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Antique is a long stretch of land, shaped like a seahorse, located at the western border of Panay Island. It is bounded on the north and northwest by Aklan, on the east by Iloilo and Capiz, on the west by the Pass of Cuyo East and on the south by the Gulf of Panay.
Antique’s name originated from the town of Hamtik, its’ first capital, which refers to the specie of large red ants called hantic-hantic that abound in the place. "Antiqueños" speak two major dialects namely, the Hiligaynon and Hiniray-a, though they are also proficient in Tagalog, English and in other dialects of the Panay region.
Agriculture is the major industry in the province and rice is the primary crop. It is also one of the top producers of coconut-based products and muscovado sugar.
Fishing is the second largest industry with its 416,230 hectares of seawater suitable for inland fishing and 5,000 hectares of seaweed bed. The province is also known for its loom-woven fabrics (piña, jusi, patadyong), pottery and handicrafts like baskets, hats and mats.
The Binirayan Festival is the most celebrated festivity in the province, which commemorates the first settlement of the Malayan race in the country. The event includes a re-enactment of the landing and settlement of the ten Bornean Datus in the exact location where they actually anchored (in Malandog, Hamtic, Antique). A parade of colorful boats is held with the portraying Datus aboard in full Malayan attire. The word "Binirayan" means to take a leisurely boat ride. This annual festivity is celebrated every December 27-29.
Antique is gifted with many wonders of Mother Nature. Mt. Madia-as, the highest peak on Panay, offers a beautiful mountain scenery: rare orchids, wild deer and boar, extinct species of cloud rat, a lagoon and 14 waterfalls. The islands of Nogas, Hurao-Hurao, Maririson, Batbatan and Semirara have long stretches of white sand beaches. Divers will have a great time exploring the well-preserved coral reefs of Batbatan Island. The beaches of Camp Autajay, Manglamon, Snow White and Duyong have white sand and clear waters that are ideal for swimming and relaxing.
To get there, one may take a plane to Iloilo City and then take a bus from the city to the town of San Jose de Buenavista. By sea, the MBRS Lines will take you directly to Antique.
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