WESTERN VISAYAS

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
■ Western Visayas covers the provinces of
■ Aklan,
■ Antique,
■ Capiz,
■ Guimaras,
■ Iloilo and
■ Negros Occidental.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
■ 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
MAJOR INDUSTRIES
PRODUCTS OF AKLAN
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, it's 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)
●Ako my isa ka amigo
upod ko bisan diin ako makadto
(I have a friend that stays with me wherever i go)
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
 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
■ Agriculture
■ Fishery
■ Forestry
■ Trade
■ Commerce
■ Industry
PRODUCTS OF ANTIQUE
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
•Uyatan mo Ang ikug ko
Masalum ako
(Hold my tail and I will dive)
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.
 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
■ Fishery
■ Tourism
■ Telecommunications
■ Broadcast communications
■ BPOs
MAIN PRODUCTS
MAIN PRODUCTS
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 nagatudio sing pangawat
(Laziness teaches one to steal)
 Paktakon(Riddles)
•Matahum nga dalaga
Makita tatlo ka beses said Isa adlaw
(A beautiful maiden can be seen three times a day)
•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)
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 INDUSTRY
MAIN PRODUCTS
MAIN PRODUCTS
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)
•Ini sa may liog pay Wala sing ulo,
may lawas pay Wala sing busong
(it has neck but no head, it has body but no belly)
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 INDUSTRY
MAIN PRODUCTS
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)
•Kung kaagahon, may ara apat ka-tiil
Kung ugto, duwa. Kung gabab-ihon, tatlo
(in the morning, it has four legs. At noon time, two. And nights three)
•Ang utot sang amo Indi madakptan sang kamot
(The monkeys fart cannot be grabbed by the hand)
Gintunaan(Legend)

The
Legend of
Isla
Gigantes
 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”.
MAJOR PRODUCTS
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 Spanishword “kara” which means face. It depicts the
steadfast character of the Negrenses.
 Hurubaton(Proverbs)
•Ang mayad nga kabubut-on,
Indi mabakal ka pilak
(A good heart, cannot be bought by money)
•Kun ikaw ginahaboy Kang bato
Balusan mo kapag puto
(if stones is thrown at you, throw back rice cake)
 Paktakon(Riddles)

• Kapti ikog ko, malangoy ako

(grab my tail, I will swim)
• Ara ka, diri ako. Dugay-dugay, tupaday na ta
(i'm here, you're there. in the moment, we'll be together)
Gintunaan(Legend)

The Legend
of Mt.
Kanlaon
Famous song from Region 6
●Dandansoy
:Alex C. Delos Santos English translation

Dandansoy, bayaan ta ikaw Dandansoy, I'd like to leave you

Pauli ako sa payaw I'm going back home to Payao
Though if you yearn for me
Ugaling kung ikaw hidlawon
Just look towards Payao
ang payaw imo lang lantawon
Dandansoy, if you follow me
Dandansoy, kung imo apason Don't bring even water
Bisan tubig di magbalon Though if you get thirsty
Ugaling kung ikaw uhawon Dig a well along the way
Sa dalan magbubon-bubon
Convent, where's priest?
City hall, where's justice?
Kumbento, dilin ang cura? Here is dansoy, charged
Munisipyo, diin justicia? Charged with falling in love
Yari si dansoy makiha
Makiha sa pag-higugma Your handkerchief and my handkerchief
Bring them here, as i'll tie them together
Ang panyo mo kag pangyo ko For if they interweave
May you be my husband, I your wife
Dal-a diri kay tambihon ko
Ugaling kung magkasilo
Bana ta ikaw, asawa mo ako
Famous Ilonggo Folk song
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.