Roxas, Capiz

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City of Roxas Syudad sang Roxas (Hiligaynon) Lungsod ng Roxas (Tagalog)
—  City  —
Seal
Nickname(s): Seafood Capital of the Philippines
Map of Capiz showing the location of Roxas City
City of Roxas Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°35′N 122°45′E / 11.583°N 122.750°E / 11.583; 122.750Coordinates: 11°35′N 122°45′E / 11.583°N 122.750°E / 11.583; 122.750
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province	Capiz
Legislative district	1st district of Capiz
Founded	1693
Cityhood	May 12, 1951
Barangays	47
Government[1]
• Mayor	Angel Alan B. Celino (Liberal Party)
Area[2]
• Total	95.07 km2 (36.71 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	156,197
• Density	Bad rounding here1,600/km2 (Bad rounding here4,300/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	5800
Dialing code	36
Income class	2nd class city
Website	www.roxascity.gov.ph

Roxas City is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Philippines and the chief port of Northern Panay. Formerly known as the Municipality of Capiz, where the province got its name, later renamed Roxas City after it became a chartered city on May 12, 1951. As of 2010^[update], the city mayor is former city vice mayor Angel Alan Celino who was elected during the 2010 election.

The language spoken in Roxas City are Capiznon and Hiligaynon.

Based on the 2010 census, the city has a population of 156,197^[3] with a density of 1,542.89/km2 (3,996.07/sq mi) people.

The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Being a recipient of the Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award in the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran (GPK) Cleanliness and Environmental contest is a clear testament of its people's commitment in ensuring a healthier and brighter future for all its residents and visitors as well. Recently, Roxas City has been a recipient of major awards from various government agencies. The Department of Health (DOH) awarded this city with the Red Orchid Award for being "100 percent tobacco-free." It has also gained the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Seal of Good Housekeeping and lauded the Best Police Station in the region by the Philippine National Police.

Geography [edit]

Roxas City is situated just east of the north-central coast of Panay Island with geographic coordinates of 11°35' N, 122°45' E. Its boundaries are: the Sibuyan Sea to the north, the municipality of Panitan to the south, the municipality of Ivisan to the west, and the municipality of Panay to the East. It is located 250 nautical miles (460 km) southeast of Manila and 135 kilometres (84 mi) northeast of Iloilo City(Regional Capital). Travel time to Manila is 45 minutes by air and 18 hours by sea.

Barangays [edit]

The City of Roxas is politically subdivided into forty-seven (47) barangays of which thirty-one (31) are urban and sixteen (16) are rural. It is classified as a second Class Component City belonging to the first political district of the Province of Capiz along with the Municipality of Ma-ayon, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, and President Roxas.

History [edit]

In 1569, Captain Diego de Artieda who was sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi from Cebu, landed on the town of Panay and proclaimed it as the capital. Later the capital was moved to its present site upon discovering that the town of Capiz was near the sea where they can have better docking facilities. The Spaniards saw the long coastal cover and envisioned a trading and shipping center. Ports were constructed in Libas and later in Culasi.

A river meanders across the town, cuts it at the heart and divides it almost equally into two. Tributaries from the mountains flowed into the head of Panay River through settlements formed along its shores, irrigating and fertilizing the land to provide food to the people. Following its course into the sea, it provides water to fishponds during high tide.

In 1590, the Navy of Acapulco, Mexico made Capiz port its arsenal (naval yard) where they can seek shelter when the sea was rough. Capiz then eventually grew into a bustling port and several houses of stones were built. The social and political status enjoyed by the native chieftains of Capiz often resulted in mixed marriages with the Spaniards. The mestizo descendants became the base of the principalia or influential citizens. Their privileged positions allowed them to build houses around the favored square of the poblacion - around the church and the government complex.

Their children became the beneficiaries of the Augustinian mission in 1593.

In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government, although it was ecclesiastically controlled by the Bishopric of Cebu. In the latter part of 1795, under Gobernadorcillo Miguel Bautista, the old road to Baybay Beach was built as an extension of San Roque Street.

The town of Capiz was frequently attacked by Muslims that in 1814, stone forts at Baybay Beach (Baluarte) were built through the initiative of Gobernadorcillo Jose Consolacion.

In 1870, the ground was broken for the foundation of the Cathedral of Capiz under the guidance of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez. It was built by sturdy hands, sweat and blood of Capizeños who were victims of forced labor.

In 1876, the diocese of Jaro in Iloilo was erected and Capiz came under its jurisdiction. In 1877, the cathedral was finally finished. Prior to its construction, a chapel was built in Burgos Street beside the municipal building.

In August 1899, the Spanish colonial government represented by Governor Juan Herrero formally surrendered to General Ananias Diokno in Baybay Beach.

Economic debacle hit the town of Capiz in 1914 when the Ayala Distillery grounded to a halt. What could have been an ambitious forerunner of nationalized industrialization became the victim of the Internal Revenue Law under American control.

In 1917, Division Superintendent of Schools F.E. Hemingway founded Capiz Trade School for intermediate pupils and offered woodworking as the only vocational course. The next division superintendent opened Capiz High School.

