The Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival

The Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival is held every 2nd weekend of July. The Diwal is a rare bivalve found abundantly along the coastal waters of Roxas City and Capiz. Ten years ago it disappeared from the waters of the City and Province because of illegal harvesting practices and pollution. Now, ten years later, after intensive research, seeding, and strict fishing and harvesting legislation, the Diwal is again ready for harvest as the efforts of the City have once again caused its abundance. The festival was first celebrated this year and will be celebrated annually. The Diwal is known for its sweet and juicy qualities and its immaculately while elliptical shells, hence the name "Angel Wing" Shell. Every year during the festival, tons of the bivalve are harvested and sold in the open market and the seafood festival, with drinks and music, and lots of partying in thanksgiving to the Almighty for the great and rare bounty that is Diwal. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

The two-day celebration fits its national image as the seafood capital. Diwal, popularly known as "Angelwings" is one of the most sought after bivalve for it’s sweet, juicy and tender taste. It can be recalled that Diwal was first harvested in commercial quantity back in 1994. it’s abundance triggered wanton harvest that wrought havoc to its natural habitat. The destruction caused the absence of Diwal for almost a decade until a research team from the Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas came to the rescue in cooperation with the Philippine Council for Aquatic & Marine Research & Development (PCAMRD), the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Capiz Provincial Government. The city government funded study on "Habitat and Reproductive Biology of Angelwings, Pholas Orientalis (Gmelin)" eventually restored the natural habitat that brought back Diwal from years of absence. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

Sinadya sa Halaran Festival

The Sinadya sa Halaran Festival is the joint festival of the City of Roxas and the Province of Capiz. It is a mixed festival in that it is celebrated for both cultural and religious reasons. It is celebrated every first weekend of December in commemoration of the Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion who also happens to be the patroness of the City of Roxas. Sinadya sa Halaran boasts of colorful activities like the grand parade of festivals, the fluvial parade, the lighted river floaters. There is also the traditional seafood festival and the grand pyrotechnic display. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

Sinadya sa Halaran is one of Roxas City’s most important annual events and is fusion of two festivals – "Sinadya" (City) and "Halaran" (Province) which literally means joy in sharing and thanksgiving. It is celebrated on December 4-8 to commemorate the religious activities that embody the true Capiceño spirit. The highlights of the celebration are the Dancing Parade, ”Higantes”, Fluvial Parade, Fireworks display, Mutya sa Halaran beauty pageant, Coronation of the Fiesta Queen, and Agri-Aqua Trade Fair. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

Captivating Capiz

Captivating Capiz

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. The water sometimes washes up to the shore a substance known as “margaha” to the locals, which is fine iron particles that an ordinary magnet can pick up and collect! Kasadyahan sa Capiz

OLOTAYAN ISLAND

An hours’ travel from the city proper is this island baranggay of Olotayan. This island is blessed with a coarse white sand beach and serene shores that fits everyone’s desire for a private beach. A boat ride can be arranged at the Banica wharf for a certain fee.

MANTALINGA ISLAND

Nearby Mantalinga island which is a kilometer away from the shoreline of Baybay beach has been identified as an ideal diving spot for scuba divers and a perfect rotunda for sailboat (dilayag) and kayaking contests. Recently nicknamed “Good Luck Island” by tourism consultants, the place is believed to be a source of luck for local fisherfolk. They write the names of their fishing boats on the side of the island before they set out to sea for the first time.

ANG PANUBLI-ON, THE ROXAS CITY MUSEUM

Located just across the City Hall, this impressive circular piece of architecture offers every visitor a comprehensive view of what Roxas City was then, what it is now and its vision for the future – a complete record those who have given their share in making Roxas City what it is today. Constructed in 1910, the museum used to be a water tank that served the local residents for more than three decades. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

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

The birthplace of Pres. Manuel Roxas, First President of the Philippine Republic and Roxas City’s most illustrious son in whose honor the city got its name, still stands at its original site at Rizal St., (corner Zamora St.,), a few minutes walk from the city hall and the city plaza.

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

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. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

Kasadyahan sa Capiz

Every year, the people of Capiz look forward, with so much anticipation, to the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Sinadya sa Halaran has evolved into a celebration of the Capiznon’s faith and way of life and a celebration of the cultural heritage that paved the way for what has become of Capiz and its people.

2013 however made the difference. On the 8th of November, just exactly a month before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Capiznon's Patroness and Protectress, Super Typhoon Yolanda struck the province and devastated not only a part of it but the whole of it. After Yolanda, only the face of devastation was left. Everywhere there was destruction, there was grief due to loss of lives and properties. This however did not pin the Capiznon’s spirit down but brought out the best in everyone. People started to help their neighbors clear the debris, to share the little food left on their tables and to open their homes to those left homeless. Amidst all the destructions, the people of Capiz made a stand that not even the likes of Yolanda will stop them from celebrating their culture and their faith. Sinadya sa Halaran was celebrated as an act of thanksgiving to God and to Mary, the Immaculate Conception, for bestowing upon them the strength of faith and character that saw them through the worst of times. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

Sinadya sa Halaran is indeed a peoples’ act of thanksgiving.

 


The Kasadyahan is a cultural dance parade participated by the different municipalities, LGUs and schools in Western Visayas. It focuses on celebrating the goodness of the Creator for the bounties given the region through a grand dancing parade filled with color and grace. Kasadyahan sa Capiz

For this year, the Province of Capiz participated and showcased the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival. The contingent of more or less 200 composed of performers, musicians, propsmen, artistic directors, make-up artists, members of the Tri-Media of Capiz and staff represented the Province.

Performers were from the Dayway Sigmahanon, Inc., Silak Dance Company of the Filamer Christian University, Sarayawan Dance Troup of the Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion and the CapSU Main Dance Troup of the Capiz State University-Main Campus. The CPC Marching Band provided background music for the performance. Kasadyahan sa Capiz