Aklan

Last updated
Aklan
Akean (Aklanon)
Boracay Island, Philippines - panoramio.jpg
Cathedral Kalibo.jpg
Ati-Atihan Festival Participant.jpg
Kalibo Museum in Aklan.jpg
Bakhawan Eco-Park - panoramio (3) (cropped).jpg
Aklan Capitol side view (Osmena Avenue, Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan; 10-20-2022).jpg
(from top: left to right) Boracay Island, Kalibo Cathedral, Ati-atihan Festival, Aklan Museum, Kalibo Bakhawan Eco Park, and Aklan Provincial Capitol.
PH-AKL Flag.png
Seal of Aklan.png
Motto(s): 
"Arangkada, Aklan"
Anthem: "Aklan Hymn"
Aklan in Philippines.svg
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Aklan
Coordinates: 11°40′N122°20′E / 11.67°N 122.33°E / 11.67; 122.33
Country Philippines
Region Western Visayas
First settled13th century
Founded 25 April 1956
Capital
and largest municipality
Kalibo
Government
   Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores (Lakas)
   Vice Governor Reynaldo M. Quimpo (Lakas)
   Legislature Aklan Provincial Board
Area
[1]
  Total
1,821.42 km2 (703.25 sq mi)
  Rank64th out of 81
Highest elevation1,777 m (5,830 ft)
Population
 (2020 census) [2]
  Total
615,475
  Rank51st out of 81
  Density340/km2 (880/sq mi)
   Rank23rd out of 81
Demonym Aklanon
Divisions
   Independent cities 0
   Component cities 0
   Municipalities
   Barangays 327
   Districts Legislative districts of Aklan
Time zone UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP Code
5600–5616
IDD : area code +63(0)36
ISO 3166 code PH-AKL
HDI Increase2.svg 0.660 (Medium)
HDI rank 29th in Philippines (2019)
Spoken languages
GDP (2022) 63.57 billion
$1.084 billion [3]
Growth rateIncrease2.svg 22.5%
Website aklan.gov.ph

Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan, [a] is a province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital and largest town is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique to the southwest, and Capiz to the southeast. Aklan faces the Sibuyan Sea and Romblon province to the north.

Contents

Aklan is most well-known for Boracay, a resort island 0.8 kilometer north of the tip of Panay. It is known for its white sand beaches and is considered one of the more prominent destinations in the country. The Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo has also been known worldwide, hence declared "The Mother of all Philippine Festivals." It is an annual celebration held on the third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). The festival showcases tribal dancing through the town's main streets to the tune of ethnic music, with participants in indigenous costumes and gear. [4]

History

Early history

Aklan is believed to have been settled in the 13th century by settlers from Borneo, ruled by Datu Bangkaya, with his seat at Madyanos, near present-day Numancia.

Spanish colonial era

Several datus succeeded Datu Manduyog until the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi landed in Batan in 1565 and claimed the island for Spain, in early Spanish accounts it was called El Río de Aclán.

Japanese occupation

In 1942, the Japanese invaded Aklan during World War II. In 1945, combined Filipino and American army along with Aklanon guerrillas liberated Aklan during the war in the Pacific.[ citation needed ]

Philippine independence

Aklan (Akean) became an independent province through Republic Act No. 1414 signed by Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956, separating Aklan from Capiz. [5] The original towns were Altavas, Balete, Batan, Banga, Buruanga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Makato, Malinao, Nabas, New Washington, Numancia, and Tangalan, then all part of the province of Capiz. The province was inaugurated on November 8, 1956. Jose Raz Menez was appointed the first governor of Aklan by President Magsaysay and he served until December 30, 1959.

In 1960, Godofredo P. Ramos became the first elected governor but upon resigning to run for Congress he was succeeded by the vice governor, Virgilio S. Patricio. In 1964, José B. Legaspi succeeded Patricio and he held office for two consecutive terms from 1964 to 1971.[ citation needed ]

Geography

A view of the Aklan River Aklan River seen on Madalag Aklan.jpg
A view of the Aklan River

Aklan occupies the northern third of the island of Panay and is bordered by the provinces of Capiz from the southeast and Antique from the southwest. It also faces the Sibuyan Sea from the north. The province covers a total area of 1,821.42 square kilometres (703.25 sq mi) [6] , and includes the island of Boracay which is located at its northwestern tip.

