Antique /ɑːnˈtiːkə/ is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. The province's capital, San Jose, is located in the western Panay Island and borders Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo to the east, whilst facing the Sulu Sea to the west.portion of
Antique was one of the three sakups (districts) of Panay before Spanish colonizers arrived on the islands. The province was known at that time as "Hantik", which was the name of the large red ants found on the island. The Spanish chroniclers, however, were influenced by the French when they recorded the name as "Hantique," and later established the formal name "Antique" after removing the "h."
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| The mountainous view of Antique |
Upon arrival, the Malay datus met the Ati chieftain King Marikudo and his wife Maniwantiwan. They offered the chieftain a golden salakot (wide-brimmed headgear) and golden necklace, among other gifts, as a display of respect. King Marikudo responded to the datus' generosity by moving to the mountains with his Ati tribe, allowing the Malayans to settle in the lowlands. The legacy of this landing is commemorated annually in Antique during the Binirayan festival.
The island of Panay was then divided into three sakups: Hantik, Aklan and Irong-Irong. Aklan became the present-day Aklan and Capiz, Irong-Irong became Iloilo, and Hantik (also called Hamtik or Hamtic) became Antique. Hantik was named for the large red ants found on the island called "lantik-lantik".
The sakup of Hantik was given to Datu Sumakwel, one of the ten datus, and who, according to tradition, was the oldest and wisest of them. The three sakups were later governed as a political unit called the Confederation of Madyaas, also under Datu Sumakwel. Datu Sumakwel founded the town of Malandog, considered to be the first Malay settlement in the country. Malandog is now a barangay in the present-day municipality of Hamtic, which was named after the historic sakup.
During the Spanish colonial period, the coastal province was vulnerable to attacks by Moro raiders. Under the direction of the Spanish friars, a series of watchtowers, like the 'Old Watchtower' in Libertad and Estaca Hill in Bugasong, were built to guard Antique.
In 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army landed in Antique and occupied the province during the Second World War.
During the Japanese Insurgencies and Occupation (1942-1944), the military general headquarters and camp bases of the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was active from 1942 to 1946 and the military general headquarters and camp bases of the 6th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was re-activated between 1944 and 1946. Additionally, during the implementation of the anti-imperial Japanese military operations on Panay Island between 1942 and 1945 in the Antique province, Filipino military forces aided the local guerrilla resistance against the Imperial Japanese Army.
Between 1944 and 1945, Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 6th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army defeated the Japanese troops and liberated the province. The liberation was achieved with the active support of recognized local guerrillas.
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Geography
The Province of Antique is an elongated stretch of land occupying the entire western side of the island. It is bounded by the rugged central mountains of Panay, bordering on the provinces of Aklan in the northeast, Capiz on the east, Iloilo in the southeast and the Sulu Sea on the west. Its western-most and northernmost point is Semirara Island at 12°07′10″N 121°21′10″E, while its easternmost point is approximately 11°01′N 122°19.5′E. Anini-y is the province's most southerly point at 10°24′24″N 121°57′38″E. Resembling a seahorse in shape, it is 155 kilometres (96 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) at its widest point.
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| A sunset view from the top of mountain |
The municipality of San Jose de Buenavista serves as the provincial capital, the center of commerce and trade, and the seat of the provincial government and national government agencies.
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| Antique Provincial Capitol |
Trade, commerce, and industry
Major products shipped out of the province are palay, rice, copra,
muscovado sugar, legumes, fruits and vegetables, livestock, fish and
fish preparations, and seaweeds. Manufacture items like native gifts,
toys, and housewares are sold in major cities of the country and abroad.
Principal mined products exported include coal, marble, silica, copper and gemstones.The main goods entering the province are construction materials, dry goods, groceries, canned and bottled products, fertilizers and others.
The capital town of San Jose de Buenavista is the center of business in the area. Potential growth areas include the towns of Culasi, Pandan and Sibalom. Investment opportunities with good prospects in the province are:
- Champorado sugar industry
- Seaweed processing
- Marble processing
- Gemstone and semi-precious stone processing
- Coco oil mill
- Livestock and poultry processing
- Food Processing
- Marine products processing
- Furniture, handicraft, metalcraft
- Fiber extraction/processing/weaving
- High value crop production
- Feed/Feed Milling
Banks and other financial institutions
As of 1998, Antique has a total of eleven rural banks, five private commercial banks and three government banks: the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines have branches at San Jose de Buenavista and Pandan, Antique. There are also 51 multi-purpose cooperatives and four credit cooperatives.Establishments
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| Gaisano Grand Antique |
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| Evelio B. Javier Freedom park |
Tourism
The province has many tourist attractions, activities, points of interest, facilities and services to offer. There are tourism areas that are developing and many are still to be developed. Tourists traveling from Iloilo to Boracay can stop by Antique's tourism areas. The whole stretch of coastal areas in Antique is suited for scuba diving. Starting from the southern town of Antique tourists can drop by Sira-an Hot Spring, claimed to be a medical spring. The next destination is the capital town San Jose de Buenavista passing by Malandog Marker, site of the first Malayan Settlement. Tourism amenities like restaurants, shopping malls, pasalubong centers, accommodations and beach resorts are present. Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, can be found in Sibalom Natural Park. In the municipalities of Patnongon and Laua-an, tourists interested in traditional methods can visit muscovado mills and watch how muscovado sugar is processed. Products made with muscovado are also available; Laua-an is noted for its long butong-butong (a candy made with muscovado sugar). Tibiao has the Bugtong Bato Falls and the Fish SPA. From Culasi Mount Madia-as can be seen, the Mount Olympus of Antique. Sebaste has the Igpasungaw Falls, the Sebaste Inland Resort and the most visited Saint Blaise Church, where devotees of St. Blaise make a pilgrimage every year during the annual fiesta. Pandan has Malumpati Health Spring and Bugang River—declared the cleanest body of water in the whole country—where rafting and river boating can be experienced. This is the most developed tourism area with a tour package. Libertad is famous for its bariw mat and bag weaving. |
| Entrance of Sira-an hot spring |
Sira-an Hot Spring entrance fee is P20 only and P600 overnight ordinary room accommodation good for 4 to 6 persons.
The Picturesque view of Nogas Island that will surely makes you enjoy with its beautiful beach and crystal clear water.
From Siraan hotspring you can rent a pump boat to nogas island for only P500 which is good for a maximum of 10 persons.
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