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
- 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 hinterlandsMost 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 riverAklan 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.
the house of Cardinal Sin in New Washington
Cardinal Sin's statue
Jawili beach
19 Martyrs Mausoleum
Nabas Hills
Campo Verde, Tangalan
Jawili beach from above
Nabas coastline. Its also made-up of white sand...
the town beside the river, Ibajay
Afga Point, Tangalan aerialHow to get to Aklan
Kalibo International Airport (KIA)
- Cebu Pacific
- Mandarin Airlines
- Philippine Airlines
- Zest Air
Kalibo International Airport tarmac- Air Philippines-Pal Express
- Philippine Airlines
- SEA Air
- Zest Air
By sea, the trip to Aklan can last up to 12 hours from Manila North Harbor. Aklan has 3 ports, the jetty port in Caticlan, the port of Dumaguit and the port of New Washington.
- The Caticlan Jetty port caters Roll-on and Roll-off (RORO) shipping lines like Montenegro Shipping Lines
- MBRS Shipping lines
ship entering the port of Dumaguit- MBRS Shipping Lines
- WG&A Super Ferry - Our Lady of Medjugorje
- Moreta Shipping lines
ferry boats to Batan, Aklan in the port of DumaguitAfter arriving in the port of Dumaguit, you can take a jeepney to the town of Kalibo, or a tricycle to New Washington, then a multicab or another tricycle to Kalibo.
By land, you can take a bus or van from Iloilo to Kalibo. Regular buses can take up to 4 hours of more and air conditioned buses can take up to 3 hours and 30 minutes. While vans from Iloilo can take up to 3 hours of less. (Hint: Do not ride the bus from 10am to 12nn, the drivers will stop for lunch and it may delay your trip for apporximately 45 minutes or even more.)
Buses from Roxas City to Kalibo are non-air conditioned, vans are also another option. The trip may take approximately 2 hours.
Buses from San Jose, Antique or Libertad, Antique are often non-air conditioned. From San Jose, the travel time is ofter 5 to 6 hours. From Libertad, the trip may take between 3 to 4 hours.
Weather Delays Construction of New Terminal in Kalibo International Airport
Chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Engr. Percy Malonesio, mentioned that the target date for the completion of the new terminal building was supposed to be last April 17.
He said that "the contractors failed to finish the new terminal building on time because of the changing weather. Right now, the contractors could not determine when the construction would be finished."
the new terminal building under construction
Kalibo International Airport hopes to accommodate the the growing tourist traffic after the construction of the new terminal building. The current building of the Kalibo International Airport cannot conveniently accommodate the passengers because of its limeted space.
Kalibo International Airport management aims that after the completion of the new terminal building they will be strictly adhering to the international standards. Modern facilities will also be installed in the new terminal.
However, after the completion of the new terminal building, porters will be layed off because the CAAP will be using new methods for carrying the luggage of the tourists.
53rd Aklan Day Celebration
Today is the 53rd anniversary of the separation of Aklan from Capiz, making it the 50th province of the Philippines. Several bills were launched to liberate Aklan, there was the Urquiola-Alba Bill in 1920, the Laserna Suñer Bill in 1925 and 1930; then Tumbokon bill in 1934, which almost succeeded. But it was Congressman Godofredo P. Ramos who made the the successful bid for the separation of Aklan on April 25, 1956 making it an indepent province from Capiz. The celebration was started with a lengthy parade from Pastrana park to Aklan's Provincial Capitol building. 
Governor Carlito S. Marquez with his wife, Elizabeth Marquez and Congressman Florencio "Joben" Miraflores 
stunts were performed by the riders of Choice Motor Vehicles
one of 5 brand new Hilux Cabs for the police to use
Mayor Raymar Rebaldo of Kalibo, Aklan
Mayor Lourdes "Lulu" Miraflores of Ibajay, Aklan
Lezo Mayor Victor L. Fernandez
Other government agencies also joined the parade.
the Governor, together with other goverment officials sit on a stage in front of the Provincial Capitol Building
After the National anthem, the provincial flag was raised by the Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle "Billie" T. Calizo.
After raising the provincial flag, the different representatives of the town of Aklan raised the flags of their municipalities.
the flag of the municipality of Libacao was first to reach the top
SEAFDEC Adventure
When I knew that my friend Marcos had a plan to go with Rex and Mayad Studios to a SEAFDEC station in Guimaras, I figured I had to ride along with them.
The station is located in Igang, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. We took a boat ride from Iloilo to Jordan, Guimaras and rode a "multicab" to Nueva Vaencia. Then we rode a really puny boat from the Igang river out to sea. And since I had no waterproof bag, I placed my cam inside a plastic bag.
We had a scary moment when we got stuck in the middle of the sea because of engine trouble. But good thing there was another boat who towed us to the station.
a fish-cage in the middle of the sea
different cages house different species of fish
several islets in the station are connected with bamboo bridges
surprisingly, lots of cats live there...
And after a long and hot day, we bid goodbye to the SEAFDEC marine station in Igang, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. And if I'll have another chance, I'll definitely go back there...
The Best Caldereta in Panay
Some people will say that the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. An sometimes, I really agree. I still have lots of back-log posts in mind but I really feel that I need write about Sally's Kandingan in Brgy. Tinaytayan Dumarao, Capiz.
I can still vividly remember eating at a certain place in Capiz that has one of the best tinolang manok and caldereta I have ever tasted... Well, actually, its the best I've ever tasted...
Back in the late 90's, we used to go to Iloilo every December to buy stuff, and our usual pit-stop would be at Uyapad, in Cuartero, Capiz. But after some time, the food started to taste a little bit different, and so the usual pit-stop was crossed-out from the list.
A year earlier, I've heard from a reliable source that the owner transferred to a new location, and so I thought that's why the food from the other restaurant tasted different. I had an itch to try to eat to Sally's in Dumarao to validate the data that I've heard.
And so, in the midst of Frank terrorizing our shores, we had a pit-stop in Dumarao, Capiz. The rain clouds were very thick and the rain drops were getting bigger by the minute. We arrived at a torn down place, leaks everywhere and we were dripping wet. But guess what, that was just the perfect setting for sipping their really delicious native tinolang manok. And was I concerned about the looks and the leaks of their place?? Hell NO!! I was hypnotized by the best caldereta ever!!! That was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had... But things have changes for the better. As you can see, they had a make-over...
Mang Ibrahim, which is the man behind the mouthwatering caldereta and tinolang manok starts cooking the first batch at around 4 am and continues to cook after a batch is almost consumed. And he advised to stop by at Sally's at around 7 am for a fresh fist batch.
Manong Ibrahim and his wife, Sally
They have two versions of their caldereta, one is made of pure goat's meat and the other is made of organ meat. They also have native fried chicken, adobo, and tinola. And there's a really weird but delicious dish named "rumble" which is a mixture different parts of a chicken that you usually wont eat. But trust me, it tastes good.
And as always, I tend to forget to photograph the food because I'm always too excited to eat. But this time, I didn't, well almost that is...
