PUOD-PANAY:The Remarkable and Historic Region of the Philippine Island World

Geography

The term puod or puok of the languages Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Aklanon of Panay is a result of the sound shift and the metathesis of the Austronesian expressions “puro,” “pulaw,” or “pulo” that is prevalent in the Philippines and other islands surrounding the Pacific Ocean. The triangular Puod-Panay which refers to a location, place or district can be found almost in the heart of the Philippines.

Being one of the major islands that make up the western region of the Visayas, Puod-Panay is surrounded by several important islands of the Philippine archipelago. Some of these islands are Mindoro, Tablas, Sibuyan, Masbate and Luzon in the northern side; Guimaras, Negros, Cebu, Camotes, Leyte, Samar, and the Bohol islands in the eastern and southeastern side; Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Camiguin, and Mindanao in the south; and the island of Palawan in the west. Blessed with this location, it seems that Puod-Panay is destined to become one of the important, affluent and strategic islands of the Visayas and in entirety - of the Philippines.

The magnificent island of Puod-Panay has a total land area of 11, 942 km2 with three corners that point to different directions but are related in terms of position—Punta Nasog, Putol and Pucio in the north, Punta Bulakawe in the east, and Punta Jaldan in the south that resemble an incisive armor that gives protection to the four rich plains of Puod-Panay. In the northwest, we can find the Aklan valley, and in the northern and central part of the region lays the Delta of Capiz and the Basin of Iloilo. In the west side rests the lowlands of Sibalom-San Jose. These geographical features generate positive and relative advantage to the formation of its rich natural resources and culture as a whole. These plains act as guardians of the lowland communities. Even the mountain ranges and the river system gave birth to a progressive and rich history in this part of the Philippines.

The three ranges (galugod) of mountains, the hills (pukatod) and the island-like hills of the plains (moto) act as the keeper of the community’s domain it was established. These three galugod are the Cordillera Unica, Montes del Norte, and Montes Orientales. The first mountain range comprises the legendary mountain of Madia-as and Baloy and others like the Usigan Inaban, Balabag, Agotay, Mabog, Nausang, Iguiawa, Sarog-sarog, Magosolon, Cacaon, Tigmaola, Ig-iangot, Matarawis, Lublob, Parali, Tuno, Agmatayo, Duyan, Layag, Iglangit, Mararagon, Baligkakasan, Cansilayan, Tigatay, Ibayog, Yubog, Nalodlod, Capasiawan, Tiguran, Singit, Sansaran, Napulac, Balutinao, Panay, Simbahan, Tulajon,Tigbayot, Aliu-aliu, Samanaquil, Siusiu, Tinabasan, Cresta de Gallo, and Nasog. The second mountain range is the Montes del Norte consists of Angas, Laghit, Agbalon, Tulalo, Bantugon, Timpa, Supu, Agbubuli, Maputing Bato, Malitbog, and Paningraon. Finally, the last among the three includes the mountains of Yating, Bulakawe, Bacod, Alapasco, Apiton, Madauisan, Lantawan, Buraay, Agcarope, Cararapan, Ilajas, Marguiaguia, Duminding, Pari-pari, Tampig-banog, Bayuso, Lamunang, Asisig, Caniapasan, Guiraquid, Lapu-lapus, Bulabog, and Magsiping.

The Madia-as Mountain, the highest in the island is 2,180 meters high and can be found in the west galugod. From its zenith, the major river systems like the Aklan River (Aklan Province), Panay River (Capiz Province), Halawod, Salog, Batiano, and Siwaragan Rivers (Iloilo Province), and the Sibalom-San Jose de Buenavista River (Antique Province) flow to the Visayan Sea (along with several unrecognized rivers that lead to Tinagong Dagat of Batan or Batang Bay), the Tinagong Dagat of Pilar or Pilar Bay and Culasi (the several unrecognized rivers in the Sapian Bay), the Panay Gulf and the Antique Sea.

Beautiful and panoramic views of small islands can be found in these bodies of water. To start with, from Aklan and Capiz there are the Boracay islands (with its white-sand beaches), Carabao, Tabon, Malaya, Maraon, Mahabang Pulo, Masulag, Tuad, Batong-bagui, Mantalinga, Olutayan, Magotalihan, Nagtig, Nasunda, Manapao, and Banogay islands. Furthermore, in Antique there are small islands like the Batbatan, Maningning, Semirara, Maralison, Nugas and Jurao-jurao. In Iloilo and Guimaras there are fascinating sceneries which consist of Sicogon, Nadulao, Lalunga, Nauay, Nalikas, Nagarao, Susan, Guianon, Panabulon, Lusarang, Tandog, Babalod, Tiniguiban, Siete Pecados, Binluangan, Calagnan, Sicogon, Tago, Bulubudiangan, Tagubanhan, Calabazas, Bayang, Nasidacan, Punta-buri, Salog, Binanan, Anauayan, Bagabu, Sombrero, Dunao, Mangaban, Bitad, Naburot, Magoisi, Culebra, Panganoncolangan, Bayas, Tumaguin, Cañas, Luginut, Adcalayo, Tabugon, Pulupanta, Talunanaun, Balbagan, Manigo-nigo, Gigante Norte, Gigante Sur, Uaidahon, Bantigui, Cabayao, Antonio and other smaller islands.