Mount Nausang, is formerly the highest peak in Aklan, standing at 5,190 ft (1,580 m), the discovery of Mount Timbaban is much higher, with an elevation of 5,830.1 ft (1,777.0 m) above sea level, Mount Timbaban is not considered as independent mountain, it is still part of Mount Madja-as sub-summit with only Topographic prominence peak of 30 m (98 ft) above the isolation from the Parent peak. Located 6 km northwest of Mount Nausang and 4.8 km northeast of Mount Madja-as in Antique. Aklan River, is the longest river in the province with a total length of 91 km (57 mi) long.

The province features high geographic diversity, ranging from white sandy beaches, mangroves and mountainous landscapes. Situated within the province is the river Akean, which appears unique due to its "boiling or frothing" appearance.

Administrative divisions

Aklan comprises 17 municipalities. [6] The province is divided into two legislative districts for congressional representation. [6]

Political map of Aklan Ph fil aklan.png
Political map of Aklan
Municipality [i] Population±% p.a.Area [6] Density(2020)Barangay
(2020) [2] (2015) [7] km2sqmi/km2/sqmi
11°32′14″N122°29′17″E / 11.5373°N 122.4881°E / 11.5373; 122.4881 (Altavas) Altavas 4.2%25,63924,619+0.78%109.0542.1024062014
11°33′23″N122°22′47″E / 11.5564°N 122.3797°E / 11.5564; 122.3797 (Balete) Balete 4.9%30,09028,920+0.76%118.9345.9225065010
11°38′18″N122°19′56″E / 11.6382°N 122.3322°E / 11.6382; 122.3322 (Banga) Banga 6.6%40,31839,505+0.39%84.5332.644801,20030
11°35′13″N122°29′46″E / 11.5869°N 122.4962°E / 11.5869; 122.4962 (Batan) Batan 5.4%33,48432,032+0.85%79.2230.594201,10020
11°50′39″N121°53′18″E / 11.8442°N 121.8884°E / 11.8442; 121.8884 (Buruanga) Buruanga 3.1%19,35719,003+0.35%56.4421.7934088015
11°49′06″N122°09′54″E / 11.8184°N 122.1649°E / 11.8184; 122.1649 (Ibajay) Ibajay 8.5%52,36449,564+1.05%158.9061.3533085035
11°42′32″N122°21′50″E / 11.7089°N 122.3640°E / 11.7089; 122.3640 (Kalibo) Kalibo 14.5%89,12780,605+1.93%50.7519.591,8004,70016
11°40′04″N122°19′43″E / 11.6679°N 122.3286°E / 11.6679; 122.3286 (Lezo) Lezo 2.5%15,63915,224+0.51%23.409.036701,70012
11°28′50″N122°18′09″E / 11.4806°N 122.3024°E / 11.4806; 122.3024 (Libacao) Libacao 4.6%28,27228,241+0.02%254.9898.4511028024
11°31′37″N122°18′23″E / 11.5269°N 122.3063°E / 11.5269; 122.3063 (Madalag) Madalag 3.1%18,89018,389+0.51%269.60104.097018025
11°42′42″N122°17′33″E / 11.7116°N 122.2926°E / 11.7116; 122.2926 (Makato) Makato 4.8%29,71727,262+1.66%103.4539.9429075018
11°54′01″N121°54′36″E / 11.9002°N 121.9100°E / 11.9002; 121.9100 (Malay) Malay 9.8%60,07752,973+2.43%66.0125.499102,40017
11°38′38″N122°18′27″E / 11.6439°N 122.3076°E / 11.6439; 122.3076 (Malinao) Malinao 4.0%24,51723,194+1.06%186.0171.8213034023
11°49′44″N122°05′36″E / 11.8288°N 122.0933°E / 11.8288; 122.0933 (Nabas) Nabas 6.6%40,63236,435+2.10%96.8237.384201,10020
11°38′50″N122°26′08″E / 11.6473°N 122.4356°E / 11.6473; 122.4356 (New Washington) New Washington 7.8%47,95545,007+1.22%66.6925.757201,90016
11°42′21″N122°19′41″E / 11.7058°N 122.3280°E / 11.7058; 122.3280 (Numancia) Numancia 5.8%35,69331,934+2.14%28.8411.141,2003,10017
11°46′26″N122°15′37″E / 11.7740°N 122.2604°E / 11.7740; 122.2604 (Tangalan) Tangalan 3.9%23,70421,916+1.50%62.0323.9538098015
Total615,475574,823+1.31%1,760.30679.66350910327
  Provincial capital Municipality
  1. The globe  WMA button2b.png icon marks the town center.

