Panay Island
Panay is an island in the Philippines located in the western part of the Visayas. Politically, it is divided into four provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo, all in the Western Visayas Region. It is located southeast of the island of Mindoro and northwest of Negros, separated by the Guimaras Strait. Between Negros and Panay Island lie the island-province of Guimaras. To the north is the Sibuyan Sea and the islands of Romblon; to the southwest is the Sulu Sea and the Panay Gulf.
The island has many rivers including Akean, Halaur River, Banica, Iloilo, and Panay.
Panay was the seat of the ancient Confederation of Madja-as - the first pre-Hispanic Philippine state within the Visayas islands region, and the second Srivijayan colony in the Philippine Archipelago, next to the Sulu Archipelago. It was established by nine rebel datus or high offcials connected with the court of Brunei, who were forced to leave that country on account of enmity of the Rajah at that time ruling the land. The datus, together with their wives and children, as well as few faithful servants and followers were secretly escorted out of the country by the Rajah's Chief Minister, whose name was Datu Puti.The local folklore says that the name of the Bornean Rajah was Makatunao.
They embarked on sailing rafts of the type used by the Visayans (the term used in the Malay settlements, of what is now Borneo and Philippines, to refer to Srivijayans) in Sumatra and Borneo.According to tradition, which survive in the local culture of Western Visayas, this seafaring vessel is called Balangay, from which Barangay - the smallest social unit in the present-day Philippines - came from.
The semi-democratic confederation reached its peak during the 15th century under the leadership of Datu Padojinog when it warred against the Chinese Empire, the Rajahnate of Butuan, and the sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao. It was also feared by the people of the Kingdom of Maynila and Tondo.It was integrated to the Spanish Empire through pacts and treaties (c.1569) by Miguel López de Legazpi and his grandson Juan de Salcedo. During the time of their hispanization, the principalities of the Confederation were already developed settlements with distinct social structure, culture, customs, and religion.Among the archaeological proofs of the existence of this Hiligaynon nation are the artifacts found in pre-hispanic tombs from many parts of the island, which are now in display at Iloilo Museum. Another testimony of the antiquity of this civilization is the longest and oldest epic in the region, the Hinilawod.
Highlights of Panay
Sta. Monica Church is one of the most oldest church in the country it was built on 1774. Which has been called "an excellent example " of the type of Filipino colonial Baroque style that has blended well with the Neo-Classical Influence. The majestic Baroque influences defined by the use of attached coupled piers in Corinthian style. The grand structure of the church is made up of coral stone which is 70m long 25m wide and 18m high. the walls are 3m thick; the floor is covered with marble. Its structure is shaped in the form of latin cross with one large central altar and four lateral ones, the gilded retablos is gilded gorgeously sculptured of a fine hardwood. Various polychromed statues are highly decorated in an artistic quality. The architecture of the facade is articulated following the tenets of the Baroque movement. It was declared a National Landmark by the national Historical Institute of the Philippines on 1997. in the topmost tier of its five level belfry is the biggest and the mostly likely the heaviest Christian bell in Asia which was cast in 1878 using 70 sacks of coins. it is about 7ft. in height and 5ft. in diameter and weighs 10.4 tons . Christianity wad establish here when Fray Martin de Rada, OSA first preached the gospel to its native in 1566. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi set camp in Panay in 1569, making the town his temporary administrative capital after leaving Cebu for lack of food.
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