It's about 25km from Estancia to ROXAS, capital of Capiz province,
which has a reputation among Filipinos as being a hotbed of witches and
shamans. Roxas is a hot, hectic urban sprawl that probably won't form
part of your Philippines itinerary unless you decide to use it as a
gateway to Panay's unexplored northeast corner and the islands around
Estancia.
The airport, ten minutes north of the city by jeepney or tricycle
in Arnaldo Boulevard, is served from Manila by Philippine Airlines and
Cebu Pacific. Philippine Airlines' ticket office is at the airport
(Tel:036/621 0618), while Cebu Pacific has two offices, one at the
airport (Tel:036/621 0663) and the other in Legaspi Ilawood Street
(Tel:036/621 0307).
Ferries from Manila, including WG&A's Our Lady of Lipa, dock
at the Calusi pier, a short distance to the west of the city. The main
ticket office for WG&A is in Jugo Building, Rizal Street
(Tel:036/621 5567), although there's also one at the pier and another at
Hughes Street corner Arnolda Boulevard (Tel:036/621 0231). Other
companies sailing here from Manila include Moreta Shipping Lines (at
Calusi Pier; Tel:036/621 0238) and Negros Navigation (their office is at
the 1km marker, Roxas Ave; Tel:036/621 1473 or 3822).
Jeepneys and buses for Kalibo
and Estancia use the Alba terminus south of the Panay River, reachable
by tricycle (P6). This is also a good place to pick up FX vans to
Kalibo. The Ceres Liner bus station for buses to and from Iloilo via the
interior is next to the Caltex petrol station on the National Highway.
The best accommodation in
Roxas is the central Roxas President's Inn at the junction of Rizal
Avenue and Lopez Jaena Street (Tel:036/621 0208; P500-700). Rooms are
spacious, en suite and well looked after, and the rate usually includes
breakfast. Halaran Plaza Hotel in Rizal Street (Tel:036/621 0649; Under
P500), opposite the city hall, has a choice of comfortable fan and
air-conditioned rooms, plus a popular ground-floor Chinese restaurant.
Capiz is a province where myth and reality are joined together.
Legend has that Capiz got its name from Balingangan who is Datu
Bankaya's eldest son. He named his two territories "Kapid" and "Akean"
(meaning: twin) in honor of his twin daughters "Bulan" and "Adlaw"
(which means moon and sun respectively). The Spaniards who conquered the
place took on these names thus named as Capiz and Aklan.
Ever
wondered why talk about Capiz when the subject matter is Roxas City? It
is because this city was once known as the Municipality of Capiz, now
the capital of the province of Capiz. The province is located at the
heart of the Philippine Islands.
This historic place was
discovered in 1569 when Captain Diego de Artieda landed in the town of
Pan-ay. He was sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi from Cebu. Captain
Artieda proclaimed it as the capital primarily because it located near
the sea and that it has better docking facilities. The Spaniards were
able to foresee a trading and shipping center in this place because of
its long coastal cover, thus the ports in Libas and Culasi were
constructed.
The town of Capiz was always attacked by Muslims that
in the year 1814, stone forts at Baybay Beach or Baluarte were built
through the efforts of Gobernadorcillo Jose Consolacion. The ground was
broken in 1870 to give way for the foundation of the Cathedral of Capiz
under the supervision of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez. The Cathedral was
built by Capizenos who were forced to do this manual labor. On May 12,
1951, Capiz became a Chartered City. It was then named Roxas City in
honor of its greatest son, President Manuel Acuna Roxas, who is the last
president of the Commonwealth and the first president of the Philippine
Republic.
You'll have many things to discover in Roxas City,
Capiz. Don't believe in hear-says. Visit Capiz and experience for
yourself how mystic it is because once you set foot on this island,
you'll want to visit it again and again.
Scenic Capiz Bay Resort with its fishponds, private shoreline,
its trees, facilities and rustic air-is a real boom to tired minds and
limbs. Located in Brgy. Libas, Roxas City, Capiz, it is a mere 15-minute
ride from the heart of the city.
The fishing area attracts guests who are delighted with the sure
catch, hands on, fishing experience. The "hook and cook" your catch
theme is one of the resort's popular attractions. The airy and clean
cabanas have the best view of the beach where friends.
