Kalibo City in the Philippines

Kalibo City is located 154 kilometers northwest of Iloilo city and 67 kilometers east of Boracay Island. Often referred to as the “International Gateway” of the Visayas Kalibo City serves as a center point for all the major ports and locals of Pinay Island. Accessible by land, sea and air the city of Kalibo retains a regional airport which supports those heading to Boracay.

The name Kalibo City is derived from the Spanish era word of “Sanga-libo” which means “one thousand”. This Aklanon dialect word was used to describe the first Catholic Church mass in the city as this was how many people were said to have attended. The Ati-atihan Festival is in celebration of the event and the city comes alive every 3^rd week of August. 

A main attraction to the city of Kalibo is the Sampaguita Gardens. This stunning resort consists of multiple gardens, a working carousel, a great hotel and a stunning storybook house gift shop. The resort is owned by Sam Butcher, the artist and creator of the Precious Moments line of products. The resort has its own museum and gift shop filled with everything Precious Moments along with a stunning array of Christmas decorations throughout. The full service hotel is well kept and retains a beautiful piano bar, restaurant and swimming pool. The entire grounds is perfect for those who are looking to spend the day or better if staying overnight in an upscale hotel. 

Not far out of town everyone should take a walk through the Bakhawan Eco-Park Mangrove forest. This unique forest was started in the late 20^th century on reclaimed ground and has gone from 50 hectares to 220 hectares today. The wooden deck plank walk through the forest is a true testament to nature and has been compared to some of the best Eco-parks in the Philippines.

Lezo a small town just on the outskirts of Kalibo City is home to some beautiful potters. Lezo is a unique pottery village with many stalls throughout the region. The pottery industry is a livelihood for the town and those who want to see live demonstrations can simply walk through the streets everywhere.

Like most cities in the Philippines the city of Kalibo retains many Spanish era structures from homes, commercial buildings and churches. A city favorite is the St. John’s Cathedral which is a simplistic white church with bell tower. The church interior is adorned with an oversized gilded alter which is the highlight of this stunning structure.

For those who love to see beautiful waterfalls be sure to find your way to Jawili Falls. This unique tumbeling falls has 7 basins which is beautifully set in nature. The basin pools will call you in so be sure to bring along a swimming suit. Pack a bag and a lunch cause the picnic pavilions are a great way to spend an entire day. For those who love beaches over waterfalls then head out to the Tangalan Beach. This peacefully set beach is a nice get away from the heavy crowds of other local destinations. The entire area of Kalibo is lined with beaches and though many are not white sand they are very inviting with crystal clear waters with the beauty of the sea. 

Kalibo City is often passed over by millions on their way to Boracay Island. For those who like more peaceful vacations with some unique out of the way settings then Kalibo should be on your list of vacation destinations.

Religion in the Philippines

he Philippines proudly boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia. More than 86 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 6 percent belong to various nationalized Christian cults, and another 2 percent belong to well over 100 Protestant denominations. In addition to the Christian majority, there is a vigorous 4 percent Muslim minority, concentrated on the southern islands of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. Scattered in isolated mountainous regions, the remaining 2 percent follow non-Western, indigenous beliefs and practices. The Chinese minority, although statistically insignificant, has been culturally influential in coloring Filipino Catholicism with many of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

The pre-Hispanic belief system of Filipinos consisted of a pantheon of gods, spirits, creatures, and men that guarded the streams, fields, trees, mountains, forests, and houses. Bathala, who created earth and man, was superior to these other gods and spirits. Regular sacrifices and prayers were offered to placate these deities and spirits--some of which were benevolent, some malevolent. Wood and metal images represented ancestral spirits, and no distinction was made between the spirits and their physical symbol. Reward or punishment after death was dependent upon behavior in this life.

Anyone who had reputed power over the supernatural and natural was automatically elevated to a position of prominence. Every village had its share of shamans and priests who competitively plied their talents and carried on ritual curing. Many gained renown for their ability to develop anting-anting, a charm guaranteed to make a person invincible in the face of human enemies. Other sorcerers concocted love potions or produced amulets that made their owners invisible.

Upon this indigenous religious base two foreign religions were introduced -- Islam and Christianity -- and a process of cultural adaptation and synthesis began that is still evolving. Spain introduced Christianity to the Philippines in 1565 with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Earlier, beginning in 1350, Islam had been spreading northward from Indonesia into the Philippine archipelago. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, Islam was firmly established on Mindanao and Sulu and had outposts on Cebu and Luzon. At the time of the Spanish arrival, the Muslim areas had the highest and most politically integrated culture on the islands and, given more time, would probably have unified the entire archipelago. 

Carrying on their historical tradition of expelling the Jews and Moros [Moors] from Spain (a commitment to eliminating any non-Christians), Legaspi quickly dispersed the Muslims from Luzon and the Visayan islands and began the process of Christianization. Dominance over the Muslims on Mindanao and Sulu, however, was never achieved during three centuries of Spanish rule. During American rule in the first half of this century the Muslims were never totally pacified during the so-called "Moro Wars." Since independence, particularly in the last decade, there has been resistance by large segments of the Muslim population to national integration. Many feel, with just cause, that integration amounts to cultural and psychological genocide. For over ten years the Moro National Liberation Front has been waging a war of secession against the Marcos government.