Capture Capiz: Experience culture, heritage, and gastronomy

OPINION | Letter to the Editor Posted on 2026-04-30 02:37:14

The story of Capiz is not something you simply read or list down in an itinerary. It is something you taste, hear, and feel. After spending two days immersed in the province during the 2026 Capiztahan Festival, it became clear to me that Capiz is not trying to impress visitors. It simply invites them to experience life as it is lived there.

The initiative led by the Department of Tourism Western Visayas and the Capiz Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office did more than showcase destinations. It quietly made a case for a kind of tourism that is slower, more intentional, and deeply rooted in culture.

Our first stop at the Capiz Ecological Park and Cultural Village in Cuartero set the tone. It was not staged in a way that felt artificial or overly polished. Watching traditional dishes being prepared and listening to stories of the Ati of Dumarao and the Panay Bukidnon of Tapaz felt like being let in on something personal. Even the simple activities like farm experiences, local games, and harana did not feel like performances. They felt lived.

What stood out to me was how naturally culture was shared. There was no need for exaggeration. It existed in everyday practices.

In the town of Panay, food became a language of identity. Pusó, a humble sticky rice delicacy, carried more meaning than its simplicity suggested. It reflected patience, craftsmanship, and a sense of continuity. It made me realize how often we overlook food as a cultural archive.

A short distance away, Sta. Monica Church reminded me that history in Capiz is not confined to textbooks. Hearing about the massive bell and the church’s long-standing presence made the past feel closer and more tangible. It is one thing to read about heritage. It is another to stand in front of it and feel its weight.

The Surambaw Seafood Feast later that evening was, on the surface, a celebration of abundance. But beyond the overflowing seafood was a quiet message about the province’s relationship with its natural resources. Capiz proudly calls itself the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, yet what I saw was not just pride but dependence and responsibility. It made me wonder how long such abundance can be sustained and what role tourism plays in that balance.

The second day shifted from flavor to memory. Walking through Roxas City, visiting museums, monuments, and public spaces, I was reminded how history is preserved not only in grand structures but also in everyday places people pass by without much thought. The story of Manuel Roxas, in particular, felt more grounded when seen through his preserved home rather than through distant historical narratives.

At Palina Greenbelt Ecopark, the conversation subtly changed again. Here was a space that tried to balance tourism with sustainability. It is easy to praise eco parks, but what struck me was the community’s involvement. It suggested that tourism does not have to come at the expense of local identity. Instead, it can support it if done carefully.

By the time the Maragtas sang Capisnon performances concluded the tour, I found myself thinking less about the destinations and more about the people behind them. Festivals often risk becoming spectacles for outsiders, but this one felt grounded in community.

Capiz does not overwhelm with grand attractions or dramatic landscapes. Instead, it offers something quieter but more lasting. It asks visitors to slow down, to pay attention, and to reconsider what it means to truly experience a place.

And perhaps that is its strongest point. In a time when travel is often rushed and curated for social media, Capiz reminds us that the most meaningful journeys are the ones we take the time to understand.

NPO News Team | Philippine Information Agency - PR

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