Capiz Seafood Attraction

ITS FUN IN THE SEAFOOD CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES KNOWN AS " CAPIZ "

No other place in the Philippines is dubbed “The Seafood Capital of the Philippines” but the progressive Roxas City. The flourishing marine agriculture of Capiz‘s economic epicenter even turned the thriving seafood industry into an annual celebration due to its abundance. During my visit, there were neither parades, marching bands, nor banderitas, but there was certainly a gastronomic festival from my mouth down to my tummy.

La Playa de Roxas People’s Park

La Playa de Roxas, or commonly known as People’s Park, serves as a hub for recreation and leisure with a picturesque view of the grey sanded shores of Baybay Beach and the vast Sibuyan Sea as the backdrop. Locals and tourist alike flock in the coastal baranggay to hangout, exercise, swim, and above all, to indulge on the savory seafood delicacies of Roxas City.

Seafood Court at People’s Park Plaza in Baranggay Baybay.

Diners start arriving in Seafood Court after work or school.

 The succulent juices of seafood and meat dripping into charcoal filled the air with aromatic fumes which comes from the array of restaurants and grills that line up along Baybay Beach. One of the biggest establishments in Baybay is the Seafood Court at People’s Park Plaza which hosts seven independent stalls all under one roof. Choose from a wide variety of delicacies, have them cooked your way, then indulge.

 

Picking which stall or restaurant serves the best seafood dishes would be a lifetime debate. But what Roxas City guarantees is that you could eat the freshest seafood delights at really bargain prices if you compare it to Manila. I’m not sure about the metro’s price range, but just to give you an idea, a huge bowl of steamed oysters cost me P35.00, while the grilled oysters smothered in butter and sprinkled with roasted garlic cost P80.00. Oh and by the way, I’m no big fan of seafood, but those oysters and blue marlin were really good.

Squid.

Grilled Blue Marlin.

Capiz Culture ( Festivals )

There are many festivals celebrated in each municipality of Capiz, it’s a joyous celebration every month of the year!

 

Sinadya sa Halaran

 

The Sinadya sa Halaran Festival is the joint festival of the City of Roxas and the Province of Capiz. It is a mixed festival in that it is celebrated for both cultural and religious reasons. It is celebrated every first weekend of December in commemoration of the Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion who also happens to be the patroness of the City of Roxas. Sinadya sa Halaran boasts of colorful activities like the grand parade of festivals, the fluvial parade, the lighted river floaters. There is also the traditional seafood festival and the grand pyrotechnic display.

Sinadya sa Halaran is one of Roxas City’s most important annual events and is fusion of two festivals – "Sinadya" (City) and "Halaran" (Province) which literally means joy in sharing and thanksgiving. It is celebrated on December 4-8 to commemorate the religious activities that embody the true Capiceño spirit. The highlights of the celebration are the Dancing Parade, ”Higantes”, Fluvial Parade, Fireworks display, Mutya sa Halaran beauty pageant, Coronation of the Fiesta Queen, and Agri-Aqua Trade Fair.

DIWAL FESTIVAL

 

The Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival is held every 2nd weekend of July. The Diwal is a rare bivalve found abundantly along the coastal waters of Roxas City and Capiz. Ten years ago it disappeared from the waters of the City and Province because of illegal harvesting practices and pollution. Now, ten years later, after intensive research, seeding, and strict fishing and harvesting legislation, the Diwal is again ready for harvest as the efforts of the City have once again caused its abundance. The festival was first celebrated this year and will be celebrated annually. The Diwal is known for its sweet and juicy qualities and its immaculately while elliptical shells, hence the name "Angel Wing" Shell. Every year during the festival, tons of the bivalve are harvested and sold in the open market and the seafood festival, with drinks and music, and lots of partying in thanksgiving to the Almighty for the great and rare bounty that is Diwal.

