O, Capiz, duog nga hamili, dunang manggad sang Diyos pinili. Kadagatan mo kag kabukiran, pagatatapon imo ng kabuganaan…” The lyrics of the song which is written in Hiligaynon undeniably express the living spirit of a true-blooded Capiznon. “O, Capiz, ” as the title says, is the official hymn of Capiz which is now regularlky heard during flag ceremonies, programs, convocation and other socio- cultural events held in the province. It is the most recent hymn to be added in our tradition.
Roxas City-is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Phillipines. It is the capital and component city of Capiz. The current city mayor is former provincial governor Vicente Bermejo who was elected during the 2007 election
It is a center of copra and aquaculture production. The surrounding area grows sugarcane, rice,coconut , fruit, hemp, and tobacco. The language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon, otherwise known as Ilonggo.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 126,352 people in 25,126 households.
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Roxas City's Baybay Beach is 16 miles long, one mile wide and is the 15th largest natural bay in the world. The tallest sea cliffs in Western Visayas can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a three-time recipient of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.
Roxas City is a medium-sized cityin the provinve of Capiz, Philippines. It is the capital and component city of Capiz. The current city mayor is former provincial governor Vicente Bermejo who was elected during the 2007 election.
It is a center of copra and aquaculture production. The surrounding area grows sugarcane, rice, coconut, fruit, hemp, and tobacco. The language spoken in Roxas City is Hiligaynon, otherwise known as Ilonggo.
According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 126,352 people in 25,126 households.
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." This environment-friendly city is home to one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. Roxas City's Baybay Beach is 16 miles long, one mile wide and is the 15th largest natural bay in the world. The tallest sea cliffs in Western Visayas can be found on the city's north side. Roxas City has been a three-time recipient of the Regional Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government.
In 1569, Captain Diego de Artieda who was sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi from Cebu, landed on the town of Pan-ay and proclaimed it as the capital. Later the capital was moved to its present site upon discovering that the town of Capiz was near the sea where they can have better docking facilities. The Spaniards saw the long coastal cover and envisioned a trading and shipping center. Ports were constructed in Libas and later in Culasi.
A river meanders across the town, cuts it at the heart and divides it almost equally into two. Tributaries from the mountains flowed into the head of Panay River through settlements formed along its shores, irrigating and fertilizing the land to provide food to the people. Following its course into the sea, it provides water to fishponds during high tide.
In 1590, the Navy of Acapulco, Mexico made Capiz port its arsenal (naval yard) where they can seek shelter when the sea was rough. Capiz then eventually grew into a bustling port and several houses of stones were built. The social and political status enjoyed by the native chieftains of Capiz often resulted in mixed marriages with the Spaniards. The mestizo descendants became the base of the principalia or influential citizens. Their privileged positions allowed them to build houses around the favored square of the poblacion - around the church and the government complex. Their children became the beneficiaries of the Augustinian mission in 1593.
In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government, although it was ecclesiastically controlled by the Bishopric of Cebu. In the latter part of 1795, under Gobernadorcillo Miguel Bautista, the old road to Baybay Beach was built as an extension of San Roque Street.
The town of Capiz was frequently attacked by Muslims that in 1814, stone forts at Baybay Beach (Baluarte) were built through the initiative of Gobernadorcillo Jose Consolacion.
In 1870, the ground was broken for the foundation of the Cathedral of Capiz under the guidance of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez. It was built by sturdy hands, sweat and blood of Capizeños who were victims of forced labor.
In 1876, the diocese of Jaro in Iloilo was erected and Capiz came under its jurisdiction. In 1877, the cathedral was finally finished. Prior to its construction, a chapel was built in Burgos Street beside the municipal building.
In August 1899, the Spanish colonial government represented by Governor Juan Herrero formally surrendered to General Ananias Diokno in Baybay Beach.
Economic debacle hit the town of Capiz in 1914 when the Ayala Distillery grounded to a halt. What could have been an ambitious forerunner of nationalized industrialization became the victim of the Internal Revenue Law under American control.
In 1917, Division Superintendent of Schools F.E. Hemingway founded Capiz Trade School for intermediate pupils and offered woodworking as the only vocational course. The next division superintendent opened Capiz High School.
In 1926, Division Superintendent Arthur Wittman authorized teaching of complete secondary curriculum in the Capiz Trade School. In the same year, Culasi Port was built to accommodate inter-island ships.
On February 15, 1951 the diocese of Capiz became a separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction from Jaro. Its first bishop was Msgr. Manuel Yap. In the same year, former Vice Mayor Libertad Conlu became the first female mayor of Capiz.
