One of the provinces that composed the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines is Capiz. It is located on the northeastern part of the island bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, Iloilo to the south and the Sibuyan Sea to the north. The province of Capiz is famous for its mother-of-pearl shells that is commonly called Capiz shells and is being used to make ornamentations such as lampshades, accessories and even window doors among others.



During the pre-Hispanic period, both the provinces of Aklan and Capiz belong under one province. It is only in April 25, 1956 that the two provinces were separated by virtue of RA 1414 signed by then President Ramon Magsaysay. It is said in history that during the 1500’s, the wife of the Datu of Aklan district gave birth to twins which in the local dialect is “kapid.” When the Spaniards first came in the island of Panay, they landed in the town of Pan-ay and adopted the term “capiz” instead of “kapid” because it was unknowingly miscommunicated to them by the natives.

The town of Pan-ay was proclaimed as the first capital of the province though it was later moved to what is now Roxas City. Since then, it has been the seat of government of the province. With the establishment of the first Spanish settlement in the island of Panay at the mouth of the Banica River, Capiz became the second Spanish settlement in the Philippines after San Miguel, Cebu.

Capiznons, as what people from the province of Capiz is being called, are known to be happy individuals who love to celebrate the goodness of life and the abundance of its products. So just like the many provinces of the country, Capiz is host to a number of festivals and one of them is the Sinadya sa Halaran which is a joint festival of both the city of Roxas and the province of Capiz. It is celebrated every first weekend of December in commemoration of the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion, the patroness of the city.

By JUN BERJAMIN

references:
http://panaydirectory.com/capiz/