A Panay sidetrip

On a tranquil and calm Saturday morning, my brain neurons told me that I should visit Panay. Eight weeks of stay in Capiz have passed and yet, I still didn't set my sandals in the ground supposedly grandiose and reknowned Panay Church. Regrets will be haunting me if i didn't pay a visit. To go to Panay from Arnaldo Blvd, Roxas City:

1. Take a tricyle (any color) and tell the driver to drop off to Banica.
2. Out of experience, the driver will be "surprised" most of the time upon hearing Banica. Then they will asked you how much do you pay to get there.

Alison: Sa Banica po ako.
Driver (looks surprised): Magkano ang binabayad mo papunta dun?
Alison: Malay ko, di naman po ako taga-dito. P8, pwede na?
Driver: double pay kasi hanggang dun eh
Alison: ah ok. P15, pwede na? kung di pa iyan pwede, next tricyle na lang ako
Driver: sige, sakay na

Drivers like this can be called as contractual actors.

3. Mount a jeepney in the terminal bound for Panay and Pontevedra. The cost per head is P12.
4. After 15 minutes, you'll already be in Poblacion, Panay.

Exactly in the heart of Poblacion is the Panay Church. So splendid, that i wasn't amazed that the church is book for weddings on Saturdays. And yup, there is a wedding going on. The toyota wedding car in front of the door should be towed away, it unnecessary in the photo.



Built in the 17th hundreds, the Panay church is composed of different congregations. Just read the inscriptions in the tablet below.



What is intriguing about the church are the bells or i must say BELLS. Known as the largest bells in Asia, it is quite interesting to note that these are minted using 7 sacks coins collected from the towns people. Latin inscriptions are etched in the body of the bell. Knowing the technology way back then, one can only appreciate both the creativity and innovation the Filipinos (of course with the "guidance" from the spaniards).




An overview of the whole Panay town can be seen from the top of the church tower. This reminds me of the rape scene in El Fili where Juli jumps from a tower to her death instead of submitting to the lustful will of Father Camorra.





Too bad, I wasn't able to find any souvenir stores selling miniature bells of Panay. Anyway,I'll just buy a small christmas bell to remind me of this experience.