I’m feeling unusually tired today, and honestly, I have no idea how to begin this blog post. So, I’ll just start with a question: Do you have friends? The kind you truly know? And if you had to choose, would you rather keep a small, close-knit circle—or be part of a bigger, wider one?
As for me, yes, I do have friends—though not as many as others. And it’s true: as you get older, you tend to prefer a smaller circle, one where you feel aligned in values and life goals. Over time, I’ve outgrown some friendships, and I’ve come to accept that—it’s just part of life. There are also friends I’ve gotten to know more deeply along the way, and that kind of growth feels just as natural.
My advice to the young ones: enjoy the stage of life where you meet all kinds of people. Some will become true friends, while others might remain just acquaintances. Don’t feel pressured to please everyone just to make friends—let connections grow naturally and authentically.
Talking about friends, I’m grateful to have friends scattered across the country—in different provinces where you’re always welcome to visit. One memorable experience was back in 2022 during the pandemic, when most of us were working from home. A friend invited me and another friend to visit their province, Antique. It took us months to prepare, but in the end, everything went smoothly and it turned out to be an unforgettable trip.
Antique is our neighboring province, just beside Iloilo, which means it’s easy for me to visit whenever I go back home. According to public sources, the geography of Antique is quite unique — the province is shaped like a seahorse. It forms an oversized, serrated hemline along the western edge of the three-cornered, scarf-like island of Panay.
Antique stretches between the China Sea on the west and tall mountain ranges on the east, which span about 155 kilometers long and 33 kilometers wide, separating it from the rest of Panay. The province covers a total land area of approximately 2,798.57 square kilometers. It is bounded by Aklan to the north and northeast, Capiz to the east, Iloilo to the southwest, and the Cuyo East Pass of the Sulu Sea — part of the vast China Sea — to the west.
The province of Antique is composed of eighteen municipalities — fourteen along the coast, three inland, and one spread across six islets. The coastal towns include Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista, Belison, Patnongon, Bugasong, Laua-an, Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Pandan, and Libertad. The inland municipalities are Sibalom, San Remegio, and Valderrama.
Historical records tell that a group of Bornean datus, led by Datu Puti, left Borneo to escape persecution from Sultan Makatunaw, a rajah of the House of Shri-Vijaya. They eventually landed on the island of Panay, which was then ruled by an Ati chieftain named Marikudo. After some negotiation, the datus succeeded in purchasing the island from Marikudo in exchange for a gold sadok (helmet) and a gold necklace for his wife. One of the datus, Datu Sumakwel, established a permanent settlement in what is now Malandog, located in the municipality of Hamtic—a name derived from hantik-hantik, a species of large ants that once thrived in the area.
Over time, the settlers occupied the coastal regions, while the native Atis moved into the hinterlands. The datus later divided the island into three political units, called sakop: Hantik (now Antique), Aklan, and Irong-Irong (now Iloilo), each led by Datu Puti, Datu Bangkaya, and Datu Paiburong, respectively. However, the entire island continued to be known as Hantik under the supreme command of Datu Sumakwel. Antique was later officially recognized as a separate political and military province, with San Jose de Buenavista as its capital town.
The establishment of American authority over the island and the restoration of peace and order in Panay led to the creation of a civil government on April 13, 1901. During the Japanese Occupation, Mt. Baloy (elevation 2,080 m), which straddles part of Antique, served as the headquarters of the 6th Military District under General Macario Peralta. The other two major peaks of Panay—Mt. Madia-as (2,117 m) and Mt. Nangtud (1,900 m)—are also located in the province of Antique.
https://antique.gov.ph/tourism/
Sadly, the airline we booked with didn’t have a direct flight to Antique, so we flew from Manila to Aklan instead. We initially thought we would have to commute from Aklan to Antique, but to our surprise, our friend was already waiting to welcome us at the airport. It was such a touching gesture! Later on, we even went to New Washington—known as the Seafood Capital of Aklan—for lunch.
I think we ate a lot of oysters there—they were so affordable! We also enjoyed some delicious garlic shrimp. After roughly a 2–3 hour drive, we finally arrived in Antique. I’m grateful to have seen a new province. My first impression was how green everything was—there were so many rice fields! It actually reminded me of our own province in Iloilo. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by nature and breathe in the fresh air.
After resting for a few hours, we immediately started our DIY tour. Our friend treated us to a simple but memorable experience—drinking black coffee and enjoying some snacks at the top of a mountain, overlooking a breathtaking view of the sea and distant islands, with a river flowing on the other side. It was a nearby tourist spot, and the scenery was absolutely stunning.
It was the perfect spot to unwind, take in the view, and share stories with friends. Our first day couldn’t have been more worth it.
On our second day, we visited what I can honestly say are two of the best places to see in Antique — Tibiao River and Madja-as Park. We woke up early that morning, and my friend’s boyfriend, who was also our driver for the day, took us there. On the way, we stopped at a local eatery for breakfast and tried some local dishes. One of them was Batchoy, a famous noodle soup originally from Iloilo.
I’m beyond grateful because, after my water rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro, I got to experience another thrilling water activity in Antique — the famous water tubing. I’d say this was the highlight of our day! The river was so refreshing, and the whole experience was literally a cool and fun adventure.
If you’re visiting Antique, Tibiao River is one of the must-try adventure spots in the province. It’s known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic mountain views. The main activity here is water tubing, where you ride an inflated rubber tube and float along the river’s current — a fun and exciting alternative to white-water rafting.
