KASADYAHAN SA CAPIZ
CAPTIVATING ROXAS CITY
The Roxas City Plaza Heritage Walk
Aside from eating a lot of seafood, one thing you can do in Capiz is to get to know the story of the province through a Heritage Walk. You can a lot at least 2 hours to cover the major landmarks of Roxas City and be in the vibe of the province by getting to know its story. I encourage you to do this not only because of history. This will let you, if your allow yourself, to interact with the locals and have a selfie in the city’s plaza. It is better to do your heritage walk in the afternoon when natural light produces a good effect on your photos. Also, it is in the afternoon when people in the plaza are active thus adding a lively effect in your sojourn.
Ang Panublion Museum
You can start the Heritage Walk in the museum located in Hughes Street corner Legaspi Street. Panublion Museum is beside the Roxas City Hall.
This former water tank was converted into museum in 1993 after decades of abandonment. For more than one hundred years this circular museum is the guardian of precious things – the Capizeños legacy.
Here you can learn about the history of Capiz starting from its pre-colonial time to the time of the great son of Capiz – President Manual Acuña Roxas.
The Roxas City Plaza Heritage Walk was designed and conceptualized by Ang Panublion Museum. You can get a material for you to be guided on your own heritage walk. They also stage different exhibit in the center if the circular museum from time to time.
It’s good to start in Panublion Museum because you can ask for a Roxas City Plaza Heritage Walk materials.
The museum is free of charge. Its doors is open to the public from Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
President Manuel A. Roxas Monument
Less than 70 meters from the Panublion Museum stand the statue of the great son of Capiz. President Roxas raised the flag of the Philippines when the Americans gave us our independence on July 4, 1946.In honor of President Roxas the Municipality of Capiz (not to be confuse with Capiz Province) was named after him. On May 12, 1951 three years after his death Municipality of Capiz was named Roxas City.
Birthplace of President Manuel Acuña Roxas
From the monument of President Roxas turn left to Rizal Street and walk for about 300 meters until you reach Zamora Street. The old house in the corner of Rizal and Zamora Street is the birthplace of President Manuel Acuña Roxas.
The house was sold to another family not related to the Acuña’s and Roxas’ in the 1960’s. She explained that President Roxas spend most of his time in Manila when he studied. When he returned to serves as Governor of Capiz, the family bought another house.
You can knock of the door of the old house and they will gladly open it for you to explore.
The Roxas City Bandstand
Located at the banks of Panay River the Bandstand is an octagonal pavilion that was used to be a well. Built in the 1920’s it is a prominent structure in the plaza because of its beauty and color.
Panay River
Just beside the bandstand is a promenade overlooking the Panay River and the Bridge. You can relax here and reflect in the almost still water of the river flowing till the Sibuyan Sea. There are folktales about mermaids that can be seen in the river before.
Capiz Bridge
Capiz Bridge is a century old bridge that connects Roxas City as it is surrounded by waters. The bridge has a nice pedestrian lane on both bounds that is worthy of a selfie.
The best place to take a good shot of the bridge is in the bandstand are and the promenade along the river.
Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral
Right across the promenade along the river is the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral. The 17th Century Cathedral is one of the major landmark in Roxas City.
The baige color of the Church was the product of the effort of the parish to prettify the church. According to the curator of Panublion Museum it has a bluish color before and in her opinion the baige color is much better.
Roxas City Fountain
In the center of the Plaza is a fountain that serves as a rotunda on the multi criss-cross road network of the city proper. The fountain not only ease the flow of the traffic, it has a major effect in the Plaza’s aesthetics and vibe. The fountain actually made Roxas City Plaza one of the picturesque center in the Philippines.
The fountain is the city’s kilometer zero where all the distances from the city are measured.
During the night the fountain illuminates in different color like a start dancing in the beat of the city.
Jose Rizal Monument
Every town and city or even barangay in the Philippine seems to have a statue in honor of the national hero – Dr. Jose Rizal. What is special about this monument is that it is one of the oldest Rizal monument built. The monument was erected just 15 years after the death of the national hero.
Capiz Provincial Capitol
The Provincial Capitol Building is a destination itself. The century old structure is located in the heart of Roxas City. The building is made formerly of wood when it was owned by the Spanish government. In 1911 the building was made concrete.
Capiz as a province was established in 1901.
The concrete eagle design in the façade of the building symbolizes the United States of America’s influence and presence in Capiz.
You may want to visit the tourism office at the second level of the Provincial Capitol to know more about the province. Our friends in the Cultural and Tourism Affairs will gladly assist you and welcome you. There are also brochures that could help you explore the city and the province. You also have to arrange your trip in Camp Peralta at the Cultural and Tourism Affairs office. See contact below.
Go up to the third floor explore the century old capitol building and see the top view of the town Plaza, the church and the bridge.
