Historical Markers and Monuments of Antique, Philippines

 

Historical Markers of Antique Including  :-

General Leandro Fullon Shrine.
Evelio Javier Monument.
St. John de Nepomuceno Church, Anini-y.
The Patnongon Ruins.

 

Historical Markers in Antique

This list of historical markers in Antique installed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in Antique is an annotated list of people, places, or events in the region that have been commemorated by cast-iron plaques issued by the said commission. The plaques themselves are permanent signs installed in publicly visible locations on buildings, monuments, or in special locations.(wikipedia)

According to the National Historical Institute list, there are seven Historical Markers in Antique. They are as follows with the place and date of installation

  1. Hantique Igcabuhi – Hamtic
  2. Bugasong – Bugasong – January 17, 1992
  3. Calixto O. Zaldivar Hall of Justice – San Jose de Buenavista – October 13, 2000
  4. Evelio B. Javier – San Jose de Buenavista – February 11, 2006
  5. Ang Lumang Simbahan at Kumbento ng Patnongon – Patnongon – February 25, 2008
  6. Pook na Pinanganakan ni Leandro Fullon – Hamtic – March 13, 2004
  7. Simbahan ng Anini-y – Anini-y – August 5, 2004

In addition to the NHCP list i have added a couple of other noteworthy monuments, The Bantayog-Wika Ng Kinaray-a monument and Hamtic’s Cemetery Chapel.
In my opinion the Cemetery Chapel should have had its own Marker a long time ago. This could be the oldest Church in the whole Province of Antique.

Anyway Read and Enjoy. If there is anything to add, then please leave a comment below.

Historical Markers of Antique #1

Evelio Javier Monument

In front of the Antique Provincial Capitol building is the EBJ Freedom Park, named in honor of the late Gov. Evelio B. Javier who was assassinated on February 11, 1986, at the young age of 41, by an unknown assassin. A Historical Marker here marks the spot of his assassination.
Evelio Bellaflor Javier was a young governor of Antique who was a vociferous opponent of the Marcos regime.  His death was one of the events that led the People’s Power Revolution and the eventual overthrow of President Marcos.
 
Each year the anniversary of his assassination is marked as Governor Evelio B. Javier Day and is a special non-working public holiday in the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Aklan, and Iloilo, the four provinces on Panay island.
 
An airport, Evelio Javier Airport, in San Jose, Antique, was named in honor of Javier.
Evalio Javier Statue, San Jose, Antique,Philippines

EVELIO B. JAVIER

Isinilang Kina Everardo Javier At
Felisa Ballaflor Sa Lanag, Hamtik,
Antique, 31 Oktobre 1942. Nagtapos
Ng Bachelor of Arts, 1963; Bachelor
of Laws, 1968, Sa Ateneo De Manila
University : At Ng Master in Public
Administration, Harvard University, 1982.
Nagsilbing Gobernador Ng Antique,
1972 – 1980. Naging Inspirasyon Ng
Mga Antiqueno Ang Kanyang Masigasig
Na Panunungkulan At Mabuting
Pamamalakad Ng Lalawigan.

Pinaslang Sa Pook Na Ito Noong
11 Pebrero 1986 Habang Binabantayan
Ang Bilangan Ng Mga Boto Sa Naganap
Na Snap Presidential Elections. Bilang
Paggunita Sa Kanyan Kabayanihan,
Ipinahayag Ang Araw Na Ito Bilang
Taunang Pistang Pambayan Sa Pulo
Ng Panay.

This Historical Marker of Antique was installed on February 11, 2006

Evalio Javier Historical Markers and Monuments San Jose, Antique

Historical Markers of Antique #2

General Leandro Fullon Shrine

The Gen. Leandro Fullon National Shrine, is in Hamtic Plaza in front of the municipal hall. His life-size statue, designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, was unveiled on March 13, 2004 by the National Historical Commission on the 130th anniversary of his birth.  On October 16, the 100th anniversary of his death, his remains were transferred, from La Paz Cemetery in Hamtic, to the base of the monument.
 
