Roxas City is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz,
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It is the provincial capital and a component city. , the city mayor is former city vice mayor Angel Alan Celino who was elected during the
2010 electionElections for all positions in the Philippines above the barangay were held on Monday, May 10, 2010. The elected president will become the 15th President of the Philippines, succeeding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term restrictions...
.
The city is a center of
copraCopra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
and
aquacultureAquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the...
production. The surrounding area grows
sugarcaneSugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
,
riceRice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
,
coconutThe coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
,
fruitIn broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
,
hempHemp is mostly used as a name for low tetrahydrocannabinol strains of the plant Cannabis sativa, of fiber and/or oilseed varieties. In modern times, hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel with modest...
, and
tobaccoTobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
. The language spoken in Roxas City are Capiznon and
HiligaynonHiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz but is also spoken in the other provinces of the Panay Island group, including Antique,...
.
According to the 2007 census, the city has a population of 147,738 people with a density of 1,449/km2 (3,752.8/sq mi)
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Roxas City's Baybay Beach is just over 7 kilometers long. The tallest sea cliffs in
Western VisayasWestern Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...
can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a Hall of Famer of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.
History
The City of Roxas, once known as the municipality of Capiz is the provincial capital of Capiz.
In 1569, Captain Diego de Artieda who was sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi from Cebu, landed on the town of Pan-ay and proclaimed it as the capital. Later the capital was moved to its present site upon discovering that the town of Capiz was near the sea where they can have better docking facilities. The Spaniards saw the long coastal cover and envisioned a trading and shipping center. Ports were constructed in Libas and later in Culasi.
A river meanders across the town, cuts it at the heart and divides it almost equally into two. Tributaries from the mountains flowed into the head of Panay River through settlements formed along its shores, irrigating and fertilizing the land to provide food to the people. Following its course into the sea, it provides water to fishponds during high tide.
In 1590, the Navy of Acapulco, Mexico made Capiz port its arsenal (naval yard) where they can seek shelter when the sea was rough. Capiz then eventually grew into a bustling port and several houses of stones were built. The social and political status enjoyed by the native chieftains of Capiz often resulted in mixed marriages with the Spaniards. The mestizo descendants became the base of the principalia or influential citizens. Their privileged positions allowed them to build houses around the favored square of the poblacion - around the church and the government complex.
Their children became the beneficiaries of the Augustinian mission in 1593.
In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government, although it was ecclesiastically controlled by the Bishopric of Cebu. In the latter part of 1795, under Gobernadorcillo Miguel Bautista, the old road to Baybay Beach was built as an extension of San Roque Street.
The town of Capiz was frequently attacked by Muslims that in 1814, stone forts at Baybay Beach (Baluarte) were built through the initiative of Gobernadorcillo Jose Consolacion.
In 1870, the ground was broken for the foundation of the Cathedral of Capiz under the guidance of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez. It was built by sturdy hands, sweat and blood of Capizeños who were victims of forced labor.
In 1876, the diocese of Jaro in Iloilo was erected and Capiz came under its jurisdiction. In 1877, the cathedral was finally finished. Prior to its construction, a chapel was built in Burgos Street beside the municipal building.
In August 1899, the Spanish colonial government represented by Governor Juan Herrero formally surrendered to General Ananias Diokno in Baybay Beach.
Economic debacle hit the town of Capiz in 1914 when the Ayala Distillery grounded to a halt. What could have been an ambitious forerunner of nationalized industrialization became the victim of the Internal Revenue Law under American control.
In 1917, Division Superintendent of Schools F.E. Hemingway founded Capiz Trade School for intermediate pupils and offered woodworking as the only vocational course. The next division superintendent opened Capiz High School.
In 1926, Division Superintendent Arthur Wittman authorized teaching of complete secondary curriculum in the Capiz Trade School. In the same year, Culasi Port was built to accommodate inter-island ships.
On February 15, 1951 the diocese of Capiz became a separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction from Jaro. Its first bishop was Msgr. Manuel Yap. In the same year, former Vice Mayor Libertad Conlu became the first female mayor of Capiz.
