Image of festival dancers during the annual Capiztahan celebration

A province comprising the city Dubbed as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines as a
major contributor in the aquamarine industry, Capiz does not only limit its prominence for its
bountiful shrimps, fat-clawed crabs nor the caressing sand from its beaches but also to the
pristine copiousness of its cultural identity as well that innervates through the veins of a true-
blooded Capiznon.
In a fast-paced and ever changing world that appears to be in an endless turmoil, our
steadfast culture, beliefs and tradition are a living proof of the legacy we inherited whether be it
a tangible artifact or intangible attributes practiced by our ancestors, maintained in the present
and bestowed for the benefit of future generations to take a glimpse upon.
Engulfed with a kaleidoscope of culture, the province has an exuberant story that tells its
journey throughout the centuries as to which the oneness of our beliefs and traditions make us
interconnected with one another despite local adversities.
Historical landmarks, buildings, monuments, landscapes, and masterpieces among others
done in the past are all segmented to flourish the backbone of our identity that we, Capizenos
share in common. It also includes intangible culture, traditions or living expressions from our
ancestors passed on to our descendants, such as festivities, oral traditions, performing arts,
rituals, knowledge, beliefs and practices concerning nature and skills to produce traditional crafts
and natural heritage.

As a lifeblood of our vibrant society, Capiz has searched for avenues and platforms that
could thrive these bequests in a variety of ways to tell our stories, celebrate, remember the past,
and reimagine the future.

Traditional Healing Practices

It is not unknown to some, if not all Capizenos when the term “hilot’, “medico” and
“manugtandok” are uttered. The nexus between these traditional healing practices in Capiz are
still observed and resorted into even up to this very day especially by our townmates who still
has a firm grasp and faith on its efficiency and practicability in curing the body in the face of an
accident or ambiguous ailments which science cannot certainly explain. However, due to the
advent of advance technologies and pharmaceutical medications, these time-honoured customs
are often neglected as an integral part of our cultural heritage.

Home to multitude of festivals

Held annually, Capiztahan is celebrated in the month of April as an observance to the

founding anniversary of the establishment of its civil government dated back in the year 1901.
Days-long of celebration, it is filled with numerous activities and flaunts not only the abundance
of marine life and cuisines but also the depiction of the unique interplay of shared history and
diverse culture of the province. Whereas, its 16 municipalities unite with one another to organize
and make series of activities that are highly anticipated such as the triathlon competition, Parade
of Lights featuring mythical and seafood creatures native to Capiz, Sadsad or street dancing
which exhibits local talents and artistry from each municipality, variety and huge servings of
seafoods feasted by locals, pageantry unveiling Capizena beauty radiating from within and Agro-
Industrial Trade and Tourism Fair where local products and crafts are promoted and sold. This
province-wide occasion is not only held to commemorate the foundation of Capiz but also the
death anniversary of the late President Manuel Roxas through a wreath-laying ceremony at his
monument done on the last day of the festivity.

Additionally, celebrated on the first week of December, Sinadya sa Halaran or the Joy in
Sharing and Thanksgiving highlights the commemoration of our patron, Mary Immaculate
Concepcion. The aforementioned tradition includes fluvial procession, fair and food festivals,
fireworks display, street dancing and art exhibits that depict the natives’ solidarity to the Divine
providence abundance of blessings manifested in its opulent aquatic resources and cultural
heritage that is worth gratifying for.

Other festivities include Pangahaw, Hi-o Hil-o, Ilig, Lingga-anay, Guyum-guyuman,

Tagbuan, Agdahanay, Talahong, Hi-o-hanay,Padagyaw, Pasidungog, Buyluganay, Inilusan and
Pasalamat Festivals joyfully celebrated from their respective communities that serve significant
traditional endeavors to solemnize, reckon and encourage Capizenos to keep their heads up high
with pride and glory, morale and unique identity not as separate entities but as one Capiz.
 Historical value and significance of our culture is not just the manifestation itself but
rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that are transmitted through it from one generation to
the next that keeps our integrity as Capizenos. To be kept alive, whatever shape they take, our
culture, beliefs and traditions form our distinct heritage and this heritage requires active effort on
our part in order to safeguard it. Thus, this effort is not a responsibility of one, but a
responsibility of all.