Among the popular places in Panay Island, Roxas City is least visited, unlike Iloilo, Kalibo, and Caticlan (Boracay). Admittedly, I am one of them who didn’t care much about Roxas. All I knew was that it is a city in Capiz. I even had no clue that Roxas City is the seafood capital of the Philippines! Thanks to AirAsia, I was able to visit Roxas City and explore the place.
Roxas City is actually the capital of the municipality of Capiz. Now when we hear the word “Capiz”, we think of aswang and other folklore elementals. However, it is beyond that. Aside from the laid back life and a few beautiful islands nearby, Roxas is known for as the “seafood capital of the Philippines” due to its abundant marine life. In fact, many of the produce from the city are exported to other Asian countries. Just imagine, those really expensive prawns you eat in Singapore may actually be from the Philippines!
It was time for me to feed my curiosity about Roxas City. Thank you to AirAsia!
AirAsia Philippines flies thrice a week to Roxas City
June 16 was the maiden flight of AirAsia’s Manila to Roxas route. It was a special day for us and I was just so excited to be on this trip. With us was AirAsia Philippines’ CEO Ricky Isla together with Super App managing director Rey Berja. Our flight, Z2343 was scheduled to depart Manila at 7:15am and arrive in Roxas City at 8:30am.
We departed earlier than scheduled. As I boarded the Airbus A320 of AirAsia for Roxas City, I was greeted by flight attendants Mhea and Zhia. They have been long-time followers and solid supporters! I am so happy that they are our crew for this flight.
The flight was smooth all the way. No traffic in the airport, we were able to depart fast, the skies were friendly, and we arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule! Since this is also a maiden flight, CEO Ricky Isla thanked the passengers over the aircraft’s PA system.
We were also served light snacks and were given a few complimentary items for us to take as souvenirs of the maiden flight. The landing was smooth. After we touched down and taxied, we were greeted by a water cannon salute, a tradition during maiden or inaugural flights.
My whole flight experience can be found in the video I posted below. AirAsia flies to Roxas from Manila thrice weekly. For now, flights are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The celebration did not end on board the aircraft. After deplaning, we were greeted by a short program to officially launch AirAsia’s new route. Of course, there was food, a whole solid breakfast buffet!
And the eating begins
Being the breakfast person I am, I had to do a little “pakipot” but deep in me, I was like “kain na tayo!” We had tinapang bangus, longganisa, an egg station, chowder soup, fruits, an egg sandwich, and refreshments.
Of course, when it was time to eat, I didn’t think twice about proceeding to the buffet table. I then joined flight attendants Kath, PJ, Airi, Hannah, and flight steward Tey Angeles. This was merely the start of all the eating which was bound to happen in the next few days. I was already full after this breakfast, but there was more to come.
What I love most about AirAsia flight attendants is their friendly demeanor. I know many of them outside the aircraft and beyond work I am in touch with most of them. Amazingly beautiful too!
I guess it’s part of AirAsia’s culture to have “fun and friendly” employees.
Pontevedra
Pontevedra is a coastal municipality located in the province of Capiz, known for its aquaculture economy. We had the privilege to meet Mr. Jose Ericson Mayo, a successful entrepreneur who built his “empire” in the aquaculture and exports business. He is now a successful exporter of quality seafood products around the country and even to other Asian nations. The prawns you may be eating in Singapore may have come from Capiz!
We even had lunch in Mr. Mayo’s place, a seafood buffet of shrimps, crabs, shellfish, some barbeque, fish, and more. While I don’t eat crabs due to allergies, I was able to eat their shrimp, and mind you, you don’t need sauce! Fresh! Plus, nothing like eating them with your hands and fingers!
Seafood and pasalubong market at the Capiz Ecopark
After freshening up in our hotel, we headed to the seafood and pasalubong open market at the Capiz Provincial Ecopark. Here, we were able to do our pasalubong shopping and of course, some more eating. This event was also organized by AirAsia. Outside the park, there were many stalls selling pasalubong items, souvenirs, and some refreshments like iced coffee, pastries, and other home-grown sweets.
Inside the park are stalls selling seafood dishes. While still feeling full, I wanted to try out and challenge myself to eat baby eels. However, I just told others that I am still full. Unless though, if someone was with me to take on this, then go!
I also explored the park a little bit, going around the fountain. Honestly, this is what we need more in Metro Manila amidst the maddening urban jungle. We need more open parks with lots of trees (and maybe free WIFI too) for us to take a breather. Nice to just have a cup of good coffee in the park while reading a book.
There was even a food booth in the park full of oysters and other kinds of seafood. Just too bad, I am not much of a seafood guy, somehow picky there. However, for seafood lovers, this would be heaven for them.
Balay ni Lola Lording
I have always been a sucker for old ancestral homes and provincial homes. They never fail to amuse me, especially how they remind me of life’s simplicity way back. They somehow also make me feel melancholic, as I do want to relocate to the province.
Balay ni Lola Lording is a 1940s home. While the heirs of the original owner still reside there, the family has decided to convert the lower area into a restaurant. We were given the experience to feast on another seafood treat, a buffet!
