AKLAN

Aklan is situated in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines and is in fact the oldest province of the Philippines. It is a province known for the beauty of its white sandy beaches and diverse culture waiting to be explored. Aklan’s capital city named Kalibo is where various celebrations and tourist spots are seen, open to locals and travelers.

Tourist Spots

Boracay Islands is famous for its luminous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Activities that add up the fun are also in here, such as banana boats, parasailing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, cliff jumping, and more. Next, Tigayon Hills and Caves is considered the highest geographical location in the municipality. It is the former secret sanctuary of the province’s freedom fighters. It has been developed to provide visitors with a more convenient tread and see through its lush flora towards the top. Last, Ati-Village is a heritage building, a tribal hall and training center, a school, a clinic, and a chapel. Members of the indigenous community demonstrate their heritage, history, arts, and crafts in their own way, and guests traveling to this village will be able to witness this.

Language

The language they use is Aklanon or Akeanon in English, and its native name is called Inakeanon. Aklanon is unique among Philippine languages since it possesses the digraph ea ("l" pronounced with a rolling "r" sound). Legend has it that this is because Datu Bangkaya, the first ruler of Akean, could not pronounce the /l/ sound because he had a short tongue.Basic LanguagesGood morning - Mad-ayad nga agahon!
Good afternoon - Mayad nga hapon!
Good evening - Mad-ayad nga gabi-i!
How are you? - Kumusta ka eon?
Where you going? - Siin ka maagto?
How much is this? - Tig pila ra?

Culture

One of its well-known celebrations is the Ati-atihan Festival. It all started back then when the peace agreement happened between the Maraynons that came over from Borneo and early Negrito settlers, therefore the participants willingly blackened themselves with soot and put on colorful tribal costumes.Later on, Ati-atihan was celebrated throughout the feast of the Sto. Niño, hence the name “Filipino Mardi Gras” is where it came from. This festivity is celebrated during the 3rd week of January along with some other activities such as Mutya ag Lakan it Ati-atihan (which is a pre-celebration for the Ati-atihan), Aklan Festivals Parade, and Higante Contest. Everyone is welcome to join the locals as they dance to drumbeats on the crowded streets of Kalibo.

Famous Arts

To create a piña cloth, each fiber strand is manually scraped and weaved. The process is slow since the fiber breaks easily. Piña cloth is mainly used for Barong Tagalog.

Growing up, Nay Susing assisted her mother in making only pure Piña fabric. Eversince, her family build "Dela Cruz House of Piña," Nay Susing was recognized as one of Aklan's Outstanding Aklaons

Known People

Foods

Banana chips or Sabang which exported around the world. Ginamos is also known as shrimp paste in the province. It is a salted and fermented krill.

Some of the famous foods in Aklan are Tinu-om is a famous dish in Aklan composed of native chicken which is sliced into small-sized parts and layered with chopped garlic, ginger, white onions, lemon grass, and tomatoes and sprinkled with black pepper and salt. It is placed inside the wrapped banana leaf.

LEYTE

With over a population of 1,782,788 and revenue of 2,181,621,998.48. Leyte is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region, occupying the northern three-quarters of Leyte Island. Its capital is the city of Tacloban, administered independently from the province. Leyte is situated west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran. To the west across the Camotes Sea is the province of Cebu.

Tourist Spots

A tour in Leyte must include a trip to the Leyte Landing Memorial Park, the site where General Douglas MacArthur landed and fulfilled his iconic quote "I shall return". Leyte is home to the stunning Kalanggaman Island that boasts of white powdery sand and crystal clear waters. It is also in Leyte where the longest bridge in the country is found, the San Juanico Bridge, which connects Leyte to another province, Samar. Leyte offers beautiful natural wonders like the guitar-shaped lake in Lake Danao National Park where you can swim, kayak, or go fishing.

Language

Their languages varied depending on their town such as Northern Leyte; Waray: Norte san/Amihanan nga Leyte; Cebuano: Amihanang Leyte; Tagalog: Hilagang Leyte.Basic LanguagesGood morning - Maupay nga aga!
Good afternoon - Maupay nga kulop!
Good evening - Maupay nga gab-i!
How are you? - Kumusta ka?
Where you going? - Makain ka?
How much is this? - Tagpira ini?

Culture

Farming and fishing are the main livelihood. In the entire cropping season, from land preparation up to post harvest, the farmers perform rituals invoking the nature spirits and ancestor spirits for a good harvest. This is also complemented by Christian customs as the recitation of novenas (9-day). Fisherfolk likewise ask permission from the water spirits for safety at sea and a good catch. Fiestas are celebrated with prayer, food/drinking dance and music. The kuratsa – a courtship dance drama – highlights every occasion

Famous Arts

The traditional art forms of the region are pottery of Tanauan, Leyte and Biliran, basketry of Calbiga, Samar and Carigara, Leyte, Matalom, Leyte. Based on recent statistics, the region produces the biggest bulk of abaca for international export.

These are known food in Leyte. Bukayo a very sticky and chewy sweets made from strips of mature coconuts and usually brown in color while bocarillo on the other hand is dry and crumbly and usually flat circular shaped and white in color. Binagol, Moron, Suman-Latik, Suman o Budbud, Roscas, Ampaw in Pintuyan are some of the known foods in Leyte.

Foods