AKLAN - The Philippines' Oldest Province

Aklan is the oldest province in the Philippines, organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo, as the Minuro it Akean to include what is now Capiz. It became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Aklan was inaugurated as an independent province on November 8, 1956.

Aklan encompasses the northwestern portion of Panay Island and nearby Boracay Island, both situated within the Visayas island group and having an estimated land area of 181, 789 hectares. Cadastrally located between 12°N, 11°19' S and between 121°50' W, 122°35' E, the province is bordered by the Sulu Sea on the northwest, the Sibuyan Sea on the northeast and the east, by the province of Antique on the west, and by the province of Capiz on the south. The northernmost limit of Aklan is Lapuz-Lapuz point on Boracay Island (Malay), while the southernmost limit is that point in the municipality of Libacao where the borders of Aklan, Antique, Capiz meet. The easternmost part of the province is the eastern shoreline of Mambuquiao Bay in the municipality of Batan; the westernmost location is Pucio Point (Buruanga).

Aklan, including what is now Capiz, was organised as "Minuro it Aklan" by settlers from Borneo in 1213. It was one of three political units, sakops, into which Panay was divided, the other two being Hamitc (now Antique) and Irong-Irong (now Iloilo) The firs ruler of Aklan was named Datu Bangkaya. Under Datu Dinagandan, the present site of Batan was made its capital towards the end of the 1400-century. In 1433, Datu Bendahara of the earliest written body of laws. When Datu Manduyog became ruler in 1437, he moved the capital to Bakan (the ancient name of Banga). When Legazpi landed in Batan in 1565, Datu Kabayag was ruling Aklan from what is now Libacao. When the Spaniards settled in the area, they changed its name to Capiz, much to the dimay of the Aklanons. The Aklanons agitated for their separation from Capiz throughout the American period. Aklan finally became a separate province in 1956. An early Aklanon settlement called Madyanos, near the town of Nemancia, later became Kalibo.

The "Aklanons" are closely related to the Ilonggos but they speak a distinct dialect, also called Aklanon. The dialect is said to be traceable to an old datu´s defective manner of speaking that everyone imitated.The ponu-an, a customary gathering of elders, is still practised in the barangays. The province is composed of 17 municipalities, the largest in land area being Libacao, and the smallest, Lezo. Each municipality maintains a municipal government whose seat is the poblacion. It has 327 barangays.

A little over one hour flying time from Manila is the fabled island of Boracay. This island paradise is only 7 km long but attracts many visitors with its 32 magnificent powdery white sand beaches and majestic tropical palms. Located in the province of Aklan north of Panay Island, it has often been voted "one of the best beaches in the world." Boracay is an all year round destination. The holiday season starts early November and finishes around May. June to October season provides a pleasant alternative when resort and restaurant prices are lower and the island is at a more leisurely pace. 

Aklan History...

The capital of Akean changed several times. Towards the end of the 14th century Datu Dinagandan moved the capital from the present Batan, which was captured in 1399 by Chinese adventurers under Kalantiaw, who forthwith ruled Aklan. In 1433, the son of Kalantiaw III laid down a written code of laws now known as the Code of Kalantiaw. The short-lived Kalantiaw dynasty ended when Kalantiaw III was slain in a duel with Datu Manduyog, legitimate successor to Datu Dinagandan. When Manduyog became the new ruler, he moved the capital to Bakan (ancient name of Banga) in 1437. Several datus succeeded Manduyog and when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in Batan in 1565, Datu Kabanyag was ruling Aklan from what is now the town of Libacao.

Aklan finally became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. This law was authored by Cong. Godofredo P. Ramos .The province was inaugurated on November 8, 1956.

Population - The total number of the population of Aklan as of the year 2000 is 451,314.

Language / Dialect - The Aklanons primarily speak Akeanon. People also speak English, Tagalog, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano.

Major Industries - Pottery making and pop rice (ampaw) making are local industries that have augmented the people's livelihood in this province. Residents living near the banks of the river make clay pots and jar the old-fashioned way, as others engage in pop rice making. Popularly known as "ampaw" in the local dialect, it is processed from cooked rice, dried, deep fried with oil and sugar, and then molded into the same sizes and dried slowly.

Most Akeanons derive livelihood from rice, corn, coconut, abaca, and pottery making. Fishponds and offshore fishing employ many persons in the province. What thrive in Aklan are small-scale industries like piña cloth weaving, abaca and bamboo handicraft.

Aklan Is Famous For...

Kalibo Ati-Atihan - Is held every third week of January in Kalibo, Aklan. A celebration in honor of the Sto. Niño. Marked by a frenzied merriment on the streets. Revelers in colorful costumes and bodies painted black and their faces made up grotesquely, dance uninhibitedly to drumbeats. Scene of yearly celebration in honor of Sto. Niño, held every third week of January, popularly known worldwide as Ati-Atihan.

Museo it Akean - A repository of antiques all dug up in Aklan and the province’s cultural heritage.

Freedom Shrine - Dedicated to the 19 martyrs of Aklan who started the revolt against Spain.

Kalantiaw Shrine - Once the seat of government of Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw III, the third chief of Panay and promulgator of the famous Code of Kalantiaw.

Courtesy of WOW Philippines