Gen. Fullon, born in this coastal town on March 13, 1874, and was studying at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, when the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896.
General Emilio Aguinaldo appointed him Commanding Officer of the Visayan revolutionary forces and led a troop of less than 500, to liberate the Panay Island. Fullon’s forces captured San Jose de Buenavista where he set up a revolutionary provincial government.
He later surrendered to the Americans, and was appointed governor of Antique in 1901. He held this post until his death on October 16, 1904.
General Leandro Fullon Shrine, Hamtic Plaza, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines
General Leandro Fullon Shrine Plaque, Hamtic Plaza, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines

Historical Markers of Antique #3

St. John de Nepomuceno Church, Anini-y

The Parish of St. John de Nepomuceno, in Anini-y, built from corals and egg whites, is the only remaining Spanish colonial church in the Province of Antique. The church is the third built to be built on this site.The first was probably built by Friar Hipólito Casimiro, OSA between 1630 and 1638.  The church whose foundations still exist measured 33 x 13 meters.  A  second church of much greater length but narrower at 48 x 12.5 meters was constructed close to the earlier church.

Work on the current church began around 1845.  Friar Jeronimo Vaquerín was responsible for completing the present complex, the Convent n 1879 and the church, except for the arco toral, was almost completed when the Augustinian left in 1898. Friar Vaquenn was the parish priest from 1878 to 1898. The church was left vacant during the Philippine Revolution (1898 – 1902). It was taken over by the Aglipayans in 1902 until it was returned to the Catholic Church and the Mill Hill Missionary Fathers in 1908.

Anini-y is the southernmost town of Antique, and is the gateway to Iloilo. In Spanish times Anini-y (a-nee-nee-ee) was already an independent town, but when the Americans came, it was annexed to Dao (now Tobias Fornier). In the 1940s, it once again reverted to being an independent town.
 
The Existing Coral Stone-made St. John Nepomuceno Church was built in 1845. Damaged in the World War II, it survived the 8.2 Lady Caycay earthquake on January 25,1948 but the church’s roof and back wall were damaged during the powerful 1973 Typhoon Luming. The damage was restored by Mill Hill Fr. William Erinkweld Typhoon in 1973.
This Historical Marker of Antique was installed by the National Historical Commission on August 5, 2003.
During my visit the church was undergoing extensive renovation.
 
 
 
St. John de Nepomuceno Church, Anini-y, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines Restoration work 2017
St. John de Nepomuceno Church, Anini-y, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines Restoration work 2017
St. John de Nepomuceno Church, Anini-y, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines Restoration work 2017

St. John de Nepomuceno Church Historical Marker Text

 
Simbahan Ng Anini-y
 

Ipinatayo ng Mga Agustino
Malapit sa Kasalukuyang Pook.
1630 – 1638. Ang Kasalukuyang
Simbahan na Yaring Koral.
Ipinatayo 1845. Ipinatayo ni P.
Jeronimo V. Aquerin Ang Kum-
Bento. 1879. Sinakop ng Mga
Aglipayano. 1902. Napasailalim
ng Mill Hill Fathers ng Ingla –
Tera Ang Pangangasiwa ng
Simbahan. Napinsala Noong Ika –
Lawang Digmaang Pandaigdig
At Bagyo 1973.

National Historical Commission installed the Historical Marker on August 5, 2003.
 
 
 
 

Historical Markers of Antique #4

Patnongon Church (Ruins), Patnongon, Antique

The Parish of St. Augustine could have been the biggest church in Antique, but for the fact that in WW2, it was bombed by the Americans which made restoration almost impossible for this small town.Today, only the walls and the first level of the facade stand along the main road passing through town.
 
The Old Church and Convent was first built by the Augustinians from 1630-1638. The convent and the belfry remained intact yet the whole structure needs restoration to bring back its original look. 
A short distance away, are the remains of the Spanish-era Municipal Building. The building is totally ruined. There is a plan made by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for the restoration of Patnongon Old Municipal Hall.

Fray Manuel Asensio, appointed parish priest in 1860, commenced construction of the church. The succeeding pastors, Sabas Fontecha (1872-89), Wenceslao Romero (1889) and Eustaquio Hera (1895) continued work on the complex and completed it. Fray Joaquín Fernández designed and landscaped the church plaza in 1896. Unfortunately, two years later the church was partially destroyed in the Philippine Revolution. The Mill Hill fathers repaired the Convent, restoring its neoclassic lines, they demolished the remaining walls of the church, except for part of the façade, to make way for a school.

The existing historic remains at Patnongon and old pictures of the church show that both church and convent belonged to the neoclassical form. The characteristics of both are shallow engaged pilasters, flat walls, pierced by arched windows. The pilasters do not have proper capitals; in their place are horizontal bars of masonry. The church represents a late colonial style characterized by greater simplicity and economy of ornamentation.

