? Patnongon
? Patnongon
Along the National Highway are the ruins of the parish of St. Augustine, once considered the best church
in the province.
Started in 1860 by Fr. Manuel Asensio, it was finished in 1895 by Fr. Eustaquio Heria. In 1896, Fr. Joaquin
Fernandez renovated the church by adding a patio.
Damaged during the Philippine Revolution, it was repaired from 1896 to 1899 and, in 1906, it was
transferred to the Mill Hill Fathers of England. Destroyed during World War II, it was converted to the
St. Augustine Academy of Patnongon in 1962.
📍VALDERRAMA
Mt. Igcoron
According to the story of the elders of Valderrama, long time ago the municipality of Valderrama was
devastated by a high level of flood. There is nothing visible arround except the peak of Mt. Igcoron that
looks like a pot (locally known as Koron/Coron) floating in the flooded community. While some says that
probably Mt. Igcoron came from the word cogon/kogon because of the cogon grass that is present
around.
Hiking Mt. Igcoron in Valderrama, Antique, is a challenging climb with jagged peaks and 90-degree
slopes, but the 360-degree view of the green hills and mountains from the top is worth it.
Tucked almost a thousand meters from sea level, Aningalan sits among the small highland communities
of San Remigio. This mountain-top town is dubbed as the Vegetable Basket of Antique. Sometimes, it is
called the Little Baguio. But it’s not really the vegetable farms that bring the tourists here. It is the lush
mountainscapes,lakes, caves & flowers. Then there’s native coffee, fresh strawberries & honey too. And
of ofcourse, it’s the loveliness of cold weather hence, Aningalan is called the Little Baguio or the summer
capital ofAntique.Check out what loveliness awaits you here.
Aningalan Highland Strawberry Garden is the highlight of this long trip up in San Remigio. This Private
mountain resort offers visitors picture-perfect views & quiet retreats from the hustle of city life. Come
between November thru February & experience strawberry picking. During summer months, feel the
freshness of highland blooms such as sunflowers & globes of hydrangeas. They also have organic
vegetable gardens & free-range cattle. The resort also runs a 3-bedroom bed-and-breakfast with a
fantastic view of the surrounding sierra. If you like it outdoors, you can pitch a tent on the garden filled
with the calming scents of mountain breeze & the serenades of crickets in unison. What one thing lovely
about being here is its restaurant where they plate up good food straight from their farm. Don’t miss out
on their aromatic native coffee paired with suman-ibus rolled in muscovado sugar. Early mornings in
Aningalan is all about mountain mists & a bed of clouds. And as twilight falls everything projects in lovely
silhouettes against the bleeding horizon. Further deep into the night, the stars begin to cloak you in
melancholia.
Bato Igbugtong
-Amp-up your trip here by summiting Bato Igbugtong, a prominent rocky mound punctuating the rolling
hills of Aningalan. However, if you just like it chill, you can explore other places on foot, on a horseback
ride or on a fancy ATV.Icbaclag Cave want to see more of Aningalan from the top? Explore igbaclag Cave,
a huge monolith with lots of caverns. Experienced climbers can scale up to the summit on razor-sharp
rocks where a panoramic vista awaits. Others may just explore the lower chambers that are equally
exciting too.
Lake Danao
-Moreover, Lake Danao is a quiet escape into San Remigio’s rural charm. Here you can paddle a raft or
traipse on its rice terraces. It’s also a good spot for picnics or just spend a lazy afternoon on a hammock.
How to Get Their Public transportation is the major challenge of San Remigio. There are not many trips
going up. So, if you decide to come here, make sure you are aware of timings.Truly, Antique is not only
about good food & wonderful islands. It’s also about the wild extravagance of its mountains. And
Aningalan in San Remigio is setting exciting reasons for tourists to hit its hills too.Indeed, Aningalan is an
all-season destination. Here, guests come for the summer & stay on rainy days. So come by &
experience what charming Antique retreats mean.
⛰️MT. IGMATONGTONG
Apart from being known as the sugar capital of Antique, the town of Laua-an also boasts a lot of spots
with beautiful sceneries. One of the interesting spots is Mt. Igmatongtong located in Barangay
Capnayan, Laua-an, Antique. With an elevation of 800 MASL, it's an easy to hike mountain with a
magnificent view at the summit. Its peak offers an amazing 360 views of nearby mountains, rice
terraces, plains, rivers, and the seas.
Get the best of both views at Madja-as Park. Located in Sitio Bacolod, Barangay San Luis, Culasi, Antique
and sitting comfortably at 126 meters above sea level is the newest adventure part in the province of
Antique!