The best time to try water tubing is during the dry season (November to May) when the river is clear and the current is just right. You’ll be guided by local experts who ensure your safety and help make the experience enjoyable. Don’t forget to bring extra clothes, waterproof bags, and sun protection, as you’ll definitely get wet!
We originally planned to try other activities and visit more beautiful spots, like waterfalls, but decided not to push through since we also wanted to see Madja-as Park. It wasn’t officially open to the public yet that month, but we were lucky to get a chance to visit this new, fun, and kid-friendly place because my friend knows the owner.
Madja-as Park is a relatively new, family-friendly destination in Sitio Bacolod, Barangay San Luis, Culasi, Antique. Sitting about 126 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of the sea and nearby islands like Mararison and Batbatan. When we visited, it wasn’t officially open yet, but we got a special chance to explore the trails for ATVs, scooters, and bikes, as well as a kid-friendly path — making it perfect for families or anyone looking for a fun, relaxing outing. The park is also an amazing spot to catch the sunset while enjoying the cool breeze and scenic surroundings.
This park reminded me of when we visited Campuestohan Highland Resort in Bacolod. Like Madja-as, it’s perched on top of a mountain and even features life-sized dinosaur models — definitely a super cool place to explore!
We paused at an old bridge, where a peaceful river flowed gently beneath us, surrounded by pure natural beauty.
Safety first — we strapped on our life jackets before setting off on our water tubing adventure.
Before the adventure began, we took a moment to snap some photos.
A quick photo session again before the adventure kicks off!
And off we go! The water tubing adventure finally began. The river was icy cold — this adventure was literally cool and perfect for free-spirited travelers!
With our skilled guide leading the way, we felt totally safe. Their deep knowledge of the river and incredible strength made the adventure even more enjoyable.
I really wished I’d brought my action camera — the adventure was incredible, passing through waves that went from gentle ripples to powerful surges.
I was truly amazed by how our guide kept us safe, navigating and supporting us through every level of the river’s ripples. Hands down to their incredible skill!
I had an absolute blast on this adventure and barely noticed how quickly it ended. The only drawback was that the tube only had one position — you’re basically lying down the whole time with limited movement.
After our water tubing adventure, my favorite moment was unwinding by the nearby river. Sitting at tables with our feet in the flowing water, we savored lunch, refreshed with coconut water, and enjoyed easy conversation.
The following day, we hopped on a small boat to explore Mararison Island. After our thrilling river adventure, it was time for beach therapy — sun, sand, and a little extra tan while enjoying some relaxing moments under the sun.
According to culasiantique.gov.ph, Mararison—often described as a Batanes-like island—has become a source of income for locals through tour guiding, boat rentals, and accommodations for visitors.
Per the site, Culasi is a small municipality in the province of Antique, with a total population of around 40,000. Located in the northern part of the province, it lies approximately 90 kilometers from the well-known town of Kalibo. Culasi gained attention as a tourist destination in 2014, thanks to its so-called “hidden gem” — the island of Mararison.
Based on local folklore, the islands of Mararison, Maniguin, and Batbatan are said to be siblings who were separated from their parents — Mount Madja-as and Mount Kanlaon — by their envious neighbor, Mount Baloy. Seen from above, the three islands appear to be reaching out to their grieving mother, Mount Madja-as, with Mararison being the closest and seemingly within her reach.
Just a fifteen-minute boat ride from mainland Antique, Mararison Island — also known as Malalison Island — is a small fishing village off the coast of the town of Culasi. However, the tourism boom has quickly transformed island life, as locals have become tour guides and turned their homes into homestays. Mararison Island has warmly embraced its newfound fate.
Honestly, we didn’t have the opportunity to fully explore the island. We stayed on its quieter, non-touristy side — a place where my friend and her family often go to swim and unwind. From that glimpse alone, I can say that Mararison is indeed a beautiful paradise.
It’s a small island with sand that isn’t as fine as Boracay’s, but it has a quiet uniqueness of its own. Unlike other islands I’ve visited in the Philippines, Mararison offers a short trekking experience that lets you see the province from above. The view was absolutely breathtaking — from the top, you can admire the island’s stunning, curvy shape surrounded by a sea of turquoise and deep blue.
Mararison is definitely a worthy place to visit in Antique. I just wish we had more time to explore the rest of the island — especially the front side, where we saw that the water was much clearer. But that afternoon, we had to head back to the mainland to visit another popular tourist spot, Gran Vaquero.
Saying goodbye is never easy, Mararison, until next time.
My friend and I flew from Manila to visit our friend in her province, and we were beyond grateful for the experience. We got to explore some of the most famous and unique spots in Antique, including Gran Vaquero—a stunning getaway inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, nestled in nature with the majestic Mount Madjaas as its backdrop. Another super cool feature of Gran Vaquero is its breathtaking view, where you can see multiple waterfalls cascading down the mountain from afar.
It’s also said that Gran Vaquero is home to the first locally-made rum in Antique Province, and possibly in the entire Panay region, making it a destination that’s rich not only in beauty but also in local heritage.
Gran Vaquero is truly a must-visit destination in Antique. It’s perfect for weddings, prenup shoots, and debut photoshoots, or simply as a serene spot to unwind, relax, and soak in the tranquil surroundings.
Thank God, I was able to finish this blog and share another travel story with you! My last two blog posts were all about water adventures, and next up, I’ll take you to the literally cool Baguio City—from the sea to the mountains. This isn’t my first time in Baguio; I’ve visited multiple times, with my very first trip back in high school. There’s so much I want to share with you. Here we come, next blog!
“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfilment.” — Hilaire Belloc
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