Province of Guimaras Places of Interests

Built in 1910, Roca Encantanda offers a striking view of the beach from its balcony or porch.

Isla Naburot, Guimaras Island

Guimaras was formerly called Himal-us and was a sub-province of Iloilo until 1992 when they gained their independence.

It was believed by the archaeologists and geologists that Guimaras was once part of Panay Island. Both islands were of the same age.

The province is located southeast of Panay Island and northwest of Negros Island. It has an area of 60, 465 hectares and a population of 162, 943 as of 2010. The capital is Jordan. It has 98 barangays divided by 5 municipalities namely, Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag.

The island of Guimaras is near the port of Iloilo and is accessible through pump boats and can be reached within 15 - 20 minutes. It has wonderful shorelines, stunning waterfalls, springs, caves and remote islands that is so attractive for island hopping.

Dr. Jose Rizal mentioned Guimaras in his diary as early as 1890 about travels as a pleasing picnic island. He wrote this entry in his diary: "Near Iloilo, there is an island which was ideally made a picnic venue for families."

The island is a gift of nature that provides protection and refuge has a bright promising potential as a tourist destination. Since the beginning, Guimaras is already an ideal place for relaxation ideal for fishing, skiing and diving, shell collecting, butterfly catching and other forms of outdoor recreation.

"Guimaras is therapeutic" written by Dean C. Worcester, professor of zoology at the University of Michigan. The professor went on a vacation in the island in 1887. He said "In the month of our stay in Salag Dako, not only we regain our health and wellness but we also obtain important materials."

Aside from having the great potential of being a tourist attraction, Guimaras is rich in natural resources. A large portion of citrus fruits sustain Iloilo province, almost half of its copra, big portion of sea foods. It has a large deposit of steel, silica, clay, lime and other minerals. It is home to one of the sweetest mangoes in the world along with several towns in Iloilo since they produce the most number of mangoes in the country.

American forces learned the importance of Guimaras. They assigned two cavalry regiments whose influence and effect is commemorated by the barrios which bear American names such as Montpelier, Maclaine coral street in Supang, aligning point in Punta Blanco, the dockyard in Barangay Santo Rosario, Buenavista built by then Lieutenant Douglas MacArthur of the United States Corps of Engineering in 1903. It is also in the wilderness of Guimaras in Buenavista where the life of Douglas MacArthur were in danger when he was attacked by the desperate brigands. Fortunately, his life was spared when a bullet hit his hat. This crucial part of his life was documented by MacArthur in his "Reminiscences or Memories."

Naburot Island is a 2.5 hectare coral isle in the western shores of Guimaras, white sand, rich in colorful coral and marine life
Bala-an Bukid (Sacred Mountain)  - on top of Bundolan Point which has a giant cross and chapel, flocked by Catholic pilgrims during the Holy Week, offers a breath taking view of Iloilo City across the Iloilo strait and it is about 30 minutes walk from the chief port of Jordan.

Trappist Monastery, Barangay San Miguel, Jordan - considered as the first and only Trappist monk monastery in the Philippines. Offers tranquility, peace and relaxation to those who are tired and weary to offer some time for prayers and meditation.

Catilaran Cave - 20 kilometers south of Jordan, 1/2 kilometers of cave and about an hour jeepney ride from the port of Jordan; used as a refuge and shelter of the ancient people before the Spaniard arrived.

Three Isles in Jordan - about 45 minutes boat ride from Iloilo City; small caves; ideal for swimming, camping, boating; white sands

Rumagangrang - about 45 kilometers from Jordan port; white sand beach, caves, crystal blue waters, rich marine life

Puting Balas (White Sand) - 20 minutes boat ride from Jordan port; perfect for picnic; nearby mountains invites everyone who wants to climb.

Biri Cave - 1 1/2 kilometer from Barangay Poblacion; 45 minutes walk from small river and steep pathway; narrow entry spacious very cool interior

Ambakan Cave - natural falls with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming, camping and walking tours.

Macopo Falls - 12 kilometers from the Jordan port; beautiful waterfalls with two (2) crystal clear water pool for swimming

Beautiful Jordan and Buenavista Municipal Halls

Beach of Tiniguiban Red Shrimp in Nueva Valencia is found at the western tip of Tiniguiban Isle, white sand, ideal for picnic, swimming and scuba diving; red shrimps that belongs to a unique species is abundant in the nearby small lake and only comes out of hiding when there's a surge in water level.

Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia - beach resort perfect for swimming, picnic because of its white sand; 30 minutes jeep or car ride from the town center or about an hour and a half pump boat ride from Iloilo City

Iloilo Center of Tourism

Iloilo has a fair share of tourist attraction - beautiful places, historical locations, outstanding arts, culture and architecture, colorful traditions and festive celebrations. Most of all, Iloilo is home to the vibrant, free-spirited, active, happy and welcoming Ilonggos.

The province has a lot of space and accommodations for tourists and travelers. A world class modern airport is available  to welcome guests. One of the safest ports home to some of the sea vessels and commercial shipping boats in the country as well as world class hotels and accommodations.

Iloilo's port of entry is one of the best and safest harbors in the country protected from the harsh elements by the island of Guimaras which provides the most convenient relief and shelter for passenger and commercial ships of different sizes and numbers.

Iloilo River one of the most plied rivers in the country found in the city is the center for transportation, commerce, business, recreation, health and lifestyle.

The province has several miles of sparkling ivory sands waterfront, mountains and verdant hills. The coastlines of Iloilo is incomparable, strands of pearl that runs until the eyes can see. In its shores can be found glorious fishing vessels, colorful sails which became the indispensable source of produce of the fishing industry in the province.

The province answers the call of the needs of the society. It gives time and attention to the things that will feature the country as a place of attraction and entertainment to guests, tourists and visitors alike. Thus the vast potential of the province as an ideal top destination of the country is achievable.




Photo Source:

Jojo Gabinete
NEDA - Region VI

Ilonggo Dishes

Pancit Molo

Pinasugbo

Tablea Chocolate

The popular Ilonggo dish La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo (so named after the places they originated) are becoming a popular international dish being served in the restaurants in New York and Los Angeles.

Pancit Molo is tasty chicken or pork meat balls wrapped in thin dough of molo wrappers and boiled in chicken or pork stock with other spices.

The famed bakeshops with over a century of experience and skills are offering distinctively tasty breads, pastries and biscuits in the province. Some of these pastries are banadas, hojaldres, broas, biscocho, galletas, butterscotch, turones, etc.

Other Ilonggo food are chicken inasal or grilled chicken, binakol na manok or beaten chicked cooked in bamboo, pinasugbo, barquillos, barquiron, linupak or mashed saba banana, suman, tablea chocolate bar, ibos, bukarilyo or bukayo, kalamay hati, bahe bahe / baye-baye, KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka), tinuom, apan-apan, bicho bicho, puto lanson or puto taktak, nilagang baka na pata, linagpang, laswa, bande, moasi and peanut brittle. Sinamak is a type of dip sauce or can also be a dressing made out of vinegar, chili, ginger, garlic and other condiments combined together. 






Photo Sources:

www.recipeshubs.com

www.saborphotoblog.tumblr.com

www.casaveneracion.com

Some Important Facts About The History of Iloilo and Panay Island - Significant Points During The Time Of Foreign Colonial Period

The Ilonggo voluntarios gather in Plaza Alfonso XIII (now the Plaza Libertad) and marches on the city proper on their way to Manila to quell the revolution in Luzon headed by General Emilio Aguinaldo 

The Ilonggo revolutionaries end the Spanish rule of Iloilo Christmas Day of 1898 

General Martin Delgado lead the Ilonggo revolutionaries in ending Spanish colonial rule in the Visayas establishing the Visayan Revolutionary Government independent than that of Emilio Aguinaldo's government and resisting the American forces during the first few years of American colonial period. He became Iloilo's first civilian governor under the American regime in 1901. 

Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain who bestowed the title of "The Most Loyal and Noble City" to Iloilo in 1890 becoming the Queen's favored city in the south hence the title "Queen City of the South".

Iloilo City Original Official Seal and Coat of Arms 

Some able-bodied enthusiastic members of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's expedition reached the old towns of Halawod (Dumangas) and Ogtong (Oton).

The interception of Portuguese troops caused the scarcity of food provisions forced Legazpi to transfer to Panay in 1566. Some of Legazpi's men reached Iloilo and found the area generous amount of food supply. A community in Oton was established that year and Gonzalo Ronquillo y Peñalosa was listed as the head of the encomienda system.