Demographics

Population census of Aklan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 110,773    
1918 137,323+1.44%
1939 176,625+1.21%
1948 196,982+1.22%
1960 226,232+1.16%
1970 263,358+1.53%
1975 293,349+2.19%
1980 324,563+2.04%
1990 380,497+1.60%
1995 410,539+1.43%
2000 451,314+2.05%
2007 495,122+1.29%
2010 535,725+2.91%
2015 574,823+1.35%
2020 615,475+1.35%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [7] [8] [8]

The population of Aklan in the 2020 census was 615,475 people, [2] with a density of 340 inhabitants per square kilometre or 880 inhabitants per square mile.

Ethnic groups

The main inhabitants of the province are the Aklanon, who are part of the Visayan ethnic group. Other inhabitants include the Negrito, locally known as the Ati and the Sulod, a lesser known tribal group living in the hinterlands of Panay. Other Visayans also present are the Hiligaynon, Karay-a, and Capiznon.

Population by ethnicity (2000) [9]
EthnicityNumber
Aklanon
434,869 (96.56%)
Hiligaynon
3,375 (0.75%)
Tagalog
2,271 (0.50%)
Kankanaey
1,281 (0.28%)
Cebuano
939 (0.21%)

Others
4,816 (1.07%)
Not Reported
2,802 (0.62%)

Based on the 2000 census survey, Aklanon accounted for

An Ati family in front of Kalibo Cathedral. Aeta family at Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.jpg
An Ati family in front of Kalibo Cathedral.

Languages

The most prominent languages in the province are Akeanon (Aklanon Proper), Malaynon, and Buruanganon. Akeanon is spoken by a majority of the people, while Malaynon is spoken in Malay and Buruanganon is spoken in Buruanga. Hiligaynon is also widely spoken and understood in the province. Other regional languages used include Ati, Kinaray-a, and Capiznon. Tagalog and English are used in administration and business as the national official languages.

Religion

Catholicism

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of the people and Christian festivals such as Christmas and Lent are regarded with high importance. Meanwhile, Christian icons such as the Santo Niño are regarded as cultural symbols of the people. Animism, however, is still practised by the Ati. The Aglipayan Church or the Iglesia Filipina Independiente is the second most predominant religion in the province.

Others

Other religions in the province include Members Church of God International (MCGI), [10] Iglesia ni Cristo, and Islam.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Aklan

10
20
30
40
50
2006
41.78
2009
44.71
2012
24.97
2015
16.08
2018
12.13
2021
13.90

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

A view of the Grotto in Boracay at dusk. Tourism is the main industry in Boracay. Boracay Blue Calm.jpg
A view of the Grotto in Boracay at dusk. Tourism is the main industry in Boracay.

The province of Aklan is designated as a first class province. [6]

Agriculture

Aklan depends on agriculture, with palay being the top produce in the province. Rice plantations had an area of 42,218 hectares (104,320 acres) (0.39 percent of the total provincial agricultural area). [19]

With the implementation of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) umaru rice production program using the Hybrid rice, production is expected to increase by 15 percent or an average of 10 metric tons per hectare in the succeeding years. However, the problem of low price support for rice still continues to affect the production sector.

In general, Aklan is sufficient in meat and other livestock and poultry products, [19] though in the inventory of livestock and poultry in the year 2000, hog and chicken had a decrease in population from 114,890 heads of hogs and 886,597 heads of chickens in 1999 to 95,950 heads of hogs and 782,820 heads of chicken in the 2000. The decrease in production was attributed to the following factors: high cost of feeds, feed supplements and biologics, livestock and poultry diseases, increasing price of chicks, and high cost of labor.

