Buruanga the buoyant, blooming and beautiful town in Aklan.
Buruanga, officially the Municipality of Buruanga (Aklanon: Banwa it Buruanga; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Buruanga; Filipino: Bayan ng Buruanga), is a municipality in the province of Aklan in the Western Visayas (Region VI) of the Philippines. The population was 19,003 at the 2015 census. In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 11,286 registered voters.
The images above are those taken right fronting the sea in Buruanga proper and along its coastline situated in Barangay Alegria and Poblacion.
(picture slide above)
Buruanga is located at the western tip of Panay Island. It is a coastal town bounded on the north by Malay; south by Libertad, Antique; and west by the Cuyo East Pass of the Sulu Sea. It is 81 kilometres (50 mi) from the provincial capital Kalibo.
(Wikipedia, Buruanga, Aklan, 2017)
The sea water looked like clear crystal with its image along the coastline of Barangay Alegria
(picture above)
The name Buruanga came from the word Busuanga meaning "eruption" or "swell". Frequently harassed by inundations from the river, the early residents constructed earthen dams which were subsequently washed away. The people named the river "Busuanga," which later became the name of the Municipality. When the Spaniards arrived, they renamed Busuanga to Buruanga, or perhaps the change was purely a clerical error. The present municipality of Malay, including Boracay, was once a part of Buruanga. On June 15, 1949, the enactment of Republic Act 391 separated Malay from Buruanga to become an independent municipality.
(Wikipedia, Buruanga, Aklan, 2017)
The coastline of Barangay Alegria (picture above)
There is one prevailing type of climate identified as Type I, two pronounced seasons which are dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year. This is also true in all municipalities of Western Aklan such as Malay (excluding Boracay Island) and Nabas, as well as the Western portion of the municipalities bounding Antique.
In these areas, including Buruanga, the wettest month is August with rainfall averaging 625 millimeters (24.6 in) and the driest is March with rainfall of only about 150 millimeters (5.9 in). The average temperature if the area is 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) with an average humidity of 77.8%. The wet season coincides with the planting of rice while offshore fishing is in full gear during the dry season. Typhoons and strong winds rarely occur, and if it ever occurs, it coincides with the wet season. The humid north-western monsoon arrives in the area by June causing an increase in rainfall which reaches its peak in the month of August.
(Wikipedia, Buruanga, Aklan, 2017)
The magnificent ecotourism view of the sea, mountain, river, forests, rock formations in the Municipality of Buruanga, Aklan.
(Video Reference: Unknown, 2015; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kavSnbG3PWI)
They say that the town Buruanga is an Aklan's Secret Hideaway and many people believed this. In fact the town itself is rich in cultural and tourists attractions. Among those are the festivals being adored by many Filipinos. From many parts of the Philippines, the traditions are celebrated by different ethnics group, civilized and professional people; yet Aklanons are doing the same. The celebration scattered all over many places within the province of Aklan and people are joining hand in hand to celebrate their cultural belief and at the same time to show their strong faith in religious activities. Burnaganons are also celebrating through summer time which is called Panagat Festival. Truly awesome experience to see the momentous event in Buruanga that many people appreciate and other visitors that are coming to witness it. One's experience in this town would not be enough because the town is not just home for Buruanganons but it is worth visiting for it is deemed to be buoyant, blooming and beautiful town in the province of Aklan that everyone would treasure it.
Festivals and Events:
PANAGAT FESTIVAL – A showcase of Buruanga’s most known product “fish”, being a coastal town. Some of the activities are float contest, cultural shows, & other entertainment to boost the morale of the townsfolk, create awareness to tourists and also advocate conservation of its marine resources.
(Video source: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG5lUHvmw08)
Spots and Attractions:
INGUS-INGUS HILL – During the Spanish era, it served as the watch point for invading Moro pirates who used to maraud coastal villages. Underneath the hill is a cave, which according to folktales, was used as an ambuscade for English pirates, buccaneers, and other plunderers of Spanish galleons carrying precious cargoes.
ASHRAM BALAY PAGDUAW – It is a perfect place for mediation, relaxation, and retreats where one can commune with God, nature and self.
SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH CHURCH – A century-old religious edifice, this church is the center of worship of Buruanganons for their Patrons, Saint Anthony and Nuestra Sra. De Salvacion.
Tourism Attractions:
ARIEL’S POINT (formerly Batasan Point) – Touted as the best dive site in Aklan, located in Buruanga, it has cliff diving sites overlooking turquoise swimming holes, and lush mangrove. Recently featured in Cosmopolitan magazine & TripAdvisor as top Boracay attraction. It is a good stopover for scuba divers, snorkelers, and cliff-board divers for its rich marine life.