Madja-as park is also a best location for sunset viewing. The park has a beautiful vista of the sun as it
sinks into the sea in the open skies with a sleepy view of Mararison and Batbatan islands.
BORNEAN DATUS IMMORTALIZED IN GIANT STATUES IN HAMTIC, ANTIQUE.
The landing of the ten Bornean Datus in Hamtic, Antique will be immortalized as the province pays
homage to its rich culture and history.
Giant statues of the ten Bornean Datus shall be placed in Brgy. Malandog in Hamtic, Antique which is
considered as the historical site of the landing of the Datus in Panay Island.
The first batch of the statues arrived in Malandog, Antique on July 13. The first five statues were the
replicas of Datu Sumakwel, Datu Bangkaya, Datu Dumalugdug, Datu Lubay, and Datu Puti.
As the people of Antique are ardent and steadfast protectors of their environment, the province has
remained a haven for natural beauty, and this has become evident in having the cleanest river in the
Philippines: Bugang River.
Bugang River ranked first among the cleanest inland bodies of water in the region for three consecutive
years. This river and its environs double as eco-tourism sites. You can try a bunch of activities like
trekking, rappelling, and wall-climbing. But if you’re just going to do one thing, it should be river-tubing.
You’d get to go on a pleasant trek to the head of the tubing site, going through thick forest for some
wildlife-spotting and forest-bathing. You’ll also pass by the famed Blue Lagoon.
It is a promising eco-tourism paradise for thrill-seekers and a potential venue for canyoning, rafting, river
trekking, and other water sports.
One of Sebaste Antiques crown jewels is the Igpasungaw Falls, series of 9 cascading waterfalls. A 15-
minute tricycle or motorcycle ride from the highway up to the location where trekking will start. Hiking
will take 40 minutes to 1 hour before reaching the waterfalls. And that also includes crossing rivers.
At the starting point of the trek is going through the fields and forest. It is only an easy walk since the
trail is already marked. The second waterfalls are the crowds’ favorite. It is a three-tiered waterfall that
has a pool with just the right depth for swimming. These Falls has four or more series of waterfalls but
only three to four waterfalls are possible to be visited. The adventure of crossing with ropes and secret
caves too was really fun and each level had huge falls like each one was an exhilarating moment.
TIBIAO
The Kawa Hot Bath is one of the most popular attractions in Antique. It is mainly located in Tibiao, which
is known for its Kawa hot baths. The Kawa hot bath is a unique experience where one can take a hot
bath in a large cauldron filled with water over a fire.
The giant wok or Kawa was traditionally used for cooking muscovado sugar but has been converted into
a hot tub for this unique spa experience. In addition to the interesting metaphor of being "cooked alive",
the Kawa Hot Bath is also known for its healing properties. These properties help in relieving body
aches, enhancing blood circulation, calming distress, and other advantages depending on the herbs
infused with the water.
Most of the Kawa Hot Baths in Tibiao, Antique are situated outdoors, offering a picturesque view of the
Tibiao River.
BUGASONG
The Municipality of Bugasong in Antique, Philippines is known for its tradition of Patadyong weaving.
The local weavers of Barangay Bagtason manually weave this colorful cloth using polyester, cotton, and
abaca as their raw materials.
Patadyong is a multi-colored cloth that comes in various designs, such as stripes, checkered squares, and
rectangles. This hand-woven cloth is a versatile garment used as a skirt, a way to carry sick or wounded
people in emergencies, a personalized bathroom, and more. The time it takes to weave a cloth depends
on the design - the bigger and more intricate the design, the longer it takes.
Through the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association (BLWA), the art of patadyong weaving is still alive in
Antique, preserving the tradition for future generations.
SIBALOM
Sibalom, a municipality in Antique, Philippines, is known for its natural attractions, including the Mau-it
River. The Mau-it River is a popular tourist destination because of its crystal-clear waters, breathtaking
waterfalls, and lush greenery. Tourists can enjoy various activities such as swimming, hiking, and river
trekking while taking in the scenic beauty of the area. The river is also a great spot for picnics and
outdoor gatherings, making it a perfect destination for families and groups. Overall, the Mau-it River in
Sibalom is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature and adventure.
MT. PORRAS
Mt. Porras is a mountain located in the province of Antique, Philippines. It offers a range of adventure
activities for outdoor enthusiasts, such as hiking, trekking, and camping. The challenging terrain of the
mountain presents a unique opportunity for hikers and trekkers to test their limits and push themselves
to new heights. The scenic views from the summit of the mountain are breathtaking and provide a sense
of accomplishment for those who make it to the top. Moreover, camping at Mt. Porras is a popular
activity, providing an opportunity for visitors to connect with nature and witness the stunning starry
skies at night. All in all, Mt. Porras is an excellent destination for adventure seekers who want to
experience the thrill of outdoor activities while enjoying the natural beauty of the region.