Coconuts still occupies the largest area planted among major permanent agriculture crops. The total area planted with coconut is 32,276 hectares (79,760 acres). [19] Ibajay ranks the largest with 4,317 hectares (10,670 acres); followed by Balete with 2,611 hectares (6,450 acres); Banga with umaru 2,314 hectares (5,720 acres); Makato with 2,089 hectares (5,160 acres); and, Altavas with 2,054 hectares (5,080 acres). All the rest of the municipalities have areas below 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres). However, in terms of copra production, Makato ranks number one with 2,770 metric tons per year; next is Balete with 2,669; and Libacao with 2,399. The rest produce less than 2000 metric tons. Total production is 25,375 metric tons annually.

Other crops produced include bananas (Lakatan), mangoes, rambutan, and lanzones, as well as fiber crops such as piña fiber and abaca. [19]

Aquaculture

Fishpond areas had a total area of 7,807.14 hectares (19,291.9 acres). [19] Of the total fishpond areas, 4,512.04162 hectares (11,149.4977 acres) are with Fishpond Lease Agreement (FLA); 138.85672 hectares (343.1224 acres) are with permits; 2,729.02636 hectares (6,743.5710 acres) are on process/application; and, 370.0 hectares (914 acres) are titled.

Industry

Aklan is a top producer of abaca, [20] which are dyed and made into cloths or place mats, bags, wall decors and fans. [19]

The piña cloth, considered the "Queen of the Philippine Fabrics", is a prime produce of Kalibo, weaved from its unique crude wooden or bamboo handloom. [19]

Lezo is known for its red clay, used by the natives to make pots, vases and various novelty items. [19]

Government

Elected Officials:

Transportation

Road

Aklan is accessible via highways and buses. Buses with routes from Iloilo, Capiz, and Antique connect Aklan with neighboring provinces. The Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan Expressway (ICAEx) is a proposed expressway on the island of Panay that will run from Iloilo City to Caticlan, Malay. A 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) limited-access bridge connecting Caticlan to Boracay is also being proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as part of its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects. [21]

Airports

Kalibo International Airport Kalibo Airport, Philippines.jpg
Kalibo International Airport

Aklan is famous for Boracay, a resort island 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north from the tip of Panay. It is known for its white sandy beaches and is considered one of the most prominent destinations in the Philippines. Because of this, there is frequent air travel to the province's airports in Kalibo and Caticlan; Kalibo International Airport itself is about ten minutes from the main plaza. Both airports serve direct flights to and from Taipei; Hong Kong; Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu in China; and Incheon and Busan in Korea, through international flights served by Air Asia Zest Airways, All Nippon Airways, Jin Air, Tiger Air Philippines, Etihad Airlines and PAL Express, Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines.

The following are the airports in Aklan:

Seaports

The following are the seaports in the province:

  • Alegria Port
  • Batan Port
  • Cagban Port
  • Caticlan Jetty Port
  • Tabon Port
  • Tambisaan Port
  • Gibon Port
  • Colong-Colong Port
  • Dumaguit Port
  • Kalibo Jetty Port
  • New Washington Port

Culture

Despite the prevalence of Christianity, native beliefs about the aswang and the babaylan are still prevalent among the people. Kulam or witchcraft, locally known as amulit is still feared by many residents.

Cuisine

Two main dishes associated with Aklan and Aklanons are inubaran [22] and binakol. [23] [24]

Inubaran, is a Filipino chicken stew or soup made with chicken cooked with diced banana pith, coconut milk (gata) or coconut cream (kakang gata), a souring agent, lemongrass, and various spices. The souring agent (called aeabihig) is traditionally either batuan fruits ( Garcinia morella ) or libas leaves ( Spondias pinnata ). The name means "[cooked] with ubad (banana pith)", not to be confused with ubod (palm heart); although ubod can sometimes be used as a substitute for ubad which can be difficult to acquire. Variants of the dish can also be made with other types of meat or seafood. It is a type of ginataan . [25] [26]

