Diverse Cultures of our Community

Diverse Cultures of our Community

Purposes:

To provide information and updates to our visitors, friends, guests, foreigners and others who may be interested to know more about our town and our festival celebration.
To facilitate the established community, new emerging communities and local organizations working in the arts, heritage and cultural sector the process of understanding cultural diversity in the region.
To promote cultural diversity and improve coordination of activities among voluntary and community groups and statutory agencies working on this issue including capacity building of partners and delivery organizations.

History of Pandan

Pandan was founded in 1654 by three pioneers namely Agustin Togon, Agustin Lomayas, and Francisco Javier. They first founded the village at Dalipi, a hilly place north of the present town because there they could see the raiding vintas of the Moros. But as time went on, they found out that the place was not secure for it is far from a thick forest where they could hide in case of the raid. So they transferred the village site to Laguinbanua. There they built a watchtower.

When the more depredations subsided, the people decided to transfer the site near the seacoast, the place where Pandan now stands. Still apprehensive of possible more attacks, the people built another watchtower near the beach. The ruins of the tower are still there today.

During the march of centuries, the town has been the birthplace of illustrious men. Not to exaggerate and to brag on the contributions of Pandan to the social and political make-up of the province, it is safe to say that this little town cannot be behind in culture.

During the Occupation, Pandan Bay had been the focal point in the attack of Japanese forces because it had been the landing place of submarines that brought war supplies to the guerilla forces of Panay, Negros, Luzon and Mindanao. Thus the bay has been known not only in the whole Philippines but in America and Japan just as well, and presumably it is known throughout the world.

The official name of the present municipality of PANDAN, Province of Antique, Panay, Philippine Island was adopted in the year 1654 from the Spanish noun “PAN” meaning bread, and from the demonstrative pronoun in the Visayan “DAN” which in Spanish signifies “Ese” meaning “THAT” The name was acquired by the natives of Pandan in 1654 when the Spanish Colonialists landed in this town and asked from the natives any food they could give. One of the native offered a basket of camote (sweet potato) saying in the local dialect “Dan” (that), pointing to the basket. When the Spaniards took it, he exclaimed “Pan!” So when the natives heard it, they propagated the term, from which the name of the town PANDAN derived.

Mother Tongue

The mother tongue of Pandan is Kinaray-a. This is the widely spoken dialect in the municipality, 88.77 percent speak Kinaray-a (Pandan-karay-a/Pandaray-a/Binisayang Pandan), followed by 6.14 percent speaking Aklanon and 1.83 percent speaking Tagalog. It was observed that Aklanon was mostly spoken by the population in the upland barangays of the municipality since they are accessible to Ibajay, a municipality of Aklan. In addition, since Pandan is accessible to Kalibo, another municipality of Aklan and the trade center of Aklan which is only 54 kilometers away, the population usually go shopping and take their college education in this municipality, thus they were influenced by the dialect.

Practices of the People

Making Tuba

Men Drinking

Selling Tuba

Logging

Fishing

Traditions of the Community

Opening of Inter-Barangay Basketball Tournament

Opening of food festival with Live Band
Pandan Bay Institute alumni night
Pandan Association in Austria (PAA)
Urihing Tubo nightwith Live Band
Fireworks Display

Celebrations of the Community

Bilad-Kinamayad

Tugbong(tûgbông) is a Pandan-karay-a word meaning, to go to town. This native word is seldom used by today’s younger generation or even no longer existing in their vocabulary. In the past this has been a common password of barrio folks used with excitement when they have to go to town for a variety of significant reasons. We usually hear, “matugbong ta” from somebody going to town to sell their products and/or, to do marketing especially during market days, to attend church services, to make some important transactions in the Municipal Hall or other government agencies, to go to school like Pandan Central School and PBI – the pioneering elementary and secondary schools respectively, to participate in and to witness the municipal fiesta, and many more. One goes to town for an important reason. This means that to “tugbong” is to let something good to happen to a person, to one’s family, or to a community.

Significantly, during town fiestas, almost everybody goes “tugbong” to be part of or to witness the annual celebration of thanksgiving and merrymaking. At present the need to promote the rich and diverse culture of our town is one of the major concerns of this municipality. To showcase all the best in different barangays of Pandan in terms of their natural as well as human resources, their products, eco-tourist spots, history and culture, legends and many more is our reason to “tugbong”. By doing so more tourists, local or foreigners, may come to join the Pandananons. This will be the “bilad-kinamayad” (to showcase all that is good and desirable in us, Pandananons) – the replica and trademark of our local heritage as the Pandananons’ way of living up the values, culture and traditions while preserving them as legacy for the next generation.