This Historical Marker of Antique was issued on 25th day of February 2008.
 
 
 
Old St Augustine Church and Convent, Patnongan, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines
Ruins of the Spanish Patnongan Municipal Building, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines
Historical Marker St. Augustine, Patnongon Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines
Old St Augustine Church and Convent, Patnongan, Historical Markers and Monuments Antique, Philippines

Patnongon Church Marker Text

Ang Lumang Simbahan At Kumbento
Ng Patnongon

Ipinatayo ni P.Manuel Asensio, Osa
Sa Patronato ni San Agustin, 1860
at Natapos sa Pangangasiwa ni
P. Eustaquio Heria, 1895. Idinesenyo
ni P. Joaquin Fernadez ang Patio, 
1896. Inilipat ang Pamamahala ng
Parokya sa Mill Hill Fathers ng
Inglatera, 1906. Isinaayos Dulot ng
Pinsala Noong Himagsikang Filipino.
1896 – 1899. At Noong Ikalawang 
Digmaang Pandaigdig, 1941 – 1945.
Inilagak sa Gusali ng Kumbento
Ang Akademya ng San Agustin, 1962.

The Historical Marker was installed on February 25, 2008

 
 
 
 

Hamtic’s Cemetery Chapel

Hamtic’s famous cemetery is known for its unique name “Kami Karon, Kamo Dason” which literally means “we go now, you go next.”

Just north of Hamtic stands the old Hamtic church which was used during the Spanish era. The church was converted into a present-day cemetery. The cemetery is located along the Hamtic – San Jose road before kilometre KM90 about 800 meters from the Hamtic town centre.

Before the present church was constructed in 1910, the people of Hamtic would worship in this church. The church has very thick walls, about 3 meters. It has high windows, with space at the level of the windows, that man can walk or stand, probably can be used by soldiers to position themselves against incoming invaders giving themselves an advantage of a higher view. The area is surrounded by thick walls which has been converted into some tombs.

This was probably a fortress church. It was designed to withstand pirate attacks. In 1756, the Hamtic Church in Maybato was attacked and destroyed by pirates who kidnapped the priest, Fr. Jose Valles. After the destruction, the people transferred to this site. So, there is a great possibility that this church was built late 1700s.

The old Hamtic Church in the middle of the cemetery is the oldest standing church in the province. No one knows when it was constructed. But a clue is the old bell now displayed inside the present church dated 1850 with the name of the priest and the patron saint. (source Nostaglic Hantique FB Group)

Hamtic Cemetery Chapel, Antique, Philippines
Hamtic Cemetery Chapel, Antique, Philippines

Historical Markers of Antique #5

Calixto O. Zaldivar Hall of Justice

Named after Calixto Zaldivar, the first Antiqueño who became a justice to the Supreme Court. Oriola Zaldivar (September 13, 1904 – October 13, 1979) was a Filipino lawyer and politician who was a Supreme Court Justice from 1964 to 1974.

He acquired the reputation of being an independent-minded member of the court especially during the deliberations on the issues arising out of the declaration of the Martial Law and the validity of the 1973 Constitution. He and then Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion voted against the 1973 Constitution by declaring that it is not in force and effect because it was not validly ratified by the Filipino people.

When many bent to the rule of the dictator, Zaldivar never cowed but continued to dissent when he should. He was a defender of civil and political liberties, who also promoted social sciences in addition to his work in religion (being a stalwart Aglipayan), law, government and statesmanship.

This Historical Marker of Antique was installed on October 13, 2000.

Bust of Calixto O. Zaldivar outside Antique Hall of Justice.

Bantayog-Wika Ng Kinaray-a

Antique is the first province in the country to receive the Bantayog-Wika from the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) for its native language.

The KWF installed the first ever language monument for “Kinaray-a”, as part of the 131 native languages in the country that will be recognized through the Bantayog-Wika.

The landmark aims to raise public awareness about Kinaráy-a and promote the continued use of this language. Kinaráy-a is the root of Hiligaynon and other Visayan languages, also known as Antiqueño, Hinaráya, and Karáy-a

Installation artist Luis ‘Junyee’ Yee, Jr. designed and created Bantayog-Wika for Kinaráy-a. Yee used stainless steel for the creation that is about three meters high and made use of laser technology to cut the ancient Baybayin font into the stainless steel, forming several lines from Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio’s poem, “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan”.

