Region VI: Western Visayas

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Western Visayas covers the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros
Occidental.

Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental were created by virtue of Republic Act No. 2711 on
March 10, 1917. Aklan was created on April 25, 1956 under Republic Act No. 1414. Guimaras
became a province after the referendum on May 11, 1992.

DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND

Total land area of 20,223.2 sq km or 6.74% of total land area of the Philippines.

Western Visayas has 16 Cities, 117 Municipalities, 4,050 Barangays.

CULTURAL GROUPS

Ethno linguistic people are called Panay-Hiligaynons. Ilonggos, Aklanons, Capicenos, Antiquenos,
Negrenses.

PROVINCES AND CAPITALS

AKLAN – Kalibo

ANTIQUE – San Jose

CAPIZ – Roxas City

GUIMARAS – Jordan

ILOILO – Iloilo City

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Bacolod City

AKLAN

Situated in the Northeastern part of Panay Island. It is the oldest province in the Philippines.
Associated with a Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw. It has 17 Municipalities and 327 Barangays.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

●Rice

●Corn

●Coconut

●Abaca

●Crabs

●Pottery Making

●Ampaw Making
MAIN PRODUCTS

●Bags, Hats and Clothes made of Abaca and Pina fiber

TOURIST SPOTS

Festival

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL

Every 3rd week of January. Rhythmic Dancing of participants who darken their bodies with soot
and Don colorful tribal finery.

HURUBATON (Proverbs)

●Ang taong may kasaypanan

Iyas, iya dalagan

(A guilty person may fear

his own shadow)

●Karon imo pa

Buas akon na

(Today is yours

Tomorrow is mine)

PAKTAKON (Riddles)
●Ang dagat gin putos sang langit

Ang langit gin putos sang tulan

Ang tul-an gin putos sang bulbol

Ang bulbol gin putos sang panit

(The sea was covered by the sky

The sky was covered by the bone

The bone was covered by the fur

The fur was covered by the skin)

-Lubi (Coconut)

●Ako my isa ka amigo

upod ko bisan diin ako makadto

(I have a friend that stays with me wherever i go)

-Landong (Shadow)

GINTUNAAN (Legend)

The Horrific Manananggal

ANTIQUE

Situated in the western part of Panay Island. Profiled like a seashore because of its appearance.
Its name was derived from“hamtik”meaning large ants. Considered as the“Home of Sacadas”.
It has 18 Municipalities and 590 Barangays.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

●Agriculture

●Fishery

●Forestry

●Trade

●Commerce

MAIN PRODUCTS

●Hat made of Abaca

TOURIST SPOTS

FESTIVALS

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL
Every April 30 to May 2. Commemorates the Landing of Bornean Datus led by Datu Puti and Datu
Sumakwel during 13th century, a historical significance which brings pride to Antiquenos.

HURUBATON (Proverbs)

●Ang tao nga mapinulugnon mabinuhaton

(An accusing person is the culprit)

●Ang diotay nga kaalam

Madali sa katalagman

(Lack of knowledge leads to danger)

PAKTAKON (Riddles)

●Madalum nga bubon

Puno sang singaban

(A deep well full of sharp objects)

-Baba(Bunganga)

●Uyatan mo ang ikug ko

Masalum ako

(Hold my tail and i will dive)

-Sandok

GINTUNAAN (Legend)

The Legend of the Ten Borneon Datus

CAPIZ

Situated in the Middle Eastern part of Panay Island. Derived from the Visayan word “Kapid”
meaning twins. It is composed of 16 Municipalities and 473 Barangays.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

●Fishery

●Tourism

●Telecommunications

●Broadcast communications

MAIN PRODUCTS

●Capiz shells

TOURIST SPOTS

FESTIVAL
SINADYA SA HALARAN FESTIVAL

Literary means “joy in sharing and giving”. When rituals and festivities of every town are
captivated in the weeklong celebration of fireworks, grand parade, fluvial processions, fair and
food festival and exhibits.