In 1926, Division Superintendent Arthur Wittman authorized teaching of complete secondary curriculum in the Capiz Trade School. In the same year, Culasi Port was built to accommodate inter-island ships.

On February 15, 1951 the diocese of Capiz became a separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction from Jaro. Its first bishop was Msgr. Manuel Yap. In the same year, former Vice Mayor Libertad Conlu became the first female mayor of Capiz.

Capiz became a chartered city on May 12, 1951 through House Bill 1528 sponsored by Ramon Acuña Arnaldo, the representative of the First District of Capiz. It was approved by President Elpidio Quirino on April 11, 1951 as Republic Act 603.^[4] Consequently, the town was named Roxas City after her greatest son, President Manuel Acuña Roxas, the last president of the Commonwealth and the first president of the Philippine Republic.

The first appointed mayor was Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo followed by Ramon Berjamin Blanco, Jose Dorado and Juliano Alovera Alba. In 1959, Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo again became the head of the city as the first elected mayor. The next mayor was Teodoro Roxas Arcenas who was succeeded by Juliano Alovera Alba who was also the representative of the First District of Capiz at the House of Congress when Martial Law was declared.

Hon. Antonio A. Del Rosario, who is now the Congressman of the 1st District of Capiz, was elected to three terms as mayor of Roxas City, serving from 1998 to 2007.

Hon. Vicente B. Bermejo, who is the former governor of the province of Capiz, was elected mayor and served for three years, from 2007 to 2010.

The incumbent mayor of Roxas City is Hon. Angel Alan B. Celino, who also served as Vice Mayor of the city from 2004 to 2007. ^[5]

Statue of Manuel Roxas in Roxas City

Demographics [edit]

Economy [edit]

Roxas City has basically an agri-based economy. Farming and fishing are the major economic activities which claim 37.05% of the city’s total land area. Although agricultural, the city is now moving towards commercialization and industrialization as it is the center of trade and commerce not only in the province of Capiz but also in the northern part of Panay Island.

The City gets its power from the Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO). The Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) supplies potable drinking water to the populace. Supplementing the water supplied by Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) are wells with hand pumps and artesian wells which are constructed through the Barangay Water Program (BWP) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The city's urban area starts to expand on the southern part primarily on the site of 300 hectare master-planned area, Pueblo de Panay, which aims to build a new business district that would connect the major highways of the city namely, Lawaan and Sibaguan Highway. Currently it is already occupied by several restaurants and hotels and soon the 75, 000 sq. m. Robinsons Mall. Roxas City is now experiencing "Real Estate Boom" with massive conversions of fishponds into subdivisions and commercial areas. DoubleDragon Properties Corporation owned by Edgar Sia of Mang Inasal and Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Foods Corporation plans to venture in this city.

The National Port of Culasi and Roxas Airport serve as the main gateway to the city from the capital city of Manila. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air has a daily flight to/from Manila and Mid-Sea Express serves the Roxas - Cebu route. The M/V Love-1 of Moreta Shipping Lines provides the shipping experience going to Manila North Harbor and The Super Shuttle RoRo links Culasi to Batangas.

Festivals [edit]

Sinadya Sa Halaran [edit]

Roxas City Sinadya sa Halaran Beauty Pageant 2010

The Sinadya sa Halaran Festival is celebrated the first week of every December in commemoration of the founding of the city followed by the Diwal Festival signifying the city's importance as the country's "Seafood Capital" along with the Aswang Festival that symbolizes the rich heritage of myth and folklore in the province. There used to be two separate and distinct festivals, the Halaran ("Offering") and the Sinadya ("Celebration"), the former is celebrated by the Province of Capiz and the latter by the City of Roxas. The Sinadya was formerly held at the same time as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which was celebrated by the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral. The Halaran was usually held by the last week of October each year (A prelude to All Souls Day and All Saints Day festivals). However, because of the costs of holding two separate festivals year, the two festivals were merged, with both the Province of Capiz and the City of Roxas contributing to the expenses.^{[citation needed]}

Diwal Festival [edit]

The Roxas City Seafood Festival is held to commemorate and promote the resurgence of the Angel Wing or diwal, which neared extinction until protected and cultivated in Roxas City.^{[citation needed]}

Capiztahan Festival [edit]

The Capiztahan is celebrated every second week of April combined joint forces from City of Roxas, Province of Capiz and One Capiz.

List of schools [edit]

Educational institutions abound in the city proper as students come from the other municipalities and nearby provinces to avail of a relatively low cost of tuition and fees. With a high quality of basic, tertiary, and post-graduate education, students from these schools often earn national and even international honors, bringing pride to Roxas City.

Private schools [edit]

All private elementary, high school and colleges are members of Capiz Private Schools Association (CAPRISA).