It was installed at the EBJ Freedom Park in the capital town of San Jose Buenavista, Antique and unveiled at the beginning of March 2018 by Senator Loren Legarda.

 

Bantayog Wika in San Jose Buenavista, Antique

Historical Markers of Antique #6

Hantique Igcabuhi

Established by Augustinians in the town of Hamtic in 1581. Hamtic Became the province of Antique when the province was carved in 1790 from parts of Iloilo and Capiz.

 

National Historical Institute 1965

Hantique Igcabuhi

Itinatag ng mga paring agustino sa nayon ng Hamtic noong 1581.
Ang simbahang pamparokya ay ipinagawa sa ilalim
ng pagtangkilik ng patronang si Santa Monica.
Ito ay naging visita ng Ibahay, Aklan. Noong 1596,
nang ito ay iwan ng mga misyonero.
Sa pagsisimula ng ika-17 daantaon,
ito ay muling naging parokya at naging visita nito ang Bugasong.
Pagkaraan ito ay naging himpilan para sa ebanghelisasyon. 

Buhat sa mga bahagi ng Iloilo at Capiz, ang Antique
ay naging lalawigang pampulitika-militar  noong 1790.
Unang kabisera nito ang Hamtic.
Noong 1802 ito ay inilipat sa San Jose De Buenavista.

Translation of the Marker

National Historical Institute 1965

Established by the Augustinians in the town of Hamtic in 1581.
The parish church was built under the patrona
ge of Santa Monica.
It became a sub-parish of Ibahay, Aklan. In 1596, it was abandoned by the missionaries.
In the beginning of the 1700’s,
it again became a parochial church and a sub-parish of Bugasong.
Later on, it became the headquarters of evangelisation. 

Taken from parts of Iloilo and Capiz,
Antique became a politico-military province in 1790.
Hamtic was the first capital of the province.
It was transferred to San Jose de Buenavista in 1802. 

Hamtique Historical Institute Marker, Hamtic, Antique, Philippines
St. Monica Church Hamtic, Antique, Philippines

Historical Markers of Antique #7

Bugasong Historical Marker Text

Bugasong started as an encomienda of Pedro Guillen in 1591. Became the Capital of Aklan from 1790 to 1802.
This Historical Marker of Antique was installed on January 17, 1992.

I do not have a photo of the Marker in Bugasong. If someone has one and would like to share it, we would be grateful.

Bugasong

Naging encomienda ni Pedro Guillen, 1591;
pormal na sinimulan ng mga misyoneryong Agustino ang ebanghelisasyon, 1596.
Visita ng Hamtic sa pagsimula ng ika-17 dantaon; pormal na itinatag
bilang bayan sa patronato ni Santo Niño, 1700.
Tinawag na Provincia de Bugasong nang ito’y maging kabisera ng lalawigan pagkaraang
gawing isang lalawigang politico militar ang Antique noong 1790
hanggang sa ilipat ang luklukan ng pamahalaang panglalawigan sa
San Jose Buenavista noong 1800.

 

SILVERBACKPACKER

Essential Travel Guides

Historical Markers of
Antique,
Philippines

Where to Stay in Antique
Pandan Beach Resort
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​How to travel to Antique from Manila

By Air

Panay Island, where the province of Antique is located, is supported by four airports. Kalibo, Iloilo (International and Domestic), Caticlan and San Jose (Domestic only) There are several flights by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, each day to these airports from Manila.

By Sea

If you prefer not to fly there is the 10 hour sea route to Caticlan. (Boracay)
Take a JAM bus from Pasay to Batangas Port. From there you can take a 2Go Ferry to Caticlan. Once in Caticlan find the Ceres Bus terminal serving Antique. Any bus to San Jose or to Iloilo via Pandan, and Culasi.

From Kalibo

Travellers coming from Kalibo, take a tricycle to the Ceres Bus Terminal and take a bus bound for San Jose, Antique. Alternatively you may take a bus bound for Caticlan and ask the conductor to let you down at Nabas Junction, (this is the junction to Antique) where you can wait for any bus heading south to Culasi, San Jose or Iloilo along the Antiques Coastal Road.

From Caticlan and Boracay

If you’re coming from Boracay or Caticlan, there is a bus terminal for Antique near the Port. You may take any bus bound for San Jose, Antique via Culasi. Travel time is around two hours.

From Iloilo

Find your way to the Molo Bus Terminal where you can take a bus going to Caticlan via Antique.  It will take around three hours to reach San Jose. 

 

 

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