HISTORY

Foundation

The Municipality of Panay is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. It was founded by the Spanish Augustinian Friars in 1581 and it became the second Spanish settlement in the country next to Cebu.

Tales How Panay Got its Name

There are three myths on how Panay got its name. The first story tells that when the Spaniards came, they brought with them some bread to be offered to the natives. A Spaniard upon meeting with one o the natives handed the bread to him and said, “pan” but unluckily it fell to the ground and the native exclaimed “ay”, hence, Panay.

The second, was given by Datu Bankaya, a Malayan who left Aklan to explore the eastern part of the region. Finding a vast plain and suitable for rice farming, he called it “Pan Hay” a local term for “plains”.

The third and widely accepted came from a Spanish term “Hay Pan” which means “there is food”. With all these tales no one is really sure which the real etymology of the name is.

Panay as the second Spanish Settlement

After food shortages and attacks of the Portuguese, Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi leaves Cebu and chose to settle in Panay because of its strategic location and abundance of food.

The earliest settlements on this town were located along the banks of the Panay River.

Meeting the People

The people of Panay headed by their chiefs Datu Madidong and Datu Macabaog welcomed the Spanish settlers. According to an Augustinian priest, “the inhabitants spoke sweetly and their pronunciation resembles that of the Andalucía’s.” Legazpi lived in Panay from the latter part of 1569 to the early part of 1571 when he sailed for Manila to pursue the conquest and Christianization of the island of Luzon.

The Font of Christianity in Panay Island

Panay became the center of Catholicism in the entire Island. The Santa Monica Parish was first established in 1580 with Bartolome de Alcantara as its first curate. “Visitas” or annexes were built in the towns of Roxas City, Pontevedra, Pilar, Dao and Carles in Iloilo. Panay’s Sta. Monica was completed in 1771. The thick walls are made of coral blocks and the flooring is made of marbles and Spanish red tiles. It has three towering altars that display antique images.

The Biggest Catholic Church Bell in Asia

The Biggest Catholic Church Bell in Asia

Atop the five-storey belfry is a gigantic bell whose booming sound can be heard within eight-kilometer radius. It is seven feet in height and diameter and weighs 10.4 metric tons. The Spanish curate from 1844 to 1886, Father Jose Beloso, cast the bell using 70 sacks of coins collected from the townspeople. The bell was completed on December 12, 1878.

Inscription on the Bell

“Soy la voz de Dios que llevare y ensalzare desde el principio hasta el fin de este pueblo de Panay para que los fieles de Jesucristo vengan a esta casa de Dios a recibir las gracias celestiales”.

“I am the voice of God which shall echo and praise from the beginning till the end of this town of Panay, so that the faithful of Jesus Christ may come to this house of God to receive heavenly graces.” (English translation by: Msgr. Vicente F. Hilata)

Culture

Birth of a New Culture

Early missionaries have not only converted Filipinos to Christianity, but also taught them the use of many articles of civilized life. They established schools and taught the natives how to read and write Latin and Spanish alphabets. Likewise, the priest learned of the native tongue and wrote books in the dialect for the people to be able to read and study. Most of these books were about religion. In schools the missionaries taught the boys to serve in the church. They were also taught how to sing and play the organ as well as other musical instruments.

Socio-Economic Background of the Town

From the original settlements of 2,000 inhabitants, Panay grew and became the provincial capital of Capiz. Most of the prominent families lived then in Panay and the Spanish Governor General of the Philippines was delighted in visiting the town.

It became the center of trade and industry in the province. Most of the houses have their looms used in weaving an extra fine cloth called “Suerte”, which was then worn by the local elites as a status symbol. It also commands a good price in Europe.

There were also distilleries producing nipa (palm) wine known as “Aguardiente” for export. The owner of the biggest distillery in town was Don Antonio Roxas, Grandfather of the late President Manuel Acuña Roxas.

Panay as the First Capital of Capiz

Panay was the first organized community in the province. It was made the first capital of Capiz during the Spanish regime. The first provincial governor was a Spaniard named Pavis, who did not live long and his remains were buried inside the church. After his death, the capital was moved to Capiz now known as Roxas City.

Before the coming of the revolutionary forces from Luzon to Panay, the Katipunan, a secret national revolutionary organization already exist. The Province of Capiz at that time was divided into three regions, namely; Aklan, Panay and Ilayan, each having its revolutionary officers.

In Panay, the overall leader was General Esteban Contreras. Under him were Colonel Pascual Barza and Lt. Col. Domingo Balgos. The main headquarter was located at the Hill of Bailan in the Town of Pontevedra, which is during that time was only a village of Panay. The other hideouts were located at Pilar, Capiz.

The Historical Battle in Panay

Panay was the center of the first act of revolt against the Spaniards by the revolutionaries headed by General Esteban Contreras, in the Province of Capiz. The first battle was on May 3, 1898, at the village of Tanza del Norte, a hundred yards away from the junction road going to the village of Agojo. The Insurectos or the Agraviados (rebels) were under the command of Colonel Pascual Barza.

The two platoons who were sent ahead, was ably led by Sergeant Victorino Bulquerin. Aware of their inferiority in terms of firearms, they prepared beforehand black pointed “gafa” or nipa (palm) stalks that looked like rifles from afar. With this, they simultaneously fired the seven guns that they have with the rest of the facsimile guns.

The Casadores (Spaniards) thinking that the opponents are well equipped and prepared retreated to Capiz (Roxas City) through Banica Bridge.

On May 4, 1898, Colonel Pascual Barza made the right speculation that the Casadores (Spaniards) would come back. In preparation for the expected return of the Spanish Forces, he had mobilized two groups. He deployed one group along Banica and the other in Sitio Lahab, village of Bato (stone) and leading together with him is Captain Nicomedes Bernales.

The Agraviados (rebels) waited by the river bank under the cover of shrubs and trees. The Spaniards came, riding on three “conducciones” (tied together in twos or threes) numbering to two hundred more or less. At this time, the Agraviados were able to acquire a canon and at a given order fired but unluckily missed its target.

The battle raged on but the Agraviados fighting most with bolos and saved for a few guns, began retreating to the nearby swamps.

The Spaniards then began burning the town particularly the whole of Ilaya (western Part). They also executed people whom they caught hiding in the church but deliberately sparing the church from their torch. Afterwards the Spaniards went back to Capiz while Barza and company fled to Pilar.

The Coming of the Revolutionary Forces from Luzon

When the Spaniards surrendered to the American Forces in Manila, the revolutionary forces from Luzon arrived in Panay. The group was under the leadership of General Ananias Diokno and Captains Dinglasan, Alcazar and Marasigan. On December 8, 1899, the American forces seize control of the entire Panay Island. Simeon Dadivas was then appointed temporary Governor followed by Simplicio Hugo Vidal. For Panay, Don Candido Barredo was the Capitan Mayor (Mayor) and succeeding him was Pablo Bejo. But Pablo Bejo did not stay long in office as he was succeeded by Don Macario Bermejo. When Don Macario Bermejo was the incumbent Capitan of Panay, the title Capitan was changed to Presidente.