Capiz, Philippines

Seafood Capital of the Philippines
Capiz is a small province located in Western Visayas, Philippines. Usually, this place is not among the first destination in your mind whenever you visit the country. But what you don’t know is that, despite being small, there are still loads and exciting things that you can do here. 
There were a lot of misconceptions before, that tagged the province as home to the aswangs (mythical creatures), but the real reason why Capiz is getting the attention of people is due to its abundant marine life, which is why Roxas City (Capital City of Capiz)is dubbed as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines.”

Capiztahan festival

The center of roxas city
A reflection of Capisnon culture, faith

CAPIZ will glitter and shine during the Capiztahan Festival 2016 on April 14-17.
Known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines,” Capiz is also famous for its Parade of Lights, which this year will be held at 6 p.m on April 16 from Villareal Stadium in Barangay Tiza, Roxas City, to the city public plaza fronting the city hall. Thousands of neon lights covering floats and bodies of people dancing on the streets will illuminate the main streets.

Pilar, Capiz

Pilar Cave

                It is found in Brgy. Natividad Pilar, Capiz. It can be seen to all passersby along the highway; it is one of the unique caves in the province of Capiz. About many years ago a group of people discovered the earthen paths with several designs. The cave must have been the burial sites of Pre-Spanish Filipinos. The Balisong cave in the town of Pilar where the Capiz Revolutionaries routed Spanish soldiers in the Balisong cave. The side of the mountain where the caves is a spectacular sights.
                One has to tread on as mall pathways created in the rice fields to reach the caves. The cave has six passages that you can choose to enter. Some of the entrance of the caves are very small while others are big.
               
Agtalin Shrine Pilar Capiz
Get amazed by a gigantic statue of the Virgin Mary at the Agtalin Shrine. Located in the municipality of Pilar, the religious icon is considered the tallest in the country at 80 feet tall. They International Marian Research Institute listed the Agtalin Shrine as a premier pilgrimage site. It is believed that some faithful with incurable diseases were healed by praying at the shrine.Amazingly, it nestled on top of the hill, confirming human sentiments.
   Found realizing started through the efforts of the Agtalin development Foundation and numerous private citizens. In 1991, construction began with the help of an engineer, a sculpture, volunteer laborers, the difficult terrain, heavy equipment and human labor just kept on working.It was in 21 July 1993 when finally, the beautiful 85-feet statue was blessed by Bishop Onesimo Geordoncillo of Capiz, and then Parish Priest of Dulangan, Rev. Fr. Domingo Deocampo.The Statue considered the highest Marian Statue in Asia, has found a beautiful place in the province of Capiz.

This is the picture of mama Mary of Agtalin Shrine 
in Pilar province of  Capiz. Pilar is 4th class municipality in the province of Capiz, Philippines. Agtalin Shrine- Is located in the province of Capiz , at the place of Paradise of Brgy. Dulangan in municipality of Pilar ,Capiz.The miraculous medal statue of mama Mary. The blessed mother is standing above the chapel. AGTALIN SRINE is located in the top of the hill. The Miraculous Medal Statue of Mama Mary. They have a mass in first Saturday of the month. Even though it is so tired before you look the whole body of Mama Mary but still other people they tried their best, yet because they have a good miracle for their dream, blessings and good health. The Blessed Mother is standing above the church.  Thousands of devotes visit the Agtalin Shrine every first Saturday of the month to honorthe Blessed Virgin Mary and for the healing Mass/Prayer for the sick.                
The Mysterious Mummy 

The Story of Maria Basañes
According to the family, Maria Basañes was a very religious woman. The official literature states that she died of a heart attack at 47 years old on March 12, 1929 (a family member told me that she had been murdered, but this is not confirmed and has been denied by all other reliable sources). Later, the family was required to move the grave and found that her body was preserved. They now keep her in the living room of their home. Rumours say she wanders the region at night and, according to the family, they often find grass on her feet in the mor justnings. Some believe this to be a divine will, others believe she should be deemed a saint.
We were told by the family and guide that the process for canonization was started with a local bishop, but the case has not passed the second stage of examination by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. There are 4 stages to canonization – Servant of God | Venerable/Heroic in Virtue | Beatification | and finally Canonization. Upon further investigation, her name is not found on the list of Filipino Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Her name is also not found on the Vatican’s list of candidates awaiting approval. Even though Sainthood may not be in the future for Maria Basañes, the love from her community in the barrio of Casanayan is clear.
 
