Municipality of Pilar, Capiz

Pilar, Capiz captivate the Kasadyahan sa Capiz. Pilar is one of the 16 municipalities of the Province of Capiz. Pilar has 24 barangays. It was formerly named Sibala and was later changed into Pilar after its patron saint Nuestra Señora del Pilar. It is the last municipality going east from Roxas City, Kasadyahan sa Capiz. It is located in the northern part of Panay island facing Pilar Bay, the largest and richest fishing ground in the Western Visayas. It is the nearest point from the island of Masbate and the island of Romblon. It is bounded by Pilar Bay; on the south by Lemery and Sara of the Province of Iloilo, on the east by Carles and Balasan, Iloilo Province and in the west by President Roxas. The rural municipality is rich in natural resources such as aquatic and mineral wealth.

Balisong Cave

Approximately one and a half km from the poblacion by jeepneys, tricycles and cars over rough roads: About two years ago,At the Balisong Cave where the Capiz Revolucionarios routed the Spanish soldiers, townspeople discovered earthen pots carved with intricate designs. The cave must have been burial sites of pre-Spanish Filipinos.  This is where the greatest Capiznon hero, Juan Arce of Sigma, Capiz died. At the side of the cave is a spectacular sight of a mountain. A grayish black rock rising up to 200 ft. to the sky: Plants, orchids among them hang from the cliffs, blooming in the summer and filling the air with exotic fragrance.

Tucad Reef

It is 10 kms. along Pilar shoreline.  This is a submarine islet of seashells and corals topped with thin layers of sand. When the tide is low the whole island emerges and with it, shells and corals of different colors – green, red, blue, pink, clear water. From this marine garden, the mountains of Masbate can be seen. Tucat Reef is accessible by a pumpboat or on foot during low tides.

Casanayan

A fishing village where patis and ginamos are made; one finds vast fields of sugarcane, rice and corn on the 3 km road from the highway to this place.  It has a beautiful 3 km stretch of fine gray sand beach fringed with palm trees that neatly line the village as haven for those who seek refuge from the city hassles. Casanayan is a barrio gifted with a bizarre phenomenon – a woman's dead body that refuses to decay. Maria Basanes died at the age of 47 due to a heart attack in 1829. When her body was exhumed ten years after her death, it was found intact and well – preserved which was surprising because her embalming was supposedly good for only 3 days. Now, the dead body is brownish – black, light and hard as wood, stand inside a small hand-me-down coffin. Her forehead has a portion where the skin was peeled off superstitiously by men who believed it could be a lucky charm in fishing.

Hinulugan Falls

One of Kasadyahan sa Capiz highest waterfalls plunges over the brink into a shaded pool.  The waters cascade through three waterfalls among beautiful woodland settings along the way is another gigantic falls, where water magnificently flow from the top of the mountain along gorges and stands of unspoiled timbers.  Its rustling sound can be clearly heard along the road which is more than 200 meters away.  It is located in Brgy. Tabun-acan, Pilar.

Agtalin Shrine

Kasadyahan sa Capiz explore! Considered as the tallest religious icon in the country, Agtalin Shrine is an 80 ft. statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop a mountain.  Thousands of devotees attend Mass here every first Saturday of the month.