Capiz became a chartered city on May 12, 1951 through House Bill 1528 sponsored by Ramon Acuña Arnaldo, the representative of the First District of Capiz. It was approved by President Elpidio Quirino on April 11, 1951 as Republic Act 603. Consequently, the town was named Roxas City after her greatest son, President Manuel Acuña Roxas, the last president of the Commonwealth and the first president of the Philippine Republic.
The first appointed mayor was Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo followed by Ramon Berjamin Blanco, Jose Dorado and Juliano Alovera Alba. In 1959, Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo again became the head of the city as the first elected mayor. The next mayor was Teodoro Roxas Arcenas who was succeeded by Juliano Alovera Alba who was also the representative of the First District of Capiz at the House of Congress when Martial Law was declared.
Hon. Antonio A. Del Rosario, who is now the Congressman of the 1st District of Capiz, was elected to three terms as mayor of Roxas City, serving from 1998 to 2007.
Hon. Vicente B. Bermejo, who is the former governor of the province of Capiz, was elected mayor and served for three years, from 2007 to 2010.
The incumbent mayor of Roxas City is Hon. Angel Alan B. Celino, who also served as Vice Mayor of the city from 2004 to 2007.
Location
Roxas City is situated just east of the north-central coast of
PanayPanay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident...
Island with geographic coordinates of 11°35' N, 122°45' E. Its boundaries are: the
Visayan SeaThe Visayan Sea is a sea in the Philippines, surrounded by the islands of the Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas located to the east and west, while the Central Visayas is located to the south...
to the north, the municipality of Panitan to the south, the municipality of Ivisan to the west, and the municipality of Panay to the East. It is located 250 nautical miles (463 km) southeast of
ManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and 135 kilometers northeast of
Iloilo CityThe City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area...
(Regional Capital). Travel time to Manila is 45 minutes by air and 18 hours by sea.
Economy
Roxas City has basically an agri-based economy. Farming and fishing are the major economic activities which claim 52.87% of the city’s total land area. Although agricultural, the city is now moving towards commercialization and industrialization as it is the center of trade and commerce not only in the province of Capiz but also in the northern part of Panay Island which includes the province of
AklanAklan is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas. Its capital is Kalibo. It is located at the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique Province to the southwest, and Capiz Province to the east...
and parts of Northern
IloiloIloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
. The city also start to expand its city proper primarily because of the construction of
Pueblo de PanayPueblo de Panay is a mixed-use, master-planned township development located in Roxas City, Philippines.A rising city within a city- Pueblo de Panay is a Capizeño Inspired Development that showcases the best of the History, Culture, Architecture, and Arts of Capizeños and people from Panay Island.-...
, which aims to build a new business district that would connect the major highways of the city namely, Lawaan and Sibaguan Highway.
The city has a national port, fishing ports and airport. Visitors or transients in the city could stay at any of the nineteen (19) available accommodation facilities and they could dine at the twenty-one (21) restaurant and thirty-nine (39) refreshment parlors.
Banks
- Allied Banking Corporation
- Banco De Oro
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas u/c
- Bank of Commerce
- Bank of the Philippine Islands*
- Business and Commercial Bank
- Capiz Settlers Cooperative Rural Bank, Inc
- China Banking Corporation
- CitySavings Bank
- Development Bank of the Philippines
- Farm Bank, Inc.
- Green Bank of CARAGA
- Iloilo City Development Bank
- Land Bank of the Philippines
- Maybank Philippines, Inc
- Metropolitan Banking Corporation*
- OK Bank
- Philtrust Bank
- Philippine National Bank
- Philippine Resources Savings Bank
- Philippine Savings Bank
- Queen City Development Bank
- Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
- Rural Bank of Pilar (Capiz)
- United Coconut Planters Bank
- Valiant Bank
28 banks in total (note: 2 branches*)
Notable people
- Manuel Acuña Roxas, first President of the independent Republic of the Philippines.
- Josefa Abiertas, first woman bar topnotcher and proponent of the Women's Suffrage Bill.
- General Esteban Contreras, revolutionary leader during the Philippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
.
