ANTIQUE | Exploring Antique Like a 6-Full-Course Dinner

ANTIQUE, PHILIPPINES | 

Antique, part of the Western Visayas Region, is flanked by bordering provinces: Aklan and Iloilo. It has a total of 18 municipalities, each offers an exclusive wayfaring experience. Considered to be the least likely travel destination versus the proximate regions; it is now being recognized to hold substantial amount of natural possessions. Ocean and springs in willow, land elevations from easy hills to steep mountains, rushing rivers and quiet lakes - all gifted by the province to admire and respect.

HOW TO GET TO ANTIQUE | 

From Kalibo:
1. Ride a Ceres Bus at Kalibo Terminal bound for Antique; travel time takes about 2-3 hours; fare is Php 133 if you are getting off in Tibiao. Earliest departure is at 5AM, latest is at 5PM.

From Iloilo:
1. Ride a Ceres bus at Molo Terminal bound for Culasi; travel time takes about 3-4 hours.

GETTING AROUND AND WHERE TO STAY |

Antique is very accessible via public land, water and air transportation, whether you are coming directly from Manila or from its neighboring towns: Kalibo, Caticlan, Capiz or Iloilo. Finding a place to stay particularly depends on your points of interest. Remember that Antique's municipalities are divided into two: north and south, giving you options where you'd really want to focus on your travel itinerary.

Having only 4 days to explore Antique, I carefully made an outline on the places that I find highly interesting. The focus of this entry is on the northern part; the south is yet to be unraveled in the future.

KASA RAYA INN | Brgy. Importante, Tibiao, Antique

A budget-friendly haven for travelers on the go.

It is advantageously sited along the main road, making it very accessible to public transportation: buses and motorbikes. If you have not yet figured out where to go or how to start your journey, just drop your bags here, ask the locals, or pay heed to a few tips you might get from the owner - Alex. 

At a reasonable price tag, you'd get the homey quality service from the staff. Room rate starts at Php 350 inclusive of: a spacious fan-room, clean pillows, linens, bath towel, electrical sockets, well maintained toilet and bath, free wifi and a breakfast (yes, darling, all at Php 350). 

Different types of public transportation en route to adjoining towns and municipalities  are just a stone throw away from Kasa, saving your time, effort and wallet. They have an in-house restaurant that provides beverages and quick meals - all prepared by the gracious, Ate Joy. Her chicken adobo and tapsilog are for the win, btw! 

All the people I met in Kasa: co-travelers, the staff, the locals, the kids, tatay and their adorable dogs -  have done a little too much of everything that made my Antique trip a memorable one.

Tour catered to your liking can be arranged, please see contact details below:
Phone: 0917 524 7875
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kasarayainn/

OTHER ACCOMMODATION:

KAYAK INN

Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao, Antique

Php 500

PHAIDON BEACH RESORT

Brgy. Tingib, Pandan, Antique
Php 2750

EXPLORING ANTIQUE LIKE A 6-FULL-COURSE DINNER

First Course

"H O R S  D'  O E U V R E " / A P P E T I Z E R

~ POTTERY MAKING ~

Pottery making , an art attributed to an old tradition of making earthenware out of clay, sand, fire and water. Products are used mostly either as cooking utensils or for decorative ornaments. Constructional bricks, considered as fire/heat-resistant, have been one of the premium choices for building and housing assemblies: in the past and up to the present. 

It is enlivining to realize that the locality are gathering community efforts to save the tradition and the livelihood of its people.

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Hire a motorbike bound for Brgy. Bandoja; travel time takes about 20 minutes; fare is Php 70/way/pax.

POINTERS:

• Entrance fee of Php 150
• Pottery making demo fee Php 20

Second Course

T H E  S O U P

~ NOCZUKAN RIVER ~ MT. PANDIRAHAN ~

If ever you wake up a little too early for your itinerary, do a morning walk along the roads of Tibiao and be inspired with its natural landscape. A photo walk would grant you a picturesque vista of the humble province, depicting people, faces, unworldly wonders - LIFE.

Third Course

T H E  1st E N T R É E
~ MACALBAG WATERFALLS ~

One pristine beauty, tucked inside the rich forest of Barbaza Antique is Macalbag Falls. Macal means snake is believed to be the guardian of this attraction, hence the name - Macalbag. The 4-tier waterfalls are all housed within the private property of SB Catague; 3 are still under construction and will be open either in the latter part of 2016 or early 2017. Natural pool landscaping and garden fountains give an ethereal feel to visitors. If you have extra time, you might want to see some of the unexplored caves in the area.

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Ride a Ceres Bus bound for Iloilo; travel time is about 30 minutes; fare is Php 20.

2. Get off at Tulay ng Dalanas (Barangay  Mablad junction) and hire a motorbike bound for Macalbag Falls ; travel time takes about 15 minutes; fare starts at Php 40.