Reviving the use of the word “tugbong” will have a more significant meaning – to go to town for the annual celebration of the Municipal Fiesta. This will be the time when Pandananons abroad as well tourists to “tugbong” – associate, mingle, enjoy, in short, immerse themselves with Pandananons who are coming from the different barangays with their local festivities they showcase. The variety of talents emanating and harnessed from every barangay will eventually draw a vast crowd because everybody wants to “tugbong”. Thus, we will be proud of being a Pandananon if we are acquainted with our roots.

Occasions in the Community

Basketball Tournaments

Miss Gay Pageant

Lin-ay it Pandan

The blogging beauty queen congratulates Emmerie Dale Cunanan for winning one of the top awards in the Miss Philippines Earth 2010! She romped off with the Best in Evening Gown sash during one of the pre-pageant events.

Emmerie Dale Cunanan’s cheekbones are out of this world! They make her eyes super-gorgeous. Is this how girls from Antique all look like? Whoah! And she knows how to use her pretty face when posing for photos.

Mardi Gras Competition

Beliefs of the People

During Holy Week

Barangay/Local Officials

Mayor:

Jonathan Tan

Barangay Captain:

Capt. Larry Bogoy

Barangay Kagawad:

Roberto Bogoy

Romery Bogoy

Adelfa Sardanas

Blas Rubrico

Abaraham Ausan

Arlon Bautista

Lito Cangayda

SK Chairman:

John Paul Angusto

Common Practices of the People/Uncommon Practices of the People

Many people in our community are having fond of seeing sunset during dawn together with their loved ones. They also attend Sunday mass, Holy week, and Christmas. They celebrate their fiesta in the honor of their patron saint.Every barangay has its own fiesta celebration. They prepared foods for their visitors and welcoming their guests from different places.The fiestas are normally being held in April, May and December.

Recreations of the Community and the People

Aside from the Alexander Liberman Memorial Sports Complex, the municipal plaza and school grounds, the people use multi-purpose pavements and barangay center as area for sports and recreation. For the most part they are utilized as basketball or volleyball court and at the other times as dance square. Some public school sites have adequate space that serves as sports fields.

Popular sports are basketball and volleyball. The Municipal Youth and Sports Development Council (MYSDC) conduct a yearly Palarong Pambayan, Inter-Barangay Sportsfest with the Sangguniang Kabataan as its partner.

Basketball and volleyball tournaments are played especially during school days in which the DECS conduct their own regular sports activities while the Palarong Pambayan usually being undertaken during summertime and fiestas. Sports tournament in several barangays are also being undertaken by the Sangguniang Kabataan in connection with their fiesta celebration.

Other sports and recreational facilities are the Pandan People's park, the billiard hall located at Brgy. Centro Norte and a cockpit arena located at Brgy. San Andres.

Other forms of passive recreation include outing and swimming having excellent areas for such facilities, a white beach in Brgy. Duyong, and Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort located in Brgy. Guia.

The municipality of Pandan possesses natural landscape that are potential for development into recreation areas. There are potential sites for eco-tourism and recreation for nature lovers.

The tour through the management of the Bugang Community Based Eco-Tourism Organization, aims to present the exquisite sites of Pandan while showcasing the cultural heritage of the community and the environment. It is composed of three aspects: nature, culture, and adventure. The nature aspect is to appreciate the beauty of nature by viewing the scenic spots of the Bugang area. The culture aspect is to facilitate a better understanding of the local customs, traditions, practices, and beliefs of the community. And the adventure aspect is to experience a real sense of adventure on the river such as rafting, boating and trekking.

Planting vegetables as a source of livelihood

Making Craft Articles

Whale Shark Watching

Another potential eco-tourism attraction that may be explored is whale shark (Rhincodon Typus) watching in Barangay Mag-aba and Patria. Every year, from December to May, whale sharks are frequently found by fisherfolks usually inside their fishing nets. Aware of the ecological significance of this species, the fisherfolks never harmed them but rather released them back to the sea. However, once whale shark gets inside the fishing nets, the fisherfolks gets nothing of their catch. It is therefore important for the municipality to look into the feasibility of whale shark watching as an ecotourism attraction while providing alternative livelihood for the fishing communities.