Hinulogan falls

The Hinulugan Falls is located in Brgy. Tabunacan. It is one of the most breath-taking tourist attraction in the municipality of Pilar. Enjoy the refreshing and cold water that would revive and invigorate your spirit
It is surrounded with the natural beauty of nature. For adventurers, hiking could be done going to its final top that takes 20-30 mins.
Hinulogan falls

  The hinulugan Falls one of the most highest, bigger and beautiful Falls in Capiz. It is located at Brngy. Tabun-acan Pilar, Capiz. Its height is 42ft long. 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. With a nature surroundings,cottages and a wide place.You will enjoy to visit this Falls because not only the Falls of Hinulugan You will see, Theirs also the Falls of yating. Many people came to this falls especially on summer vacation because you can afford their cottages and entrance fee with a lowest price, and you will enjoy also by hiking with your friends and families. You will see the virgin forest, more butterflies, big stones, fresh air, clear water, good quality services, native cottages, comfortable peaceful place that you can relax, and feel the natural beauty of Falls. This Falls is managed by the Brngy. Captain Edgar Alfaro and the Brngy. officials of Brngy Tabun-acan. The total population of this Brngy. is 1,764. They called this as Hinulugan Falls because of their belief story. 1930 The falls discovered by the residence of Brngy. Tabun-acan 80 years ago now. Year 2000 they beautify and they make cottages and to improve this falls. After this many people especially the vacationist came to this place. Come and enjoy and”Welcome to Hinulugan Falls”!!.

Kawa-kawa falls

Kawawa Falls is located at Barangay San Silvestre, Pilar, capiz. It is called “Kawakawa”because of its natural formation is shape like a big frying fan. It has falls above it with clear waters flowing down the kawa with 15 feet deep. it has a diameter of round 10 meters and surrounded by “dalipe” or solid rocks. it has a distance of 1.5 kilometers from the Barangay proper and is located near the boundary of San Silvestre & Tabun-acan.
La Playa de Balisong beach

Church of Roxas, Capiz

Roxas Cathedral

 Crowning downtown Roxas City is the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral Parish known as Roxas Cathedral. This beautiful stone church was completed in 1876, destroyed by the typhoon back in 1698 and reconstructed in 1954.
Sta. Monica Church is a Baroque style Church built from coral stones. It is actually located in Pan-ay, another municipality of Capiz.
Santa Monica Parish Church inside the church
Panay’s “dakong lingganay”: the biggest church bell in Asia



The Museum (close as of the moment) are located beside the Church. 

The quiet town of Panay is home to several national cultural treasures —the Santa Monica Parish Church (commonly known as Panay Church) is considered the oldest in the whole island of Panay, and dakong lingganay is known as the largest church bell in Asia and third biggest in the world.

Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue

Completed during 2015 and situated at the top of a hill, the gigantic statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, measuring 132 feet, is presumed to be the tallest of its kind in the Philippines.
A Church can be found right at the foot of the statue where visitors can pray, reflect, light candles or attend the ordinary and healing mass. One can also relax, walk around and feel the breeze as the place is surrounded by hills and trees. The place also offers a breathtaking view of the city.
This religious attraction can be reached by riding a car or bigger vehicles, as the road leading here is rough and a bit steep. Tricycles might have a hard time getting through it. I’ve seen some visitors who managed to walk up the hill just to see the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Inside the Church

Roxas, Capiz

Stroll the City Center

Just like in any other province in the Philippines, the city center of Roxas is mainly comprised of a Church, City Hall, Plaza, Museum, Hospitals, Schools and Market. Points of interest that you should see and visit includes:
Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral – one of the oldest Churches in the country.
Panublion – a small museum (used to be a water tank) that houses some important artifacts and documents regarding how Roxas City was before, at present and its vision for the future.
City Bridge – built during 1910, this bridge crosses the Panay River. It connects the commercial center of the city to the main plaza.
Roxas City Fountain

Built in 1925, the Roxas City Fountain in front of Roxas Cathedral at the heart of the city plaza has been a subject of controversy. Interestingly, the fountain’s focal center is the kilometer zero point of the city. The original fountain was destroyed during the World War II and was rebuilt in 1946 where eight sculptured fishes with jet sprays so that water gushes from their mouth where installed. But in 2007, the original design of the Roxas City Fountain  was heavily altered  reportedly costing millions of pesos . Four kneeling male reminiscent of European flair were installed drawing both praise and criticism from the locals. But when a new administration was elected in 2010, these controversial statues were demolished and resurrected back to its original design. Talk about wasted  tax payer’s money.  In 2012, another renovation was made, eventually turning Roxas City Fountain into a dancing fountain drawing  flak from the public again.
 
Roxas City Bridge

Across the controversial Roxas City Fountain is the Roxas City Bridge (Old Capiz Bridge) which was constructed in 1910. The 106 year-old bridge where the placid Panay River traverses has stood the test of time, connecting the commercial center to the main road. Because of this, some locals call Roxas City as the “Venice of the Visayas”.
 
Roxas City Bandstand

At Halaran Plaza near the Roxas City Bridge, you can find a beautifully-designed earthquake- proof bandstand built in the 1920s by Jose Roldan, the first Filipino principal of Capiz trade school. This spot served as the site of political rallies.
 
 
Capiz Provincial Capitol

The neck-swiveling Capiz Provincial Capitol with neoclassical architectural flair is another well-preserved old structure situated in Roxas City Plaza.  This beauty was designed by the American architect William Parsons and built in 1910.