POINTERS:

• Environmental fee of Php 50 (non-local); Php 30 (local)
• Easy hike but wearing of comfortable foot gear is advised.
• Overnight stay and camping are not allowed.
• Floaters are available for rent at Php 20.

~ BUGTONG BATO FALLS ~

One of Tibiao's charms, the famous, the grand - Bugtong Bato Falls. Possessing a powerful 7-tier-drop (3 of which are accessible to the public), it is no doubt a must-see attraction in Antique. A 30-45 minute easy hike will bring you to the first of its 3 drops; a steep steel staircase leads you the second level; and a challenging rock climbing serves as a gateway for the last tier.

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Hire a motorbike bound for Bugtong-Bato Falls; travel time is about 15 minutes; fare is Php 70/way/pax.

POINTERS:

• Environmental fee of Php 50.
• A local guide fee of Php 150; ratio of guide to tourist - 1:1-5
• Overnight stay and camping are not allowed.

Fourth Course

T H E  2nd  E N T R É E

~ MALUMPATI COLDSPRING ~

Crystal clear water, lush trees and grass, and the smell of barbeque lingering in the air - just how I would imagine a perfect picnic on a sunday!

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Ride a Ceres Bus bound for Kalibo/Caticlan; travel time is about an hour and a half; fare is Php 66.

2. Get off at Pandan terminal and hire a motorbike bound for Malumpati; travel time takes less than 20 minutes; fare varies depending on your haggling skills but it is usually charged at Php 100.

POINTERS:

• Environmental fee of Php 40 (non-local); Php 20 (local)
• Best to visit the place during off-peak season and weekdays.
• Bringing of food is allowed.

Fifth Course

T H E  M A I N  C O U R S E

~ PHAIDON BEACH ~

Phaidon Beach Resort, privately owned, is situated along the coastline of Barangay Tingib in the town of Pandan Antique. Great choice if you are after exclusivity as it is the only resort sighted in the area. No loud crowd to disturb your afternoon naps, just strong splash of waves from Sulu Sea to complement your book reading activity. 

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Ride a Ceres Bus bound for Kalibo/Caticlan; travel time is about an hour and a half; fare is Php 66.
2. Get off at Pandan terminal and hire a motorbike bound for Phaidon; travel time takes less than 20 minutes; fare varies depending on your haggling skills but it is usually charged at Php 100.

~ MALALISON/MARARISON ISLAND ~

Framing Mt. Madjaas from Malalison Island at f22/ 1/200

hilltop view

golden shoreline of Malalison

Mararison/ Malalison Island, a conservative island, fondled with just enough balance of ruggedness and plasticity is slowly becoming a superstar in the Northern part of Antique. With great power and beauty, it has been acknowledged to become a haven for diverse ecosystem: grassland and upscale marine life. A 30-minute hike will reward you a 360 view of the whole paradise with a subtle spectacle of Mt. Madjaas - the highest peak in Panay. Fine golden sand and clear waters of Sulu await beach enthusiasts.  

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Ride a Ceres Bus bound for Kalibo/Pandan; travel time is 30-40 minutes; fare is Php 20.

2. Get off at Culasi Port terminal and hire pumpboat bound for the island; travel time takes 15 minutes; private rental of boat is at Php 750 (roundtrip); Php 75 (one way) if you will be sharing it with other passengers.

POINTERS:

• Electricity runs at night time until morning.
• Nipa huts are available for rent at Php 300.
• Several Homestays are scattered in the area to accommodate guests staying overnight. Rate starts at Php 250/pax.
• Fresh water is sold per gallon.
• Fresh seafood are sold by fishermen but bringing your own cooked or ready to eat meals would be your best bet.
• Bring emergency lights and medicines
• Eveyone should know this by now, PLEASE DO NOT LITTER.

Sixth Course

T H E  D E S S E R T

~ KAWA HOT BATH ~

One debatable, enigmatic hearsay about Antique is its famous metaphorical history about supernatural forces. Ancient people believed that the world is all inclusive of several types of mystics and energy - too powerful for the human brain to comprehend and too extensive to be even explained by science. 

Several residents have decided to conjure up the paradox by incorporating nature to physical and soul healing - the Kawa Bath. 

Herbs to soothe muscle aches, and flowers for aroma are all combined in a kawa and placed over a low fire. Meditation and release of tension come to pass as the temperature of the water increases. Like a dream sequence, this is just too awesome to be missed!

HOW TO GET HERE (from Tibiao (Kasa Raya) :

1. Hire a motorbike bound for Kayak Inn; travel time is about 15 minutes; fare is Php 70/way/pax.

POINTERS:

• Environmental fee of Php 50
• Kawa Hot Bath fee Php 250

         

if you find a place or someone

that can either stop or shake your world,

mute you or let you race a hundred and sixty six things

and emotions per second all at the same time,

then it must be really kind of of special.

ANTIQUE | 2016