Place for Hiking

Mountains of Barbaza

MT. NANGTUDBarbaza, AntiqueMajor jumpoff: Brgy. Lombuyan, Barbaza
LLA: 11.267932 N, 122.206437 E, 2073 MASL (+2000)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3-4 days / 12-16 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 8/9, Trail class 1-4
Features: River crossings, scenic ridges, mossy forests
Article history: Created 2-Nov-2015 by Gideon Lasco

The great mountain range in Panay island, Western Visayas, is home to several formidable peaks that rival those in Mindanao and Palawan in terms of grandeur and difficulty, and have always been a favorite of many an outdoorsman. Chief of these mountains is Mt. Madjaas in Culasi, Antique, a mountain whose name is steeped in legend. Not to be overshadowed, however, is Mt. Nangtud in Barbaza, just 14 kilometres south of Madjaas’ summit and a rival for Madjaas’ title for “highest mountain in Panay”. This dispute has long been a bone of contention among mountaineers in Panay, but most of the available data point to Madjaas’ being higher by a little less than 50 meters. Regardless, both possess quite-lofty elevations making them next only to Mt. Kanlaon among the highest peaks of the Visayan islands.

The exploration of Mt. Nangtud was said to have commenced in the 1970s, with the efforts of the then-governor Evelio B. Javier, who was said to have personally led an expedition to the mountaintop. The name Nangtud (/nang-t’d/), which in the local language means ‘hard to reach’, was also said to be EBJ’s christening. Later, the Antique Mountaineering Society would name the preparatory peak as ‘EBJ peak’ after the late governor who continues to be remembered fondly by the people of Antique. Security concerns, including reports of insurgency in the area, have impeded hiking activity in the region, and until the time of writing only a handful of groups do the hike every year.

Other Images of Mountains for Hiking found in Barbaza

Barbaza waterfalls and Rivers

Waterfalls and Rivers

In Barbaza there some waterfalls to be found a place to explore and enjoy and some examples of theme are as follows;

The Macalbag Falls are located deep within the mountainous part of our barangay in Barbaza, Antique. It is a raging waterfalls with a height of 50 ft. and has mulitple caves. One cave is believed to have as much as seven "rooms." The other caves still remain unexplored.

The Macalbag Waterfalls is different from other falls because there are also caves within the vicinity.

Located in Antique, which is dubbed as "The Land Where the Mountains Meet the Sea," Macalbag Waterfalls is a tourist destination where one can savor amzing scenery and enjoy the panoramic views of this 50-foot-high waterfall.
The Macalbag Waterfalls is different from other falls because there are also caves within the vicinity; some are still unexplored, while one cave is believed to have seven rooms.

When visitors get there, they well be welcomed by the raging water coming from the waterfall. They may also want to take a glance at the caves around the area.

How to get there

Form Iloilo City, one can get to Macalbag Falls by taking a bus bound for San Jose (Antique’s caoital town). The travel time is approximately 2 hours. Upon reaching San Jose, one can take a bus going to Barbaza.

Yapo Waterfalls

Yapo Waterfalls is one of the waterfalls that is known in Barbaza, 

Some Images of waterfalls found in Barbaza

Barbaza's Fun Days

Barbaza of course have some fun times that actually celebrated in every 3rd week of March, it is once Batabat Festival now called the Kigihan festival. Kigihan festival is the day where we celebrate our own hardships, traditions, and most of all as a Filipino.


Batabat is an annual festivity celebrated in the Municipality of Barbaza in accordance to its legend Abat-abat, which the name itself came from. It is a five-day celebration which usually highlights during the last day wherein colourful costumes of mardigras and graceful movements of its dancers while dancing along the streets were exposed. Unique beauties of young Barbazeñas were also showcased as they conquered the stage during the Search for Lin-ay Kang Batabat. Other activities such as Sabor Barbaza and Panguyang (Food Festival), Battle of the Bands, Fun Run, Tapongolay (Boxing Tournament), Boat Racing and many other events were also presented during the festival.

This occasion also serves as a homecoming and reunion for families, friends, former classmates, colleagues and relatives whom for many years were parted by seas across the miles. And to give value to our modern heroes who sacrifice themselves to have a better life for their families, Balik Banwa Dinner and Dance is celebrated together with Dungog Kang Barbaza Award for the deserving individuals who brought achievement and success to our municipality.

But due to the changing of our municipal mayors who believe that Kigihan Festival is the appropriate name in celebrating our primary product of the province 

KIGIHAN FESTIVAL

This year, the Municipality of Barbaza in Antique held its Kigihan Festival from March 17 to March 22 in celebration of the primary product of the province, “kigi,” which means, “abaca.”