Capiz became a chartered city on May 12, 1951 through House Bill 1528 sponsored by Ramon Acuña Arnaldo, the representative of the First District of Capiz. It was approved by President Elpidio Quirino on April 11, 1951 as Republic Act 608. Consequently, the town was named Roxas City after her greatest son, President Manuel Acuña Roxas, the last president of the Commonwealth and the first president of the Philippine Republic.
The first appointed mayor was Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo followed by Ramon Berjamin Blanco, Jose Dorado and Juliano Alovera Alba. In 1959, Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo again became the head of the city as the first elected mayor. The next mayor was Teodoro Roxas Arcenas who was succeeded by Juliano Alovera Alba who was also the representative of the First District of Capiz at the House of Congress when Martial Law was declared.
Hon. Antonio A. Del Rosario, who is now the Congressman of the 1st District of Capiz, was elected to three terms as mayor of Roxas City, serving from 1998 to 2007.
Is one of the best places in Capiz is the Babay Beach which is 3 kilometer from the City proper of Roxas, Capiz. It is not a white sand beach but it is admired of the people because of its clean gray sand. It is the best place to hang with friends, make an excursion, get together with the family and the most interesting one, you can have you skim. There are some experts and good capizeño in skim boarding. They are joining some skim board contest and some of them win. During the sunset you can see some people started to get they skim board and start their own tricks and skills. I was amazed when I first saw that game. I can’t imagine there are some captivating skilled capizeño when we talked about skim boarding. It needs patience, determination, skills and balance to be an expert skim boarder. I tried it once, but I feel on the gray sand (lol). I will try it again until can have my own tricks. With this talents, it makes the Province of Capiz captivating to everyone. 
The Sinadya sa Halaran Festival is the joint festival of the City of Roxas and the Province of Capiz. It is a mixed festival in that it is celebrated for both cultural and religious reasons. It is celebrated every first weekend of December in commemoration of the Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion who also happens to be the patroness of the City of Roxas. Sinadya sa Halaran boasts of colorful activities like the grand parade of festivals, the fluvial parade, the lighted river floaters. There is also the traditional seafood festival and the grand pyrotechnic display. Sinadya sa Halaran is one of Roxas City’s most important annual events and is fusion of two festivals – “Sinadya” (City) and “Halaran” (Province) which literally means joy in sharing and thanksgiving. It is celebrated on December 4-8 to commemorate the religious activities that embody the true Capiceño spirit. The highlights of the celebration are the Dancing Parade, ”Higantes”, Fluvial Parade, Fireworks display, Mutya sa Halaran beauty pageant, Coronation of the Fiesta Queen, and Agri-Aqua Trade Fair.
Capiz has long been believed to be a place where Manananggals and other scary creatures frolic but in reality, when you get to visit Capiz you won’t really find any of these scary creatures but what you’ll discover is a place with bountiful natural resources and sceneries that are very captivating. Capiz is now known to be the seafood capital of the Philippines and slowly, the scary folklore about Capiz is turning to dust. The seafood here is a reason enough for you to come and visit. They are really tasty and surely you just can’t get enough. Restaurants all over Capiz are offering their customers with delicious seafoods that their precious little can offer.
Have you heard of Capiz shells? It’s used as a raw material for making ornaments. It is popular because even at a low cost, the use of Capiz shells in an ornament makes it look expensive and elegant. For Filipinos, Capiz shells may seem a bit ordinary but in the worldwide market these Capiz shells are to die for. Capiz shells are just one of the many products from the captivating Capiz. Also, the sweetest mango in the world can be found here as well. Guimaras mangoes are from the neighboring island, Guimaras, where you could also find their deliciously sweet mangoes being sold in Capiz and other nearby islands and cities.
Capiz mother of pearl shell tiles and wall panels are uniquely handcrafted by Jumbo Pacific artisans for export quality. Capiz raw shells and Mother of Pearl seashells are carefully cleaned, processed and cut to make materials to create Capiz tiles and mother of pearl wall panels. Capiz shell tiles and wall panels are specifically made for interior design wall decor of the hotels, condominiums, residences, buildings and offices. Capiz shell tiles are use for capiz mother of pearl wall coverings and capiz wall surfacing. Interior designers select capiz materials for the interior wall decoration because of its natural effect like stones that are mounted on the walls. Jumbo Pacific Inc. is manufacturing and exporting capiz shell tiles and is available in different colors and design.
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