Roxas City, Capiz
Hark back to my Hometown a place of serenity a place where I mold us a true Filipino, Roxas City, Capiz a place nestle on people that gave fondness to it visitor.
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| Heart of Roxas City |
Visiting Philippines is one best choice you made in your life and visiting Roxas City is one of the remarkable gratefulness you made for yourself. A Seafood Capital of the Philippines, a sea of good native heart of Capizenio.
These are few of the best places you need to visit when you’re in Roxas City
BAYBAY BEACH
One of the sites to see in Roxas
City is Baybay Beach. It is just three kilometers away from the
city circle. The place is a favorite weekend spot for the local populace
and those coming from nearby towns and provinces. Considered a “must
not miss” spot in Roxas City, Baybay beach is ideal for swimming,
snorkeling, and kayaking. It has a seven-kilometer stretch of
sugar-fine, glittery, ebony sand.
Things that captivate you with the ebony sand is that another group would bury themselves in the sand with their families or trusted caregivers helping out digging and seeing that the sand covers at least 60% of their body while the heat is yet tolerable. As if some therapeutic wonders would unfold, these frequent beach hangers swore they gain back their health sooner than expected after some ailments struck them and render them helpless. Those who suffered paralysis in their body due to stroke said that the heat of the sand made recovery in a short span of time. Those with skin disorders like unwanted calluses in the soles of their feet, blackheads on the face, black armpits or elbows simply rid of it by rubbing sand and dive. Others preferred it rinsing with the bubbles of beach water coming from the gushing waves or man-made bubbles done by massive flapping of the hands in the beach water.
OLOTAYAN ISLAND
MANTALINGA ISLAND
ANG PANUBLI-ON, THE ROXAS CITY MUSEUM
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
One
of the oldest in Panay Island, this church is a silent witness to
events that have unfolded in the city over the past centuries. Its
imposing view complements the city plaza fronting the Panay River and
the Capiz bridge. Fiesta lights add glitter to the church.
ANCESTRAL HOUSE OF THE LATE PRES. MANUEL ROXAS
ANCESTRAL HOUSE OF THE LATE PRES. MANUEL ROXAS
THE CITY BRIDGE
The
old and imposing Spanish City Bridge has remained strong and firm since
it was built in 1910. Connecting the commercial center of the city to
the main thoroughfare, traversing the Panay River, the bridge is a
silent witness to various changes that ushered in progress and
development in the city. Like the old bridge, equally alluring is the
huge stretch of the Panay River that traverses the very heart of the
city. For this, Roxas City has been dubbed as the “Venice of the
Visayas”.
BAYBAY SEAFOOD GRILLS
BAYBAY SEAFOOD GRILLS
Located
at Baybay beach is a stretch of stalls serving the freshest seafood in
town. These establishments offer a laid-back atmosphere where one can
simply dine and relax to the refreshing sea breeze, sparkling fine gray
sand, serene blue waters and pristine shoreline. It specializes
in “talaba” steamed in hot boiling water or broiled over charcoal for
P25-P35 pesos per basket. It also offers other mouth-watering dishes
like chicken and pork barbecue, pantat, hito, squid, and other grilled
delicacies at affordable prices. It is a perfect venue for an intimate
dinner for 2 or lively family gatherings.
HORTUS BOTANICUS
Hortus
Botanicus houses a collection of both introduced and endemic plants
that are properly labeled and arranged according to families. The Hortus
Botanicus or garden is set in Milibili, a barangay of Roxas City, which
is around 3.12 kms. from the city proper and 950 meters away from the
national road. The site is nestled along the gentle rolling hills of
Milibili, a natural setting for the different plant collections. The
existing body of water at the site can hold aquatic plant accessions and
facilities for recreation. Its location is ideal for seminars, hands-on
training programs, for retreats or simply a place to unwind. Plant
hobbyists, on the other hand can learn more here and avail of planting
materials for their collection.
The gardens are not only a living museum of plants or a sanctuary and conservation area for the city’s plant species but also a learning center where livelihood activities like the setting-up of backyard gardens, training for garden services and other allied activities can be conducted.
HISTORY OF ROXAS CITY
The City of Roxas, once known as the municipality of Capiz is the capital of the province of Capiz.
