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PROVINCIAL PROFILE OF ANTIQUE
FAST FACTS
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LOCATION
Antique is in Panay Island - derived from the Spanish Panhay ("This is Bread") - in western Visayas. It is bounded by Aklan on the north and northeast, by Capiz and Iloilo on the east, by Cuyo East Pass on the west, and by Panay Gulf on the south.
THE LAND
Antique is a long stretch of land along the entire west coast of Panay Island. It consists of a narrow coastal plain, several valleys, and the steep slopes of rugged mountains to the east that separate the province from the rest of Panay. Fourteen towns line the coast, three are inland and one is an island. The most extensive lowland is the delta and floodplain of the Sibalom River behind San Jose.
There are numerous rivers in the far north and the far south. The major peaks are Mt. Madia-as (2,117 m), Mt. Mangtud (1,900 m), and Mt. Baloy 2,080 m). The province is divided into two zones by rainfall patterns. The northern zone, from Culasi to Libertad, is wet; the southern zone, from Tibiao to Anini-y, is dry. The high mountain ranges in the south cut off the northwest monsoon, resulting in lower precipitation.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Ten Bornean datus headed by Datu Puti, escaping persecution by the rajah of the House of Sri-Vishaya, landed on the island of Panay in 1212. After some negotiation with the Negrito chieftain, Marikudo, the datus succeeded in buying the island for one gold salakot ( a native hut). Datu Sumakwel established a permanent settlement in what they called Hamtic, after the large ants, lantic-lantic, there. The settlers occupied the coastal parts of the island. The natives retreated to the hinterlands. The datu subdivided Panay into three political units or sakops, namely, Hamtic (now Antique), Aklan (now Aklan and Capiz), and Irong-Irong (now Iloilo).
The entire Island continued to be called Hamtic under the supreme command of Datu Sumakwel. Two early legal codes were promulgated in Panay: the Maragtas Code, circa 1225 by Sumakwel, and the Code of Kalantiaw, written in Aklan in 1439. Legazpi moved to Panay from Cebu in 1569 due to a food shortage. The island became his temporary base onhis way north to Manila. The Spaniards recognized Antique as a politico-military unit in 1790. Under the civil government established by the Americans, Antique became a province through Act No. 2711 on March 10, 1917.
THE PEOPLE
The Antiquenos use two major dialects, Hiniray-a and Hiligaynon. They are quite similar but with a slight difference in pronunciation: the "o" in Hiligaynon I pronounced as long "o" while in Hiniray-a, it sounds like a cross between an "o" and an "e". Hiniray-a also has a predominance of r's. Many Antiquenos can understand English and the other Visayan dialects.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
The province is basically agricultural. Rice and sugarcane are the principal crops. The lack of good harbors and roads has deterred it development. Fishing is the second largest industry. Cuyo East Pass is reportedly the richest fishing grounds in the country. This production is supplemented by fishponds. Antique has rich mineral resources: Semirra Island is being mined for coal; high-grade copper was found in San Remigio; and marble is abundant in Libertad. The province is also known for its loom-woven fabrics (pina, jusi, patadyong), pottery and handicrafts like baskets, hats and mats.
Information gathered from:
League of
Provinces
by:Roberto C. Arellano
This page last revised:January 30, 1999.