Augustinian friars established a residence for their order in Oton in 1572 and eventually soon, Oton became the capital of Iloilo and Negros. In 1581, Oton was replaced by Arevalo as the capital of Western Visayas. The new capital was named La Villa de Arevalo by now Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo y Peñalosa in memory of his town in Spain.

Arevalo became a powerful metropolis. It was here that the official residence of the Alcalde Mayor of Western Visayas region and the Commanding General of Spanish forces in Moluccas is located. Arevalo became a center of trading (pineapple and jusi), center of commerce and also the headquarters of the Spanish military expedition against Muslims in Mindanao and the Dutch forces in Moluccas.

During the 16th and 17th century, the what we call now as the city proper of Iloilo is only a hidden fishing town surrounded by swamps. It is called La Punta or the tip, a swampy place with a path that crosses at the harbor up until Arevalo towards the long stretch of the sea.

In 1602 when Pedro Bravo de Acuña returns from the headquarters in the South he stayed in Iloilo and decided to build a fortification - the Fort San Pedro which was assigned with two company of soldiers to fight the pirates. The town is just bigger than the fort and its nearby barracks. This was named the second capital of the island.

Arevalo was found to be frequented by the invasion of the English, Moro and Dutch pirates who for several times looted and burn the coastal towns in 1614. In 1638, Governor-General Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera ordered the transfer of the capital from Arevalo to La Punta or The Tip, the name given by the Spaniards to Irong-irong, Kinaray-a word which means nose because it shapes like a nose. On that year, there is a sudden influx of settlers in the place in accordance with the order of Governor-General Corcuera to all the Spaniards and Chinese to transfer there.

There are several battles which took place in the shores of Iloilo. The most colorful yet probably took place in 1618 against the Dutch in which event an image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary or the Nuestra Señora del Santo Rosario was found.

The Dutch forces is aware that the Spanish fleet is in Malacca and thus cannot be used. There are some 60 Spaniards, a company of soldiers which consisted by the natives and people appointed by the priests headed by Captain Diego de Quiñones. Quiñones was first sent to Cebu and Manila where strengthen the defense of the cities and afterwards in Iloilo which has the weakest in line of defense. They only have four (4) cannons which fires cannonball which looks like pomelo.
 
The first sighting took place on September 28 with 10 huge ships with provisions of 400 cannons. Since Quiñones created some ignitions, the Dutch forces fired at awkward places. The next day they landed. The battle started when there at least 500 people at the shores. Quiñones was injured and ten (10) of its officials and were almost defeated. The enemy forces spent the night at the tip or Punta while the natives at the surrounding strongholds. The battle continued until the thirtieth (30th) of the month. Due to unexplained reasons, the enemy forces suddenly retreated without taking the time to bury their dead comrades or to get back their injured soldiers thus leaving in the shores eighty (80) wounded and one hundred (100) dead. The enemy forces sailed forth disappearing without any light in darkness.

The next day, Quiñones stroll along the shores to inspect the fort. He stumbled and fell to a pit where a box is located. When the box was opened, much to Quiñones and his men's surprise they saw the image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary or Nuestra Señora del Santo Rosario. Nobody knows where it came from.  The Augustinians Geronimo de Alvarado and Juan de Morales organized a procession and brought the image to the fort. This is the image venerated in San Jose de Placer Church.


Graciano Lopez-Jaena - called as the "Demosthenes of the Philippines" due to his oratorical skills.


Santa Barbara - became the center of the revolutionary government in Visayas which was launched on November 17, 1898. The officials of the government appointed on that day were:

President - Roque Lopez
Secretary of Finance - Venancio Concepcion
Secretary of State - Ramon Avanceña
Secretary of Justice - Jovito Yusay
Secretary of War - Julio Hernandez
General Secretary - Fernando Salas


Governor General Diego de los Rios left Iloilo for Zamboanga on December 24, 1898 together with the remaining troops. He left Iloilo City in the hands of Alcalde Don Vicente Gay who surrendered the place to the revolutionaries. On December 25, 1898.

General Marcus Miller appointed Jose Maria Gay as the mayor (alkalde) of the city while Matias Ybiernas became the vice-mayor. 




