WESTERN VISAYAS GUIDE BOOK CONTENTS Message - Sec. Joseph Ace Durano 14 Message - Dir. Edwin Trompeta 15 The Host Country Philippines 16 The Many Faces of Western Visayas 17 Map of Western Visayas 18 Western Visayas Region (Fact File) 19 Aklan 22 Antique 30 Capin 36 Guimaras 42 Iloilo Province 48 Iloilo City 54 Negros Occidental 60 Bacolod City 66 Boracay 72 Suggested Tours 81 Listing of DOT Domestic Offices 88 Listing of DOT Foreign Offices 89 Tourism-Related Organizations in Western Visayas 91 Listing of Provincial City/ Tourism Offices 92 Acknowledgment 93 MESSAGE Unravel the complexities of Western Visayas with its distinct characteristics of fabulous landscapes and natural resources which include vibrant habitat in verdant forests, breath-taking tropical coastlines along white sand beaches, chromatic coral reefs in aquamarine waters and cascading waterfalls linked to riveting riverbeds. Equally enriching is the colorful history, diverse culture and magnificent heritage sites that never fail to enthrall travelers and sightseers. This paradise region likewise boasts of splendid man-made structures, exhilarating activities, fascinating festivals and an exquisite fusion of delectable cuisine and local delicacies. Our warmest welcome as you discover the many possibilities in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, Bacolod City and Guimaras, a spectacular creation of a diverse chain of 7,107 islands complemented with the extraordinary hospitality of its endearing people. Mabuhay! JOSEPH ACE DURANO Secretary Dept of Tourism MESSAGE The Department of Tourism is pleased to offer this informative guidebook that covers the attractions, services and facilities in the Philippines' Western Visayas region. Our region is the ultimate tourism destination that showcases the best attractions one can conjure as a tourist. As a tourist destination, the region possesses cultural, natural and man made resources that are as significant and attractive as any other major destinations in the country. The attractiveness, accessibility, number of activities and diversity of facilities are far more superior than most regions and are comparable to many in the world. In coming up with the Western Visayas Tourism Guidebook, we hope to encourage first-time visitors to see for themselves those activities and attractions that make this region unique. We have also included newly-initiated community tours managed by the locals. Major cities have made their local tours more compact and compelling. Thus, we also encourage Filipinos to rediscover their own backyard as tourism hereabouts has grown by leaps and bounds. Many thanks to the DOT Region VI staff and the people behind the Western Visayas Guidebook. May we continue to serve the country to the best of our abilities. EDWIN G. TROMPETA, CEO III Regional Director Dept. of Tourism THE HOST COUNTRY: THE PHILIPPINES The Philippines is a happy meeting of East and West. Stretching to 1,900 kilometers from north to south and 1,110 kilometers from east to west, it nestles at the center of the Southeast Asian region. Its three main groups of islands that compose Luzon, Visayan and Mindanao, are all accessible from major cities of the world. All in all, the Philippine territory covers the entire 7,107 islands. It is an archipelago located between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. It is east of Vietnam and north of Sabah and Borneo. Its unique location has made the Philippines the commercial, cultural and intellectual hub of Asia since the early times of recorded history. The Philippines is populated by around 85 million people, a vast majority of whom are descendants of Malays, Chinese and Muslim minorities. The cultural minority groups that total more than a hundred spread through out the entire islands. Filipino and English are the major languages spoken by the inhabitants supplemented with 10 minor languages and 87 dialects. Filipinos are predominantly Roman Catholic although a significant portion of the population is a mixture of Protestant, Muslim and Buddhist. THE MANY FACES OF WESTERN VISAYAS Western Visayan is Ulan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Western Visayas is unimagible without the excitement of Ati-atihan Festival... White sand beaches and clear water of Boracay - two of the world-renowned attractions of the Philippines in Aklan which together with exciting caves and natural pools have given this part of the country its indelible marks in the hearts and minds of tourists. One cannot really think of Western Visayas without thinking of Antique... historic land of the Binirayan festival... majestic mountains... world's largest flower... cascading waterfalls... white beaches.... rich fishing grounds... and white water kayaking. The bounties of the sea are reasons enough to celebrate life through the Sinadya sa Halaran festival in the idyllic province of Capiz which takes pride in its historical sites as well as in its caves and beaches, coves and islets. The charm of rural life is irresistible in Guimaras, the "Mango Country" whose identity festival, Manggahan, among other attractions has