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.