Binakol, also spelled binakoe, is a Filipino chicken soup made from chicken cooked in coconut water with grated coconut, green papaya (or chayote), leafy vegetables, garlic, onion, ginger, lemongrass, and patis (fish sauce). It can also be spiced with chilis. Binakol can also be cooked with other kinds of meat or seafood. It was traditionally cooked inside bamboo tubes or directly on halved coconut shells. [27] [28]

Linapay also known as tinamuk, is a dish related to Laing but from Aklan in the Western Visayas. It is made from pounded freshwater shrimp (ueang) mixed with gawud (grated young coconut meat) and wrapped with taro leaves (gutaw) and cooked in coconut milk. [29]

Festivals

The province is known for its festivities which includes the Ati-Atihan festival in Kalibo. [30] Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and the Malayan tribes who settled in the Island. The Ati live in the mountain regions and the Malay people in the flatlands or close to the water. The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan tribes. When the Spaniards settled in the region and converted the Malays to their Christian religion, they asked the Malays to celebrate this festivity to coincide with the Feast of the Santo Niño (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January.

Bariw Festival is a unique festival showcasing the skills of every Nabasnon in weaving bags, mats and hats made of bariw leaves – the prospering livelihood in the municipality. It is highlighted by the dance performance of local talent and ingenuity to the beat of the drums and indigenous rhythm celebrated every May 14 of the year.

Bugna Festival is a festival showcasing the different locally produced products and eco-tourism destinations of Tangalan like the marine sanctuary and coral garden, Afga Point, Campo Verde, Jawili Falls, Bughawi beach and reforestation project every May 16 of the year.

Kali-Ugyon Festival (kali stands for Kalipayan or happiness and Ugyon meaning "unity"). This is the festival celebrated in Libacao every December 30 to January 1, costumed in modern and indigenous outfits bringing people together on the streets for merry-making and to drive away evil spirits in the coming New Year.

Literature

Aklanons are known for their literature, which includes the epic of Kalantiao. Certain Aklanons, such as Melchor F. Cichon, Roman Aguirre, have produced several notable literary works in the province.

Ati – Atihan Festival

Participants in the Ati-Atihan Festival parade Parade-Goers At Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival, Philippines.jpg
Participants in the Ati-Atihan Festival parade

The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), held on the third Sunday of January in the town of Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines, on the island of Panay. It originally came from Batan, Aklan, then adopted later by some neighboring towns. The name Ati-Atihan means "to be like Atis" or "to make believe Atis", the local name for the Aeta aborigines who first settled in Panay Island and other parts of the archipelago.

The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions. It has inspired many other Philippine Festivals including the Sinulog Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang of Iloilo City, both adaptations of the Kalibo's Ati-Atihan Festival, and legally holds the title "The Mother of All Philippine Festivals", being the oldest festival in the Philippines and in spite of the other Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals' claims of the same title.

The costumes worn at the festival is patterned after the African tribal design like those seen at the Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A 1200 A.D. event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus , fleeing from the island of Borneo settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island. Datu Puti made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. They gave a very long necklace to the wife of the Ati chieftain. Feasting and festivities followed soon after.

Some time later, the Ati people were struggling with famine as the result of a bad harvest. They were forced to descend from their mountain village into the settlement below, to seek the generosity of the people who now lived there. The Datus obliged and gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them, grateful for the gifts they had been given.

The festivity was originally a pagan festival from this tribe practicing Animism, and their worshiping their anito god. Spanish missionaries gradually added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.

In 2012, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the ICHCAP of UNESCO published Pinagmulan: Enumeration from the Philippine Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The first edition of the UNESCO-backed book included the Ati-atihan Festival, signifying its great importance to Philippine intangible cultural heritage. The local government of Aklan, in cooperation with the NCCA, was given the right to nominate the Ati-atihan Festival in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

The people attend masses for the Santo Niño, and benefit dances sponsored by government organizations. The formal opening mass emphasizes the festival's religious event. The procession begins with a rhythmic drumbeats, and dances parading along the streets. The second day begins at dawn with a rosary procession, which ends with a community mass, and procession. The phrase "Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!" is originally associated with the Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival as the revelers and devotees keep on going with the festivities all over the town from morning to the wee hours of the next morning, rain or shine, for one week or even more. They believe that the miraculous Child Jesus will protect them from harm and illness. The highlight of the festival occurs on the third Saturday of January, when groups representing different tribes compete for tourists' attention and prizes. The festival ends with a procession of thousands of people carrying torches and different kinds of images of the Santo Niño on the third Sunday. The contest winners are announced at a masquerade ball which officially ends the festival.

