Antique ([ɐnˈtike]; Kinaray-a: Kapuoran kang Antique; Hiligaynon: Kapuoran sang Antique) is

a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. The province capital
is San Jose de Buenavista, the most populous town in Antique. The province is situated in the
western section of Panay Island and borders Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo to the east, while facing
the Sulu Sea to the west.
The province is home to the indigenous Iraynun-Bukidnon, speakers of a dialect of the Kiniray-a
language, who have crafted the only rice terrace clusters in the Visayas through indigenous
knowledge and sheer vernacular capabilities. The rice terraces of the Iraynun-Bukidnon are
divided into three terraced fields, namely, Lublub rice terraces, Baking rice terraces, and San
Agustin rice terraces. All of the rice terrace clusters have been researched by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts and various scholars from the University of the Philippines.
There have been campaigns to nominate the Iraynun-Bukidnon Rice Terraces, along with
the Central Panay Mountain Range, into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Contents

 1Etymology
 2History
 3Geography
o 3.1Administrative divisions
o 3.2Climate
 4Demographics
o 4.1Religion
 5Economy
o 5.1Agriculture
o 5.2Fishery
o 5.3Livestock and poultry
o 5.4Forestry
o 5.5Trade, commerce, and industry
o 5.6Banks and other financial institutions
o 5.7Establishments
o 5.8Airports
o 5.9Seaports
o 5.10Mineral resources
 6Tourism
o 6.1Binirayan festival
 7Education
o 7.1Universities and colleges
 8Notable people
 9Government
 10Notes
 11References
 12External links

Etymology[edit]
Antique was one of the three sakups (districts) of Panay before Spanish colonizers arrived on the
islands. The province was known at that time as Hantík, the local name for the large black
ants found on the island.[4] The Spanish chroniclers, influenced by the French, recorded the
region's name as Hantique with the (silent 'h'), but this was only adopted in areas near Malandog
River in present Hamtic town which then became the provincial capital (shortly before Bugason
and San Jose). The province bearing its former capital's name is spelled and pronounced as
"Antique" (än-ti-ké), without 'h' and pronounced in (Kinaray-a) dialectic way.

History[edit]
See also: Kedatuan of Madja-as
Historians believe that the earliest people who settled on the island of Panay were
tribal Negritos or Atis. Oral history, relayed as the "Maragtas", states that ten "datus" or minor
tribal Malay chieftains escaped persecution from a city called Odtohan from Borneo due to a
tyrant ruler called Makatunaw.[5] The ten datus, led by Datu Puti, sailed northward with their
families and communities, landing on Panay after departing Borneo.[6] There are claims that the
narrative of the Maragtas is dated to 1212 to fit with the transition of the Srivijayan Empire
to Majapahit but there are no written evidence about this, nor there are any existing claims that
links the datus to Borneo. Nevertheless, the Maragtas narrative is to be considered as part of the
local history of the people.
Upon arrival, the Malay datus met the Ati chieftain Datu Marikudo and his wife Maniwantiwan.
They offered the chieftain a salakot (wide-brimmed hat)[7] (out of exaggeration, the present day
locals believed to be of pure gold) which includes a golden necklace, earrings, bracelets and
trinkets they wore when they fled Borneo among other gifts of pearls and fine clothes as a
display of respect and to buy the land for them to live. Datu Marikudo responded to the datus'
generosity by giving the Malayans the lowlands and moving to the mountains with his Ati tribe
as the mountains are sacred to them. The legacy of this landing is commemorated annually in
Antique during the Binirayan festival.[8]
The island of Panay was then divided into three sakups: Hantik, Akean and Irong-Irong. Irong-
Irong became Iloilo, Akean became the present-day Aklan and Capiz, and Hantik (also called
Hamtik or Hamtic) became Antique. Hantik was named for the large black ants found on the
island called "hantik-hantik".[9]
The sakup of Hantik was given to Datu Sumakwel, one of the ten datus, and who, according to
tradition, was a sword master and wisest of them. The three sakups were later governed as a
political unit called the Kedatuan of Madja-as, also under Datu Sumakwel. Datu Sumakwel
founded the town of Malandog, considered to be the first Malay settlement in the country.
Malandog is now a barangay in the present-day municipality of Hamtic, which was named after
the historic sakup.
During the Spanish colonial period, the coastal province was vulnerable to attacks
by Moro raiders. Under the direction of the Spanish friars, a series of watchtowers, like the 'Old
Watchtower' in Libertad and Estaca Hill in Bugasong, were built to guard Antique.
In 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army landed in Antique and occupied the province during
the Second World War.[further explanation needed]
During the Japanese Insurgencies and Occupation (1942-1944), the military general headquarters
and camp bases of the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army
was active from January 3, 1942 to June 30, 1946 and the military general headquarters and
camp bases of the 6th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was re-activated
between October 28, 1944 and June 30, 1946.[clarification needed] Additionally, during the implementation
of the anti-imperial Japanese military operations on Panay Island between 1942 and 1945 in the
Antique province, Filipino military forces aided the local guerrilla resistance against the Imperial
Japanese Army.[further explanation needed]
Between 1944 and 1945, Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 6th Constabulary Regiment of
the Philippine Constabulary and the 6th and 62nd Infantry Division of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army defeated the Japanese troops and liberated the province.[further explanation needed] The
liberation was achieved with the active support of recognized local guerrillas.
In 2014, the first ever Philippine rice terraces found outside the Cordilleras was discovered in
Antique through satellite and a team of scientists and locals. The heritage site, known as the
Antique Rice Terraces of the Panay-Bukidnon people, is believed to be at least 200 years old. In
2017, the province hosted the Palarong Pambansa for the very first time.

