Pandan, Antique is my mother's hometown. What better way to explore the Philippines than to start with your roots?
Rainbow at Pandan Bay (in front of Pandan Beach Resort)
Boracay, Sagada, Ilocos Norte, Palawan, Bohol, watch out for a newcomer tourist destination spot - Pandan! When you hear the word Pandan, the first thing that comes to mind is the Pandan leaf. It is mainly used in southeast Asia to add flavor to certain dishes such as rice and chicken. However there's more meaning to the word Pandan than just flavor or leaf. Pandan is also a home, a sanctuary and a hidden jewel. It is a 3rd class municipality in Antique, but it is not one to be underestimated. Pandan is the greenest and most scenic places in the Philippines.
I have encountered the most picturesque route whenever I visit Pandan. Some tourists call it Boracay's untapped and virgin neighbor. Only a 30 minute drive from Caticlan, Pandan has more to offer when it comes to adventure. It may not have the powder white sand but it is abundant in nature trails, rivers, and waterfalls that adventure junkies will delight in. It is home to Bugang River which is considered to be the purest body of water in Visayas. This entry is a meeting with the municipality, Pandan. It is the underdog that has yet to rise for stardom. We will shake her hand, make small talk and get to know what's in the surface.
Headspring of the Malumpati River
Bridge and underground fauna in the Malumpati River
Philippines comprises 3 archipelagos or super regions, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively. Pandan, Antique is located in Western Visayas. It is one of the 18 municipalities in the province of Antique. It has a population of 32, 494 people. It's language is Kinaray-a which is the official language of the Antiquenos, the people from Antique. However, it is located near Aklan, which is another province, so the dialect Kinaray-a has been mixed with the dialect Akeanon, so that both groups could understand each other. Natural resources of the town are plentiful. Not only are they rich is marbles and limestones but there are 7,489 forests within the municipality. These forests house many endangered plants and wildlife such as the hornbill.
So what is the etymology of the word Pandan? The word is composed of "Pan" which means bread in Spanish and "Dan" which means that in Kinaraya. Legend says that when the Spaniards first came to Pandan, they asked a local if he had any food. The local pointed out to a loaf of bread and said "Dan" which means that. The Spaniard recognizing bread said "Pan!". Pandan is also called many things. It is the "Green Wall of Panay". Panay is an island in Western Visayas housing 4 provinces, namely Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. It is called the green wall of Panay since Pandan is the only province in Antique that is surrounded by luscious green mountains and terraces hence the name "Green Wall". Another name that it has been called is "Jewel of Panay". Since Pandan contains multitudes of rain forests, more than its neighboring towns and provinces, it is lavish in natural resources and endangered species that no other places in the Philippines possess. A town that is surely a treasure.
Mountains of Pandan Limestones on the Malumpati Riverbed
Now that I've introduced you to Pandan, walk, run, ride a car, bicycle, tricycle, motor or bus with me as we get to know her skin deep.
