Sans the Seafood Lens: Experiencing Capiz Beyond Fish and Crustaceans

Manila, Philippines – WEBWIRE

  • Capiz is well established across the globe as a seafood haven – but it’s just as rich in thrills, sights and culture
  • AirAsia Philippines dives into what Capiz has to offer as it flies tri-weekly to Roxas City

Whenever Roxas City in Capiz comes up in a conversation, what immediately ensues is the reverence for seafood and the shared love for Filipino seafood cookery. The richness of its marine produce and strong seafood export industry have earned Roxas City its apt moniker as the country’s Seafood Capital. 


But just like many other cities in the Philippines, there is so much more to Roxas beyond its label. Roxas City and the entire Capiz province teem with nature and cultural escapes that can take anyone on a much-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of the metro. 


A chill day of culture and heritage in the city


Roxas City boasts several attractions that one can enjoy in just an entire day of a tour. The city has an efficient public transportation system with fleets of jeepneys, buses and tricycles covering various routes across. The locals are hospitable and accommodating of questions from tourists, ready to give much-needed tips and directions going anywhere.


Among the must-visit attractions of Roxas City is the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral, which is seated at the heart of the provincial capital. The cathedral is among the oldest churches in the country having been built in the 1700’s. It got its name from the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception whose intercession is believed to have been the key to the founding of Capiz in 1693.


A fitting follow-through to a visit to the Roxas City Cathedral is the Sta. Monica Parish in Panay – the house of the third largest bell in the whole of Asia. Installed in the church in 1878, the Panay Bell weighs more than 10 tonnes as it is said to be made from sacks of coins donated by the townsfolk. The bell, which according to lore can be heard across the Capiz province when tolled, is mounted in a 5-story belfry. Tourists can go up to have a good view of Panay and the bell itself. 


Other religious and cultural destinations tourists can visit in Capiz are the Sacred Heart of Jesus Grotto in Roxas City, the Panubli-on Roxas City Museum, and the Manuel Roxas Ancestral House. 


But if one is looking to really escape the city, Capiz has the right attractions to escape to. 


Off of the cables and onto the outdoors


The phone alerts for emails and group chats are what spell a day for modern-day hustlers. With a 9-5 usually ridden with ZOOM calls, meetings and non-stop presentations and ideation, anyone can easily get burned out. Hence, off of the cables and onto the great outdoors! Reconnecting with nature seems such a perfect antidote to corporate fatigue. 


Reconnecting with nature is an item one can tick off at the Palina Greenbelt Ecopark – a conservation area honored as an ASEAN Awardee for Sustainable Rural Cooperative. This ecopark is located in Palina River, Brgy. Cagay, Roxas City and is managed by the members of Palina River Development Association. PRDA is composed of the city’s local fisherfolk. Tourists can go about the ecopark through a river and mangrove tour while enjoying not just the view but also a buffet spread of local produce. 


If the goal is just to stay in and chill, Istorya Forest Garden is worth the consideration. Sprawling at eight hectares, Istorya has four villas, one main swimming pool, an outdoor bar botanico, and 23 available rooms. The property, initially intended to be an exclusive vacation resort for the owner’s family, was officially opened to the public in 2019 after receiving clamor from private guests. It offers the serenity of any rainforest sans the need for long-hour hikes and treks. As a forest garden, it features several greenery such as the Badiang Tree. 


Nature really does present a good disconnection opportunity which can be the best recharge one can get. 


Beach, please! 


Nature escapades will of course not be complete without a trip to the beach! And Capiz does not run short of unspoiled beaches that soon enough can be the next Boracay. Topping this list is Basiao Beach in Ivisan – the only white sand beach in the province.


Basiao Beach is just as scenic as any other beach but without the huge crowd, loud parties, and busy queues. The beach is 10 kilometers or 30 minutes to an hour away by jeepney, car, or tricycle from the Roxas town proper. But the travel is worth it for anyone who craves the calming sounds of ocean waves, smooth white sand, and chill sea swims – not to mention the entrance price into the resorts which goes as low as PHP 20!


Experiencing Seafood and Beyond with AirAsia


Roxas City will always be endeared to the Filipinos and tourists from the world over as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines – and rightfully so for Capiznons have invested immense effort and development to attain and maintain this status. However, Roxas and Capiz offer viable attractions for globetrotters that are on revenge travel. The province’s culture, history and natural destinations are at par with that of other places in the Philippines, and just as worth the hype. 


This is the reason why AirAsia has officially launched its flights to Roxas City – to help the region boost its main sectors while stirring other potential industries such as tourism. AirAsia flies to Roxas City 3x weekly, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

Canada – Canada’s seafood industry receives funding to expand exports to international markets

The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.7 million for six projects to help expand seafood exports to international markets. The investment will be used to help organizations as they market and promote Canadian fish and seafood products to increase growth in the sector.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.7 million for six projects to help expand seafood exports to international markets. The investment will be used to help organizations as they market and promote Canadian fish and seafood products to increase growth in the sector.

The AgriMarketing Program, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada’s reputation as a producer of high-quality and safe food.

Recipient Name

Location

Project Description

Federal Support Approved (up to)

Atlantic Groundfish Council

Manotick, Ontario

The purpose is to attract and heighten the interest of businesses to Canadian Redfish. Funding will be provided to exhibit at select trade shows on three continents in order to heighten interest of supply chain businesses in Canadian Redfish. It’s expected the project will help expand the distribution required to service growth in consumer demand.

$85,506

Canadian Association of Prawn Producers

Manotick, Ontario

The purpose of the project is to undertake market research, market development, and the production of promotional material, with the goal of recovering the unit price and volume of sales lost as a result of increases in imported, farmed, warm-water shrimp and coldwater shrimp, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

$1,000,000

Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation

Victoria, British Columbia

The project aims to continue its work in reaching diverse markets and increasing product and environmental awareness of Canadian albacore tuna. This coupled with profiling Canadian seafood internationally through market diversification, increased product exports, and environmental awareness, will better support the industry in its international trade efforts.

$54,401

Canadian Pacific Kazunoko Association

Vancouver, British Columbia

The project aims to maintain the premium price of kazunoko (herring roe) in the existing Japanese market, diversify into the newer Chinese market and help to create a year-round industry, while supporting British Columbia’s coastal communities.

$451,061

Pacific Sea Cucumber Harvesters Association

Union Bay, British Columbia

The purpose of project is to highlight the industry’s reputation as a sustainably sourced product in Canada, United States, China, Hong Kong, and the European Union. Sustainable sourcing is the integration of social, ethical and environmental performance factors into the process of selecting suppliers, helping the sector remain well-positioned for the future. The project will also develop opportunities in new markets in Singapore and South Korea.

$81,444

Pacific Urchin Harvesters Association

Richmond, British Columbia

The project aims to increase sales and build on the industry’s reputation for sourcing sustainable, premium quality Canadian seafood products in existing and new, diversified markets.

$105,431

Marianne Dandurand


Press Secretary


Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca


343-541-9229