The majority acknowledged traditions that tell of a crowd of Spaniards passed by a group of locals peeling the barks off the tree apparently to be dried up for firewood. The Spaniards asked, “Como se llama este lugar? Believing that they were asked what they were doing, they answered back with no hesitations, P A N I T A N, that means to peel off. From then on, PANITAN became the official name of the community as listed by the Spanish overlords.
But for historians like Fr. Juan Fernandez, O.S.A. in his “Monografias De Los Pueblos De La Isla De Pan-ay”, the word “Panitan” comes from a local fish called “Apnit” (Annona rufa), which is plenty in the town like in the usual discussion: “Pacain ca? Paapnitan ako” (are you going to serve a meal? I want Apnit). By the passing of word Paapnitan had become by word and at all period it has been said by the group so that when the Spaniards came they adopted it and make it Panitan due to the intricacy on their part to say the word Paapnitan.
Panitan is one of municipality serving its constituents to the
fullest. With our Vision , “ A self- reliant, progressive community
capable of giving opportunities to its people in unleashing their full
potential towards empowerment, dedicated to the preservation of its
culture and the promotion of a balanced ecology through complimentary
people government partnership” , we believe that we are trekking the
right path towards total improvement of the Municipality of Panitan.
Panitan Festivals:
Lingga-anay Festival is held every May 1-4 annually. It means looking back. A vivid and accurate interpretation of the Panayanons deep love for our birthplace, strong sense of responsibility toward our fellow Panayanons. It was also inspired by our Dakung Lingganay or the Big Bell in which the town of Panay is well-known for, not only locally but around the world.
Panay, Capiz also known as the "Heritage Capital of Capiz" derived the title "Heritage Capital of Capiz" because of its historical background one of it was the famous Sta. Monica Parish Church and of course the biggest bell in Asia.
Owing to the shortage of food in Cebu, Legazpi moved to Panay in 1569. On the bank of the Panay River, he founded the second Spanish settlement in the Philippines. This settlement is now the town of Pan-ay in the province of Capiz thatcaptivates the Spaniards due to its bountiful food and weather climate. At the beginning, the Panay Filipinos were hostile. But owing to the apostolic labors of Fr. Juan de Alba and other Augustinian missionaries, they were pacified and captivated by the alluring Legazpi and finally became friends. Two Chiefs of Panay, Datu Macabaog and Madidadang, were converted to Christians by the Augustinian missionaries and became good friends of Legazpi.
Festival in Panay:
Maayon Municipal and Religious Fiesta known as Hil-o Hil-o Festival which connnotes reciprocity that demonstrates interdependence among our people. It expresses itself in many ways. It could simply be helping one another to make a heavy work for one be lighter. It can be rendering of services or giving material donations for a relative, a friend or a neighbour who is holding a very important affair in the family. This Festival is celebrated annually every 3rd week of February for three (3) days starting Thursday.
Maayon was formerly an “arrabal” of the municipality of Pontevedra until that eventful day when it was created into a new and separate municipality known as the Municipality of Maayon. It was created a municipality thru Republic Act 1203 signed into law by the late President Ramon Magsaysay, Sr. on March 30, 1955.
Maayon is a stunning town that nature has provided with Scenic beauties of nature's wonder.
The serenity and elegance of the Sorrounding is sustained by the sweet charm and charisma of people ad-mired by many.
Its green verdant hills sparkled by multicoloured tops caused by gossamers white mist of the morning adding the soothing sound of water from the cover enriched with mineral deposits, is truly an amazing place to remember.
Explore the beauty of Maayon through exciting Caves, cascading waterfalls. Reminisce the past by viewing precious memorabilla, historical photos, old coins, reading materials and other significant items found at the handurawan Museum and library. Maayon's Patron Saint is Holy Child.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Roxas City is made known as the "Seafood Capital of the Phillipines because of the abundance of marine life in it. An environment-friendly city and also a home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Being a recipient of the Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award in the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran (GPK) Cleanliness and Environmental contest is a clear testament Roxas City - Red Orchid Awardee (2011 & 2012) of its people's commitment in ensuring a healthier and brighter future for all its residents and visitors as well. Recently, Roxas City has been a recipient of major awards from various government agencies. Last year the Department of Health (DOH) awarded this city with its 2nd Red Orchid Award for being "100 percent tobacco-free." Roxas City has also gained the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Seal of Good Housekeeping and lauded the Best Police Station in the region by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The patron saint of Roxas City is the Immaculada Concepcion.
Below are the list of festivals to attend in Roxas City:
