Antique’s treasures

Old items or antiques are considered very valuable and precious. Antiques have stories to tell, about the people (the owners, the producers , among others), about the place and time connected to the items.

In a sense, the Province of Antique in Panay Island, Western Visayas, the focus of today’s article, can be likened to precious antiques. The province is a valuable treasure in terms of its history, its resources, and its people.

We learned more about this province when we recently accompanied our Toyo University Graduate student, Mr. Mor Lo, from Senegal. He is interested to know how Filipino women have access and ownership of the land as back in his African country, women still face the difficult challenge of being allowed access and ownership of land.

Through PHILDRRA’s coordination and the wonderful assistance of their partner local NGO, Process, he was referred to two communities in Antique (Anini-y and Hamtik) where women farmers have been given access and ownership of their lands. We shall share the data and insights from this research trip in a future article. Allow us this time to start to share with you an initial view of the abundant wealth and treasures of this province of Antique.

In our history classes, generally, we learned about the first Malay settlement in Panay. More precisely, Filipinos should know that Malandog in the town of Hamtik in Antique Province is the site of the first balangay (barangay or community) established by the 10 Malayan Datus headed by Datu Sumakwel.

The Binirayan Festival commemorates, through a colorful cultural reenactment, the arrival and the peaceful integration of these Malayan Datus with the Aetas, the native residents of Hamtik. This Festival was started by the late Gov. Evelio Javier who was assassinated on February 11, 1986. This is a valuable historical fact that teaches how brave protestors against dictators and give up their lives in the service of the people.

Other tribal groups in this province allow Filipinos to connect more deeply with their rich culture. In Bugasong, for example, one can check out the fine cloths by the Bagtason weavers that go back to pre-Spanish years. Centuries-old churches, old mill, old delicacies connect present Filipinos to a very rich wealth of historical linkages of this province not only with Asian neighbors from Borneo and China but with Spaniards and others from Europe and the West.

The sea remains one of Antique’s precious treasures. Not only has it provided beauty in its beaches, especially when the sun rises and retires each day, it has provided life for many in the past and at present with its abundant resources: crabs, oysters, shrimps, various types of fish, salt, and much, much more. The sea has also provided the setting for many of its people to become local and global seafarers. Many of the present homes and households have been built and sustained from remittances of seafarers from Antique who have sailed across the world.

The mountains provide rich flora and fauna. San Remigio is dubbed as the province’s “Little Baguio,” with its flowers, veggies and cool temperature. The low lands are blessed with fertile soil that have allowed rice, corn and more to sustainably grow, for household consumption and/or for distribution.

So much more can be said and written about beautiful, valuable Province of Antique. Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, in their official brochure, invites all to “experience one ANTIQUE where the mountains meet the sea.” Best perhaps for you to find time to visit.