Panay Islands of Visayas is known for its vast number of old basilicas and churches. Some are completely
damaged and ruined by time but some are still serving as a house of prayer. In the province of Antique
down to the municipality of Anini-y, there stands a beautiful structure which is the only surviving
Spanish colonial church in the province.
Anini-y church or the Parish of St. John of Nepomuceno is the only preserved church in the Antique,
originally built by the Augustinians Friars. The church is generally made of corals and stones collected in
the immediate area. Its first structure is 33m x 13m and was built around 1630-1638. Close to the
original church, the present coral structure on the other hand is 48m x 12.5m and was built in 1845. In
1879, Fr. Jeronimo V. Aquerin completed the present complex.
In 1902, the church was abandoned and occupied by the Aglipayans for about 4 years. In 1906, the Mill
Hill Fathers, a religion congregation from England arrived and took the responsibility of the church. One
of the Mill Hill Fathers, Fr. William Erickweld gave his efforts in preserving the ruins of the convent due
to the war while building a new one beside it. He led the restoration of the church when it was severely
damaged by a typhoon and the aftermath brought about by the Second World War in 1973.
It is a massive white coral baroque style church which is dedicated to San Juan Nepomucemo. It is a
single rectangular level and a triangular pediment with a niche in the center, flanked by two rose-
windows and ending upon finials. A breathtaking façade of the church is composed of two central
pilasters divided into three equal sections. Rosette edges the upper part of the main entrance; the same
pattern adorned the other openings and niches of the façade and side walls. Two stained niches are
found on the main entrance and are topped by two identical rose windows.
There is a Baptistery a little closer to the back of the church. It contains a beautifully carved crucifix
lovingly done by the Mill Hill Fathers. Unlike many other churches, it is a refreshing one because it is not
encumbered with a lots of statues; there are only five or six beautiful statues including the St John of
Nepumuceno, the patron saint of the parish, a statue of St Theresa (I believe), and finally the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
MOUNT NANGTUD, BARBAZA
Mount Nangtud is the second highest peak in Panay Island, Philippines after Mount Madia-as. It is
located on the border of Barbaza, Antique and Jamindan, Capiz. With an elevation of (2,073 m.) 6,801
feet. It is part of Central Panay Mountain Range, the longest mountain range in Panay Island. Because of
its geographic location, located on the central part of the island, it is the most difficult and most
challenging mountains to climb in Panay, trekking 4 to 5 days of treks to reach the mountain summit.
The nearest peaks are Mount Tigas, Mount Dumara, Mount Sipanag, Mount Dalangnan, Mount Nausang
and Mount Balabag.
“Parigusan it Pari” or as translated, the brook where Spanish friars used to take a bath. No exclamation
was needed why the Spanish friars loved the place. Its bluish water could refresh the most tired soul and
the trees of different species made the surroundings so spectacular and so groovy.
Named after the Tagalog word “to be free” or “to go beyond," this restaurant in the quiet town of
Tobias Fornier, about 50 minutes from Antique’s capital town of San Jose de Buenavista, specializes in
sustainable gourmet food within a beautiful all-bamboo restaurant.
Alpas is the realization of a dream of two individuals who worked and met abroad, but decided to settle
in a province of the Philippines for a simpler way of life.
Caluya is a 4th municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. It speaks of a citizenry that takes
pride in the home's origin and wealth, and hopes for a better future for their town. Truthfully, Caluya is
a paradise where one cloud savors the best that nature could offer. It is here where the white and
pinkish beaches stretch on to eternity.
Sibato Island is a beautiful hidden paradise in Caluya, Antique. Where crystal clear waters, seemingly
endless white shores, landscapes, diverse wildlife, surprising coves, exciting cliffs and rock formations
can be found.
- is a coastal municipality in the province of Antique. It serves as the provincial capital. A town between
rustic rural and mid - urban, a center for trade and business in Antique. A bustling capital town, it is a
jump off point to the many tourist destinations in the province.
EBJ Freedom Park
EBJ Freedom Park is located in front of the Antique Provincial Capitol building in San Jose de Buenavista.
The Sangguiang Panlalawigan of Antique on behalf of the entire Antiqueño citizenry officially christens
the place Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park. In the park is a marker which reads” A fitting tribute to a man
who has done so much, not only for the people of Antique, but the entire Filipino nation, in pursuit of
justice, freedom, dignity, democracy and peace”. The marker also designates the spot where the late
Gov. Evelio B. Javier was shot by an unknown assassin on February 11, 1986.