On Top of Balaan Bukid

Guimaras is a very beautiful island. But its beauty is not only found in it beaches and islets, but also in a mountain with a Cross in it peak, Balaan Bukid.

Usually, the people climb the mountain because of the Lenten season. But it also provides a fascinating view of the city on the other side of the Guimaras straight, Iloilo.

The island of Guimaras.

Ortiz port, Iloilo.

Its very accessible from Iloilo. You only need to ride a ferryboat from the port of Ortiz, Iloilo to Jordan wharf, which now costs Php 13.

After arriving in Guimaras, you can hire a tricycle for a mere Php 70. Each tricycle can carry 5 to 6 passengers. And the best thing is you can also tell the driver to pick you up after spending some time in the mountain. Tricycles in Guimaras are somewhat pretty fast though, but you can still ask the driver to slow it down a notch.

Balaan Bukid.

The caretaker lives on top of and there's a small settlement at the base of the mountain.

You need thick-soled slippers to climb the mountain. Most of the mountain's terrain is mostly composed of sharp rocks.

These trees welcome tourists by scattering their flowers on the ground.

People with weak knees beware, some parts of the climb are a bit steep and fatigue can contribute to bad injuries when you slip in the jagged surface.

One of the mountain's guardians.

On top of the mountain is not only a cross, but also a church.

A view of Iloilo city on top of the mountain.

A view of the "insides" of Guimaras.

A view of Jordan wharf from the top.

Like Yin and Yang, as the sun sets, the moon rises.

The coast of Guimaras faces the sunset as light turns to darkness.

Kalibo Holds Motocross Event

Kalibo, Aklan held a motocross event in the track located at the banks of the Aklan river near Kalibo's bridge connecting to Numancia.

Riders from different provinces participated in the event. There were riders from Tapaz, Antique, Iloilo and Kalibo. Some of the Aklan Trail Riders (ATR) also participated in the event.

Excitement was in the air as the riders revved their engines and raced towards the finish line.

parked

one of the Bacabac brothers entertaining the crowd before the final race

don't try this at home

one foot air

aggressive mid-air duel

riders push hard till the first turn after the start

racers jockeying for position

speed

one foot air in the finish line

moped madness

two riders still jostling for position

Rider down. The paramedics test their skills as a rider falls and nose-dives to the ground. The the #27 rider, Racel Delo Santos of (ATR) got away with minor bruises and small cuts.

dramatic finish

fin

Moped Class Winners

Jay Delo Santos
Jv Bacabac
Jimboy

Beginners Enduro Winners

Jimboy
Joclef Reyes
Joseph Navarette

Open Enduro Winners

Nic Castronuevo
Recel Delo Santos (ATR)
Jv Bacabac

Open Production Winners

Dexter Bacabac
Jv Bacabac
Nic Castronuevo

Aklan Philippines

Aklan is the northern most province of Panay island. It is thought to be the oldest province of the Philippines. It became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Aklan was inaugurated as an independent province on November 8, 1956.

R.A. 1414

Aklan Provincial Capitol Building

The province is bordered by Capiz to the southeast, Antique to the southwest and the Sibuyan sea to the North. Aklan has 17 municipalities namely:

Altavas
Balete
Banga
Batan
Buruanga
Ibajay
Kalibo
Lezo
Libacao
Madalag
Makato
Malay
Malinao
Nabas
New Washington
Numancia
Tangalan

The province of Aklan has been reclassified into a first class provinceand the capital of the province is Kalibo. The language primarily used id Aklanon, but the intonation may differ between towns, especially in the Hinterland areas such as Libacao and Madalag, to the northern municipalities like Ibajay, Nabas, Malay and Buruanga. The Hinterland town's Aklanon is mixed with "karay-a" while the northern towns are reminiscent of the "sina" dialect. Expect though that most of the locals can understand English, Filipino, Karay-a and Hiligaynon.

Aklan's hinterlands

Most Akeanons derive livelihood from rice, corn, coconut, abaca, and pottery making. Fishponds and offshore fishing employ many persons in the province. While some will argue that the seafood capital of the Philippines is Capiz, Aklan can also boast an array of different seafood. Also, small-scale industries like piña cloth weaving, abaca and bamboo handicraft thrive in Aklan. Pottery making and pop rice (ampaw) making are local industries that have augmented the people's livelihood in this province. Residents living near the banks of the river make clay pots and jar the old-fashioned way, as others engage in pop rice making. Popularly known as "ampaw" in the local dialect, it is processed from cooked rice, dried, deep fried with oil and sugar, and then molded into the same sizes and dried slowly.

the unpredictable Aklan river

Aklan is also famous for the Atiatihan festival, which is celebrated every third week of January. While some may only know that the Atiatihan celebration is only celebrated if the town of Kalibo, it is also celebrated in the towns of Altavas, Batan, Makato, Malinao and Ibajay.

the enchanting island of Boracay, where anything goes...

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist of Kalibo

Museo if Akean (Museum of Aklan)

Aklan is famous because of Boracay island as its main tourist attraction. It is located in the northern part of the island. Other sights to see in the province is the Kalantiaw shrine in Batan; Museo it Kalibo, 19 Martyrs, Tigayon hill and Bakhawan Eco park in Kalibo; cold springs in Nabas; Jawili beach and Jawili falls, Campo Verde and Afga point in Tangalan; statue and house of Cardinal Sin and Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington; Libacao wild river rapids and waterfalls; Ignito cave , Batasan point, Ashram Balay- Pagduaw and Talisay Beach in Buruanga; Kipot Cave (Barangay Talon), Suhot Cave (Barangay Talon), Macawiwili Falls (Barangay Cabugao), Agtutoe-an Water Falls (Barangay Talon), Veterans Park (Barangay Lumaynay) in Altavas; and much more.