|
|
|
|
Rediscover the Philippines
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roxas City (named after Manuel Roxas, the first president of the Philippine Republic) is at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, greeting the Visayan Sea. It is primarily an agricultural metropolis -- producing sugar, coconut, banana and camote -- although fishing is the main source of income for most of the residents. This can be seen in the lattice-work of bamboo for drying fish that are scattered along the coastal areas. Roxas City also has several home industries: mat and slipper making, banana and camote chip production, and poultry raising.
Historically, Roxas City was part of the settlement that conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi formed after he arrived from Cebu. They were attracted by the abundant food supply and the natural protection its location offered from the Portuguese.
In Roxas, one should not leave without visiting the magnificent Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, one of the few churches in the country where the dome and the roof are not held up by a single column traversing the interior of the church. Just a few blocks away is the Panublion Museum which houses many historical and religious artifacts from the region's interesting heritage.
The municipality of Pan-ay is just 15 minutes away from Roxas City, on the island of Panay. It was originally settled by the Spanish in 1569 and still retains a colonial aura about it. This is especially evident in the town's main attracation, the Santa Monica church completed in 1878. Another interesting site is the Pan-ay cemetery which showcases 18th century statues and mausoleums.
Santa Monica church houses the church measures 80 meters long, has a magnificent marble floor, and three meter thick coral walls. The altars are elaborately carved retablos of silver and hardwood. The church also has a five story bellfry which houses the largest bell in Southeast Asia. The bell was constructed from 76 sacks of coins collected as taxes from the townsfolk in the 18th century. The bell measures 2 meters in diameter and weighs 10,400 kgs.
Graphics and travel information courtesy of Viaje.ph. Use with Permission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