Geography[edit]
Antique is one of the six provinces comprising Western Visayas or Region VI, and one of the
four provinces in the island of Panay.

Landscape in San Remigio

The province, with a total land area of 2,729.17 square kilometres (1,053.74 sq mi),[10] is an
elongated stretch of land occupying the entire western side of the island. It is bounded by the
rugged central mountains of Panay, bordering on the provinces of Aklan in the
northeast, Capiz on the east, Iloilo in the southeast and the Sulu Sea on the west. Its western-
most and northernmost point is Semirara Island at 12°07′10″N 121°21′10″E, while its eastern tip
is approximately 11°01′N 122°19.5′E. Anini-y is the province's most southerly point
at 10°24′24″N 121°57′38″E. Resembling a seahorse in shape, it is 155 kilometres (96 mi) long
and 35 kilometres (22 mi) at its widest point.
Antique has rugged and varied land. Nogas Island, Hurao-Hurao Island and Mararison
Island have long stretches of white sand beaches that are ideal for shell-hunting. Batbatan
Island on the other hand, appeals to scuba divers because of the well-preserved coral
reefs. Mount Madia-as (or Madjaas), located in Culasi, is the highest peak on the island of Panay.
This 2,117-metre-high (6,946 ft) mountain[11] is a dormant volcano with lakes and 14 waterfalls.
It is said to be the legendary home of Bulalakaw, the supreme god of the ancients, and beckons
as a challenge for hikers and trekkers. Mount Nangtud, is the second Highest mountain in
Antique and Panay island with an elevation of 6,801 ft. (2,073 m) above sea level, located
between Antique and Capiz border. Antique has sixth major rivers, the longest is Sibalom river
with a total length of 48 km ( 29 mi ) long, Kangaranan river 38 km (23 mi), Dalanas river 32 km
(19.8 mi), Paliwan river 31 km (19 mi), Tibiao river 26 km (16 mi), and Kairawan river 25 km
(15.5 mi).
Administrative divisions[edit]
Antique is subdivided into 18 municipalities. San Jose de Buenavista serves as the provincial
capital, the center of commerce and trade, and the seat of the provincial government and national
government agencies.

Municipality [i] Population ±% p.a. Area[10] Density Barangay