On March 17 and March 18, Rep. Emmeline Y. Aglipay of the  DIWA Party-list attended the festivities which started with a parade. After each group had made its way around the municipality, they then proceeded in front of the municipal plaza to perform their respective pieces. 

It was followed with a program by the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (PPP).

Cash prizes and raffle prizes were given to winning participants, a part of which was donated by the Democratic Independent Workers (DIWA) Party-list.

At night, “Jamming sa Batabat” was hosted by the Barbaza PNP, which was held by the seashore. Lanterns were also lighted and released into the sky.

On March 18, a Farmer’s Forum was held in the morning which showcased the various products of the farmers of Barbaza.

In each of these events, Rep. Em Aglipay gave a short message congratulating the municipality and its people.

 Barbaza's Ocean 

Once many different fishes can be seen in the great ocean of barbaza, that is because once fish was given importance, but because of the need of foods from the sea some fishes are going out extinct and also because of pollution in the water that cause the fishes to disappear.

There are any kind of fishes found in barbaza and some examples of it are what we call bangaw, pisugo. humoy-humoy, bugrew, tambilawan, and many others well of course I know that you want to see the pictures of what kind fishes is.




Here are some examples of fish that is found in Barbaza's market, and of course there many kinds to be consider so if you want to try just go try and visit the banwa of barbaza.

The sea of Barbaza is one of the best place for relaxing because of its great scenery and the breeze of the wind gives you a calm mind.
Not just fish is good in the ocean but also its stunning sight. 

You can even make a camping near the the ocean at night and see the beautiful sights of stars.

Antique where the mountains meet the sea

There are so many things to say and write about Antique. Profiled like a seahorse, Antique, which is composed of 18 municipalities, is an oversized serrated hemline on the western border of the three-cornered scarf-like land mass that is Panay – geographically part of Western 

Batabat Coral Reef Marine Reserve is located in Barbaza in the Province of Antique. Batabat Coral Reef is one kilometer offshore, or a 20-minute pump boat ride. 

The beautiful composition of corals, fishes, and other marine life are among the best in the county.The natural attraction is perfect for divers, photographers, and the usual nature tripper.

Barbaza's Farm

Farm Areas of Barbaza

The old warehouse of BMPC was converted into a demo farm in Barangay Ipil after the training of staff, farmers and barangay coordinators in Organic and Natural Farming System in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Meanwhile, the farm is now ready to use after some of the farmers from Barangay Esparar and Magtulis together with the focal persons on Agriculture of BMPC helped in cleaning the area. They made plots, seed bedding of high value crops, lettuce and herbs which will be ready for transfer after 15 days.

They also made some fish amino acids or (FAA) which is produced by fermenting fresh fish by-products (bones, head, skin, and other tankage parts) with brown sugar. FAA is used 

Organic Farming: Mr. Alexander Amantillo, HR Officer of BMPC, leads the farmers from Barangay Magtulis and Esparar in land mapping, cleaning and seed bedding in Barangay Ipil, Barbaza, Antique. The site is the Demo Farm that will planted with high value crops, lettuce, basil and other herbs.

 DEMO FARM ON THE GO!

BARBAZA, Antique (June 27,2016)— The old warehouse of BMPC was converted into a demo farm in Barangay Ipil after the training of staff, farmers and barangay coordinators in Organic and Natural Farming System in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

BMPC TIES UP WITH SSS

BARBAZA, Antique— The Launching and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing between Barbaza MPC and Social Security System (SSS) takes place in the conference hall of BMPC Main Office. Present in the occasion are the CEO/Gen. Manager of BMPC Mr. Felimon Espares; Mrs. Evelyn Cura, SSS Antique; Mr. Honorato Carranza Jr., Senior Program Specialist and  OIC- Cooperatives and Informal Sector Department.

Programs and Activities of Barbaza

Programs and Activities

How to Improve Your Business and Livelihood

The Philippine Livelihood Program: The Philippine government provides several programs to enhance the livelihood of the Filipino people. The department of Science and Technology through its Technology Research Center (TRC) regurlarly conducts various types of hands-on and personalized training programs.

• DOST 
• UPLiFT stands for Urban Program for Livelihood Finance and Training. -
• DSWD Pro-poor and Livelihood Programs 

• Guaranteed within ten (10) years, The Philippines will be luxuriant with vegetation again

  • Click to read year of 2015 message of DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje : The DENR made progress in 2015. However, they are still skirting the issue of re-foresting the Philippines the "mother nature" way. Maintaining nurseries is a great supplement but is the immediate solution to the problem. The letter of Sect. Paje did not touch the issue of polluted rivers in the Philippines.
  • Note: July 6, 2012:

  I was in a meeting with the congressman (3rd district of Zamboanga del Norte) Cesar G. Jalosjos at his residence in Liloy. We were talking about the Tour de Zamboanga. There were DENR people there and the conversation led to the planting of trees. The DENR said that they sowed seeds via helicopter about five years back (2007) but the results were very poor. I was curious and I asked, how poor? He replied that after one year only about 10% survived. So they gave up on the project after doing it only once. The DENR said that lack of shelter killed most of the young sprouting trees.