The two-day celebration fits its national image as the seafood capital. Diwal, popularly known as "Angelwings" is one of the most sought after bivalve for it’s sweet, juicy and tender taste. It can be recalled that Diwal was first harvested in commercial quantity back in 1994. it’s abundance triggered wanton harvest that wrought havoc to its natural habitat. The destruction caused the absence of Diwal for almost a decade until a research team from the Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas came to the rescue in cooperation with the Philippine Council for Aquatic & Marine Research & Development (PCAMRD), the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Capiz Provincial Government. The city government funded study on "Habitat and Reproductive Biology of Angelwings, Pholas Orientalis (Gmelin)" eventually restored the natural habitat that brought back Diwal from years of absence.

 ASWANG FESTIVAL

 

 

Aswang Festival is a culturally significant and controversial celebration in Roxas City, Capiz intended to change the negative connotation attached to the province popularly called domain of aswang by turning the monster into Capiz' premier attraction. This annual festivity runs towards the end of October, in time for the yearly observation of All Saints Day or undas in the Philippines. It has been commonly known as the local version of American Halloween celebrations.

During this time, people of all ages await the parade of participating individuals wearing costumes of the most horrifying mythical creatures like tikbalang, wak-wak, and kapre. Going simultaneously with this event is a trade fair of the famous Capiznon sea food products and other local delicacies.

In 2004, the first-ever Aswang Festival received tremendous negative feedback from the local church, which strongly disapproves of belief in such mythical creatures. But the organizers defended the concept of the festivity. According to them, the festival is aimed at changing the negative impression of Capiz as a home of aswang by recognizing it only as a myth and hopefully removing the stigma attached to the word. It intends to showcase Capiz as one of the country's top tourist destinations having its fine beaches and scenic landscapes. Also, through the trade exhibits, entrepreneurs of small businesses can promote local products to help uplift the economy of the province.

Adventurous Indulgence of Capiz

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 When you say “beach” in Roxas City, you inadvertently mean Baybay – the strip of fine grey sand beach in the heart of the city dotted with resorts and seafood restaurants.  It is the favorite week-end get-away destination of Roxas City residents.

 

Just recently, we discovered another strip of coarse off-white sand beach very near the city – Ayagao Beach located in Barangay Talon.  It is a mere 20 minute leisurely ride from the city proper over well-paved roads (until the last 200 meters which is rough road already).  The beach also faces the Sibuyan Sea, like Baybay beach and offers a spectacular view of the sunset.  Unfortunately, it also shares the same seasonal problem of pesky jelly fish.  But the beach and the water is so inviting especially during this summer heat.  And it isn’t as crowded as the more accessible Baybay beach.  Not yet anyway.

 

Getting there is fairly easy and straight forward.  Just travel out of Roxas City going to Ivisan using the Roxas City-Ivisan Road, making sure you do not get out of the Roxas City boundary!  When you reach Baranggay Balijuagan, look out for the large sign on the right side near the local wet market.  Turn right and just follow the road.  There are enough signs to lead you to Ayagao Beach.  Have fun! 

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Olotayan Island: A Romantic Getaway 

Mini Boracay Island ( Olotayan Island )

Referred to as the “Mini-Boracay” in the City of Roxas, Olotayan Island is approximately an hour boat ride from Banica wharf at Roxas City, this barangay is blessed with serene shores with white sand mixing with corals washed ashore by strong waves, Olotayan beach offers a tranquil and relaxing “out of the city hassles” atmosphere.  With clear waters and a rural setting, where sea waves and occasional laughter’s from kids playing at a distance, the place is fit for honeymooners or businessmen who wants to have “a get away” from it all. With relatively few visitors and tourists visiting the area, the place remain as placid and native all through the years.  Despite its short distance from the city, the place have maintained its rustic view, thus giving visitors an opportunity to be close to nature.  With most native folks still adhering to rural way of life, the most sophisticated tourists will find ways to commune with Mother Nature and a chance to get back to the basic of living and witness for themselves the way it used to be with no cars or other usual city amenities available.  The residents of the island consider it as a mini Boracay because of its crystal clear water and white sand.