Archeological Expedition Site in Manlonggong

The site of archeological excavations in Sitio Manlonggong, Barangay Guia, where pieces of Ming Chinese jars and jarlets were unearthed in 1980s. It is reported that one of the jars displayed in the National Museum was excavated in Barangay Guia, Pandan, Antique.

Potential Spots for Tourism

Malumpati Health Spring and Tourist Resort

Malumpati is a natural haven for peace, swimming and relaxation or even solitude for the Pandananons. Used as a place to beat the summer heat, it is also an ideal hide-away from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. It is a natural swimming pool 20 meters width, 40 meters in length and about 3 to 4 meters deep at the center, crystal-clear water and free flowing from upstream to the shallow end, going down the famous Bugang River. It is a natural pool fed with cool and clear water from the different natural springs of the river. The resort is bounded by lush green vegetation, nature trippers will surely enjoy.

Bugang River

Bugang River ranked first among the cleanest inland bodies of water in the region for three consecutive years and eventually won the “Gawad Pangulo sa Kapiligiran” as the cleanest river in the Philippines.

The river is supported by several springs, one of which is the major source of the municipality’s water supply. Moreover, the same river serves as the municipality’s tourist resort whose cool and fresh water provides a soothing and relaxing sensation to many local excursionist and tourists.

Phaidon Villas and Beach Resort

Duyong Golden Beach

A long stretch of white sand beach from where one could see the panorama of the Duyong Mountain Ranges on the east, the spectacular view of Batbatan Island and the beautiful golden rays of the setting sun on the west.

A part of Duyong Golden Beach is where Phaidon Villas and Resort, a white sand beach resort, is located.

A quiet, wonderful rainforest of the Northwest Panay Peninsula could be viewed at the background of the resort.

This establishment is a joint venture of Filipino and Austrian investors to promote Pandan eco-tourism. PHAIDON is a Greek language meaning “the soul and roots of every life” and it is also an acronym for Philippine – Austrian Investment Duyong Offenberger – Network.

A white sand beach resort located in Barangay Tingib and a part of Duyong Golden Beach. The resort has a picnic ground and beach volleyball area which is open to the public but with entrance fee.

Leocadio Alonsagay Dioso Memorial Public Library

Described as “a jewel of a library” by a foreign visitor, the Dioso Library is the only full-service library in the area and the only one serving as an official access point for the Philippine Electronic Library (“e-Lib”) Project, for advanced researchers. It has been operating since April 3, 2004, opening its doors six days a week – at no charge — to all visitors, regardless of residence or nationality. It has a wide selection of both fiction and nonfiction books, audio-video materials, as well as encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, other reference books, and “how-to” or self-help publications; internet-ready computers; a fully-equipped children’s room; a Filipiniana section; a “United Nations Corner” with publications on a variety of UN activities and world issues; plus local and international newspapers and magazines. The Library holds storytelling programs for children, free movie showings for the general public, and other educational and cultural shows and programs.

Newly renovated flea market fisherman’s warf

Family concerns and practices

Mostly the families in our community have children with the maximum of four or five. Some family are practicing the method of family planning but some are not because of lack of education. Nowadays, most teenagers have been engaged to an early marriage starting at 16 or 17.Some are haven't finished their studies yet in high school.

Specialties, delicacies, products of the community

Home Cottage Industry and Handicrafts

In barangay Sto. Rosario, Sta. Cruz and Buang, a local cooperative is engaged in the production of bags and mats made from buri, bariw and abaca “piti” twines. The bags produced ranged from clutch bags, hand bags, shoulder bags, and knapsack of various sizes and designs. Mats produced are also of varying sizes. The products are bought by traders and sold to Kalibo, San Jose, Iloilo, Manila, and even outside of the country. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continuously supports the cooperative in terms of both quality control and marketing.

All visitors, tourists, and guests of this municipality never failed to visit or drop by Barangay Sto. Rosario to buy these excellent export quality products. A true Filipino ingenuity of skills and preserved cultural arts and handicrafts handed from generation to generation. If you missed to visit Barangay Sto Rosario to buy these true souvenirs then you missed your visit in Pandan.