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Home of the
famous Boracay Island
Over one-third of the provinces land area
consists of mountains. a mountain range flanks
the entire length of Aklanīs western border
with Antique. The rest is a narrow strip of
lowland that starts from the coast and
extended into valleys far inland to the
foothills. There are five major rivers, the
largest ones of which are the Aklan and Ibajay
Rivers. Lake Lapu Lapu is located in Malay
town. The province has two areas of somewhat
varying climates depending on the amount and
schedule of rainfall, but temperatures remain
almost constant throughout the year.
Aklan, including what is now Capiz, was
organised as "Minuro it Aklan" by settlers
from Borneo in 1213. It was one of three
political units, sakops, into which Panay was
divided, the other two being Hamitc (now
Antique) and Irong-Irong (now Iloilo) The firs
ruler of Aklan was named Datu Bangkaya. Under
Datu Dinagandan, the present site of Batan was
made its capital towards the end of the
1400-century. In 1433, Datu Bendahara of the
earliest written body of laws. When Datu
Manduyog became ruler in 1437, he moved the
capital to Bakan (the ancient name of Banga).
When Legazpi landed in Batan in 1565, Datu
Kabayag was ruling Aklan from what is now
Libacao. When the Spaniards settled in the
area, they changed its name to Capiz, much to
the dimay of the Aklanons. The Aklanons
agitated for their separation from Capiz
throughout the American period. Aklan finally
became a separate province in 1956. An early
Aklanon settlement called Madyanos, near the
town of Nemancia, later became Kalibo.
The "Aklanons" are closely related to the
Ilonggos but they speak a distinct dialect,
also called Aklanon. The dialect is said to be
traceable to an old datuīs defective manner of
speaking that everyone imitated.The ponu-an, a
customary gathering of elders, is still
practised in the barangays.
Boracay Island - A little over one hour flying
time from Manila is the fabled island of
Boracay. This island paradise is only 7 km
long but attracts many visitors with its 32
magnificent powdery white sand beaches and
majestic tropical palms. Located in the
province of Aklan north of Panay Island, it
has often been voted "one of the best beaches
in the world." Boracay is an all year round
destination. The holiday season starts early
November and finishes around May. June to
October season provides a pleasant alternative
when resort and restaurant prices are lower
and the island is at a more leisurely pace.
Kalibo Ati-Atihan - was held every third week
of January in Kalibo, Aklan. A celebration in
honor of the Sto. Niņo. Marked by a frenzied
merriment on the streets. Revelers in colorful
costumes and bodies painted black and their
faces made up grotesquely, dance uninhibitedly
to drumbeats. |
