CAPIZtahan: The Mother of all Festivals in Capiz

Capiztahan is a festival of lively fusion of cultural vibrancy and culinary delights, celebrated annually in the Province of Capiz, situated on the island of Panay in the Philippines.

Capiztahan unfolds its festivities each year on the 15th of April, but for the second year now, Gov. Fredenil “Oto” Castro made it almost a month-long celebration to purposely enhance and emphasize all the values and culture of the Capiznons.

Exploring the Symbolism of Capiztahan and Meaning to the Capizenos

Capiztahan is the mother of all festivals in the province of Capiz. It symbolizes three distinct and important events of the province.

• Founding Anniversary of the province: A tribute to the establishment of the province of Capiz.
• Death Anniversary of President Roxas: In a fitting homage to Manuel A. Roxas, the last president of the Philippine Commonwealth and the inaugural president of the Third Republic of the Philippines. Born in Capiz, his legacy is immortalized by renaming the province’s capital to Roxas City.
• Seafood Culture: A jubilation of Capiz’s distinction as the seafood capital of the Philippines.

Founding Anniversary of Capiz

The founding anniversary of Capiz Province is celebrated every 15th of April. On this day, Capiz commemorates its establishment as a civil province under American rule in 1901 through Act No. 115.

This significant occasion reflects the province’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Death Anniversary of President Roxas

President Manuel Roxas is a native of Capiz and arguably is the most famous son of the province.

He was the fifth President of the Philippines from 1946 until he died in 1948, he briefly held the position as the last President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from May 28, 1946, to July 4, 1946.

He then became the inaugural President of the Independent Third Philippine Republic after the United States ceded its sovereignty over the Philippines.

On April 15, 1948, President Manuel Roxas passed away due to a heart attack after delivering a speech at the Kelly Theater of Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga.

During the 1960s, Dewey Boulevard in Pasay City was renamed Roxas Boulevard in tribute to his honor.

Every April 15, the province of Capiz lovingly commemorates the death anniversary of its beloved son.

Food Celebration at the Seafood Capital of the Philippines

Honoring Capiz’s renowned title as the seafood capital of the Philippines, the festivities not only pay tribute to the province’s abundant marine offerings but also embark on a gastronomic journey, spotlighting the vastness of its aquatic treasures. 

The celebration unveils the distinctive flavors and culinary mastery of Capiz, weaving together a lively mosaic of seafood delights that enchant both locals and visitors. 

This culinary pilgrimage invites everyone to indulge in the sea’s bounty and immerse themselves in the singular seafood culture that shapes Capiz’s culinary essence.

History of Capiztahan

Here’s a glimpse into its fascinating history the province and Capiztahan:

1. Origins of the Name:
   • Capiztahan combines “Capiz” (referring to the province) and “pista” (borrowed from the Spanish word for “festival”).
   • The festivity was first organized to honor the founding of the province.
2. Early Inhabitants:
   • According to Maragtas, a 19th-century book of oral history and legends, Panay was inhabited by native aborigines called Atis before the arrival of the Spaniards.
   • The Malays, led by ten chieftains who left Borneo, displaced the Atis. Among these chieftains was Datu Bangkaya, who ruled the area that would later become Capiz.
3. Spanish Conquest and Provincial Evolution:
   • In 1569, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established an encomienda in the town of Panay, Capiz.
   • The next year, he created the province of Panay.
   • Over time, the settlement’s name changed, and the place once known as Panay became Capiz.
   • In 1703, Panay Island was divided into the provinces of Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo.
   • In 1746, a politico-military government was installed.
4. American Colonization and Provincial Government:
   • During American colonization, the provincial government of Capiz was established by virtue of Act No. 115 on April 15, 1901—the second civil government in its history.
   • On April 25, 1956, Aklan seceded and became an independent province through Republic Act 1414.
5. Memorializing President Manuel A. Roxas:
   • Capiztahan also commemorates Manuel A. Roxas, the last president of the Philippine Commonwealth and the first president of the Third Republic of the Philippines.
   • Born in Capiz (now Roxas City), Roxas made significant contributions to national politics.
   • He passed away in office due to a heart attack on April 15, 1948.
   • In his honor, Republic Act No. 9217 declared April 15th as President Manuel A. Roxas Memorial Day and the nearest Friday as a non-working holiday in Capiz.
6. Seafood Capital of the Philippines:
   • Capiztahan also celebrates the province’s status as the seafood capital of the country. This vibrant festival brings together cultural diversity, historical pride, and a love for seafood—a true reflection of Capiz’s essence.

Short Capiztahan teaser video

Video courtesy of Capiztahan’s official page and the Province of Capiz.

Capiztahan today

Starting about a year ago. Under the leadership of Gov. Fredenil Castro, the Capiztahan festival underwent a major enhancement.

Bigger and louder! This is the promise of the governor as he led the opening salvo of Capiztahan 2024 at the Capiz Provincial Capitol last December.

Exciting activities, programs and events were carefully planned and meticulously prepared to make the Capiztahan 2024 a more fitting tribute to the province.

The tentative schedule of Capiztahan 2024 will be from April 11 to May 1, 2024. Other important details will be announced as it is released.

(Update) – View the final Capiztahan 2024 Schedule of activities HERE

Image from the official Facebook page of Capiztahan Festival.

Here is the official post of the Capiztahan Facebook page last February, so watch out for that.

For updates and information, please check out the official news outlets of Capiztahan.

Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/capiztahanofficial/

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3SlluYq

Tiktok: https://bit.ly/3Sllgk2

MCFI: Maragtas of Capiz Foundation, Inc.

Capiz Tourism and Cultural Affairs: https://web.facebook.com/CapizTourismAndCulturalAffairs

Here is the video of the press conference last December 2023 on the preparations and what is being done for the Capiztahan 2024.

Video is courtesy of the official Capiztahan Facebook page and the Provincial Government of Capiz

Here is a short poem that I wrote for all Capizenos abroad and also here in the province but their heart is elsewhere.

Kabay…Mag Uli kita