HURUBATON (Proverbs)

●Ang ta-o nga butigon, maluibon

(Dishonest persons are deceitful)

●Ang katamad nagatudlo sing pangawat

(Laziness teaches one to steal)

PAKTAKON (Riddles)

●Matahum nga dalaga

Makita tatlo ka beses sa isa adlaw

(A beautiful maiden can be seen three times a day)

-Pinggan(Plate)

●Natawo ako sa aga

Kag napatay sa hapon

Apang ako ang kalipay

Sa tanan nga dutan-on

(I was born in the morning

And died in the afternoon

But i am the happiness of the earth)

-Pagbutlak kag pagtunod sang adlaw(Sunrise and sunset)

GINTUNAAN (Legend)

The legend of Maria Labo

GUIMARAS

Located between Panay Island and Negros Island Formerly called Himal-us from the word
“paghimud-us” meaning a struggle for survival. It has 5 Municipalities and 98 Barangays.
Known as the “Mango Country” because of its 8,000 hectares of mango orchards.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

●Farming

●Fishing

●Mango Production

MAIN PRODUCTS

●Livestock

●Mango

●Coconut

●Mango Products

TOURIST SPOTS
FESTIVAL

MANGGAHAN FESTIVAL

Every April 16-20. Celebrated for the sustained promotion of mango industry.

HURUBATON (Proverbs)

●Ang tao nga wala sing pilak

Daw pispis nga wala sing pakpak

(People without money

Seems birds without wings)

●Wala sing adlaw nga

Wala'y pala-abuton

(Every day brings hope)

PAKTAKON (Riddles)

●Pirmi lang gapasirong pay basa man dyapon

(always sheltered but still wet)

-dila (tounge)

●Ini sa may liog pay wala sing ulo,

 may lawas pay wala sing busong

(It has neck but mo head, it has body but no belly)

-bote (bottle)

GINTUNAAN (Legend)

The Legend of Mangoes

ILOILO

Situated in the Southeastern part of Panay Island. Formerly called “Irong-irong” under Datu
Paiburong in the confederation. It has 42 Municipalities and 1,721 Barangays. Last capital of the
Spanish Empire in Asia. Known as the “Textile Capital of the Philippines”also known as “Food
Basket and Rice Granary of the Western Visayas”.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

●Sugarcane

●Farming

●Fishing

MAIN PRODUCTS

●Bamboo Products

●Nito Products

●Loom Weaving

TOURIST SPOTS
FESTIVAL

DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

Iloilo City’s version of Ati-atihan Festival but is definitely impressive in choreography and striking
in terms of the various attired worn by participating tribes which reflect the ingenuity,
craftmaship, and artistry of the Ilonggos.
HURUBATON (Proverbs)

●Ang uling pagbasul inutil,

Subong sang siko nga indi makagat

(Regrets are useless,

like elbow that can't be bitten)

PAKTAKON (Riddles)

●Baston ni San Jose indi maisip

(St.Joseph's cane cannot be counted)

●Ang utot sang amo indi madakptan sang kamot

(The monkey's fart cannot be grabbed by the hand)

GINTUNAAN (Legend)

The Legend of Gigantes Island

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Situated in northeastern part of Negros Island. Formerly called as “Buglas” but changed into
Negros. It has 19 Municipalities and 13 Barangays. Once called as Negros Island together with
Negros Oriental known as the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines”.
MAIN PRODUCTS

●Sugarcane

●Coffee

TOURIST SPOTS

FESTIVAL

MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Every third weekend of October to October 19 when the city of Bacolod

Celebrates its Charter Anniversary. The word Masskara is a combination of English word “mass”
and Spanish word “kara” which means face. It depicts the steadfast character of the Negrenses.

HURUBATON (Proverbs)

PAKTAKON (Riddles)

GINTUNAAN (Legend)
The Legend of Mt. Kanlaon

DELICACIES IN REGION VI

FAMOUS PEOPLE IN REGION VI

FAMOUS SONG IN REGION VI

Dandansoy

:Alex C. Delos Santos

Dandansoy, bayaan ta ikaw

Pauli ako sa payaw

Ugaling kung ikaw hidlawon

ang payaw imo lang lantawon

Dandansoy, kung imo apason

Bisan tubig di magbalon

Ugaling kung ikaw uhawon

Sa dalan magbubon-bubon

Kumbento, dilin ang cura?

