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LESSON MODULE
Lesson Number 10

Lesson Title REGION 6 WESTERN VISAYAS

Introduction/Discussion of Content
I. Introduction
The Philippine Republic's Region VI, Western Visayas, comprises six provinces: Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz,
Antique, and Aklan. Negros Occidental is part of the island of Negros, fourth largest of the Philippine Islands. Guimaras is a
separate island; the other four provinces share the island of Panay.The center of regional office is in Iloilo City. Among the 16
cities in the region that make it as the region with the highest number of cities, there are also 2 highly urbanized cities that make
this up: Bacolod City and the Iloilo City.
Administrative Divisions
Province City

Aklan

Antique
Capiz Roxas City (Capital)

Negros Occidental Bacolod City (Capital), Bago City, Cadiz City, Escalante City, HimamaylanCity, Kabankalan City, La
Carlota City, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Silay City, Sipalay City, Talisay City, Victorias City
Iloilo Iloilo city
Guimaras
II. History
Regions first came into existence on September 24 of 1972, when the provinces of the Philippines were organized into 11
regions by Presidential Decree No. 1 as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan by President Ferdinand Marcos. The provinces
of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo (including its then-subprovince of Guimaras), and Negros Occidental were grouped together to
form the Western Visayas region.
The province of Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005 by Executive Order 429. The
Department of the Interior and Local Government announced in June 2005 that the transfer had been completed. However,
Palaweñ os criticized the move, citing a lack of consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa City and all municipalities but
onepreferring to stay with Region IV-B. Consequently, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005 to address
this backlash.
This Order directed the abeyance of Executive Order 429 pending the approval of animplementation plan for the orderly
transfer of Palawan from Region IV-B to Region VI. Hence, Palawan is currently still part of Region IV-B.
By virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued on May 29 of 2015, by President Benigno Aquino III, the province of Negros
Occidental and its capital, Bacolod City, were both removed from Western Visayas in order to form the Negros Island Region
along withNegros Oriental.
But later regained Negros Occidental and its capital, Bacolod City back into Western Visayas on August 9, 2017 when
President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the Negros Island Region, revoking Executive Order No. 183, s. 2015 through the signage of
Executive Order No. 38, citing the reason of the lack of funds to fully establish the NIR according to Benjamin Diokno, the
Secretary of Budget and Management.

III. Physical Geography

a. Size of the Region
Western Visayas is located in Central Philippines and lies between two large
bodies of water, namely; the Sibuyan Sea and the Visayan Sea. The Region is composed
of six provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. The
Region has atotal land area of 20,223.2 sq km, or approximately 6.74 percent of the
total land area of the Philippines.

b. Territory
Region VI or Western Visayas is located in the Central Philippines with
boundaries of the Visayan Sea on the east, the Cuyo East Pass on the west, the Sibuyan
Sea and Romblon on the north and the Cagayan Island on the southwest. It has the
coordinates of 11.0050° N,122.5373° E. It is composed of the four provinces of Panay
(sixth largest island of the Philippines with 11,520 km2), the Guimaras Island
(twentieth largest island with 580 km2) and the western portion of the island of
Negros and its outlying islands (Negros Island is the fourth largest island with
approximately 12,706 km2). Western Visayas has a total land area of 20,223.2 sq. kms.
which is approximately 6.74 percent of the total land area of the Philippines.

IV. Demographics
a. Population
The population of Region VI (Western Visayas) as of August1,2015 was 4,477,247 based on the 2015 Census of Population
Table 3. Population of Region VI - Western Visayas (POPCEN 2015).
(Based on the 2000, 2010, and 2015 Censuses) The 2015 population of the region is higher by 282,668 compared
with the population of 4.19 million in 2010, and by 831,932
Population
compared with the population of 3.65 million in 2000. Refer to
Census Year Census Reference Date (in
Table 4. Among the five provinces comprising the region, Iloilo
millions)
(excluding Iloilo City) had the biggest population in 2015 with 1.94
2000 May 1, 2000 3.65
million, followed by Capiz with 761 thousand, Antique with 582
2010 May 1, 2010 4.19
thousand, and Aklan with 575 thousand. Guimaras had the smallest
2015 August 1, 2015 4.48 population with 175 thousand. Refer to Table 5.
The total population of Region VI accounted for about 4.4 percent of the Philippine population in 2015.
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b. Famous People
Manuel A. Roxas
Manuel A. Roxas, the third of the Quezon Osmeñ a triumvirate credited with the struggle for Philippine
independence from the American regime, was born on January 1, 1892 in Capiz, Capiz, nowRoxas City.

c. Ethnic Groups
ILONGGO
The word “Ilonggo” normally refers to a person, whose language is Hiligaynon. The term Hiligaynon
originated from Yligueynes, which means “people of the coast.”
CEBUANO
It is referred to by most of its speakers as Binisaya (or Visayan in English), is an austronesianlaguage
spoken in the philippines by about 20 million people, mostly in the central visayas, most of whom belong to
the bisaya ethnic group.
WARAY
The Waray are an ethno-liguistic group of people geographically inhabiting in the islands of Samar, Leyte
and Biliran commonly referred to as the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. The Waray, speak their
native language called Waray Waray.