Like any other island in the Philippines, Panay has two types of climates or seasons, the dry and the wet seasons. From the month of January until the month of April the dry season can be experienced. While the wet season happens from the month of May until the month of December. Hence, for the travelers, it is important to note that the southwest monsoon occurs from April to September, and the northeast monsoon from December to April. In between the said months, the kanaway monsoon momentarily visits the place and can cause colds.

History

The name “Panay” used as a name for one of the primary islands of Western Visayas, originated from the early times of Pan-ay, an old coastline community in the north plains of Capiz where the “mapanhay” (a peaceful and steady flow of water due to the depth, width and level of the river) of the Panay River flows. Like any other community found in the archipelago, the history of Panay progressed when the minuro (from the infix “in” and root word “puro” and/or soundshift of “pulo” created the words minuro/minulo) was built— a place wherein the people consolidated their habitation or what was known as the process of “pagburubanwa” (formation of villages/community) of the Panayanon that played a significant role to the establishment of rarawigan (provinces). When colonial predicaments enveloped the community, the hublag-banwa (social movements) were formed as a demonstration of panghimanwa (systems of governance) of the hangaway banwa (people’s warrior/hero) paved way to the formation of katilingban sang banwa (people’s organization) which united them into one movement as the Anak sang Banwa (Sons of the Philippines) under the Katipunan that spread throughout the island in 1896.

The formation of the minuro (village community) encompasses a simple yet, relatively progressive way of living that can be dated back from ca. 500,000 BC to 7,000 BC— a period wherein the Melanesoid lived in the Philippines. When the Austronesians came, the contact between the two races resulted to the greater progress of the established minuro (village community) and its further expansion led to the funding of the kabanwahanan (township) near the seashore and/or mouth of the river to the ilawud (down stream community) and even to the iraya (upstream community). From ca. 800 BC to the 13th century, the continuous progress along the seashore of the ilawud (down stream community) of Panay fashioned its colorful practices and culture. The inventive technology of the blacksmith (panday) paved the way for the innovation in sea transportation that launched the operation of pangangayaw (naval attack/invasion) not just here in the Philippines but in other parts of Asia as well.

The birth of this kagamhang pandagat (sea/naval power or naval hegemony) was also a time of pangangayaw sang mga hangaway sang banwa (territorial invasion of the people’s warrior) that can be considered as the turning point, strength, and power of the kabanwahanan (township) that became dominant because of the economic growth brought by farming and the operation of pangangayaw (sea attack to be able to accumulate slaves and wealth). The hangaway-banwa (people’s warrior) was the one protecting and guarding the states along the coastline of Mindanao and Luzon; the hangaway also became the feared hero not just among the nearby islands but even in China. These invasions aimed to enslave people and to acquire wealth that would be used to further legitimize and justify the panghimanwa (political systems and governance) of the officials of Panay. During the 16th century, the Spaniards upon their arrival witnessed this kind of trade.

Nevertheless, after the successful colonization of Cebu in 1565 by the Spanish, they then transferred to Panay, Capiz in 1569 which disturbed the island’s peaceful indigenous existence. But, under the panghimanwa (political systems and governance) of Datu Macabaog and Madidong of Panay, Capiz they did the blood compact with the Spanish to gain alliance and weapons for additional strength to avenge their state from the “grandes piraticas” from the north of Mindoro. This political move resulted in the defeat of Ilin, Mamburao and the fall of the already pacified people of Lubang Island on the first Sunday of May 1570.

The Visayan-Spanish alliance was seen through the pangangayaw (sea attack/invasion) expedition in eastern part of Mindoro and extended to Batangas, Cavite and Manila. On May 8, 1570, they attacked the North and the attack in Manila was particularly special because the expedition caused its downfall. From the mouth of the historic Panay River (now part of the Roxas City) Datu Macabaog and Madidong triumphantly formed the 1,500 hangaway-banwa that defeated the contingent of Raja Laya and Soliman of Manila on May 24, 1570. This paved way for Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to appoint Manila and establish it as the center of their colonial power on July 24, 1571. From then on, Manila became the capital wherein colonial laws were implemented and gave way to the establishment of towns in different provinces of the country.