In 1569, Captain Diego de Artieda who was sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi from Cebu, landed on the town of Pan-ay and proclaimed it as the capital. Later the capital was moved to its present site upon discovering that the town of Capiz was near the sea where they can have better docking facilities. The Spaniards saw the long coastal cover and envisioned a trading and shipping center. Ports were constructed in Libas and later in Culasi.
A river meanders across the town, cuts it at the heart and divides it almost equally into two. Tributaries from the mountains flowed into the head of Panay River through settlements formed along its shores, irrigating and fertilizing the land to provide food to the people. Following its course into the sea, it provides water to fishponds during high tide.
In 1590, the Navy of Acapulco, Mexico made Capiz port its arsenal (naval yard) where they can seek shelter when the sea was rough. Capiz then eventually grew into a bustling port and several houses of stones were built. The social and political status enjoyed by the native chieftains of Capiz often resulted in mixed marriages with the Spaniards. The mestizo descendants became the base of the principalia or influential citizens. Their privileged positions allowed them to build houses around the favored square of the poblacion - around the church and the government complex.
Their children became the beneficiaries of the Augustinian mission in 1593.
In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government, although it was ecclesiastically controlled by the Bishopric of Cebu. In the latter part of 1795, under Gobernadorcillo Miguel Bautista, the old road to Baybay Beach was built as an extension of San Roque Street.
The town of Capiz was frequently attacked by Muslims that in 1814, stone forts at Baybay Beach (Baluarte) were built through the initiative of Gobernadorcillo Jose Consolacion.
In 1870, the ground was broken for the foundation of the Cathedral of Capiz under the guidance of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez. It was built by sturdy hands, sweat and blood of Capizeños who were victims of forced labor.
In 1876, the diocese of Jaro in Iloilo was erected and Capiz came under its jurisdiction. In 1877, the cathedral was finally finished. Prior to its construction, a chapel was built in Burgos Street beside the municipal building.
In August 1899, the Spanish colonial government represented by Governor Juan Herrero formally surrendered to General Ananias Diokno in Baybay Beach.
Economic debacle hit the town of Capiz in 1914 when the Ayala Distillery grounded to a halt. What could have been an ambitious forerunner of nationalized industrialization became the victim of the Internal Revenue Law under American control.
In 1917, Division Superintendent of Schools F.E. Hemingway founded Capiz Trade School for intermediate pupils and offered woodworking as the only vocational course. The next division superintendent opened Capiz High School.
In 1926, Division Superintendent Arthur Wittman authorized teaching of complete secondary curriculum in the Capiz Trade School. In the same year, Culasi Port was built to accommodate inter-island ships.
On February 15, 1951 the diocese of Capiz became a separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction from Jaro. Its first bishop was Msgr. Manuel Yap. In the same year, former Vice Mayor Libertad Conlu became the first female mayor of Capiz.
Capiz became a chartered city on May 12, 1951 through House Bill 1528 sponsored by Ramon Acuña Arnaldo, the representative of the First District of Capiz. It was approved by President Elpidio Quirino on April 11, 1951 as Republic Act 608. Consequently, the town was named Roxas City after her greatest son, President Manuel Acuña Roxas, the last president of the Commonwealth and the first president of the Philippine Republic.
The first appointed mayor was Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo followed by Ramon Berjamin Blanco, Jose Dorado and Juliano Alovera Alba. In 1959, Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo again became the head of the city as the first elected mayor. The next mayor was Teodoro Roxas Arcenas who was succeeded by Juliano Alovera Alba who was also the representative of the First District of Capiz at the House of Congress when Martial Law was declared.
Hon. Antonio A. Del Rosario, who is now the Congressman of the 1st District of Capiz, was elected to three terms as mayor of Roxas City, serving from 1998 to 2007.
Hon. Vicente B. Bermejo, who is the former governor of the province of Capiz, was elected mayor and served for three years, from 2007 to 2010.
The incumbent mayor of Roxas City is Hon. Angel Alan B. Celino, who also served as Vice Mayor of the city from 2004 to 2007.
The most notable people of Roxas include:
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Photos taken by people visited or living in Roxas City, Capiz.
Article Excerpt from Roxas City Tourist Attraction, more information about the Island visit Roxas City, Capiz.
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