Travel Log: Antique

Where the mountains meet the sea.

Dubbed as "The Cradle of Philippine Civilization", Antique's Malandog barangay in the municipality of Hamtic, flourished a culture that was once set forth by the arrival of the ten Bornean Datus as re-enacted annually in the celebration of the Binirayan Festival every end of April.

The Spaniards called the province Hantique from its Malayan name Hamtik. On the other hand, Hamtik derived its name from hantik-hantik, a species of large ants that swarmed the place when the Malayans arrived in the 13th century. Hamtik (now spelled Hamtic) is also the name of the town where the first Malay settlement was founded and later became the first provincial capital.

HOW TO GET THERE?

By Air
Asian Spirit offers direct flights from Manila to San Jose, Antique every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

By Land
Antique is accessible by land transport to and from Iloilo,Aklan, and Capiz. San Jose, the capital town, is a 1 ½ hour drive from Iloilo City. Tricycles are numerous in town. Buses and jeepneys provide service for intertown travel. Car rental services are available with rates depending on the type of vehicle used and distance traveled.

By Sea
By boat, Antique is 16 hours from Manila. It leaves Manila to Lipata Port, Culasi, Antique every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

WHAT TO SEE...
  • Rafflesia & Amorphophallus See the world's largest & tallest flower in the towns of Sibalom and San Remegio, respectively.San Juan de Nepumoceno Church "Old Hispano-Filipino Church". This is one of the landmarks in Antique, constructed by the Augustinian friars sometime in 1675-1880. It is located in the municipality of Anini-y.

  • Malandog Marker Found in Hamtic, marks the landing site of the first Malayan settlers in 1200 A.D.

  • EBJ Freedom Park In front of the Antique Provincial Capitol in San Jose, Antique in honor of the late Gov. Evelio B. Javier who was assassinated on February 11, 1986 while defending freedom and democracy from the forces of martial law.

  • St. Augustine's High School Found in Patnongon, its building is a remodeled old Spanish convent near the site ofthe century-old Spanish church run by Mill Hill Missionaries.

  • Estaca Hill Viewing Deck Bugasong; 43 kms. from San Jose; with an elevation of 200 feet and a view of the sea and hills surrounding Bugasong. A watchtower was once built to warn people against the pillaging Moro pirates.

  • Rafflesia & Amorphophallus See the world's largest & tallest flower in the towns of Sibalom and San Remegio, respectively.
Kayaking, rafting or boating, for adventure seekers, on the Tibiao River and Bugang River in Pandan. Kayaking, rafting or boating, for adventure seekers, on the Tibiao River and Bugang River in Pandan. WHAT TO DO...
  • Kayaking, rafting or boating, for adventure seekers, on the Tibiao River and Bugang River in Pandan.

  • Rappel at the extraordinary seven-tiered cascading waterfalls of Bugtong Bato, Tibiao.

  • Dive and explore the coral reefs of Barbaza, Nogas Island, Tobias Fornier, Batbatan Island, and Caluya to name a few. Dive sites are plentiful in Antique.

  • Trekking and mountain biking, at San Remegio, Mt. Igcoron in Valderrama, Mt. Madia-as in Culasi, Pandan.

  • Caving in Libertad, Barbaza, San Remegio and Belison.
WHAT TO EAT...

The native delicacies of Antique are as varied as its many attractions.The native delicacies of Antique are as varied as its many attractions. Some are common in other parts of the Visayas, but many are variations. The most famous of these delicacies is the bandi, crisp peanuts cooked in red or white sugar. Then on the way to Mapatag, Hamtic, one may find banana chips and kamote fries being sold, which will surely satisfy any traveler's hankering for something sweet. Antique's top product is the mascovado sugar from the old mills in Patnongon, Bugasong, Tibiao and Laua-an. It is a main ingredient in the recipe of its many native sweet treats. Among them is the kalamay hati, which is a sticky concoction of coconut milk and powdered sticky rice. Another is the butong-butong which is molasses formed into sugar candies. In the northern town of Culasi is the pinindang. This is Tabios fish mixed with salt and ginger, molded in circular patties then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over charcoal. Also popular is the pinakas na Bansi or salted dried Flying Fish.

For more information, check out www.kinaray-a.com, www.antique.50webs.com or email: tourism_antique@yahoo.com. Many thanks to IP Bernie Tubianosa and PP Melvin de la Serna of RC Antique for providing information about their beautiful province.