- Gerardo Roxas
Gerardo Manuel Roxas y De Leon , better known as Gerry Roxas or Gerardo M. Roxas, was one of two children of former Philippine President Manuel Roxas...
, Philippine Senator and son of President Manuel Roxas.
- Manuel Roxas II
Manuel "Mar" Araneta Roxas II is a former Senator of the Philippines. He is the son of former Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of former President Manuel Roxas and industrialist J. Amado Araneta....
, Philippine Senator, grandson of President Manuel Roxas.
- Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo, first appointed Mayor (1951) and the first elected Mayor (1959) of Roxas City
- Julian Alovera Alba, fourth appointed Mayor and third elected Mayor of Roxas City who succeeded second elected Mayor Teodoro Roxas Arcenas
- Julito Elegino Sr., First Director of Classified Intelligence and former Commander in Chief of the New Peoples Army (Currently in Exile in Canada)
- Barbie Almalbis
* Dahilan* Give Yourself Away* Overdrive * Damsel* Sorry Song* Parading* Little Miss Spider* High * Summer Day* Pag-alis* For The World...
, Singer, former frontman of Hungry Young PoetsBarbie's Cradle was a popular Filipino band, formed by Barbie Almalbis and Franklin Benitez from their previous band Hungry Young Poets...
and Barbie's CradleBarbie's Cradle was a Filipino alternative rock band, formed in 1998 by the remaining members of Barbie Almalbis's previous band, Hungry Young Poets, and disbanded in 2005 when Almalbis took up a solo career...
.
- Geraldine Villarruz Asis
Geraldine Edith "Pebbles" Villarruz Asis is a former Filipina actress, model and popularly known as the Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Universe semi-finalist in 1987.-Family and education:...
- Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1987, Miss Universe 1987Miss Universe 1987, the 36th Miss Universe pageant was held at Hall Four at World Trade Centre, Singapore on May 27, 1987. 22-year-old Cecilia Bolocco of Chile was crowned as Miss Universe 1987. 68 contestants competed in the 1987 Miss Universe Pageant. This was the twenty-first and final Miss...
finalist.
- Lino F. Villarruz, (Fine Arts, University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
) Best known as the No. 1 Abstract Painter in the whole province of Capiz.
- Jose "Tabai" Altavas, (1916 – 1922)
- Cornelio “Agurang” T. Villareal, Sr., Former House Speaker, House of Representatives
- Sergio "Takal" Adremisen - City of Roxas premier educator. Prolific innovator and pioneer of Sanitation science. Professional track driver under SMAC Motors. Credited for driving "Pinoy" model FMC for "SistaNunny".
- Ariel "Bombit" Alati-it - Roxas City' male fashionista. Originally from Brgy. Lanot on the south side of the city.
Sinadya Sa Halaran
The
Sinadya sa Halaran Festival is celebrated the first week of every December in commemoration of the founding of the city followed by the
Diwal Festival signifying the city's importance as the country's "Seafood Capital" along with the
Aswang Festival that symbolizes the rich heritage of
myth and folklorePhilippine mythology include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Some Filipinos, even though heavily westernized and Christianized, still believe on these tales...
in the province. There used to be two separate and distinct festivals, the Halaran ("Offering") and the
Sinadya ("Celebration"), the former is celebrated by the Province of Capiz and the latter by the City of Roxas. The
Sinadya was formerly held at the same time as the
Feast of the Immaculate ConceptionThe Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on 8 December, nine months before the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on 8 September. It is the patronal feast day of the United States and the Republic of the...
, which was celebrated by the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral. The
Halaran was usually held by the last week of October each year (A prelude to
All Souls DayAll Souls' Day commemorates the faithful departed. In Western Christianity, this day is observed principally in the Catholic Church, although some churches of Anglican Communion and the Old Catholic Churches also celebrate it. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes several All Souls' Days during the...
and All Saints Day festivals). However, because of the costs of holding two separate festivals year, the two festivals were merged, with both the Province of Capiz and the City of Roxas contributing to the expenses.