V. Economy
Region VI is an agricultural region with an area of around 1.05 M hectares or 52% of the total land area. 35.4% of this is
Riceland. The region also produces sugar, coconut,banana, fruits, root crops and vegetables. It is one of the top food producers in
the country. It is the largest producer of sugar, 63% of the total sugar produced in 1996. In 1996, it was the third largest rice
producer among the regions, third ranking marine fish producer, and fourth largest aquaculture supplier.
Natural Resources

IX. Festival
In this colorful and exciting region, six festivals are celebrated annually, namely:
Ati-Atihan in Aklan, Binirayan in Antique, SinadyasaHalaran in Capiz, Manggahan in
Guimaras, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo and Maskara in Negros Occidental.

Ati-Atihan in Aklan
Aklan is considered the country’s oldest province believed to have been
established around 1212-1213 by settlers from Borneo. Every third week of January, heed
the call of the Ati-atihan Festival and join the rythmic dancing of participants who darken
their bodies with soot and don colorful tribal finery.

Manggahan in Guimaras
Manggahan Festival is a unique event celebrated every April 16-20 for the sustained
promotion of the mango industry. The festival culminates in a grand showcase of cultural
festivals in an apparent bid to show the world that there is more to the province than its
sweet, fiber and pest-free mangoes. Guimaras Island has 8,000 hectares of mango
orchards which “create an awesome verdant landscape and the characteristic ambience of
rural life”. These orchards produce the best mango variety forming as the province’s most
important product.With its over 50,000 fruit bearing mango trees planted on its soil, Guimaras is known as the “Mango Country”
and prides itself as the Mango Capital of the World.

Dinagyang in Iloilo
Dinagyang Festival is Iloilo City’s version of the Ati-Atihan Festival but is definitely impressive in choreography and striking in
terms of the various attired worn by participating tribes which reflect the ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry of the Ilonggos.
Dinagyang is an Ilonggo term forrevelry and merrymaking. This riotous celebration has evolved into a big religious and cultural
activity which now features cultural presentations, sports competitions and various side events.

Masskara in Negros Occidental

The Masskara is a combination of the English word “mass” and the Spanish “kara,” meaning “face”. The festival which depicts the
steadfast character of the Negrenses is held every third weekend of October up to October 19 when the city of Bacolod celebrates
its Charter Anniversary.
X. PRODUCTS
a. Delicacies w/ sampling
 Pastel in Camiguin
 Moron in Tacloban City
 Bandi in Antique
 Seafood in Roxas City
 Kalamay in Bohol
 Mangoes in Guimaras
 Biscocho from Biscocho House in Iloilo City
 Napoleones in Bacolod City
 Silvanas in Dumaguete City Figure 56. Pastel in Camiguin
 Cebu Lechonin Cebu
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b. Crafts & Pasalubong

Aklan – crispy shrimp, piñ a fabric, calamansi muffin
Antique –butong-butong, bandi
Capiz – dried fish, capiz shell crafts
Iloilo – butterscotch, biscocho, barquillos, pinasugbo
Guimaras – mangoes and mango-based treats
Negros Occidental – napoleones, piaya

Sinamay Cloth in Agbalogo, Makato, Aklan

Piña cloth in province of Antique
Capiz shells in province of capiz
Name and Location Description Photos
Pan-ay Church
The Santa Monica Parish Church, also called Panay
- CAPIZ
Church, 
The church has an unusually large bell, the largest in
the country. In 1997 the church was declared a
National Historical Landmark by the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines

Molo Church Molo Church is a famous Spanish-colonial church

and heritage site in Molo District. It known for the
prominent red spires that crown its tall bell towers
and as “the feminist church” because of the all-
women ensemble of saints represented in 16 statues
perched on the aisle pillars.

Figure 83. Molo Church

San Joaquin Church Features a huge relief of the historic battle between
Christians and Moors at Tetuan in Spain.

Figure 84. San Joaquin Church

Jaro Cathedral Seat of the Jaro Archbishop, embracing Western

Visayas.

Figure 85. Jaro Cathedral

Tinukib in Iloilo

XI. Tourist Attractions

a. Religious Sites

a. Natural Tourist Attractions

BUCARI RANGE Tagged as the summer capital of
Western Visayas, Bucari consist of the 14
barangays of Leon and 7 barangays of
Alimodian. Its main feature is the pine clad area
of Tabionan and the Waterfalls of Imoy.

Figure 86. BUCARI RANGE

C. Man Made
The Ruins (mansion) Ruins is the remains of the ancestral home
mansion of the family of Don Mariano Ledesma
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Lacson and Maria Braga Lacson. It is situated in
Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The Figure 97. The Ruins (mansion)
mansion was built in early 1900s and inspired by
Italian architecture. One of the most famous
heritage landmarks in the Philippines, The Ruins,
also known as the “Taj Mahal” of Negros, was
built in loving memory of a sugar baron’s wife.
Beautiful mansion was built before it came into
ruins, a story of romance and a family put
together in love.

