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.
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.
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 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 tarmacAfter arriving in the Kalibo International Airport, you can hire a tricycle to take you to town. Usually, the rates are 50 to 100 pesos depending on the distance.
- 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
The changing weather because of the tropical storms may delay the completion of the new terminal building at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA).
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.
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