Antique (province)

Historians believe that the earliest people who settled on the island of Panay were tribal Negritos or Atis. Oral history, relayed as the "Maragtas", states that ten "datus" or minor tribal Malay chieftains escaped persecution from a city called Odtohan from Borneo due to a tyrant ruler called Makatunaw.[7] The ten datus, led by Datu Puti, sailed northward with their families and communities, landing on Panay after departing Borneo.[8] There are claims that the narrative of the Maragtas is dated to 1212 to fit with the transition of the Srivijayan Empire to Majapahit but there are no written evidence about this, nor there are any existing claims that links the datus to Borneo. Nevertheless, the Maragtas narrative is to be considered as part of the local history of the people.

Upon arrival, the Malay datus met the Ati chieftain Datu Marikudo and his wife Maniwantiwan. They offered the chieftain a salakot (wide-brimmed hat)[9] (out of exaggeration, the present day locals believed to be of pure gold) which includes a golden necklace, earrings, bracelets and trinkets they wore when they fled Borneo among other gifts of pearls and fine clothes as a display of respect and to buy the land for them to live. Datu Marikudo responded to the datus' generosity by giving the Malayans the lowlands and moving to the mountains with his Ati tribe as the mountains are sacred to them. The legacy of this landing is commemorated annually in Antique during the Binirayan festival.[10]

The island of Panay was then divided into three sakups: Hantik, Akean and Irong-Irong. Irong-Irong became Iloilo, Akean became the present-day Aklan and Capiz, and Hantik (also called Hamtik or Hamtic) became Antique. Hantik was named for the large black ants found on the island called "hantik-hantik".[11]

The sakup of Hantik was given to Datu Sumakwel, one of the ten datus, and who, according to tradition, was a sword master and wisest of them. The three sakups were later governed as a political unit called the Kedatuan of Madja-as, 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 1790, Antique was converted into a politico-military province with the town of Antique (now Hamtic) as its first capital. The provincial seat of government was later transferred to Bugasón (old name of Bugasong), and finally to San Jose de Buenavista. [12]

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 January 3, 1942, to June 30, 1946, and the military general headquarters and camp bases of the 6th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was re-activated between October 28, 1944, and June 30, 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 Constabulary 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.

One of the significant events of the Philippines's Martial Law era was the Bacong Bridge Massacre, which took place in the town of Culasi, Antique on December 19, 1981.[13] Sometimes also known as the Culasi incident, it involved the Philippine Constabulary killing 5 protester-farmers at the Bacong River bridge in Culasi's Barangay Malacañang. The victims were identified as Leopoldo A. Anos, Aquilino M. Castillo, Fortunato M. Dalisay, Remegildo P. Dalisay, and Joel B. Plaquino, and were later honored at the Philippines' Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which recognizes the heroes and martyrs who fought the authoritarian regime.[14]

In 2014, the first ever Philippine rice terraces found outside the Cordilleras was discovered in Antique through satellite and a team of scientists and locals. The heritage site, known as the Antique Rice Terraces of the Panay-Bukidnon people, is believed to be at least 200 years old. In 2017, the province hosted the Palarong Pambansa for the very first time.

Antique has rugged and varied land. Nogas Island, Hurao-Hurao Island and Mararison Island have long stretches of white sand beaches that are ideal for shell-hunting. Batbatan Island on the other hand, appeals to scuba divers because of the well-preserved coral reefs.

Mount Madja-as is located in Culasi, is the highest peak on the island of Panay. This 2,117-metre-high (6,946 ft) mountain[16] is a dormant volcano with lakes and 14 waterfalls. It is said to be the legendary home of Bulalakaw, the supreme god of the ancients, and beckons as a challenge for hikers and trekkers. Mount Nangtud, is the second highest mountain in Antique and Panay island with an elevation of 6,804 ft (2,074 m) above sea level, located between Antique and Capiz border.

Antique has nine major rivers, the longest is Sibalom River 73 km, followed by Paliwan River 58.2 km, Cangaranan River 57.4 km, Dalanas River 34.6 km, Cairawan River 31.5 km, Patnongon River 29.2 km, Tibiao River 26.4 km, Malandog River 17.8 km and Bacong River 16.2 km.

List of peaks in Antique by elevation.

• Mount Madja-as 6,946 ft (2,117 m)
• Mount Nangtud 6,804 ft (2,074 m)
• Mount Baloy 6,430 ft (1,960 m)
• Mount Balabag 5,630 ft (1,720 m)
• Mount Agbalanti 5,180 ft (1,580 m)
• Mount Kigas 4,967 ft (1,514 m)
• Mount Igbanig 4,810 ft (1,470 m)
• Mount Sipanag 4,754 ft (1,449 m)
• Mount Igdalig 4,518 ft (1,377 m)
• Mount Tiguran 4,518 ft (1,377 m)
• Mount Tigatay 4,429 ft (1,350 m)
• Mount Dumara 4,222 ft (1,287 m)
• Mount Sansanan 4,209 ft (1,283 m)
• Mount Anoy 3,507 ft (1,069 m)
• Mount Balabag, Seb. 3,360 ft (1,020 m)
• Mount Acotay 3,241 ft (988 m)
• Mount Tinayunga 3,002 ft (915 m)
• Mount Tuno 2,841 ft (866 m)
• Mount Tigancal 2,825 ft (861 m)
• Mount Tigbararing 2,582 ft (787 m)
• Mount Tigdagano 2,513 ft (766 m)
• Mount Manlagbo 2,421 ft (738 m)
• Mount Aningalan 2,470 ft (750 m)

List of rivers in Antique by length.