Pre-Elementary and Elementary

High School

Public schools [edit]

Elementary

High School

Colleges and universities [edit]

Hospitals [edit]

• Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (formerly Roxas Memorial General Hospital)
• Capiz Emmanuel Hospital
• St. Anthony College Hospital
• Capiz Doctors Hospital
• The Health Centrum Inc (integrated hospital, hotel and mall complex)

Media [edit]

The following of the current media/print station outlet in Roxas City. Asterisk marks the relay station direct feed from Manila or other areas from the various networks except ABS-CBN and CCTN for inclusion of local commercial during the break and local production of the said networks.

Television Networks [edit]

• IBC 13 / AKTV Channel 2 (Inactive)
• GMA-7 Channel 5 *
• ABS-CBN 2 Channel 21
• Studio 23 Channel 22 * (Coming Soon)
• GMA News TV 11 Channel 27 *
• UNTV 37 Channel 39 *
• Global News Network Channel 43 *
• TV5 (Coming Soon)^[6][7][8]
• AksyonTV (Coming Soon)
• CCTN Capiz Channel 47

Local Government Media Bureau [edit]

• Capiz Provincial Press Bureau (print and broadcast)
• Roxas City Press Bureau (print and broadcast)
• Philippine Information Agency (PIA, print)

Cable Television Stations [edit]

• Wesfardell Cable Communications
• Filvision Alto Cable TV

Radio [edit]

AM Station [edit]

• RMN DYVR 657 kHz
• Bombo Radyo DYOW 900 kHz
• IBC DYJJ 1296 kHz

FM Station [edit]

• 103.7 Star FM Roxas

Newspaper [edit]

Regional

• Panay News
• Sun Star
• The Daily Guardian
• The News Today
• Visayan Daily Star

Local

• The Capiz Times
• The Capiz Chronicle

Notable people [edit]

• Manuel Acuña Roxas, first President of the independent Republic of the Philippines. Roxas obtained his law degree, graduated class valedictorian, and subsequently topped the first bar examinations with a grade of 92%, becoming the first ever bar topnotcher of the Philippines.
• Josefa Abiertas, first woman bar topnotcher and proponent of the Women's Suffrage Bill.^[9]
• General Esteban Contreras, revolutionary leader during the Philippine-American War.^[9]
• Gerardo Roxas, Philippine Senator and son of President Manuel Roxas.
• Manuel Roxas II, Philippine Senator, grandson of President Manuel Roxas and currently the Department of Interior and Local Government (Philippines) secretary.
• Daisy Avellana, actress and theater director.^[10]
• Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo, first appointed Mayor (1951) and the first elected Mayor (1959) of Roxas City
• Julito Elegino Sr., First Director of Classified Intelligence and former Commander in Chief of the New Peoples Army (Currently in Exile in Canada)
• Barbie Almalbis, Singer, former frontman of Hungry Young Poets and Barbie's Cradle.
• Maria Margarita Moran Roxas - Floirendo - Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1973, Miss Universe 1973 winner. A granddaughter of former Philippine President Manuel Roxas, she has also been known as Margie Morán Róxas and later as Margie Morán Róxas De Floirendo or simply Margie Morán. She is so far the last Philippine representative to the Miss Universe Pageant to bring home the crown.
• Geraldine Villarruz Asis - Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1987, Miss Universe 1987 finalist.
• Sharmaine Arnaiz She was born Sharmila Velasco Pribhdas-Shahani to an Indian father and a mother from Legaspi St., Roxas City. She has a younger sister who is also an actress named Bunny Paras and their mother is the sister of the mother of Patrick Garcia and Cheska Garcia.
• Paolo Bediones (born March 17, 1974) is a Filipino commercial model, television host, journalist, newscaster, and radio announcer. Home address is at Bilbao St., Roxas City. Bediones started his career as a commercial model, and later transitioned to television show hosting. He is best known for hosting GMA Network's Extra Challenge and Survivor Philippines.[1] He is now a TV host and the newest anchor on TV5.
• Lino F. Villarruz, (Fine Arts, University of Santo Tomas) Best known as the No. 1 Abstract Painter in the whole province of Capiz.^[11]
• Jose "Tabai" Altavas, (1916–1922)
• Cornelio “Agurang” T. Villareal, Sr., Former House Speaker, House of Representatives
• Ariel "Bombit" Alati-it, Taga-Lanot

See also [edit]

• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Roxas City

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Sen. Jose Altavas

		Sibuyan Sea
	Ivisan		Panay
		Roxas
		Panitan

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Manuel Roxas Memorial School (North and South) Cong. Ramon A. Arnaldo High School (City High) Capiz Commercial School Capiz National High School Our Lady Of Grace Academy v t e Capiz Private Schools Association, Inc. Filamer Christian University Hercor College St. Anthony College Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion Capiz Commercial School College of St. John-Roxas Dumalag Christian Learning Center Immaculate Heart of Mary Christian Learning Center Our Lady of Fatima Academy Our Lady of Grace Academy Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Academy Our Lady of Mount Carmel Learning Center Our Lady of Snows Institute Parish School of St. Isidore Pontevedra Christian School St. Mary's Academy of Capiz St. Catherine Academy St. Joseph Diocesan School St. Laurence Parochial School St. Martin Academy St. Michael Montessori Step by Step Christian Academy