Universities and colleges

Aklan is the home of the Regional Science High School for Region VI (RSHS-VI), one of the specialized system of public secondary schools in the Philippines.

Flora and Fauna

Philippine spotted deer Cervus alfredi.jpg
Philippine spotted deer

Several species endemic to the Philippines are found in the province. Examples include endangered animals such the Philippine spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons), and the Visayan hornbill (Penelopides panini). As of 2007, conservation efforts are being made by the Aklan State University and the DENR with varying success. Three mangrove species are in the World's Red List namely Avicennia rumphiana (Vulnerable), Ceriops decandra (Nearly Threatened) and Camptostemon philippinense (Endangered) are documented in the forest of Ibajay, Aklan.

Notable people

See also

Notes

  1. (Akeanon: Probinsya it Akean[ak'ɤan]; Hiligaynon: Kapuoran sang Aklan; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Aklan

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visayas</span> Archipelago in the Philippines

The Visayas, or the Visayan Islands, are one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Luzon and Mindanao. Located in the central part of the archipelago, it consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are also considered the northeast extremity of the entire Sulu Sea. Its inhabitants are predominantly the Visayan peoples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panay</span> Island in the Philippines

Panay is the sixth-largest and fourth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of 12,011 km2 (4,637 sq mi) and a total population of 4,542,926, as of 2020 census. Panay comprises 4.4 percent of the entire population of the country. The City of Iloilo is its largest settlement with a total population of 457,626 inhabitants, as of 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iloilo</span> Province in Western Visayas, Philippines

Iloilo, also called Iloilo Province, officially the Province of Iloilo, is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital and largest city is Iloilo City, the regional center of Western Visayas and politically independent from the province. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay and is bordered by the province of Antique to the west, Capiz to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Visayas</span> Administrative region of the Philippines

Western Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. The region comprises the islands of Panay and Guimaras. It consists of five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo on Panay, and the island province of Guimaras. The region also includes one highly urbanized city, Iloilo City, which is the largest city and serves as the regional center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boracay</span> Island in the Philippines

Boracay is a resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located 0.8 kilometers (0.50 mi) off the northwest coast of Panay Island. It has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers (3.98 sq mi), under the jurisdiction of three barangays in Malay, Aklan, and had a population of 37,802 in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalibo</span> Capital of Aklan, Philippines

Kalibo, officially the Municipality of Kalibo, is a municipality and capital of the Province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 89,127 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ati-Atihan festival</span> Annual Philippine festival

The Kalibo Santo Niño—Ati-Atihan Festival, also simply called Ati-Atihan Festival, is a Philippine festival held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño in several towns of the province of Aklan, Panay Island. The biggest celebration is held during the third Sunday of January in the town of Kalibo, the province's capital. The name Ati-Atihan means "to imitate the Ati people".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banga, Aklan</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Banga, officially the Municipality of Banga, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,318 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batan, Aklan</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Batan, officially the Municipality of Batan, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 33,484 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ibajay</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Ibajay, officially known as the Municipality of Ibajay, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. During the creation of Aklan Province in 1956, Ibajay was its biggest municipality in terms of population. According to the 2020 census, Ibajay has a population of 52,365 people, making it the third most populated town in Aklan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Libacao</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Libacao, officially the Municipality of Libacao, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,272 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makato</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Makato, officially the Municipality of Makato, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 29,717 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malay, Aklan</span> Municipality in Western Visayas, Philippines

Malay, officially the Municipality of Malay, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is the richest municipality in the province in terms of revenue. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 60,077 people, making it the second most populous municipality in Aklan. It is the northernmost town on the island of Panay and the youngest amongst all municipalities in Aklan province. The resort island of Boracay is part of the municipality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nabas, Aklan</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Nabas, officially the Municipality of Nabas, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. Nabas serves as the arrival gateway of Boracay Airport. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,632 people, making it the fifth most populous town in Aklan Province..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Washington, Aklan</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

New Washington, officially the Municipality of New Washington, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 47,955 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Numancia, Aklan</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Numancia, officially the Municipality of Numancia, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,693 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Jose, Romblon</span> Municipality in Romblon, Philippines

San Jose, officially the Municipality of San Jose, is a municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 11,759 people.