• Sibalom River 73 km
• Paliwan River 58.2 km
• Cangaranan River 57.4 km
• Dalanas River 34.6 km
• Tipulu-an River 33.1 km *
• Cairawan River 31.5 km
• Maninila River 31.1 km *
• Patnongon River 29.2 km
• Tibiao River 26.4 km
• Mali-ao River 26.3 km *
• Cadi-an River 25 km *
• Cabay-ang River 19.5 km *
• Paningayan River, Laua-an 18.7 km *
• Malandog River 17.8 km
• Bacong River 16.2 km
• Kigas River 16.2 km *
• Mao-it River 15.8 km *
• Baloy River 15.4 km *
• Hamtic River 15.2 km
• Carit-an River 15.1 km
• Casay River 14.3 km
• Bucayan River 14.1 km *
• Guinsang-an River 13.8 km
• Iba River 13.1 km
• Bulanao River 12.3 km
• Aras-Asan River 11.5 km
• Inyawan River 11.4 km
• Bugasong River 11.4 km
• Mamara River 11.3 km *
• Panganta River 10.4 km
• Paningayan River, Culasi 10.4 km
• Binangbang River 10.4 km
• Bugang River 10.3 km
• Baluon River 10.1 km
• Abiera River 8.7 km
• Dao River 8.6 km
• Igpasungaw River 8.2 km

Legend: * With asterisk means Tributary River

List of waterfalls in Antique.

• Tigmalmos Falls in Tibiao
• Kamalasag Falls in Sebaste
• Igpasungaw Falls in Sebaste
• Bugtong Bato Falls in Tibiao
• Inyawan Falls in Libertad
• Sigbungon Falls in Barbaza
• Macalbag Falls in Barbaza
• Bulwang Falls in Sebaste
• Capnayan Falls in Laua-an
• Kataw Falls in Culasi
• Cadiao Falls in Barbaza
• Sayay Falls in Barbaza
• Libog Falls in Culasi
• Halat Falls in Bugasong

June to November is the rainy season in Antique and the summer start from the month of December to May.

The Saint Michael and All Angels Parish Church of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in the town of Culasi.

The people of Antique are predominantly Christians, with the Roman Catholic Church as its largest denomination. While the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or the IFI, also known as the Aglipayan Church, is the second largest religious denomination in the province. The IFI being the tangible fruit of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Imperialist remains to be significant in the present-day Antique. Both the Roman Catholic and IFI are influential in both the society and politics of the province. Other religious denominations in the province are the Protestants and Nontrinitarian cults such as, Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others.

In the mountains, remnants of ancient folk beliefs persist. Babaylans or native priestesses continue to divine the future, heal the sick or conjure spells.

A sugarcane field in Sibalom

For the year 1998, production of palay, the primary crop of the province, registered a total of 177,521 metric tons (mt.) or 4,438,025 cavans from 58,847 hectares with an average yield of 3.02 metric tons per hectare. An increase of 8,280 mt. or 16.37 percent over last years (1997) production was observed because the area harvested has increased by 9,822 hectares or 5.86 percent. However, the average yield per hectare decreased by 0.3 mt. per hectare or 0.09 percent. The average yield per hectare for irrigated lands is 3.39 mt., 2.63 mt. for rain-fed farms, and 1.57 for upland areas. The province regularly harvests enough to feed its population. This year, there is a surplus of 83,756 mt. or 2,093,900 cavans of palay.

Copra, the second major agricultural commodity, registered a total production of 15,712 mt. in 1998 reflecting a decrease of 965 mt. (5.78%) as against last years (1997) yield of 16,677 mt. The main bulk of copra came from the municipality of Caluya where this area accounts for 44 percent of the total copra output of the province. The area planted with coconuts constitutes about 34 percent of the total area of the province. Caluya, together with Pandan, account for more than half (53%) of the total provincial figure in terms of area planted, number of bearing trees.

For current year, data on production of other field crops are the following: corn, 650 metric tons; legumes (moonbeams, peanuts and other beans), 1,689 metric tons; muscovado sugar, 2,280 metric tons; root crops (camote, cassava, ube, etc.), 3,434 metric tons; vegetables (leafy, fruit and root), 870 metric tons; banana, 11,102 metric tons; and mango, 1,330 metric tons.

Fisherman in Bugasong

By the end of the year, preliminary data for the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported that the total volume of fishery products reached 24,299 metric tons. The aquaculture sector yields the highest production during the inclusion of seaweeds in this sector.