become a byword side by side with its mountain biking, sailboat racing, religious landmarks coves, islands and beaches. Real vacations happen in Iloilo, its capital city -with the same name, home of the famous Dinagyang festival, oldest golf course in east Asia, stately mansions, majestic century-old churched, unspoiled countryside and exotic delicacies. Known for its inland attractions, Negros Occiental with its capital, Bacolod City, takes pride in its historical sites, lifestyle museums, vintage steam locomotives, ancestral houses and natural bounties that await the adventurous. FACT FILE Provinces Population Provincial Capital No. of Barangays Municipalities Aklan 451,314 Kalibo 17 327 Antique 471,088 San Jose 18 590 Capiz 654,156 Roxas City 16 473 Guimaras 141,450 Jordan 5 98 Iloilo 1,559,182 Iloilo City 45 1,901 Negros Occidental 2,136,647 Bacolod City 19 661 Total 5,413,837 117 4,050 HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES POPULATION Iloilo City 334,539 Bacolod City 402,345 COMPONENT CITIES POPULATION Passi City, Iloilo 69,601 Roxas City, Capiz 126,352 Bago City, Negros Occidental 141,721 Cadiz City, Negros Occidental 141,954 Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental 88,684 Escalante City, Negros Occidental 79,098 Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental 149,769 La Carlota City, Negros Occidental 56,408 Sagay City, Negros Occidental 129,765 San Carlos City, Negros Occidental 118,259 Silay City, Negros Occidental 107,722 Victorian City, Negros Occidental 81,743 Sipalay City, Negros Occidental 62,063 Talisay City, Negros Occidental 79,146 WESTERN VISAYAS FACT FILE CLIMATE Panay - No Pronounced Wet and Dry Season Central Iloilo, Northern Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Antique - No pronounced season; relatively dry from November to April Southern Antique, Southern Iloilo and Guimaras - Dry November to April; No pronounced wet season the rest of the year. Negros Island - Not very pronounced , relatively dry from November to April. BEST MONTHS TO TRAVEL IN WESTERN VISAYAS December to February - Festival months (Christmas, Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang, Candelaria) cooler days/nights March to May - Vacation months, fiestas galore, dry season, abundant tropical fruits, sports festivals REGIONAL TOURIST PRODUCT INVENTORY Historical/Cultural (landmarks, sites, churches, festivals, museums, antique collections, shrines, etc.) Natural (caves, falls, mountain ranges, exotic flora and fauna, springs, gardens, world class beaches) Special interests (golf, local cuisine, spelunking, trekking, photo tours, mountain biking, kayaking, diving, cruise, etc.) Industrial (sugar mills, "iron dinosaurs" (steam locomotives), fisheries centers/research, handicrafts, tree farms, gemstone quarries Shopping (export quality garments, food stuffs, souvenir, pottery, ceramics, woodcrafts) AVAILABLE HOTEL / RESORT ROOMS IN WESTERN VISAYAS DOT-accredited hotels/resorts -23 DOT-accredited hotel/resort rooms - 2,675 Non-accredited hotels/resorts - 23 Non-accredited hotel/resort rooms - 3,894 ACCESIBILITY OF WESTERN VISAYAS Means of Transportation Frequency/week Capacity A. AIR Kalibo 35 flights/week 5,250 pax/week Iloilo 63 flights/week 5,250 pax/week Bacolod 49 flights/week 5,250 pax/week Caticlan 203 flights/week 7,994 pax/week Roxas 14 flights/week B.SEA Iloilo-Bacolod 16 trips/day 3,900 pax/week Manila 11 trips/week 12,000 pax/week Cagayan de Oro 2 trips/week 4,000 pax/week lligan 1 trip/week 2,000 pax/week Zamboanga 2 trips/week 4,000 pax/week Cotabato 2 trips/week 4,000 pax/week Davao 1 trip/week 2,000 pax/week Bacolod-Manila 5 trips/week 10,000 pax/week Cebu 10 trips/week 5,836 pax/week Palawan 2 trips/week 600 pax/week C.RORO Manila 56 trips/week 3,360 pax/week Bacolod 35 trips/day for cargoes & vechicle AKLAN Azure waters and picturesque beaches, the queen of Philippine fabrics, and the Philippine mardi gran, Ati-atihan. All these you find in Aklan province in the northeastern part of Panay Island. Immerse yourself in Aklan's adventure tours, the best way to appreciate various marine sanctuaries and eco-tourism areas. Witness the making of pifia cloth made of intricately woven pineapple fiber made famous by Aklan and vice-versa. Discover the secret charms of this lasting paradise named after the "rumbling of running rivers." Attractions Bakhawan Eco-Park in Kalibo, a multi awarded 75-hectare mangrove reforestation project, is a recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for Excellence in Environmental Preservation and is considered the best in Asia. The Marine Sanctuary and Coral Garden in Tangalan has artificial reefs, hard and soft corals, tropical fishes and marine flora that have returned to beautify this underwater garden while Batasan Point in Buruanga is a haven for scuba divers, snorkelers, cliff board divers and nature enthusiasts from nearby Boracay Island. A must-see before the Sabang Cave Tour in Buruanga is the elevated location of the cave's mouth where one can witness a stunning panorama of long stretch of beaches, seascapes, and the green fields of Sabang.