E. Cultural
Camina Balay Nga Bato Camiñ a: Balay nga Bato is an ancestral
house, a well-preserved heritage and currently
owned by Director Gerard Camiñ a, from the fourth
generation of the Avanceñ a Family and his wife Mrs.
Luth Saludes Camiñ a. The stone house is down
Osmeñ a Street in Villa de Arevalo Iloilo City, next to
Panaderia de Iloilo. Built in 1860, it was the humble
abode of Fernando Avanceñ a with his wife Eulalia
Abaja. Patterned after the bahay kubo or cube
house, it was made of board walls and have a nipa Figure 105. Camina Balay Nga Bato
and bamboo roofing. To provide a very stable
foundation, there are a total of 24 tree trunk pillars
called haligis.
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Iloilo Museum of The Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art
Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), which was launched just last March, is
located inside the stunning Casa De Emperador in
the heart of the 72- hectare complex. The museum is
a collaboration between Ilonggo art collector Edwin
Valencia and Megaworld Corp.ILOMOCA has three
main galleries. The ground floor is called The Hulot
Exhibit, which is a commercial space for gallery
exhibitions open to local and international artists.
The second floor is called The Gallery, which will
showcase rotating themes and collections. The third
Figure 106.Iloilo Museum of
floor is called The Adoracion Valencia Gallery, which
Contemporary Art
showcases art curated by one of ILOMOCA’s primary
donors, who named the gallery in honor of their
matriarch.
Casa Mariquit The house became Ramon Javellana’s
home for his granddaughter, Mariquit, whom the
house was named after, and her husband Fernando
Lopez. Fernando Lopez served the Philippines as
vice president in 1950s. Entering the house, you
would probably feel unreal because it looks like you
actually travelled back to the past. A huge Balete
tree guards the outside of the house and it creeps
out people often, particularly at night. In 1993, the
restoration of the house has started. The owners
wanted to preserve the historical memory of the
entire house. It is full of memorabilia, mostly old Figure 107. Casa Mariquit
framed photographs attached on its walls.
Laguarta Home of the Home to thousands of vintage glass pieces
Village Glasses Museum mostly from the Depression Era in the United States,
the Vintage Glasses Museum in Bacolod City is a
unique and eccentric shrine to anything glass
collected in a span of 30 years when the owner,
Tomas Claridad Casiano worked as a butler for a
Hollywood movie director and eventually opening
his own flower shop for Beverly Hills royalty where
he procured unique glasses for his flowers. When he
came home to the Philippines, he brought home 66
boxes full of his glass collection and opened the Figure 108. Laguarta Home of the
museum as his home was too small for his crystal Village Glasses Museum
obsession.
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Ang Panubli- on Roxas City Panublion or the Roxas City Museum
Museum tirelessly collects and displays the wealth of lore and
memories of its citizens. Located just across the City
Hall, this impressive circular piece of architecture
offers every visitor a comprehensive view of what
Roxas City was then, what it is now and its vision for
the future – a complete record of those who have
given their share in making Roxas City what it is
today. Constructed in 1910, the museum used to be
a water tank that served the local residents for more
than three decades. Figure 109. Ang Panubli- on Roxas
City Museum

F. Special Interest
Motag Living Museum Montag Living Musuem is located in
Barangay Montag, Aklan. To get there, it may take
about 11 minutes from Caticlan Airport. Montag
Museum aims to preserve the heritage and the
native’s way of life and for the new generation to be
proud of their roots. A visit at Montag Living Museum
is far from the usual activities to do in Boracay. Here,
you will discover their tradition and culture through
immersion with the locals, from visiting their homes,
cooking rice using traditional tools, to traditional.
Figure 110. Motag Living Museum
Ariel's Point Ariel's Point is a breathtaking eco-adventure
destination located a short and scenic boat ride away
from Boracay Island. With five cliff-diving platforms
(ranging in height from 3 meters to 13 meters) and
ample opportunities for swimming, snorkeling,
kayaking, and canoeing in a friendly setting, Ariel's
Point is the perfect daytime venue for Boracay
travelers who want to experience the natural beauty
of the Philippines while also meeting fellow travelers.

Figure 111. Ariel's Point

Old Enchanted Belete Tree A 400-plus year-old balete tree which is

believed by the locals to be enchanted to this day. The
balete tree is also known as the banyan in other parts
of the world. It's a type of ficus, or what's also called a
strangler fig tree, since the tree grows around a host
tree and strangles it. The balete tree belongs to the
family of fig trees (from the genus Ficus). There are
several species, about 10 of 800 are found in the
Philippines. The balete tree is also known as the
banyan in other parts of the world. It's a type of ficus,
or what's also called a strangler fig tree, since the tree Figure 114. Old Enchanted Balete
grows around a host tree and strangles it. Tree