Diwal Festival
The Roxas City Seafood Festival is held to commemorate and promote the resurgence of the Angel Wing or
diwal,
List of schools
- President Manuel A. Roxas Memorial School (NORTH, SOUTH, SPED, FL)
- Capiz Commercial School (CCS)
- Saint Mary's Academy Of Capiz (SMAC)
- Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen (RCSPC)
- Capiz State University
- Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (CPC) Main & Annex
- Filamer Christian University
Filamer Christian University or the FCU is a higher education institution established 1904 by Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Robbins with the help of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society...
http://www.filamer.edu.ph
- PACE Computer College
- Hercor College
- Capiz National High School (Regular, SSTC, SOF, SPA)
- Hercor College
- Our Lady Of Grace Academy (OLGA), Lonoy, Roxas City
- Cong. Ramon A. Arnaldo High School (City High)
- Life Goal International Institute
- Lifeline International Academy
- St. Michael Montessori
- St. Anthony College of Nursing
St. Anthony College, better known as St. Anthony College of Roxas City, is catholic school in Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines. It is a non-profit, non-stock educational Institution that is owned and managed by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is the only Catholic Institution in...
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Learning Center, De La Salle Supervised
- College of St. John-Roxas, De La Salle Supervised
- St. Pius X Seminary
The Seminary of St. Pius X , or St. Pius X Seminary, is a Filipino Roman Catholic secondary school and seminary in the Lawaan hills, Roxas City, Capiz in the Philippines run by the Catholic priests of the Archdiocese of Capiz. The seminary and its surrounding areas comprise some three hectares of...
- Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminarium
- Dean Alberto Villarruz College
Dean Alberto Villarruz College, DAV College Dean Alberto Villarruz College, DAV College Dean Alberto Villarruz College, DAV College (formerly: STI College-Roxas (VILL-NET INC.), is a technical school located in Lawaan, Roxas City (formerly located in Quintia Bldg., Magallanes St., Roxas City,...
(formerly: STI College-Roxas (VILL-NET INC.)
- Capiz Institute of Electronics
- AMA Computer Learning Center - ROXAS (Fuentes Drive, Roxas City)
Hospitals
- Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (formerly Roxas Memorial General Hospital)
- Capiz Emmanuel Hospital
- St. Anthony College Hospital
St. Anthony College, better known as St. Anthony College of Roxas City, is catholic school in Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines. It is a non-profit, non-stock educational Institution that is owned and managed by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is the only Catholic Institution in...
- Capiz Doctors Hospital
- The Health Centrum (u/c)
Barangays
The City of Roxas is politically subdivided into forty-seven (47) barangays of which thirty-one (31) are
urbanAn urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
and sixteen (16) are
ruralRural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
. It is classified as a second Class Component City belonging to the first political district of the Province of
CapizCapiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
along with the Municipality of Maayon,
PanayPanay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident...
, Panit-an,
PilarOur Lady of the Pillar is the name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her claimed appearance during the start of Christianity in Spain. She is considered the Patroness of the country and the Spanish Civil Guard. Her shrine is in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, by the river...
,
PontevedraPontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the comarca and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city...
, and
President RoxasPresident Roxas can refer to:*Manuel Roxas, former President of the Philippines*President Roxas, Capiz, a municipality in the Philippines*President Roxas, Cotabato, a municipality in the Philippines...
.
- Tiza
- Bago
- Balijuagan
- Banica
- Barangay 1
- Barangay 2
- Barangay 3
- Barangay 4
- Barangay 5
- Barangay 6
- Barangay 7
- Barangay 8
- Barangay 9
- Barangay 10
- Barangay 11
- Barra
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- Bato
- Baybay
- Adlawan
- Cabugao
- Cagay
- Cogon
- Culajao
- Culasi
- Dumolog
- Dayao
- Dinginan
- Gabu-an
- Inzo Arnaldo Village (Cadimahan)
- Jumaguicjic
- Lanot
- Lawa-an
|
- Li-ong
- Libas
- Loctugan
- Lonoy
- Milibili
- Mongpong
- Olotayan
- Punta Cogon
- Punta Tabuc
- San Jose
- Sibaguan
- Talon
- Tanque
- Tanza
- Bolo
|
External links