Photo Sources:

http://www.ilongo.weebly.com
http://www.philippineamericanwar.webs.com
http://www.santabarbara.myguide.ph
http://philphilately.blogspot.com

Some Important Facts About The History of Iloilo and Panay Island - Arrival of Malay Settlers

Little bronze figures depicting the Barter of Panay

Datu Bangkaya, founder of Aklan province

Datu Paiburong, founder of Iloilo province stands proudly at the Iloilo River Esplanade

Sultan Makatunaw - the cruel tyrannical ruler of Borneo who is the reason for the exodus of the noblemen courts of ten (10) datus to search, occupy and rule new lands.

Datu Puti - the wise minister of Sultan Makatunaw who lead the exodus of ten datus, their families and people.


The Ten (10) Bornean Datus Who Left Borneo And Search For New Lands To Settle:


Datu Puti (head chief of the expedition) - with wife, Pinangpinang
Datu Bangkaya - with wife, Katorong
Datu Paiburong - with wife, Pabulanan
Datu Sumakwel - with wife, Kapinangan
Datu Paduhinog - with wife, Ribongsapaw
Datu Dumangsol - with wife, Kabiling
Datu Lubay
Datu Dumangsil
Datu Dumalogdog
Datu Balensuela


They brought with them their people, followers, servants, warriors and slaves.

Ati people - group of people who were the original inhabitants of Panay Island. They were short in height, dark skinned with kinky black hair, thick lips, short nose and fast disappearing because they are not permanent settlers and they transfer from one place to another. They like to eat honeybees. They get it by lighting some fire and create smokes to drive away the bees before getting the honeycomb. They are pretty much afraid of water, never learn the skill of swimming and never created sailboats.

Datu Marikudo - the chief of the Ati people during the arrival of the Malay settlers.

Maniwangtiwan - wife of Datu Marikudo

Datu Puti and Datu Marikudo met in Sinugbuhan at the shores of Ilug-ilugan of Andona and sat on the Embidayan stone to which the arriving group explain their desire of settling in the place.

Datu Puti offered some treasure in exchange of the land they will occupy and settle with their followers. The Borneans offered golden hat made of nito and anahaw leaves and golden batya.

Maniwangtiwan noticed the manangyad, a golden necklace worn by the wife of Datu Puti to which she offered Maniwangtiwan her necklace much to her delight.

Manangyad - a very long golden necklace which touches the ground from the neck of the wearer 

The Borneans also offered different gifts to the Atis, including a dagger (kris) to Marikudo, beautiful red beads with bells for Maniwangtiwan, necklaces to the Ati women and axes, clothes and trinkets.

The Atis, on the other hand, aside from offering their lands promised to give tabungos (basket crafted from bamboo) filled with crabs, 7-year old wild boar, white cross-eyed deer.

Tabungos - a basket crafted from bamboo. It is used to store rice grains but sometimes used to store poultry and farm and cattle products. It has various sizes, small, medium, big. 

As a sign of the barter, the Borneans and the Ati held a bountiful feast and merrymaking by showcasing their native dance and music. This is the origin of the popular annual Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan and Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City.

After the festivities, the Atis went to the mountains to settle leaving the vast tract of fertile lands and valleys to the Malay settlers.


Datu Paiburong, his wife and followers stayed in Iloilo. Datu Bangkaya, Datu Sumakwel and their wives and followers settled in Malandog, Antique where vast fertile lands for farming can be found. The place was called Hamtik, named after the large red ants that are plentiful in the place.

The datus divided among themselves the island of Panay into jurisdictions or districts:

Hamtik (former name of Antique) - was under the rule of Datu Sumakwel
Aklan - under the rule of Datu Bangkaya
Irong-irong (former name of Iloilo) - under the rule of Datu Paiburong

The datus decided to call the entire Panay island Madyaas after the highest mountain of Panay located in Hamtik (present-day Antique province in the town of Culasi) was said to be the dwelling of their god Bululakaw. They called their government Konpederasyon it Madyaas or Confederation of Madiaas. The supreme chief is Sumakwel, the brightest of all.

In 1225, Datu Sumakwel wrote some codes of conducts and set of rules and laws known as the Code of Sumakwel or Code of Maragtas. This was the first code and set of laws declared in the Philippines and followed by the Visayans. This code was painstakingly translated in Spanish by Guillermo Santiago Guino and in English by Manuel Carreon and Emma A. Bilan. The codes contain some simple truths, states the obligation of work for every individual.