Fishing is the major source of livelihood for households in the 15 coastal municipalities.[27] The rich fishing grounds of the Cuyo East Pass, Sulu Sea, and the municipal waters along the approximately 296.8-kilometre (184.4 mi) coastline, make fishing a promising venture. The fishing season is year round and peaks during December to June. A total of 17,437 households are directly dependent on fishing, and 39,055 households are indirectly dependent on it.

Livestock and poultry raising in the province is through backyard or commercial system of production. Data from Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) revealed that from 1,441,660 head of livestock and poultry in 1997, the number rose to 1,547,944 in 1998, an additional 106,284 heads, indicating a 7.37% growth. The main reason behind this growth is the increase in poultry production of almost 7.88 percent.

Forest products include bamboo, buri, bariw, nito, log, charcoal, abaca, herbal vines and plants, wild flowers and others. These forest resources are of undetermined quantity, and are used as raw materials in the construction industry, furniture and handicraft.

One of the most notable flower to be thriving the Antiqueño mountains would be the rafflesia, one of the biggest flowers in the world. Rafflesia is Antique's provincial flower.

A large percentage of forestland is classified as protected (59.29 percent or 70,338.52 hectares). A little more than 50 percent of the total forestland is vegetated. The municipalities of Culasi, San Remigio and Valderrama registered the highest vegetative cover with an area of 13,005 hectares (32,140 acres), 8,637.50 hectares (21,343.7 acres) and 6,35 hectares respectively. The remaining 40.71 percent or 48,296.48 hectares (119,343.2 acres) are classified as production forests.

Major products shipped out of the province are palay, rice, copra, muscovado sugar,[27] 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 province while Culasi is the center of the North.

Economically potential towns are San Jose, Sibalom, Caluya, Culasi, Pandan, Hamtic, Tibiao, Bugasong and Patnongon.

With the revival of Antique Airport (also called Evelio Javier Airport), commercial flights have resumed and may contribute to the development of commerce and tourism industry especially in the capital town, San Jose.

As of 1998, Antique has a total of eleven rural banks, six private commercial banks: BDO, Metrobank, EastWest, Chinabank, BPI, PSBank and three government banks:the Philippine National Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines have branches at San Jose de Buenavista and Culasi, Antique. There are also 51 multi-purpose cooperatives and four credit cooperatives.

An establishment is an economic unit which engages under a single ownership or control. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) classifies establishments as manufacturing, trade and service. For 1998, fourteen manufacturing establishments were reported. Such manufacturing establishments are making hollow blocks, wood furniture, steel/wood, packed foods, metal craft, threshers, soap and sidecars. Service establishments totaled 117 and a total of 294 trade establishments.

Aerial view of Panian mine in Semirara Island of Caluya

Antique has deposits of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources.[27] The metallic mineral resources include copper, gold, chromite, pyrite, iron, manganese and ferro alloy and limestone. Copper deposits in Barbaza and San Remigio are estimated to have a volume of 36,255 metric tons and 59,445 metric tons respectively. Pyrite deposits in Valderrama and Sibalom are estimated at 120,000 metric tons while limestone deposits in Culasi are estimated at 30 billion metric tons.

The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) confirms the presence of gold in Mt. Dumara, Laua-an extending as far as Lumboyan, Barbaza. An analysis conducted in ore deposits indicated that 39.75 grams of gold can be found in a metric ton of ore. Non-metallic deposits include sulfides, clay, sulfur, oil and gemstones. Marble deposits are estimated at 1.8 billion metric tons in Libertad, and 2.3 billion metric tons in Pandan. Coal reserves in Caluya are estimated to be 1.6 million metric tons.

An indication of oil deposit was recently discovered at Maniguin Island in Culasi.

Started in San Jose in 1974 by governor Evelio Javier, this is a week-long festival that includes colorful street parades, beach shows, plaza concerts, a beauty contest and trade fair. "Binirayan" biray, or "sailboat" in Kinaray-a (Antique's local language), refers to the Pre-Hispanic legend of the Bornean datus to reach Malandog beach, where they befriended the Atis (Aetas) and eventually started a civilization. Antique tradition holds that it was founded by Bornean Malays in the 12th century, although this had been long debunked as a hoax. According to legend, 10 Bornean datus (chieftains) claimed Panay island and their leader, Datu Sumakwel, founded the settlement in Malandog, Hamtik, Antique.[29]

Antique has a total Road length of 340 km (210 mi) including a 120 km (75 mi) National Road linking north to south of the province from Libertad to the north to Anini-y to the south. Transportation services are generally provided by tricycles, jeepneys, vans and buses. There are also daily buses served going back and forth to Manila via the roll-on/roll-off nautical highway and other neighboring provinces and cities including the Iloilo City and Kalibo.

Evelio Javier Airport (Antique Airport) is the only airport serving the province located in San Jose, Antique. And one carrier: Philippine Airlines. The other, Semirara Airport in Caluya is a municipal airport.

Seaports in the province include the Lipata Port in Culasi and the San Jose Port in San Jose de Buenavista. Lipata Port in Culasi being used to travel to Caluya.