Munisipyo, diin justicia?

Yari si dansoy makiha

Makiha sa pag-higugma

Ang panyo mo kag pangyo ko

Dal-a diri kay tambihon ko

Ugaling kung magkasilo

Bana ta ikaw, asawa mo ako

English translation

Dandansoy, I'd like to leave you

I'm going back home to Payao

Though if you yearn for me

Just look towards Payao

Dandansoy, if you follow me

Don't bring even water

Though if you get thirsty

Dig a well along the way

Convent, where's priest?

City hall, where's justice?

Here is dansoy, charged

Charged with falling in love

Your handkerchief and my handkerchief

Bring them here, as i'll tie them together

For if they interweave

May you be my husband, I your wife

FAMOUS ILONGGO FOLK SONG

Ili Ili

Ili-ili tulog anay,

Wala diri imong nanay.

Kadto tienda bakal papay.

Ili-ili tulog anay.

ili ili tulog anay

wala diri imo nanay

kadto tienda bakal papay

Ili-ili tulog anay.

mata kana tabangan mo.

ikarga ang nakompra ko.

kay bug-at man sing putos ko.

tabangan mo ako anay..

kay bug-at man sing putos ko..

tabangan mo ako anay...

ili ili tulog anay

wala diri imo nanay

kadto tienda bakal papay

Ili-ili tulog anay.

DEATH RITUALS

●Wake: During the time of the wake, the nearest kin is expected to sit beside the body in order
to receive contributions or‘abuloy’to the visitors. In return, the family in mourning is expected
to prepare food and refreshments for their guests.

●Vigil: Vigils are held all throughout the night until the burial of the dead to keep the deceased
company. People usually kill time during the vigil by eating, drinking,

gambling or just plain talking with one another.

●Burial: is a very solemn event. The family would view the body for the last moments and then
the lid of the coffin is closed. Before the coffin is moved out of the house, members of the family
say a prayer. The coffin is then carried out the main door feet first. This act symbolizes the exiting
of a person, where if the head was to go out first, it is believed that the spirit of the deceased will
not leave the house.

The coffin is then loaded on a hearse, a horse carriage, or carried by chosen individuals. The
traditional funeral procession in the Philippines involves walking to the church and the cemetery,
no matter how long the distance is. Today friends and other relatives who cannot participate in
the parade can opt to ride a car during the procession.

●Nine day Novena: groups prayers offered to the dead, must take place. These group prayers are
held to help the deceased enter the gates of heaven. The fourth and ninth days are said to be the
time where the soul of the deceased comes back. A food offering is left outside the door of the
family’s house during these days to offer to the soul of the deceased.

●40th day Celebration: 40th day after the death of the person is celebrated because it is said
that on that day the spirit of the deceased ascends to heaven.Exactly one year from the day of
the death, a final mourning called ‘waksi’ is celebrated. In a waksi, the family prepares a feast
and, together with the visitors, offers prayers to the deceased. Some provinces consider this as
the day where the family can go back to wearing colored clothes.
OTHER SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS

●Feed the mourners, but don't walk them to the door when they leave.

●Don’t sweep the floor while the body is still lying in state or else other deaths in the family
may follow.

●No tears should fall on the dead or the coffin as it would make a person's journey to the
afterlife difficult.

●When someone sneezes at the wake, pinch him.

●During the wake the dead person's relatives must not take a bath.

●Food from the wake should not be brought home because it's believed that the dead touches
all of it.

●After a funeral service, guests should not go directly home. This way the spirit of the dead
won't follow them to their house.

●When carrying a coffin out for burial, it should be carried head first as it prevents the soul of
the dead from coming back.

● Before a man comes home from a funeral he should light a cigarette from a fire at the
cemetery gate to shake off spirits of the dead.

●The corpse should be positioned facing the door - the feet should be facing toward the door so
it will allow the spirit or depart easily.

●Family members should wear black or white, colors are prohibited.

●Weddings, birthdays, and other social activities should not be celebrated for one year.