Kalantiao who became a ruler of Aklan also wrote some codes that was named after him. The codes contains some 18 articles and it includes some ordinances about taking good care of one's life, tools, veneration of relics, safety of women, support of truth and the establishment of a just government. The code also includes the punishments for those who violate these laws. Though the implemented punishment is a bit harsh, the jurists unanimously agreed that these has similarities with the ancient laws of the Greeks and Romans. According to Josue Soncuya, this code was excavated by Jose E. Marco of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental in Panay Island. The code was written in the old Bisaya alphabet in 1433. Its translation in Spanish was found in "Las Antiquas Leyendas de la Isla de Negros" of Father Jose Maria Pavon. The original code was under the care and custody of Don Marcelino Orfila of Zaragoza, Spain.




Photo Source:

Madyaas Pen - http://madyaaspen.blogspot.com
Reed Dexter via www.flickr.com
Research Center for Iloilo - http://ilongo.weebly.com
Robbie Robles via http://iloilo-travel-guide.blogspot.com

About Panay Island

One of the largest island in the Philippines, Panay consists of the following provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. Guimaras was formerly a sub-province of Iloilo until 1992 when it became an independent province separate from Iloilo.

Panay has had several names.

Before 1212, Panay was called Simsiman. The community is located at the shores of the Ulian river and was linked by a creek. The creek provided salt to the Ati people as well as the animals which licks the salt out of the salty water. The sim means simsimin or to lick thus the place was called Simsiman.

During the time of Datu Pulpulan, father of the Ati chief Marikudo, the island was called Aninipay from words "ani" to harvest and "nipay," a hairy grass abundant in the whole Panay. The hairs of this grass though short is very sharp and easy to prick the skin but very difficult to remove. Once the hair sticks to the skin it can cause an unusually itchy feeling. For this reason, Datu Pulpulan enacted a law that whoever among the Atis will use the nipay grass to endanger others will face death as punishment.

The victim who was pricked with the nipay grass hair will feel uneasy. His or her skin will be swollen that will also be very itchy. The hair will only go deeper into the skin once the victim scratches it so its advisable not to scratch the affected area. The only way to remove the nipay grass hair on your skin is by using soft clothe dipped in coconut oil and rub gently on the affected skin and the nipay hair will easily be remove from the skin and stick to the greasy cloth.

When the Malay settlers arrived, they call the island Madiaas after the highest mountain in Panay thought to be the sacred dwelling of the gods called bathala and where the dead thought to be judged. The picturesque mountain which stood majestically in the area was thought to be the sacred place of Bululakaw, their supreme god or bathala. The island was so named by the Malay settlers due to the splendid beauty and allure of Mount Madiaas.

A Spaniard named Gonzalo Ronquillo reached the island and gave the name Pan hay which means "there's a bread (Pan)"  in the island. The place was then called Pan-hay which eventually became Panay.

Authors Of The Philippine Constitutions

Malolos Delegates to the 1898 Malolos Constitution

Opening Of Malolos Congress

Here are the authors of Philippine constitutions through time and the date of the draft:


Name of Constitution                               Written By                              Date

Biak na Bato Constitution                   Isabelo Artacho,                         1897
                                                               Felix Ferrer 

Makabulos Constitution               Gen. Francisco Makabulos               1898

Constitution of Aguinaldo's              Ambrosio Rianzares                     1898
Dictatorial Government                            Bautista

Constitution of the 
Revolutionary Government              Apolinario Mabini                        1898

Malolos Constitution                          Felipe Calderon                          1898

National Constitution of the
Philippine Islands                             Cayetano Arellano                       1900

Constitution of the Free State      California Members of the
of 1900                                        Anti-Imperialist League of                1900
                                                             America


Constitution for a Free State of
the Philippines                                  Pedro A. Paterno                         1900

Constitution of the Tagalog                                                   November 12, 1901 -
Republic                                          Macario Sakay                   March 25, 1902

Philippine Bill of 1902                                                                         1902

Constitution of the Rizaline
Republic                                         Artemio Ricarte                  March 31,1913

Jones Law                                                                                            1916

1935 Constitution                      1934 Constitutional                          1935
                                                         Convention

1943 Constitution                                                                               1943

1973 Constitution                     1973 Constitutional                          1973
                                                       Convention                                  

1986 Constitution                    1986 Constitutional                           1986
                                                       Convention                                              



Photo Sources:

kahimyang.info
msc.edu.ph
Malacanang Presidential Library Official tumblr.com account