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://youtu.be/BV1BRgLRiPI)
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o81fkoIQQEE)
SABANG CAVE – It is an elevated cave, which affords a stunning panoramic view of beaches and seascapes.
SAPSAPON CAVE – It exhibits an array of delicate stalagmites and stalactites built over centuries from minerals deposited by dripping water.
TIGIS FALLS – Offering a perfect place for relaxation, Tigis falls has become a venue for themed parties and excursions.
TALISAY BEACH – This beach boasts of rather unspoiled, crystal clear waters.
HINUGTAN WHITE BEACH – This is a perfect place for snorkeling and diving. For adventurous visitors, Hinugtan White Beach provides a multitude of pleasurable experiences in which they can explore the underwater world.
(Video source: Youtube.com / https://youtu.be/SVBdZnYpxtI)
(Video source: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POYMFpTQ7xI)
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTC9DDLq_kw)
TUBURAN BAYBAY – It is beach resort with world class facilities where Mother Nature offers unexploited beauty and tranquility. More so, it is perfect sanctuary to reconnect with oneself, enjoy family boding moments, try out exciting activities such as diving, snorkeling & sunbathing.
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x3ZxHF5HbE)
PAGATPAT MANGROVE – With its lush mangroves, clear water & cool nipa huts built on its boardwalk trail, this place offers a relaxing respite to visitors.
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFvzuZWHPgA)
HACIENDA MARIA – This hacienda is one of Buruanga’s must see attraction. This 14-hectare of unspoiled beauty of nature has three caves, refreshing waterfalls, soothing hot pot Jacuzzi and visitors are also treated to experience the process of lambanog making.
Reference: (AKLAN, 2017)
Website: http://aklan.gov.ph/tourism/buruanga/
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://youtu.be/7D4b4gRDamE)
The undiscovered paradise is sometimes referred to Buruanga. You can engage in various activities, such as snorkelling and diving, cliff climbing, and many more. These activities are perfect when you travel to Buruanga and enjoy the beauty of nature especially the Ariel's Point.
For newbie tourists you can get here through the nearest airport which is Godofredo P. Ramos (Caticlan) Airport; with more or less 10 km distance from White Beach Front; and possible to reach the place by motorized pump boat right from Caticlan Jetty Port. By the land, you can travel to Buruanga as well at around 20 to 30 minutes by motorbikes, jeepneys, buses, etc.
(Video source above: Youtube.com / https://youtu.be/LxpxhLak570)
The festivals are adored by many Filipinos from many parts of the Philippines, yet Aklanons are doing the same. The celebration scattered all over many places within the province of Aklan and people are joining hand in hand to celebrate their cultural belief and at the same time to show their strong faith in religious activities. Burnaganons are also celebrating through summer time which is called Panagat Festival. Truly awesome experience to see the momentous event in Buruanga that many people appreciate and other visitors that are coming to witness it.
(Video source: Youtube.com / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u16JE1I6lj0)
As a counterpart of occasions are delightful and sumptuous foods. Generally Filipinos love to eat a lot more than three times a day perhaps there is merienda before the lunch and in the afternoon before the dinner to add up. This has been the traditional way of feeding the hungry stomach. No one forgets to have stomach development when a taste bud triggers up for foods. Just like ordinary Philippine residents, a Buruanganon has also a great experience when comes to preparation of foods. They prepare foods in different manner compare to those who live in rural areas of the country.
When you visit Buruanga, you will experience to eat exotic salad which is popularly made from banana blossom. This is generally prepared to serve as an appetizer for the meal. There is also tasty food created from the yam plant (or locally called gabi in Buruanganon dialect) to match with the banana blossom food. Indeed local people in the area love to prepare the river snails by cooking them in a boiling water and mixed with variety of delicacies like vegetable and fruit based menus, sometimes. In a wide sea that belongs to Buruanga, fishermen are taking home their catched fishes to be sold to the residents. Some of them cooked in fried, dried under the sun and other folks are preparing for fish paste or being called by them 'ginamos.'
Just like other municipalities, Buruanga has its distinct inhabitants that migrate to other places because of livelihood, work, business and other personal reasons but at the end of the day, they come back again and again to Buruanga and they seemed to be getting aware of the the saying which goes "home sweet home." Welcome to Buruanga! Enjoy the place and experience the same way as what the Buruanganons do.