  I quipped by saying, the experiment was not a failure. It was a success! You had 10% wherein for years you had 0%. So I thought to myself: Now if they had continued the following year, the 10% growth would have provided more shelter for the following years sowing. Within the span of just 10 short years, had the DENR contiuned on that project of sowing seeds, the entire Philippines would be reforested.

  
  

  Some Examples of Trees

  • Gemelina (Gmelina) - The tree is very sturdy. You can cut it down (from the trunk) and it will come back with a vengeance. Excellent for planting on hills to prevent erosion. The fruit of the gemilina tree is round and about 1 inch in diameter. Not great for a tree plantation because you have to pull out the stump in order to plant new trees. The gemelina stump will continue to grow but you won't be able to get a good trunk out of it. Fantastic for the prevention of erosion. Small seeds.
  • Mahogany - The seeds are harvested from the pods. The seeds are also pod shaped and have extended wing like fan. Shape like bolo with a big handle. The extended fan is just natures way of helping move the seeds around.
  • Rubber tree - I was taking siesta and I heard a pop and then another one. I was alone in the payak then I heard and saw another rubber tree seed pop. I laughed.
  • Hanakdung - The seeds are so tiny. Like mustard seeds. The trunk of the tree can be 24 inches thick and the tree can be over 40 feet tall in less than 6 years. The wood is soft. And like the malangbuaya the tree will die within 12 years.
  • Malangbuaya tree - the seeds look like berries. Small, the size of a pea. The tree grows to about 30 feet and dies at about 12 years. Great lumber. The bats love to eat the fruits.
  • Ilang Ilang - seeds are flat (16th of an inch thick) and about an 8th of an inch in diameter. Very fast growing. The trunk of an ilang tree can be 10 inches in diameter within 8 years.
  • Jatropha - Seeds are the size of almonds. The locals call it tangan-tangan.

  
  

  Some Activities are;

  The Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative had a REST and RECREATION activities, It allows the participants to heightened staff understanding on current trends and issues build up skills and potentials, provides venue for interaction with other people and most importantly to develop a deeper sense of personal awareness. It   broaden our experiences and give us new scenery in which to gain new perspective. It gives us a break from work which is very important to our well-being. Among the many benefits of rest and recreation time is something vital that we often don’t attend to: the need to break up patterns of stress in our lives.

  It is a 2-day activity on Aug 30-31 .The 1st day started with personality test followed by team building activity facilitated by Armie Ann Sapalo and in the evening is our victory party for Gawad Pitak Award and ended with a band.The second day was spent for a Thanks Giving Mass by Rev. Fr. Joseph Bańa and a spiritual retreat facilitated by Mr. Antonio Donguines.

  The objective of rest and recreation for employees and staff is to engage them in delightful activities that can bring happiness and enjoyment. Recreational activities can give us a platform to socialize. Recreation is important for building and maintaining of relationships, and thus for enriching your social life and relationship with co - employees.

  
  

All  in Barbaza

Tourist attractions

• The Batabat and Punta Coral Reefs - Features spectacular diversities of tropical fishes and distinct coral formations in vibrant colors.
• Mt. Nangtud- Considered the highest peak in Panay island.
• Camp Eupre Forest and Orchard Resort
• Macalbag Waterfalls - 50-ft waterfalls with unchartered caves.
• Barbaza Catholic Church - Considered as the most modernly designed church in the province of Antique.

Festivals

Barbaza celebrates the annual Batabat Festival, now called Kigihan Festival held every 3rd week of March.

The feast of Saint Anthony of Padua celebrated every 13 June.

Barangays

Barbaza is politically subdivided into 39 barangays. It is composed of 22 upland and l7 lowland barangays where upland area accounts for 88.43% of the total land area.

• Baghari
• Bahuyan
• Beri
• Biga-a
• Binangbang
• Binangbang Centro
• Binanu-an
• Cadiao
• Calapadan
• Capoyuan
• Cubay
• Esparar
• Gua

• Idao
• Igpalge
• Igtunarum
• Embrangga-an
• Integasan
• Ipil
• Jinalinan
• Lanas
• Langcaon (Evelio Javier)
• Lisub
• Lombuyan
• Mablad
• Magtulis
• Marigne
• Mayabay
• Mayos
• Nalusdan
• Narirong
• Palma
• Poblacion
• San Antonio
• San Ramon
• Soligao
• Tabongtabong
• Tig-Alaran
• Yapo