talon Adventure Park, a Private Park

This place is still within Roxas city. Travel time from the plaza to Talon Adventure Park on a tricycle is approximately thirty minutes.

Talon Adventure Park, after all, is a private resort. There were few people at the time of my visit and the place was so relaxing. 

The Shore Line

Sea Shells at the Sea Shore

There is a zip line at the area. The view of the shore line atop the hill was very nice. 

Zip Line and the Sea Shore

At the other side of the hill I found a lagoon hidden by the tall green trees with crystal clear waters.

Hidden Lagoon

At the cottages, there were seafood vendors preparing newly harvested talaba and other sea foods ready for delivery to the market. 

Talaba for Sale

Preparing Harvested Talaba for Sale

They said that during harvest time, a sack of talaba would cost P99.00. I enjoyed the place – making photos and relaxing. 

Relaxing on a Peaceful Environment

I appreciate the peacefulness of the place with few people around and with the nice beach, the cottages and of course, the sea foods. The resort is a good place for teambuildings and other group activities.

From Talon, we traveled for Lawis. Similar to the Loboc river tour in Bohol, there is the Cadimahan River Tour in Lawis, Baybay, Roxas City.

Cadimahan River Tour

If the cottages at Talon are lined up along the shore line, the cottages at Lawis are on the river. 

Cottages and Mangrove Seedlings

Underneath are mangrove seedlings. Aside from the cottages, there are wooden boats and floating cottages. Sir Dino said that there were more cottages before. Many were washed out by typhoon Yolanda.

I was amazed to see the old fishing net still being used at Lawis.

Fishing Net and the Old Way of Fishing

We stayed at Lawis for quite sometime, talking to the care taker of the place. There was a barangay meeting at that time inside one of the floating cottages.

Floating Cottages

For sometime, I didn't want to leave the place because it is indeed beautiful and very relaxing.

I also noticed a few fish drying nets at the banks of the river.

Fish Drying

From Lawis, we headed back to the plaza and returned to my inn. It was just past three in the afternoon and I decided to visit the Sta. Monica Church in the town of Panay.

From the plaza, I took a tricycle and asked the driver to bring me to Panay church.

Historical Marker

Panay church is a thirty minute drive from Roxas City plaza.

I alighted at the plaza facing the façade of the Sta. Monica church. I was completely amazed at the grandeur of the old church.

Facade of the Sta. Monica Baroque Church

Just like the old churches in Ilocos, the Sta. Monica church is of Baroque architecture. Its walls are made of coral blocks and at least three feet thick. This church has survived the winds of typhoon Yolanda. Adjacent to the church is the old convent now turned into a Museum.

Facing the church façade, I immediately noticed a huge bell hanging on a steel frame at the right side. At first I thought it was the original bell taken from the bell tower.

Replica of the Huge Bell

Since it was turning dark, I decided to explore the interior of the church first. 

Sta. Monica Church Altar and Wooden Retablo

Church Interior

Church Altar

The church altar is an old four layer “retablo” made of hard wood. The pulpit still stands at the left side of the altar.

I went out of the church through the side door facing the entrance of the old convent (now a museum) and had a nice photo shoot. The museum was closed at that time.

Entrance to the Sta. Monica Museum

At the gate of the museum, I met Randy Glimer who works for the Tourism Department in Capiz and in charge of assisting tourists at the Sta. Monica church. I asked him about the huge bell hanging beside the church façade. He said that the bell is an exact replica of the real one hanging inside the bell tower. He said, the replica is intended for those who can not not climb the bell tower to see the real one.

I went up the bell tower to see the huge bell. Through a narrow winding sixty three steps stairway, I ascended to the top of the belfry. To my surprise, there were 9 old bells. 

The Huge Bell of the Church of Sta. Monica

The largest bell hanging at the middle surrounded by eight old smaller bells. According to Randy, it weighs 10.4 tons and it was cast out of 70 sacks of coins donated by the people in the town.

Antique Bells

Standing Inside the Big Bell

The bell is really so huge that I can stand inside it. The surrounding view atop the belfry revealed an amazing landscape of the town of Panay.

From Panay, I went back to Roxas City riding a tricycle and spent few hours making night photo shots of the plaza.

Roxas City Plaza at Night

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Day 03: 24th of August

Explore Pueblo de Panay and Pilar

On my third day in Capiz, I started my day with a Holy Mass early in the morning at the Cathedral. The mass was celebrated, though, in Hiligaynon dialect. After the mass, I had a nice breakfast at Cafe 1927.

Cafe 1927 Adjacent to Central Plaza Inn

Cafe Interior

At around 0830H, Vicky picked me up at the hotel and we headed on to Pueblo de Panay. This area is currently being developed to be the business district of the province of Capiz. Inside the Pueblo already stand a Robinsons mall and few nice hotels.

Christ the Redeemer at Pueblo de Panay

At Pueblo, I saw a huge statue of Jesus Christ atop the hill. It is “Christ the Redeemer” version of Capizenos. The statue was still under construction at the time.

From Pueblo, we drove to Panay. Along the way, we visited several hotels like the Kapis Mansions.

Kapis Mansions Hotel

At Panay, Vicky toured me inside their ancestral house. It was filled with antique collections – from old jars, old certificates, receipt, lamps, bottles, coral stones and many more. I was amazed.

Vicky's Residence in Panay, Capiz

Posing with Vicky's Display of Antique Collections

I was completely surprised to be invited by Vicky to have lunch at her residence with her family. It was a sumptuous lunch.

Sumptuous Lunch with Vicky's Family at Panay, Capiz

I felt like being part of the family and I was so honored. Indeed, when it comes to hospitality, Capizenos are one of the best.

Few steps from Vicky’s residence is the Sta. Monica Church. Before heading to the town of Pilar, we passed by the old church once more.

From Panay, we moved on to the town of Pilar. It was more than an hour drive. We stopped at brgy. Dulangan to see the giant statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop the hill.

Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop the Hill

I told myself, Capizenos are very religious people. I had a short hike going up the hill to see the giant statue and the surrounding landscape.

Stairs Towards the Blessed Virgin Mary Statue

Rosaries

Beneath the gigantic statue is a simple chapel made of bamboo and thatch roof.

We left brgy. Dulangan and headed on to brgy. Natividad to visit the GiCrafts Shell Museum. It was another one-hour drive from brgy. Dulangan. The museum is simple but the shell collections inside are amazing. I was amazed particularly by the creativity of the owner.

GiCrafts Shell Museum in Pilar

Shell Collections inside the Museum

After exploring Pilar, we traveled back to Roxas City and had a nice hot chocolate at the Robinsons mall. After a while we decided to have a few bottles of San Mig light at Grandville where I finished two and a half bottles before finally returning to my hotel.

I traveled back to Manila on the 25^th of August with a happy and fulfilled heart. I must say, I was captivated by Capiz!

A peaceful place of friendly and hospitable people - is how I describe the province of Capiz. This itself is worth my four days stay - exploring the land and discovering its heritage and natural wonders. Surely, I'll be packing my things once again to see more of this province soon. 

I say, Salamat kaayad, Capiznon!!

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