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Flying Away for the Revelry this January?

While December and Holy Week is considered as peak season for Philippine air travel, January is the month of the big festivities: The Black Nazarene of Manila, Ati-Atihan of Kalibo and the rest of Aklan Province, Sinulog Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo. As expected, thousands of festival lovers, tourists, devotees and the curious take their pilgrimage in the annual revelries all throughout the archipelago. If you like to dance with the crowd and be merry this January without the pain in your wallet for the airfare, here are some alternatives that you may seek in hunting the cheapest fares for your next fiesta. I’ll be particular with the three big Visayan festivities since going here really requires some effort.

Ati-Atihan in Kalibo (13-15 January 2012)

The country’s oldest Mardi Gras is conveniently located in an island full of primary and secondary airports. Kalibo itself has international connections from Asian nations. However, most likely the fare for the dates has already skyrocketed.

• Caticlan (Boracay) Airport  – If you’d check the fares for Kalibo on the dates mentioned, it’s already way expensive for a frugal backpacker to enjoy. Anyhow, an alternative to Kalibo is the ever popular Caticlan Airport, the gateway to Boracay. It’s about an hour or two from Kalibo, Fare costs more than a hundred pesos. The con side is, it’s a popular tourist destination and fares tend to skyrocket quickly.
• Roxas Airport – If Caticlan has gone beyond your limit, fly to Capiz instead via Roxas City. There are daily flights here with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, although only once a day. You’d be surprised how cheap the fare is, despite being near Kalibo (only an hour and a half away!).
• Iloilo Airport – If the morning flights aren’t the best option for you, take Iloilo Airport instead. It has a lot of flights coming in to and from Manila, Cebu and Davao. The downside here is that it is a 4 hour ride from the city to Kalibo and costs more or less P200+. Also, the last bus departs around 4-6PM.
• Bacolod-Silay Airport - Perhaps this is the farthest option from Aklan, if Iloilo’s fares have gone expensive. But most likely it wouldn’t.

Sinulog in Cebu (13-15 January 2012)

Sinulog Festival

Undeniably the biggest street dancing all in the name of Santo Niño de Cebú, this attracts not only tourists and paparazzi, but also devotees in their annual pilgrimage to the Basilica. Crowd can swell up at Cebu, from a city of 700,000 inhabitants into two million over the weekend.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport

Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the country’s secondary gateway to the world. There are a lot of international flights coming in and out of this airport. Also, a multitude of flights coming in and out of Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod and among others, although during Sinulog time, it fills up to the brim. It has a lot of flights, but it has a lot of people—hence, expensive.

Cebu’s con is that the nearest alternative airport is some six hours away by bus, 30 minutes by plane—either through Bacolod or Dumaguete.

Another alternative would be Tagbilaran City in Bohol, although like Caticlan for Boracay, the fares easily skyrocket. Ferry routes aren’t a problem though since Tagbilaran and Cebu route is served daily and regularly. Alternative ports from Bohol such as Tubigon and Talibon may be an option as well.

If you’re visiting Sinulog, plan ahead.

Dinagyang in Iloilo (20-22 January 2012)

Iloilo Airport

Iloilo’s biggest fiesta, the annual mardi-gras of fast-paced choreography and riotous drum beating and throbbing city center makes it a popular festival. Because of its strategic location, it is very accessible and to alternative airports in the region. You can find affordable alternatives in case flights to Iloilo have gone sky high:

Dinagyang Festival

• Bacolod-Silay Airport in nearby Bacolod City/Silay City. Bacolod is just an hour fastcraft ride to Iloilo. This is the usual alternative airport that most Ilonggos used when fares at Iloilo has gone expensive. Ferry rate for one way fare usually is pegged more or less P300+, but there are promos for round trip tickets. Flights here are plentiful as well; more alternatives depending on what time you leave or arrive. Con side, if you are sea sick and fast craft operates from 6AM to 5PM daily (don’t worry, there are three fastcraft ferry companies serving it!)
• Roxas Airport – the second nearest airport at Iloilo. Only two and a half hours by bus to and from Iloilo City. Downside is the limited flight.
• Kalibo and Caticlan (Boracay) Airports – four to five hours away from Iloilo City, it is another alternative airport. Downside—these are popular destinations, hence fares can go high all of a sudden.

Dinagyang Festival

There are more reasons to celebrate this coming January. There are a lot of ways to reach your destination and enjoy the revelry and shout “Hala Bira!” and “Pit Senyor!”

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One of Philippines renowned photographers, Manny Librodo is set to have a photography workshop in the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, Roxas City in the Province of Capiz.

On October 30, 2009, the Manny Librodo Experience is brought to this northern Panay city to share Mr.Librodo’s experiences in photography to the photo-enthusiasts of Capiz.

For more information and reservation, please e-mail manuel_maximiniano_blanco[at]yahoo.com. Limited to 15 participants only.

[Thanks to Mr. Keith Cabillon]

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Pan-ay Church Bells

After spending lunch at Roxas City, we went our way to Pan-ay, Capiz. A few kilometers away from the capital, the surrounding gradually turns from a bustling provincial city to a laid back and quiet town. Surprisingly, their town proper is silent during siesta time.