However, I was more interested in checking the house first. Anyway, seafood is not much of my cup of tea. Well, eating is another thing though, especially since I was hungry already.
Upon entering, it was the typical kind of provincial home I want. Lots of windows, lots of wood. Also a lot of ancestral furniture is on display. All these are still well kept and well preserved.
The ceiling and flooring are original. Even the walls retain the original varnished color. The “mantels” and other artifacts are all genuine and authentic. If you are a history buff and you end up eating at Balay ni Lola Lording, please do request from the owner if you can tour the top part of the house itself. You can see that this is a well-preserved ancestral home.
Our seafood buffet consisted of an all-seafood list namely Kare-Kare (seafood), oysters, scallops, mussels, shrimps, and more. However, what did catch my attention and tastebuds was the tsokolate de batirol! Its sweetness was not too over-powering, it was not so thick, and you can taste the natural tablea (not processed). It was simply consistent.
That was indeed a winner!
Culajao Mangrove Ecopark
Mangrove forests are like the rainforest of the sea. They grow in the coastal areas of the tropics. The Culajao Mangrove Ecopark is a 4.69-hectare protected area. It is home to 19 species of mangroves and 17 types of birds. This area is a Project of the Roxas City Government in partnership with Katunggan a Culajao Salbaron Association (KACUSA), Inc. & PEW Fellows Program in the Marine Conservation Mangrove reservation zone.
While we were not able to go boating, some of us were able to experience planting mangroves. However, as for me, I decided to just enjoy the serenity of the place. Of course, I decided to ask if there are any crocs in the area and they said absolutely none.
Palina River Tour
If Bohol has the Loboc River Tour, Capiz has the Palina Greenbelt Ecopark River Tour. You will ride this floating hut or balsa where you will enjoy a feast of seafood. You can also get a massage. The balsa will be tugged by a bangka slowly at the river while you enjoy feasting on shrimps, mussels, oysters, crabs, squid, and scallops. It was truly a feast for all of us as we cruised the calm waters of the river.
The only thing I did not enjoy much about Capiz is the weather. It was really hot and humid! However, you can always counter this with lots of water. Be sure to always freshen up.
Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
This is the tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the Philippines, the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located in Roxas City. It stands 102 ft from the feet to the highest point of the finger. Including the base, the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue stands at 132 ft tall. It can already be seen from the Palina River. It overlooks the historic Sibuyan sea.
This Shrine has a special place in my heart as this was built by the Ong family one of the siblings was miraculously cured of a rare life-threatening disease. The story reminds me of how my mom was miraculously cured of Covid in 2020, the time when vaccines were just being studied. I simply had to stop and pray, and thank our almighty God for all the miracles we have witnessed ourselves.
The church, the structure itself, which was originally made of bamboo, is currently being rebuilt after being destroyed by a typhoon.
Sta. Monica Church and the largest bell in Asia
The Sta. Monica Church is a 16th-century church that is more than 300 years old. Its belfry houses the largest Catholic church bell in Asia, which to this day is still being used during masses. The church is made of coral stones, and the structure itself is shaped like a Latin cross. It was the first time for me in this church and I just had to say a prayer of thanks.
I wanted to climb the belfry but due to time constraints since I somehow took long in my prayers, I was not able to anymore. However, if you plan to visit this church, you may go climb it. You can even ask your tour guide if he can toll the bell once.
Launching a route the AirAsia way
The Manila – Roxas route launch culminated with a party at the SM Roxas City parking lot which featured the band Spongecola, local bands, and performances from AirAsia’s homegrown A-Team!
More than a thousand or even ten thousand people filled the venue! It was crazy wild! People were singing, waving their mobile phone flashlights, and just singing to every tune belted out by the performers! The party ended with a fireworks display before the rains came in. It’s just too bad that the DJs were no longer able to spin due to the rain.
The energy was high! Even CEO Ricky Isla and CFO Rey Berja were just all smiling throughout the night. As for me, I was able to bond with a few media people, Mr. Mayo, and a councilor, all sharing ideas on how we can improve the tourism industry of Capiz, over cans of beers!
No one does it like AirAsia! What a way to launch a route indeed!
An unforgettable experience
Roxas City was never on my list of places to visit but thanks to AirAsia, it was more than worth it. I didn’t see any aswangs, just friendly people who welcomed us with open hearts. This place indeed has so much to offer for tourism and I do hope that with the entrant of AirAsia, Roxas City tourism will flourish. There was more to see but due to time constraints, we were not able to go around further. Our schedules were indeed tight.
From the flight to the culinary treats to the parties, Roxas is a place to visit and discover. While most would rather go to Boracay or Palawan or Siargao, I do hope you all give Roxas a chance by putting it on your bucket list as one of the places to visit.
Thank you so much, AirAsia for making this Roxas City trip unforgettable! Thanks also to the media people we were with for those kwentuhans and for sharing a few beers with us. Thank you to the AirAsia A-team for those short moments I was able to spend with you guys. Of course to AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, Super App Managing Director Rey Berja, Communications Head Steve Dailisan, and the whole AirAsia team, a huge congratulations to you for a solid route launch!
To book your flights to Roxas City and back, you may visit the AirAsia website or just download their Super App for the best travel deals!
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
