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| The Roxas City glows at night. Image: Philip Apuang/Explore Capiz |
There’s more to Capiz than just being the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. Here and there you see expats and retirees strolling around or chatting about. They have their own reasons why they picked Roxas City as their second home. We don’t have towering buildings but we have a long stretch of beach, rolling landscape, and the bounty of Mother Nature. Here's our eight reasons why is Capiz a favorite destination of any.
The People are Warm
and Friendly
Don’t hesitate to ask a local if you feel lost on your way. Locals
are more than happy to help you. The positive disposition of Capiznons is a
unique trait that enables the locals to surpass life’s trials. They have this
fervent devotion to the Immaculate Conception and churches are always packed
every Sunday. The Cathedral is also nearly full every Wednesday during the Mass
for the Mother of Perpetual Help, so I guess, help are always on the way from
heaven every time hard times hit. They have an open line to heaven!
The Food is Scrumptious!
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| Baked Scallops. Image: Christian George Acevedo |
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| A feast for a meal time! Image: Christian George Acevedo |
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| Would this be OK for a breakfast? Image: Christian George Acevedo |
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| Grilled squid for lunch, anyone? Image: Christian George Acevedo |
Tourists are always flabbergasted with the array of mealtime
offerings laid before them on the table. The most popular are seafood cuisines,
ranging from shells and crustaceans, to fish and grilled stuffs. Dried fish are
also a must-try and so are the menus in restos spread throughout the city. More
fine dining establishments are also rising, so the next time you come back
here, you’re one week won’t be enough for food trippin’!
Accommodations are Abundant
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| An array of accommodations are available to relax and unwind in Capiz. Image: Christian George Acevedo |
The range extends from budget rooms to first class suites. And
almost all of them are accessible and within the city. The city now boasts of a
long list of accommodations, from the luxurious to the budget but comfortable. Hotels,
bed and breakfasts and inns are accessible and value for your money so you it’s
very easy to feel at home when you’re here.
The Top Destinations
are Very Accessible
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| Olotayan Island. Image: Christian George Acevedo |
The nearby Olotayan Island is less than an hour of
boat ride. Baybay Beach is just minutes away. And so are Ayagao Beach or Basiao
Beach in nearby Ivisan town. The famous Sta. Monica Church and its iconic
church-bell are located in the nearby town of Panay. Ang Panublion Museum,
President Manuel Roxas’ Birthplace, the imposing Grandstand, and the Immaculate
Conception Cathedral are all in the heart of Roxas City.
Shopping for Dried
Fish is Fun!
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| Dried fish are sold abundantly in Capiz. Image: Collin Yap/Explore Capiz |
Head to the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center or the Banica Dried
Fish Market and your eyes will feast at the wide array of dried fish being
sold. You can also visit Brgy. Dumulog, where these products made.
They have Interesting Myths and Folklores
The Aswang, the flesh-eating night creature, is always
associated with Capiz. But for my entire existence, I haven’t seen one here.
And there’s more. The legend of the fallen giant is also an interesting tale.
There was this giant who used to terrorize Northern Panay. The locals prayed
hard for salvation, so the gods heard them and struck the giant with a lighting
that chopped him instantly. His main body now forms the majestic Isla Higantes,
just an hour away. His shoes became the Sapatos islands. The head and belly
became Olotayan. The eyes and ears became Mantalinga the butt became Tuwad island,
while the hands became Napti Island.
Capiz Takes Pride of its Indigenous People
The Panay-Bukidnon tribe, which lives in the hinterlands
of Tapaz, and nearby towns of Calinog in
Iloilo, are hailed for their unique culture. From them came the famous
Binukots, prized maidens who never knew hard work and served as cultural
custodians, chanting their epics, which now form the Sugidanon tales. While
their culture is endangered by the encroachment of modernity, thankfully,
cultural experts and archaeologists were able to document their way of living
and efforts are now being made to preserve their heritage.
It’s Typically a Laidback Life we Have Here
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| A view to behold, only in Capiz. Image: Gerry Esmolada |
Capiz with its generally peaceful way of life,
free from the crazy pace of huge cities, is your ideal vacation place or retirement
haven. It is also a favorite destination among expats, so wherever you go in
Roxas City, you will find foreigners either enjoying their cup of coffee in the
mall, or meddling with locals in day to day affairs. And when you see a huge
houses lining the streets or rising on subdivisions, one of them must be owned
by a balikbayan who wants to retire here, or an expat who calls Capiz his new
home.
