Capiz, officially known as the Province of Capiz, is a province located in the central section of Western Visayas – with Roxas City as its capital. It is located in the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan to the north, Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the South. Capiz is comprised of one city, Roxas, and 16 municipalities subdivided into 473 barangays, with two congressional districts.
The 16 municipalities are the following: Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Maayon, Mambusao, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, Sapian, Sigma, and Tapaz.
Capiz is known for its ‘placuna oysters’ that is used to create decorative items. Moreover, the province is known as the ‘Seafood Capital of the Philippines’ and is among the well-visited places in the country. One notable site is the Santa Monica Church, where the largest Catholic Church Bell in Asia is located.
Festivals in the province include the following: Saot Capiz, Sinadya sa Halaran, Pangahaw Festival, Guyum Guyuman Festival, Talahong Festival, and Tagbuan Festival.
The province is headed by Governor Esteban Evan Bacero Contreras.
Roxas City. The Capiz capital, which used to be called the Municipality of Capiz, became a chartered city in 1951 and was renamed ‘Roxas’ in honor of native Manuel Roxas, the fourth president of the Philippines. Roxas City is known for its diverse marine life, thus the seafood capital title. Aside from that, Roxas has been lauded cleanest and greenest in Western Visayas – hailed one hundred percent tobacco-free by the Department of Health and awarded the seal of good housekeeping by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
“Rolling hills hemmed with meandering rivers that flow out to the sea. Expansive fishponds and mysterious promontories inviting one to wonder and wander. Welcome to Roxas City, the capital of the Province of Capiz. Known for its abundant seafood, Roxas City is also teeming with ecotourism destinations, heritage structures, and cultural interests that could pack one’s itinerary with unforgettable experiences,” an excerpt from the Roxas City website.
Roxas City is 118 kilometers (2.5 hours by car, 3 hours by bus) from Iloilo, 349 kilometers (15 hours by ferry) from Batangas, 250 nautical miles (45 minutes by air) from Manila, and 88 kilometers (1.5 hours by car, 2 hours by bus) from Kalibo.
San Antonio Resort. San Antonio Resort, nestled along Lawis Baybay Beach in Roxas City, takes pride in providing quality customer service. It has 50 rooms and suites and five restaurants and bars inside the almost seven-hectare property:
“It started as a dream to share Baybay beach as a resort for people who would like to have a day “away from it all”, a day of fun with a little swimming, a little eating, a day of casual luxury; but decidedly a load of satisfaction and relaxation. The dream came into fruition in 2005 when Casa Felisa Hotel was opened to the public. It was what the Ortiz family dubbed as a bridal suite complemented with a hall for social functions and conferences.Today, the quaint resort has been renamed San Antonio Resort. A resort with 50 beautifully designed rooms and suites. Spanning almost seven hectares of tree lined, meticulously groomed tropical gardens overlooking the scenic Baybay Beach, the resort offers the convenience of both the modern amenities and the charms of nature,” excerpts from its website.
Islands Hotel. With the tagline ‘value for your every stay’, Islands Hotel is known to be as the ‘hotel of choice’ by patrons. Nestled in Sacred Heart of Jesus Avenue in Pueblo de Panay, the hotel offers budget-friendly accommodation and value for money service. Rooms include standard single, standard matrimonial, superior matrimonial, superior twin, deluxe, junior suite, executive room, and suite room. It is proximal to The Kaffa Haus, a coffee shop serving a variety of bread and pastry.
“We started our business in 2018 with one goal in mind: providing an enjoyable dining experience to the Roxas City area. Thanks to our experience and dedication, we’ve managed to become masters of the craft. Providing dishes that are fresh, hearty and simply unforgettable.”– an excerpt from the Islands Hotel website on its Kaffa Haus property.
Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center. Commonly known as ‘TATC’, the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center takes pride in its newly renovated ‘fish section’. The said area has just been renovated this year and will be home to around 300 vendors. Local government assures that the renovated area will be a safe and sanitary haven for vendors and buyers alike.
Spanggo. ‘The pies that bind’ says the printed article on the wall. The Spanggo Cafe and Pasalubong Center was the brainchild of Janice Zaldarriaga. Janice’s love for making buko pies paved way for a Capiz icon, Spanggo. The Spanish and Ilonggo portmanteau is also a crowd favorite. Buko pies are always available for customers. Aside from buko pie, Spanggo also has a variety of treats, meals, and unique products.
Panulce. You have not been to Roxas if you haven’t tried its famous ‘biscottini’ – delicious toasted bread glazed with caramel. The sweets at Panulce is a definite crowd favorite. Apart from biscottini, Panulce also offers tasty treats such as choco crinkles, brownies, and butterscotch
Read more:
- Guide to Baguio
- Guide to Binondo
- Guide to San Joaquin
- Guide to Guimaras Island
- Guide to Carles
- Guide to Puerto Princesa
