THE scorching heat of summer is here. It has been intensified by El Niño phenomenon. The frogs may croak for the rain. The throatily utterance may fall in deaf ear. “Haring Ulan” will never come. These are the days for “Haring Araw.”
Department of Tourism (DOT) director, lawyer Helen Catalbas, has prepared her region to take advantage of summer fun. We still connect to DOT Western Visayas in our tourism program because Negros Island Region (NIR) does not have the regional director yet. Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are working hard that our international airport in Silay will have regular flights coming from Korea and Japan. We are attracting golfers, students, and educators.
As usual, we are strong on nature-based tourism. Tourists can go to Cauayan, Sipalay, and Hinobaan for diving and snorkeling. Visit Candoni, Sipalay and Escalante for caving. Hacienda and heritage tours are best at Bacolod-Talisay-Silay Tourism Circuit. Night life awaits tourists in Bacolod City. Nocturnal visitors will find Bacolod exciting especially on weekend.
Marine Tourism is at its best in Sagay, Cadiz and San Carlos. Those who love good health and organic food, you will find fulfillment at May’s Garden, Fresh Start Organic Farm, Peñalosa Farm or Rapha Valley. Those who want toothsome seafood, Balaring shoreline restaurants offer you the edge appetite enjoyment. Don’t miss the special delicacies of Emma Lacson, El Ideal Bakery, Mariel’s, and Jessica Go. They are all in Silay.
Visitors can always visit Negros Museum, Museu La Salle, Balay Negrense, Jalandoni House, Ramon Hofileña Museum, Balay ni Tana Dikang, Balay ni Tan Juan, and Silay Museum to understand the lifestyle of people who made Negros Occidental the land of surprises. Catch up for Panaad Festival (April 15-22). Be a witness to our Good Friday procession in Silay, Talisay, Bacolod and Bago.
Aklan has its nature-based tourism, sun and beach tourism, diving and marine sports tourism, cultural tourism, cruise and nautical tourism, and eco-tourism. Don’t miss banana boat riding in Boracay, Bakhawan Eco-Park in Kalibo, and Lezo potters that display earthen pots for sale. Cruise ship participants may arrange for the performance of ati-atihan dancers while enjoying sun and sand.
My hometown Antique offers river kayaking in Tibiao, Bugang river rafting in Pandan, diving at Nogas Island in Anini-Y (famous for coco crabs), and Malalison Island in Culasi offers tourists days of enchantment. One can experience the myth about the landing of Ten Bornean Datus and the purchase of Panay from the Atis during the “Binirayan Festival”.
While in Antique, tourists can buy the “patadyong” (tube-like garment of varied colors worn by women), “bandi” (peanut brittle), grilled tuna (bantalaan), “tabios” (smallest fish) cooked with sarguelas leaves, and ornaments made of precious stones from Sibalom River.
Guimaras Island Province offers caving at Bucoy Cave in Jordan or swimming at Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia. Roca Encantada in Buenavista has love stories, and strolling at calamansi farms would give visitors the knowledge of propagation, production and marketing. Mango plantation and the delicacy house of the monks should not be missed. Wind farm is in San Lorenzo.
Exploring Iloilo Province and Iloilo City would add more to tourism experience. Boating at Isla Gigantes in Carles is thrilling. Diving at Marine Sanctuary in San Joaquin is witnessing the choreography of the corals. Get inside Iloilo Convention Center and compare it with our SMX in Bacolod. For you “visita Iglesia,” don’t miss Miagao Church and don’t leave Iloilo without eating first the original La Paz “batchoy” inside the market.
Capiz has also its special tourist attractions. Pilgrimage tours include Agtalin Shrine in Pilar and Sta. Monica Church (biggest bell in Asia) in Pan-ay. Mussel farm in Sapian is worth visiting, and have a glance of Villareal Stadium in Roxas City. Have rafting at Mangrove Eco Park and meet the Panay-Bukidnon Tribe in Tapaz.
This summer, visit Western Visayas first. Enjoy the fun and meet funny people!