The Hiligaynon people, often referred to as Ilonggo people or Panayan people, are the second largest subgroup of the larger Visayan ethnic group, whose primary language is Hiligaynon, an Austronesian language of the Visayan branch native to Panay, Guimaras, and Negros. They originated in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay, in the region of Western Visayas. Over the years, inter-migrations and intra-migrations have contributed to the diaspora of the Hiligaynon to different parts of the Philippines. Today, the Hiligaynon, apart from the province of Iloilo, also form the majority in the provinces of Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Capiz, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato Province. Hiligaynon is also spoken in some parts of Sarangani Province particularly in the Municipality of Malungon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ati people</span> Ethnic group of the Philippines

The Ati are a Negrito ethnic group and indigenous peoples in the Visayan Islands of the Philippines. Their small numbers are principally concentrated in the islands of Boracay, Panay and Negros. They are genetically related to other Negrito ethnic groups in the Philippines such as the Aeta of Luzon, the Batak of Palawan, the Agta of the Sierra Madres, and the Mamanwa of Mindanao.

The Aklanon people are the ethnolinguistic group who lived in the province of Aklan. They are part of the wider Bisaya ethnolinguistic group, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group.

References

  1. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Census of Population (2020). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. "2021 to 2023 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)". openstat.psa.gov.ph. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  4. "Invest in Aklan | The Official Website of Aklan Province" . Retrieved 2022-07-27.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  5. "Republic Act No. 1414 – An Act to Create the Province of Aklan". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 25 April 1956. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Province: Aklan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. 1 2 Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VI (Western Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Aklan: Population Growth Rate up to 2.05 Percent in 2000; Table 5. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: Aklan, 2000". Philippine Statistics Authority. 24 July 2002. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  10. "A Joyous Celebration: Bro. Daniel Razon Visits Brethren in Capiz, Aklan, and Antique". MCGI Cares. July 26, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  11. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. "Poverty Incidence, 2000" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  13. "Poverty Incidence, 2003" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 8 February 2011.
  14. "Poverty Incidence, 2006". Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
  15. "Poverty Incidence, 2012". Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
  16. "Poverty Incidence, 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
  17. "Poverty Incidence, 2018". Philippine Statistics Authority. 4 June 2020.
  18. "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Economy". Province of Aklan. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  20. Villanueva, Venus G. "Aklan still among top abaca producers in Phl". The Daily Guardian. Archived from the original on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 18 March 2016. KALIBO, Aklan – The province of Aklan continues to be one of the country's top 10 abaca producers, according to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez. Abaca fiber production in Aklan also rose by 50.89 percent in 2011, which reached 1,874,691 kilograms in 2011, with an estimated value of P75 million. Production in 2010 was 1,242,344 kilograms.
  21. Guardian, Daily (2024-08-02). "Boracay Bridge to get PPP funding in 2025 budget". Daily Guardian. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  22. Polistico, Edgie (2017). Philippine Food, Cooking, & Dining Dictionary. Anvil Publishing, Inc. ISBN   9786214200870.
  23. "Chicken Binakol: Subtly Sweet Tinola With Coconut". CASA Veneracion. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  24. "Chicken Binakol | Panlasang Pinoy Meat Recipes" . Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  25. Polistico, Edgie (2017). Philippine Food, Cooking, & Dining Dictionary. Anvil Publishing, Inc. ISBN   9786214200870.
  26. "Going local: 6 Aklanon food you should try". Langyaw. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  27. Veneracion, Connie (13 November 2018). "Chicken Binakol: Subtly Sweet Tinola With Coconut". Casa Veneracion. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  28. "Chicken Binakol". Panlasang Pinoy Meaty Recipes. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  29. "Going local: 6 Aklanon food you should try". Langyaw. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  30. "Vibrant Kalibo". Province of Aklan (official government website). Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.