WonderWanderland

The province of Capiz in the Philippines is widely known for tales of the “aswang of Capiz” and other stories of supernatural and mythical beings believed to roam the area. Over time, these stories—sometimes bordering on the preposterous—have seeped deeply into the community’s identity. As a result, they often linger like a dark cloak, casting doubt and even fear among potential visitors, while unintentionally concealing the province’s true beauty and quiet splendor.

But how much truth do these stories really hold? Are they real? Or are they simply myths and folklore passed from one enthusiastic storyteller to another through generations? More importantly, have you ever wondered what truly lies within Capiz beyond the eerie legends of the past?

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A Local’s Struggles

I am a native of President Roxas, one of the municipalities of Capiz, and I’ve spent most of my life in this quiet town. Growing up, I heard a lot of scary stories. My manongs and manangs enjoyed sharing their versions, especially before bedtime, which was definitely not a good idea. Terrified yet curious, I urged them to continue until my imagination ran wild. Unsurprisingly, I often ended up sleeping in my parents’ bed.

Years later, when I started working in Manila, the reaction was almost predictable. Once people learned I was from Capiz, they’d jokingly comment or tease me if I could “fly,” referring to the infamous aswang. Much of this, I blame on local films that exaggerated these legends beyond belief.

I grew up with these stories and learned to see most of them as folklore—tales meant to scare kids into behaving or myths passed down through generations. As a Capizeña myself, I’ve seen firsthand what my home province genuinely offers. So this time, I’ll take you beyond the myths and share the real gem that is Capiz—one shaped not by fear, but by culture, warmth, and hidden wonders waiting to be discovered.

Capiz, Philippines: Geography

In the Western Visayas region, Capiz is one of the six provinces in the peaceful Island of Panay. Moreover, Panay is in the heart of the Philippine archipelago, and Capiz is in the northeastern portion of the island. Its neighboring provinces are Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south.

Capiz in Panay Island

Capiz has 473 “baranggays”, 16 municipalities, and 1 city- its capital, Roxas City. Below is the list of the 16 municipalities of the province:

Roxas City (Capital)	Panitan	Cuartero
President Roxas	Tapaz	Dumalag
Pilar	Sigma	Panay
Ivisan	Sapian	Pontevedra
Dao	Mambusao	Maayon
Dumarao	Jamindan

Sunsets in Capiz

Capiz, Philippines: Brief History

As documented, the early Spanish explorers first set foot in the province of Capiz in the mid-1500s through the Banica River. Subsequently, a few years after their initial exploration, the Spanish colonizers, while they searched for food, returned and established their first official settlement near the Banica River, naming it Pan-ay. This site became their second settlement, following San Miguel in Cebu City. Initially, the capital of the province was the town of Panay; however, it was later moved to Capiz (now Roxas City) because Capiz is near the sea and provides access to ports.

The New People’s Park in Roxas City

Capiz, Philippines: Demographics

The Capizeños have three ancestral groups: Aetas (Negritos), Indonesians, and Malays. Consequently, this diverse heritage shapes the culture in meaningful ways. Although the majority of the population has already progressed, there are still cultural groups that worship spirits and live as they did in the old days, in rudimentary ways.

The main local languages are Hiligaynon and Capiznon. Furthermore, the locals also widely use Filipino and Business English.

Due to hundreds of years of Spanish colonization, the majority of the province’s population is Catholic. Nevertheless, they are also very spiritual and religious, with some still superstitious.

Old Catholic Churches in Capiz

Capiz, Philippines: The Seafood Capital

Due to the vast bodies of water stretching along its borders, Capiz became one of the richest fishing areas, and this in turn catapulted the province to be famed as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines.” Consequently, it is a major supplier of prawns and milkfish in the country. Additionally, other harvests include oysters, squid, blue marlin, seaweed, and shrimp.

Capiz, Philippines: Seafood Feast

If you’re looking to feast on fresh seafood, Capiz won’t disappoint. First, you can head to the wet markets for the day’s freshest catch. Then, you can explore the restaurants along Baybay Beach in Roxas City, where you’ll find a plethora of seafood options that you can “paluto” and have cooked exactly the way you want.

Read: A Visit to the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila

The Pride of Capiz

Aside from fishing, farming is another major source of income for the Capizeños. The province features extensive plantations of rice, corn, sugarcane, and bananas, among other crops.

Capiz is also popular for its beautiful Capiz shells. Creators use the shells to make a wide range of products—from picture frames and accessories to lamps and wall panels. They manufacture these Capiz shell creations for export to global markets.

These are indeed among the things the Capizeños take pride in.

Capiz Shells

Roxas City, The Capital

Roxas City is a medium-sized capital city in the province of Capiz. It was named in honor of President Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Philippine Third Republic. It is surrounded by the towns of Ivisan, Panitan, and Panay, just east of the north-central coast of Panay Island. Roxas City is subdivided into 47 barangays.

For travelers, Roxas City serves as a gateway via the Roxas City Airport and the National Port of Culasi. From Manila, the journey takes about 45 minutes by plane, or roughly 16 hours by ship. From Iloilo City, land travel typically takes around 2 hours by bus or private car, though it can be closer to an hour from Aklan and about 4 hours if you’re arriving from the world-famous Boracay Island.

Getting around the city proper is convenient by tricycle. Roxas City currently offers a selection of malls and hotels to accommodate locals and visitors alike. Again, if it’s your first time in the city, a must-visit is the stretch of restaurants along Baybay Beach, where you can savor the province’s succulent, freshest seafood.

More Reading: Capiz in the Philippines (Wikipedia)

Capiz, Philippines: Final Thoughts

I am proud to be a Capizeño, and I will always cherish my home province. While its mystery and fascination with the supernatural could spark interest, at the end of the day, I firmly believe that Capiz—naturally rich, peaceful, and resilient—should continue to thrive by capitalizing on its workforce and highlighting its strengths as a province, all while remaining beautiful and proudly true to its identity.