In Panay, the uprising of the babaylanes (priestesses) like Hiticon, Dupinagay, Gapon and others in the 17th century was a confirmation of the people’s rebellion against the effects of Visayan-Spanish alliance that caused military conscriptions in the islands of Panay and Visayas. The hangaway-banwa of Panay was the first and major forces that fought Tarik Soliman and the assembled force of the Kapampangans and Tagalogs on July 3, 1571 in the historic Battle of Bangkusay. They also resisted Limahong during his invasion of Manila (1574-1575). They were also employed to explore Paracale in Northern Luzon. They were also used in the assault of Sande and the other officials of Spain in Borneo and Mindanao that brought out strong opposition against Spain. This was initiated by Tapar who came from the province of Iloilo (Oton) in 1660’s. The paghuhublag bayan (people’s movement) and panghahangaway (people’s battle) were strong. It carried on up to the times of Gregorio Dios (Antique), Juan Perfecto (Iloilo), and Guillermo Bianito (Capiz) during the last part of the 19th century. This paved the way for the founding of the KKK in the islands in 1896.

When the outbreak of the pungsudnong ribuk (national revolution), it was in Aklan where General Francisco del Castillo (Kalibo), Colonel Candido Iban (Malinao) fortified their revolutionary strength against Spain. While in Capiz, General Juan Arce (Sigma), General Macario Lusco (Tapaz), General Hilario Oro (Dumalag), General Esteban Contraras (Pontevedra), Colonel Pacual Barza (Pan-ay) concerted their revolutionary efforts to help fellow revolutionaries of Aklan by making the Ilayan side of Capiz the center of military operation and offensives. Nonetheless, the success of the hangaway-banwa to win back the kabanwahanan (township) in Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Northern Iloilo from 1896 to October 1898 gave rise to the establishment of Gobierno Provisional de Sta. Barbara (Iloilo) on November 1898 and Estado Federal de Visayas on December of the same year. On February 11, 1899 the emancipation of the island from the conquerors of America started but the surrender of the few chiefs of Voluntarios like General Martin Delgado (February 2, 1901), and Colonel Quintin Salas (October 4, 1901) resulted to the gradual defeat of the armed revolution against America. Since the founding of the Civil Government in 1902 in the Philippines, the people of Panay was then under the control of national colonial governance and eventually - the republic government of the Filipinos until the present day.

A glimpse at the history of Capiz and the City of Roxas

The present province of Capiz, one of the provinces that comprised the Island of Panay has indeed a vast territory. Like any other province in the Philippines, it is regarded as an “empire province” because its territories extend to the province of Romblon in the north and was only declared an independent province during the American regime; and Aklan of the northwestern region gained her autonomy during the term of President Magsaysay (1956). Moreover, some areas of Antique became part of Capiz particularly its northern area. Although early Capiz was named Aklan according to folk history, their divisions into two geographic domains were clear in the Spanish era. The sections of Aklan (ilawud) and Ilayan (ilaya) and Romblon (tabuk) in the far north show how large and strong the Island was during the ancient times. This was proven and was highlighted by the archeological site of Pilar, Capiz that gives strong evidences of her being one of the oldest maritime community not just of the Visayan region but of the Philippines as a whole.

This power and strength was brought about by two environmental factors— the Panay Valley (Northeastern Plains), and Tipic Plain (Southeastern Plains) — are reasons for the development of the Ilayan section which was formerly called by the Spanish as “Provincia de Panay” and labeled as the “Sicilia de Filipinas” because of its rich agriculture. In the 18th century it came to be known as the Province of Capiz and played a big role in the course of history. In “protohistoric times” particularly the 13th century, it became the primary advocate of the existing ethnic tradition. An excellent example of this is the local’s fierce rejection of the Islamization and their strong support for the ethnic tradition. This was a phenomenon because it was an overriding knowledge that Islamization means their inclusion in the rich sea trade in South East Asia dominated by the Moslems. Their resistance against the Muslims of Ma-it can be traced back to the oral tradition of the province with the expressions like “sa diin timong Ma-it naghalin” and “Inamulitan sa Ma-it” that increased our awareness of this phenomena of resistance until the time of the Spanish era.

Having a strong tradition of sea battles, the political decision (panghimanwa) they demonstrated in 1569 was to send two Capizeño heroes: Datus Macabaog and Madidong to perform a blood compact with the Spaniards. This led to the historical conquest of Western Mindoro. This move was not about using the island as a “spring board” for the “conquistas” of Luzon in the etic view but an internal and long tradition of struggle for the benefit of all the Capiznon. In a larger context, it meant a concrete step of revenge and a determined political decision. These strong feelings can be rooted from their rich history of fighting foreign hegemony and propagating their native culture inherited from their ancestors. Nevertheless, in emic view, their strategy to use the Spaniards for the internal political progress of the Panayanons/Capiznons is a natural move taken as a step for defense and self-determination which is a common tactic in different parts of the world.

In analysis, they manipulated the Spaniards to increase their military strength to avenge themselves from what were known before as the “grandes piraticas” of the north who sacked the island before the arrival of the Spaniards. Because of the blood compact (Salcedo), the Spaniards wanted to show how sincere and brave they were so they started their historical attack from the mouth of Panay River (part of Roxas City today) on the first week of May 1570 that confirmed the propagation of this practice. During 1571, at the time when Legazpi was preparing to attack Manila, they again formed troops in the island of Olutayan, located in a different part of the province, so they could move towards Luzon and ensure the defeat of the rich city of Manila (a rich and traditional pangayawan area of the people of Capiz).

The province of Capiz is indeed very important during the strong Capiznon-Spanish alliance. The report made by Valdez Tamon about the fortification of Capiz (Roxas City today), Capiz shows the value of the place to bear and to congregate the colonial interest of the Spanish to the archipelago. Aside from the said reasons, the colonialist’s decision to develop Capiz can also be rooted to the level of practicality because of its strategic location. It is near Manila and has an excellent port. It is well-populated and has arable lands. The people fostered a developed maritime tradition and had rich aquatic resources.

Base on these considerations, the early Capiz that was once part of Panay developed because of the constant attention given to the military and economic aspects. Thus, on 1716 it completely became a banwa (“town” where Loctugan and Ivisan were included) and was chosen to become the seat of government of the province. Due to high importance given to the port of Culasi, the Capiz continued to be the headquarters of the defensive and offensive forces against the invaders of Mindanao as seen from the erected “watch tower” in the baranggay of Nipa (part of Roxas City), which opposed the Moros who roamed and attacked not just the Visayan Islands but even other part of northern Luzon. In 19th century, the launching of dominant ports in the different parts of the country (Manila, Iloilo, Sual, Zamboanga) made way to the flourishing trade of export products like nipa, wine, abacca, cotton, tobacco, and sugar that would hasten the changes regarding the socio-economic and political conditions of the province.

In effect, the landlords made huge profits which became a significant basis in the production of agricultural exports that resulted with the formation of the new class, the ilustrado. While the majority of the people are cultivators of the agricultural land that produced abacca, cotton, tobacco, and sugar were accustomed to poverty. Their destitution and colonial oppression resulted to the formation of hublag-banwa (social movements) which can be seen through the founding of mass movements with leaders like Guillermo Bianito and Barbara Vicente during the last half of 19th century. At the same time, there were also other movements in various parts of the island with leaders like Juan Perfecto of Iloilo, Gregorio Dios of Antique, and Buhawi of Negros Island. In line with these immense movements, the locals, particularly the Capizeño, would nurture the expanding movement of Gat. Andres Bonifacio of Tondo that was led by General Macario Lusco, General Juan Arce, and Genral Esteban Contraras in the Ilayan for example, and also in the Aklan region by General Francisco del Castillo, General Candido Iban and others.

The prominence of Capizeño in the Katipunan and in the Filipino Revolution catalyzed Capiz to establish the first province of the Visayan Region to found a chapter of the Katipunan and later launched aggressive fights against Spain. Some of these important battles led by the Capizeños and Aklanons were the following: 1. Battle of Tapaz (February 24, 1897) 2. The Battle of Kalibo (March 17, 1897) 3. Battle of Balisong 4. Battle of Panay (April 15, 1898). These accounts of battles were the reason why we can root the hegemony of the expeditionary forces from Capiz like General Ananias Diocno (Batangas) and Antique’s General Fullon under the pilfered leadership of the KKK under Aguinaldo. These men were in the height of success in fighting with the Spanish in the island. Like the ilustrados, the Americans aimed to acquire natural resources and manpower from Panay. Thus, after they conquered Manila in August 13, 1898 the Americans sent Miller to take over Panay. As expected, these two motives shared by the ilustrados and the Americans albeit the intermittent relationship, resulted in a government of collaborators and colonizers that eventually led to the establishment of Philippine Republic that was guided if not manipulated by the Americans. Capiz in its entirety, including the City of Roxas is one of the provinces and cities in the renowned and historical island of Panay that are living but silent witnesses in the making of the rich historical events of the Philippine archipelago.