Panay Map

Panay Presidencia

Panay is the place where the dawn of Christianity started. it is also the center of the first act of revolt against the Spaniards in the province of capiz. the first encounter between the Filipino revolutionaries and the Spanish forces happened in may 1897 at Tadio Bridge. Despite the inferiority in manpower and arms, the revolutionaries were able to repulse the advances of the Spanish forces by sheer ingenuity. using only "gafas" nipa stalks which looked like rifles from afar, they have the Spaniards thinking that the Filipino revolutionaries were well equipped and prepared retreated to Capiz now Roxas city

Panay Bell

One of the oldest churches in the country, Sta. Monica Church was built o 1774. With majestic Baroque influences defined by the use of attached coupled piers in Corinthian style, the architecture of the facade is articulated following the tenets of the Baroque movement. The grand structure of the church is made up of coral stone which is 70m long, 25m wide and 18m high. The wall are 3m thick, the floor is covered with marble. Its structure is shaped in the form of latin cross with one large central altar and four lateral ones, the gilded gorgeously sculptured of a fine hardwood. Various polychromed statues are highly decorated in an artistic quality.
In the topmost tier of its five-level belfry is the biggest and most likely the heaviest Christian bell in Asia which was cast in 1878 using 70 sacks of coins. It is about 5 ft. in height and 7ft. in diameter and weighs 10.4 tons. The bell can be accessed through a 63-step iron stairway inside the tower of Sta. Monica church.
Inscribed on the bell in relief are the following Spanish words "se fundio esta campana en este pueblo por d.j. reyna la gloria de dios y de la virgen de consolacion siendo cura parroco del mismo el p. f. jose beloso". Near the rim are the words "panay 21 de diciembre de 1878 f. jose beloso. At the other side is written "soyla voz de dios que llevare y ensalzare desde el principio hasta el vir de este pueblo de panay para que los fieles de jesucristo vengan esta casa". In english, this means "i am God's voice which shall echo praise from one end of the town of Panay to the other, so that Christ's faithful followers may enter this house of God to receive heavenly graces". The bell is used not only as a reminder to worship but also as a warning for towns people to take shelter in it during those times that the town was under pirate attack. The bell can be heard at within a radius of 8 kilometers.
It was declared a National Landmark by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines on 1997.

Municipality Of Panay

The Municipality of Panay considered as one of the oldest town in the Province of Capiz. It was located on the northeastern part of the Province of Capiz. It has a varied natural resources such as a wide coastal areas, rich ocean resources, beautiful mountains, magnificent picturque scenery and bountiful ricefields. It has also a good aquaculture industry which contribute a lot to the economy of the town.


Besides of its natural resources, it was widely known as one of the grandest town in the Province of Capiz in terms of Spanish influence. Its simple but elegant municipal church, the Sta. Monica Church was beautifully constructed dated back from the Spanish period. Its design was nourished from Baroque Spanish style. Though it was simple, its tranquil and gracious wall creates an impression of elegance. Its altar, made from wooden architecture that beautifully carves, stand as a proof of its antiquity and bravery for a hundred of years. The Sta. Monica Church was the landmark of the Municipality of Panay through the years. And it was also made as the sanctuary of the largest bell in Asia. In which, it can be found at the belfry of the church. This bell, together with the church attract tourists every year that it had been a major tourist destination in the Province of Capiz.


Aside from its beautiful and great church, the Municipality of Panay was the home of one of the most unspoiled beach in the province, the beach of Pawa. The municipality was also bountiful in delicious and nutritious seafoods and native cuisine.


The Municipality of Panay was also a leading town when it comes to celebration, it has several festivities that shows the talent and skills of their lively citizens. Their festivities also showed the town products that are export quality. The town fiesta was a grand and exciting celebration that everyone were waiting for. There are games, street dances, exhibit of town products, huge crowd enjoying the events and very energetic audiences in the battle of the bands in the evening celebration. This shows that the people of Panay were hospitable and ejoyable to be with. And its vast resources both natural and man-made gives an outline of what's Panay can offer to the world.