Explore Awesome Antique!

Antique’s heritage and culture is like a time capsule, suspended in motion amidst the hustle and bustle of its neighbors. Isolated by a mountain range from the rest of Panay, Antique developed its own blend of personality – the hardworking and courageous Malay and the religious Spanish.

The province’s unchartered natural wealth awaits eager explorers to be discovered. The province’s thousands of kilometers of beaches provide a unique taste of tropical summer  – fresh, exciting, and relaxing. Come and explore Awesome Antique, where the imposing mountains meet the gentle seas.

This historic land has distinctively gained jewels over hundreds of years, from the early Malay settlements to the lasting monuments left by the Spanish conquistadores. Antique, called Hamtic by the early Malay settlers, is one of the three original sakup (districts) of Panay. A marker was placed at Malandog Beach at Hamtic to serve as a reminder of being the place of first Malay settlement. By the 16th century, Spaniards colonized Antique and left an indelible mark on the province. This includes the San Juan de Nepomuceno Church at Anini-y, Spanish convents and mansions scattered at the province.

For the adventurous, one may trek the treacherous 2,117 meter Mount Madia-as, the highest peak in Panay Island, and experience the beautiful unspoiled rainforest filled with rare flora and fauna. Other attractions include kite boarding at Seco Island, biking at San Remegio, exploring the Buenavista caves, and kayaking at Tibiao River. Whatever you choose, you’ll never fail to experience the thrill and excitement coupled with cool breeze or rampaging wild rivers.

Antique is also the home of the famous and colorful Binirayan Festival which is held every 3rd weekend of April to commemorate the arrival of the ten Bornean chieftains. This festival aims to retrace the Antiquenos glorious roots while celebrating the greatness of the Filipino race. The festival opens with a fluvial parade at Malandog Beach where colors and rhythm collide. The highlight of this event is the Malay-Ati competition participated by the people while colored in soot. Other activities include beauty pageants, cultural shows, street dancing, parades, and arts and crafts local products exhibits.

Other festivals at Antique include:

• Bugas sa Lusong Festival of Bugasong to honor Senior Sto Nino (January)
• Hantikan Festival of Hamtic to honor the evolution of the name of the province (May)
• Urukay Festival of Anini-y which is inspired from local custom of wedding feasts (November)
• Batabat Festival of Barbaza which came from the legend, Abat-Abat  (June)

Antique Quick Facts

(source: Department of Tourism)

Antique is one of the provinces comprising the island of Panay in Western Visayas. It has a total land area of approximately 2,522 sq. km. It is bounded on the north and northeast by Aklan, on the east by Capiz, and on the southwest by Iloilo. On the west is the Cuyo East Pass of the Sulu Sea, part of the vast China Sea. Eighteen municipalities make up the province: fourteen along the coast, three inland, and one on six islets. Coastal towns are Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista, Belison, Patnongon, Bugasong, Laua-an, Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Pandan, and Libertad. The inland towns are Sibalom, San Remigio, and Valderrama.

Geography: Profiled like a seahorse, Antique is an oversized serrated hemline on the western border of the three-cornered scarf-like land mass that is Panay. It lies between the Sulu Sea to the west and a tall mountain range, 155 kilometers long and 33 kilometers at its widest, to the east, separating it from the rest of Panay.

Political Subdivision: The province is composed of 18 municipalities, 3 of which are inland, 14 coastal and 1 island municipality. Antique was classified as a 2nd class province as of January, 2002.

Climate : Antique has a pleasant tropical climate.

Population : Per 2007 NSO Survey, population is placed at 515,265.

Language / Dialect: Antiquenos speak Hiniray-a with Indo-Malayan origin. English is widely spoken and understood.

Major Industries

Major products shipped out of the province are palay, rice, copra, muscovado sugar, legumes, fruits and vegetables, livestock, fish and fish preparations, and seaweeds. Manufactured items like native gifts, toys, and housewares have found their way in major cities of the country and abroad. Principal mined products exported include coal, marble, silica, copper, and gemstone.

How to Get There

Antique is accessible from major cities of the country through Iloilo City where buses and vans leave for San Jose, the province’s capital town. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.

For more Information on Antique, write or call:
Department of Tourism Region VI
Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City

Antique Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol, San jose, Antique

Tourist Information Center (Iloilo)
Tel.: (033)337-8874
Fax: (033)335-0245

DOT Information Center (Manila)
Tel.: (632)524-1703

Internet: www.visitmyphilippines.com