Pan-ay, Capiz has a lot of history in its sleeves. Some believe that in this town was the first contact of the Spaniards (men of conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi) at the island of Panay while looking for food provisions. Another was that it became the capital of Provincia de Panay (northern province of Panay because Provincia de Oton occupies the south) for two centuries before it was transferred to Capiz (today’s Roxas City). And finally, a massive church in front of a wide plaza with a massive treasure it holds, and said to be the largest church bell in Asia.

Pan-ay Church, Capiz

The Church of Santa Monica’s belfry,  (current stone church) holds the long recognized by generations as the largest church bell here in our country. Locally known as “dakung lingganay” or simply as “big bell.” It is believed to have been conceived from 70 sacks of coins belonging to the townsfolk, it was completed in 1878.

It weighs about 10 tons, 7 feet in height and 7 feet in diameter. This humongous bell can be heard several kilometers away from the town center! Talk about administering a big parcel of land under the bajo de la campana policy of the Spanish authorities during those times!

Going up there at the belfry needs permission from the Parish Office or the church caretaker. Just visit the convent beside the church for inquiries. And by the way, during the time that I was there, the caretaker doesn’t allow taking pictures of the interior of the church due to security reasons at that time.

The church on the other hand is made of coral stone and depicts baroque architecture which was a trend in churches in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The first church was built in 1698 yet it didn’t last long until Fr. Jose Beloso restored the church to it’s full grandeur of today in 1884. It’s foundations were built by Agustinians.

Today, it’s a cultural treasure guarded by the Panay-anons. With their history that anchors the identity of the whole island of Panay and the bells remind the people of their faith and their heritage.

Going there:

Going there, you’ll take a jeep to Pilar at Banica District of Roxas City. Just tell the tricycle driver to have you brought to the jeepney terminal bound for Pan-ay. By the time you reach the small makeshift jeepney terminal, expect that you’ll be jam-packed to the brim! Fare costs more or less P10 when I went there. (Please correct me if I have the wrong fare) It’s just within 30 minutes.

Going back to Roxas City though, you’ll just have to wait for the next jeepney to pass by at the Plaza going back to the city. But take note though, they are not as frequent as Manila’s. Take time to relax and enjoy the town.

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Old Capiz Bridge over Pan-ay River

It may be the notion of generally most of the Filipinos. Saying Capiz is generalizing to poltergeists and “aswangs” and more carnivores, no thanks to media who brought stereotyping to this laidback beauty in northern Panay. Roxas City, the capital of the northern Panay province of Capiz, its the main agro-industrial hub of the province. Dubbed as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, it is blessed by bountiful harvests from both the sea, rivers and the land.

The city of more than a hundred thousand souls, it has a swampy area in the northern area and a hilly section in the southern area. Panay River runs through the downtown, giving a romantic scene in the city. Daw wala man kahaladlukan man di! Media! (There’s nothing to fear here! Media!)

I took Ivan Henares (of Ivan Around Town [www.ivanhenares.com]) and his friend JQ Quesada for a quick trip to Capiz for a heritage tour. This city was formerly known as Capiz, known for its shell industry of Capiz and the hometown of the former President Manuel Roxas. Just a few kilometers away east is the largest church bell in the country.

Capiz Provincial Capitol and the Fish Fountain

Anyway, Ivan and JQ were craving for fresh seafoods so I brought them to Baybayan Plaza Seafood Stalls. And boy they’re into surprise. For then being Manileños, they were awed by the size and the price of the seafood, very affordable and delcious! Sulit!

Fresh seafoods (plus roasted pork liempo for variety, haha!) for lunch!

Eating Lunch by Baybay Beach

After that sumptuous meal, we head on to the city plaza in which the City Hall, the Cathedral of Immacualate Concepcion and the Capitol are all located in a plaza and a fountain with fish heads besides the river of Panay.

Plaza

The Plaza was busy under the searing afternoon sky. This is a very fine example of Spanish colonial administration over the Philippines. Basically the church and the state is here.

Cathedral of Immaculate Concepcion, Roxas City, Capiz

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion was painted blue in honor of their patron saint. The only thing that seperate the church and the state is the narrow Paseo de Catedral in which is lined up with retail stores.

El Puerto de Capiz or simply known as Capiz was the old name of Roxas City. The surrounding areas were said to be where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi settled after moving out of Cebu and before conquering Manila. Established in 1693, it became a city in 1951. It was changed to “Roxas City” in memory of it’s famed son, former Philippine president Manuel Acuña Roxas.

Just accross the city hall is the “Panubli-on” or the Roxas Museum. Built in 1910, it primarily served as a water storange tank. A good example of adaptive use. It is now a museum featuring the historical and cultural manifests of Capiz. Unfortunately, the museum was closed at that time, although managed to get a glimpse inside.

Downtown Roxas City and Cathedral

The 2nd leg of our journey in Capiz takes us at the site of the oldest Spanish settlement in the island of Panay. Site of the bell of enormous size.

More of Roxas City and Pan-ay, Capiz pictures: