ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ: A DAY TOUR + ADVENTURE
It
was out of my mind to go to Roxas City since I was not prepared and I haven’t done
some research what are the attractions in the place, but then, it was an abrupt
decision during that day and I’ve decided to have a day tour only. Later that
day I’ve packed my bag and of course I’ve fully charged my phone and power bank
(mag piktyur-piktyur biya, unsaon nalang ang mga followers ani). Early in
Sunday morning, together with my girlfriend (also love traveling and my travel
buddy) we’ve headed directly to Ceres Terminal to catch the early trip so that
we could roam more around the city since the travel time would be approximately
3-4 hours. the weather on that day is sunny but manageable (basta laag gani wa
najud nay pakialamay) as we travel from Iloilo City to Roxas City. During the
travel time I manage to research on what are we going to do and what are the attractions
and after long-long hours of seating in the bus, we finally arrived at Roxas
City.
CAPIZ PROVINCIAL
CAPITOL
Our
first stop in the city is the Capiz Provincial Capitol. It is situated one of
the busiest road in the city and its accessible by jeeps or tricycle, about
approximately 3 kilometers away from the terminal. As per brief history, Capiz became the second Spanish settlement
after Cebu when Captain Diego de Artienda, sent by Legaspi Landed in the town
of Pan-ay and proclaimed it the Capital of the province. The Capital was then
moved to the present location of Roxas City (courtesy of www.capiz.gov.ph).
We only manage to take photos in front of the Capitol even though there
are jeeps, vehicle, and tricycles that passes by, and by the way the capitol is
fronting the famous fountain in the Roxas City which is the marker of kilometer
0, Dr. Jose P. Rizal Statue, the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, the Roxas
City Hall, the old Spanish Bridge and the Pres. Manuel A. Roxas Monument.
Tips:
if you want to know more about the capitol, visit at working days for you to
roam around inside the capitol unlike us we visited on Sunday.
IMMACULATE CONCEPCION
CATHEDRAL
Next stop is the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral. Considered as one of
the oldest churches in Panay Island. The current structure was built on 1800’s,
the architectural style of the church is quite the same in the other churches
in Panay island that I’ve been visited.
it has a wide door and a tall belfry on its side. Inside the cathedral
is a very beautiful big altar in the center and the statue of Mama Mary. On the
other side of the altar you can see different statues place in a small altar. The
ceiling is painted with white along with black outlines that makes it more
beautiful when you look above.
Before
we go to our next stop, me and my girlfriend Johanna silently give thanks and
make a prayer. The cathedral is walking distance to the Capiz Provincial
Capitol and beside the Roxas City hall, no need for you to be worry when you
visit the Cathedral.
ROXAS CITY FOUNTAIN
ROTONDA
Just
step outside the Cathedral is the Roxas City Fountain Rotonda. The fountain is
the starting point in the Capiz province or known as kilometer 0. Built in 1925
but destroyed by shrapnel’s during World War II and later restored after the
war in 1946. According to the locals, what we see is not the original
fountain back in the days. It was change the entire design later on year 2007. The
original design was there are four male statues in knee and weigh carrying
position. The fountain is very memorable in the city since it witnesses how the
city of Roxas became now and back in the days as well as the history of the
City.
PRESIDENT MANUEL A.
ROXAS MONUMENT
Have you been wondered who is the fifth president of the Philippines?
Well, Roxas City is the hometown of the Late President Manuel Acuña Roxas.
The monument is adjacent to the Roxas Cathedral and beside the Roxas City Hall.
Although I don’t know what kind of president he is (aside from the history
books) because I’m not born during that day but I’m pretty sure that he is a
great president that throughout this year’s we’re living the things that he
did. We manage to take photos though it’s so hot. Along the monument is a
little plaza on the side where you can sit and relax while watching the
passers-by.
PANUBLI-ON MUSEUM
Just few walks away
from the Late President Manuel A. Roxas monument is the Panubli-on Museum. “Panubli-on”
a Hiligaynon term meaning guardian of precious things is the official name
of Roxas City Museum. The whitewashed museum building, once a circular water tank
is a good example of intelligent architectural reuse. (excerpt from http://angpanublionmuseum.weebly.com/).
During
our visit we are not able to go inside because of the renovation so we just
roam around and take some photos.
BAYBAY BEACH
Trivia: Did you know
that the seafood capital of the Philippines is in Roxas City. Yes, you read it
right. If you’re a seafood lover, then your very much welcome in this City. The
seafood center is quite away from the city proper.
Just
take a tricycle and go to Baybay Beach. The Baybay Beach also is a gathering or
bonding place. You can bring some mat and do picnics with your families and
friends. The windy and the cool breeze of the sea makes it more comfortable to
stay. There is also a small island that you can see (I wonder what island it
is). We’re just stay for a while and take some photos.
CULASI LIGHTHOUSE
Heading to our last
stop is the Culasi Lighthouse. It is accessible by jeep or tricycle but we
opted to take the tricycle. The lighthouse is very adjacent to the Culasi Port. There are two ways to go to the Lighthouse, its either you go inside to
the port and ask the guard where the Lighthouse is (If the guard permits you to
get inside to the port) or you can take the walkway in the left side of the
port (you can ask the locals their friendly). Actually we have no idea that there
is some kind of trekking way up there.
So we’re not ready for it and It takes about 30 minutes to get up there.
Leading to the lighthouse is not hard but I recommend to visit during sunny
days, it will be slippery during rainy days. One of the things that I liked is
the station of the cross leading to the top, that is a plus point to the
visitors.
And finally we are on the top. The lighthouse is tall and nice coated
with white paint. The lighthouse is clean and well-maintained. That was a
fulfilling feeling when you’re at the top where you can see the blue colored
sea water and the cool breeze of air. As usual, we take some photos, jump
shoots and videos just for fun. According to the Local Government of Roxas
City, their planning to beautify the Lighthouse as they see a potential for
tourist attraction.
Just
a reminder be a responsible tourist, please don’t leave any trash in the area. We
rest for about 30 minutes before we go back to the city proper. We take the
jeep back to the terminal and catch the bus back to Iloilo City.
Here
are some of the attractions in Roxas City which we visit:
- CAPIZ PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
- ROXAS CITY HALL
- IMMACULATE CONCEPCION CATHEDRAL-ROXAS
- PRES. MANUEL A. ROXAS MONUMENT
- OLD SPANISH CITY BRIDGE
- ANG PANUBLI-ON: MUSEUM
- ROXAS FOUNTAIN ROTONDA
- BAYBAY BEACH
- CULASI LIGHTHOUSE
How to get to Roxas
City
From
Manila you can book a flight to Roxas Airport or Iloilo International Airport.
(fare and schedule may differ, please check the
Cebu Pacific Air or Philippine Airlines website).
(fare and schedule may differ, please check the
Cebu Pacific Air or Philippine Airlines website).
From
Iloilo City, go to Ceres Terminal at Tagbak and take Roxas City bus fare
approximately 150.00 pesos.
After
you reach the Roxas City you can take jeep or tricycle. We take the tricycle
and arranged for about 150.00 pesos.
Quick
Itinerary
TIME
|
DESTINATION
|
09:00
am
|
ETA
to Roxas City
|
09:20
am – 11:00 am
|
Visit
Capiz Provincial Capitol, Roxas Cathedral, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas Monument,
Panubli-on Museum, Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument, Old Spanish Bridge, and Roxas
City Fountain Rotonda.
|
11:30
am
|
Lunch
|
12:00
nn
|
ETA
to Baybay Beach
|
01:30
pm
|
Roam
around the Baybay beach and piktyur-piktyur
|
02:00
pm
|
ETA
to Culasi Port
|
02:30
pm
|
Start
trek to the Lighthouse
|
03:00
pm
|
Arrive
at the Culasi Lighthouse
|
04:00
pm
|
Trek
back to the Culasi Port
|
04:30
pm
|
Arrived
at Roxas City Terminal
|
08:00
pm
|
ETA
to Iloilo City
|
Roxas
City Tour Sample Budget
ACTIVITIES
|
RATE
|
Bus fare Iloilo City- Roxas City
(vice
versa)
|
300.00
|
Tricycle arranged fare
|
150.00
|
Lunch and Snacks
|
150.00
|
Total
|
600.00/pax
|
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