Olotayan, the only island barangay of Roxas City with estimated land area of 100 hectares, actually got its name from native word “olo” (head) and “Tyan” (stomach).  A popular legend that have survived the passing of decades said that in the olden days a wicked giant lived in the land and has always brought havoc and sufferings to the inhabitants who turned to the “anitos” or “anitas” (gods or goddess) who dwells in the land for help.  Their pleas were heard and a strong lightning hit the wicked giant which scattered his body to the sea.  The islands of Roxas City where then named after the body parts of the giant.  Thus, his head and stomach (Ulo and Tiyan) became the island of Olotayan.  Other islands like “Mantalinga” came from the Mata (eyes) and Talinga (ears), Tuwad (Buttocks) and Sepatos (feet). There is no electricity within the island.  Drinking water supply was rationed every week from Roxas City by the Metro Roxas Water District.  If you want to visit the island you can contact the Olotayan Beach Resort  which is owned by “Dos Hermanas”: Dra. Evelyn Sicad and Mrs. Magallanes.  There are cottages and beach house with 2 rooms and sleeps up to 4-6 people. A solar panel system generates electricity for the resort.

 

Olotayan island is composed of four (4) different sitios: Puting Balas, Look, Sawang and Capaculan. Majority of the people in the island lives within Sawang and Capaculan sitios. The most popular among this is Puting Balas,  where Olotayan Beach Resort is located. It could be found in the south-western part of the island.  Puting Balas 100 meters shoreline is made up of white corals, shells and white sand. This is an excellent beach for sunrise or a picnic lunch and a very scenic or picturesque beach location.

At present, the total population of the island is 959 more or less with 175 households.  80% of this are in the poverty threshold. Fishing is the major industry on the island. It produces blue crabs, squid and different variety of fish. Barter system or trade still exists in the island.

Illegal fishing using a trawl at the shoreline of  Olotayan Island destructs and damaged  the coral reef. The island has been declared as a fish sanctuary by the Roxas City government.

 

An islet in the western coastline called Magatalihan is ideal for diving. It was preserved to be a fish sanctuary of Roxas City. From this beach, you can see Napti Island and the lights from the “Peoples Park” in Baybay Beach  at Roxas City during night time could be seen.

The best time to visit Olotayan Island is during summer (March-May). Seasonal conditions can also affect the beach itself.  Strong currents and dangerous shorebreaks in the mouth of Punta Cogon River could be experience going to the island in the month of November and December due to typhoon season.  You have to check and observed the surf condition at Baybay Beach before going to the island.  Hire a bigger boat with life jackets available for the passengers at the Banica Wharf.

Olotayan island is a good place for swimming and snorkeling during calm surf.  You can also enjoy sailing, jet-skiing/flat boat riding, wind surfing, skimboarding, fishing and also seaweed harvesting. Don’t forget to bring your goggles, underwater camera, swimwear, first aid kits, foods and water supply in visiting the island.

One of the most oldest church in history

Santa Monica Parish Church

Sta. Monica Church is one of the most oldest church in the country it was built on 1774. Which has been called "an excellent example " of the type of Filipino colonial  Baroque style that has blended well with the Neo-Classical Influence. The majestic Baroque influences defined by the use of attached coupled piers in Corinthian style. The grand structure of the church is made up of coral stone which is 70m long 25m wide and 18m high. the walls are 3m thick; the floor is covered with marble. Its structure is shaped in the form of latin cross with one large central altar and four lateral ones, the gilded retablos is gilded gorgeously sculptured of a fine hardwood. Various polychromed statues are highly decorated in an artistic quality. The architecture of the facade is articulated following the tenets of the Baroque movement. It was declared a National Landmark by the national Historical Institute of the Philippines on 1997. in the topmost  tier  of its five level belfry is the biggest and the mostly  likely the heaviest Christian bell in Asia which was cast in 1878 using 70 sacks of coins. it is about 7ft.  in height and 5ft. in diameter and weighs 10.4 tons . Christianity wad establish here when Fray Martin de Rada, OSA first preached the gospel to its native in 1566. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi set camp in Panay in 1569, making the town his temporary administrative capital after leaving Cebu for lack of food.