ROXAS CITY, Roxas, Capiz | Quiet, Unhurried, and Sheepishly Beautiful

Baybay Beach
La Playa de Roxas People's Park

Roxas City, Roxas, Capiz

ROXAS CITY | Roxas, Capiz

Roxas City, the first district of Capiz and known as the seafood capital of the Philippines, is located in the Western Visayas Region VI. By air, it is just approximately an hour away from Manila and about 19-20 hours by sea. If you are coming from Iloilo, a convenient bus/ van transport of an hour and a half to two hours is expected. The primary livelihood in the province is either farming or fishing. The wide agricultural land and vast fishing areas are noticeable as you explore the area. Expect seafood in full swing once you visit Baybay Beach; a number of restaurants along the beach serve daily catch products with the ocean as your backdrop as the faint sound of waves play in the background.

GETTING AROUND

HOW TO GET TO ROXAS CITY FROM MANILA

1. Fly from Manila to Roxas via any domestic air company; travel time is about an hour; fare depends on the season and availability. (I suggest that you book early or grab tickets on sale a few weeks or months before your desired scheduled flight)
2. Once Roxas airport is reached, get on a passenger trike and you know the drill - E X P L O R E! Fare depends on your destination but it should not be more than Php 50.

HOW TO GET TO ROXAS CITY FROM ILOILO CITY

1. From Iloilo City, ride a jeepney bound for Tagbak Common Transport Garage; fare is between Php 12-15; travel time is about 20-30 mins.
2. You can either ride a bus or van from the public terminal in Tagbak Common Transport Garage in Iloilo. In my case, I opted for the van since I finished my Iloilo side trip past 5 in the afternoon and I still had to look for a place in Roxas where to spend the night. Vans are quite fast and more convenient compare to public buses. Fare is Php 150.
3. Once you have reached Roxas City, hail a trike that would bring you to your chosen accommodation.

STAY | Beehive Inn - A Backpacker's Choice

Beehive Inn, is one of the most popular and cheapest hostels that you can find in the area. It offers mainly what a backpacker needs to get through the night - a working toilet and bath, a bed with clean mattress and pillows, a fan to shoo mosquitoes, a television which i didn't bother to turn on and a wooden table and chair.

The rate is at Php 400. I could not complain, the room is actually more than good enough for the price. A/C rooms are also available which starts at Php 700-800.

Address: Plaridel Street, Roxas City, Capiz

VISIT | Baybay Beach, La Playa de Roxas People's Park

Baybay Beach, one of the tourist attractions in Roxas, emanates the province’s aura – quiet, unhurried, and sheepishly beautiful. Many travelers visit the place for seafood adventure while some would go for running, swimming, biking and basically just lounging at the park for a picnic. The long stretch of its coastline makes it as an ultimate spot for early morning or late afternoon walks.

Address: Baybay, Roxas City, Capiz

Shore of Baybay Beach

It consists mainly of fine black sand with subtle traces of golden accents.

Due to weathering process, ocean’s minerals – corals and stones are spread randomly giving a nice glossy upshot.

After the storm had passed, this is how the sea looked like - calm with waves unimaginably still;
no traces of wreck just dead corals and shells beautifully scattered along the coastline as if it was destiny that put them in their places.

VISIT | Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral

Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral, located in the heart of the city proper, was founded in 1707 and built in1827.  Adjacent to the church are the the municipal office, a park and a museum which was closed during my visit. 

Address: Rizal Street, Roxas City, Capiz

Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral

Information sign printed on a metallic sheet and displayed in front of the cathedral

View of the cathedral's pinnacle from the outside market

A quick peep on the holy mass from the main entrance

Different flowers sold outside the church;
most church-goers buy flowers for offering
while a few number of people grab a bunch for take home.

An early morning walk through the grounds of plaza is a perfect time to roam around the park
and if you get a little lucky, you'd get to see these smiles for free.

Puto ube sold at Php 7

Puto mango and Puto cheese both sold at Php 7 each

Fruit cookies sold at Php 45/ pack

Dakbanwa Sang Roxas

Lungsod ng Roxas

P A R K E

Noon, madalas sa parke ang puntahan ng mga magkasintahan.

Kapag araw ng linggo, napupuno ito ng mga bunton ng masasayang pamilya,

bitbit ang kani-kanilang mga anak

na malayang nagsisipagtakbuhan sa kawalan.

Naging kanlungan din ito ng mga kabataan

na maingat na tinahi ang kanilang mga mumunting pangarap.

Napupuno ang lugar ng hagikgikan at mga kwento

na minsa'y may pait at tamis

na bubuo sa isang napakagandang larawan.

Habang ang mga puno at bulaklak

ang nagsisilbing saksi sa matatamis na mga panagakong binitiwan.