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There is a small and unassuming town on the southern end of Antique that shares an interesting folklore of how a giant and mermaid became part of a love story. The story shared the origin of the town’s two natural attractions. It was once a hot spot for local travelers with its famous island canopies hugging travelers’ timelines. The town charms its guests with its stories and natural beauty. A visit to this town will make you say… maganda kasi ang Anini-y.  We are getting a touch of sand and sea in Anini-y! According to legends, Anini-y is roughly translated as “people of a place of small rivers”. It is believed that the Malayan suffix “-y” signifies that the town was of great importance. It was during the Spanish period that the town’s population grew that led to its development between 1849 to 1854. Anini-y now stands as one of the towns in Antique that has kept its history, beauty, and rustic vibe. St. John Nepomucene Church (Anini-y Church) The St. John Nepomuceno Church, or more popularly called Anini-y Church, is the most prominent Spanish-period structure in town. Located at the town center, the first church was built from 1630-1638 close to the location of the present sanctuary. It was between 1845 to 1879 that the present structure was built by Father Vaquerin, using coral stones and eggs.  The Anini-y Church is the only well-preserved church of its kind in the province of Antique. The church was built following baroque architecture with a rectangular facade with triangular pediment top. The pediment has a niche at the center bearing the image of St John Nepomucene. Its three-story belfry stands adjacent to the church. One of its original bells is on display in front of the church. The church was said to be designed similar to Miag-ao Church in Iloilo.
The interior of the church was a beauty for its simplicity. Although parts of the church were reconstructed, the church floors remain to be intact from the original structure. It is simple and yet its wooden altar stands out with the image of the Crucified Christ as its centerpiece. The wide windows allow natural light to stream through its navel giving it that illusion that it has a wide navel. Its baptistry is tucked on the first level of its belfry.  The simple and beautiful interior of the Anini-y Church. The Church of Anini-y goes beyond the manifestation of faith by its locals. It shares a part of Philippine history where locals took a stand against Spanish rule that resulted to the occupation of the church by the Philippine Independent church from 1902 to 1906. It has survived calamities, both man-made and natural. Interestingly, it is the only well-preserved church of its kind in the province of Antique. Its historical value is immortalized with a historical marker from the National Historical Institute. Anini-y Municipal Hall and Plaza Just a few meters from the Anini-y Church is the government complex that serves as the center of the municipality. The Anini-y Municipal Hall is a two-story structure that houses the offices that serve the needs of its constituents. There are two antique cannons on display at the municipal courtyard which serves as memories of the town’s colorful past.
Adjacent to the municipal hall is the sprawling municipal plaza of Anini-y. The plaza is complete with sports facilities and open park as it is the center of municipalities socio-civic activities. There are two installations in the park - the Rizal Monument and the Juan Castillo Obaga Monument. The Obaga Monument honors the contribution of the Anini-y born assemblyman to lobby for the separation of the town from Dao. It was declared an autonomous unit in 1949 with Juan Castillo Obaga as its first town mayor. Anini-y Catholic Cemetery The walls of the Anini-y Catholic Cemetery are also a memoriam from the past. The walls were built from 1890 to 1894, at the same time that the present church structure was built. This coastal cemetery is one of the preserved Spanish-period structures in Anini-y.
The cemetery perimeter walls were built thick from cut coral stone blocks. The perimeter walls are marked with pillars with a conical top. A small gate entrance is highlighted by an arch with a small cross atop its arch. The words “Mabanhaw Kami” are grilled along the arch that translates to the promise “We will rise again.” Siraan Hot Spring (Entrance Fee: Php60 / Environmental Fee: Php50) One of the popular natural attractions in Anini-y is the Siraan Hot Spring. Local legends tell the story of a lad, Nogas, who professed his love with the one of the daughters of Datu Oyong of Tinigbasan Peak, Anini. The datu sensing the seriousness of the proposal demanded that Nogas be able to draw warm spring water from a solid rock of Siraan. Nogas, not knowing what to do, sat down in one of the driftwoods in the area in tired desperation when a giant appeared behind him. Sharing his predicament with the gentle giant, the giant uttered something and then from a crack on the huge rock sprang out warm water and Siraan Hot Spring was born.  Siren Hot Spring is located along the rugged coast of Anini-y. This natural attraction is located on the coastal outskirts of Anini-y. With a minimal entrance fee and environmental fee, you can already access the resort for a day. The science behind the hot spring is that hot gas escaping from under the rocks heat up the spring waters that flow out of the crevices of the rock surfaces in the area. I have also read that the small mound where a grotto now stands is a small extinct volcano. The hot spring waters are gathered in pools where one can take a relaxing and therapeutic dip to soothe your muscles after a long day of exploring.
The resort offers a panoramic view of the rugged coast of Anini-y, Sulu Sea, and Nogas Island. It is great spot to enjoy a quick and rugged beach escape as you enjoy its rocky coasts against the backdrop of the sea. I guess it is a great spot to simply enjoy the sea view while enjoying the warm waters of its spring. Nogas Island (Boat Rental: Php700) From the Siraan Hot Spring, I boarded a boat for a quick 20-minute boat ride to Nogas Island. This island, off the coast of Anini-y, is a naval reserve island. Its white sand coast and lighthouse is its main tourism draw, making it Anini-y’s tourism icon. I remember a time when Nogas Island was a prime destination among local travelers.  Nogas Island is popular for its calachuchi-lined pathway. Just like Siraan Hot Spring, let us continue with the love story of Nogas and Anini. After the hot spring water sprung from the rocks of Siraan, Datu Oyong did not stop at the sight of the hot spring. The datu wanted Nogas to build an island along the waters facing Tinigbasan. Not knowing what to do and armed with his love for Anini, Nogas paddled through the waters with a baroto until he got exhausted. Then a silhouette of a mermaid emerged against the view of the setting sun. The mermaid asked Nogas why he was drifting at sea and he once again shared his predicament. The sea creature was moved by his sincerity that she promised to build an island overnight and, in return, the mermaid would be invited to the wedding of Nogas and Anini. Datu Oyong woke up to the view of a new island in the middle of the sea. The whole community celebrated the wedding of Nogas and Anini on the new island. There were a lot guests that joined the merrymaking after the wedding of the lovers. As the wedding was coming into a close, the earth shook and huge waves swept the coast of the island. As guests were scrambling for safety, Nogas and Anini was pulled towards the sea and chained inside a cave underwater. The mermaid showed up angry at Nogas for breaking his promise of inviting the mermaid to their wedding. Nogas tried to appease the mermaid but the mermaid, in her anger, made a decision to keep the couple as captives. The couple were to do forced labor in building a stone bridge to connect the island to the mainland. That is why you get to see piles of white stones at the end of the Nogas Island towards mainland Anini-y.
The island is a popular white sand beach spot in Anini-y. The coast offers a panoramic view of the cerulean waters of Sulu Sea and the rugged coastal landscape of Anini-y while enjoying its white sand coast. There are beach huts that you can rent for a day or you can find your spot under its tree or shrub covers to shield you from the sun. But let me just tell you that the waters and the view are so inviting that you can’t help but take a quick dip in its waters.
But the island’s main attraction is its calachuchi-lined pathway leading to its lighthouse. The trees were planted neatly along the path giving it that creative leading lines that is perfect for photos. The pathway continues around the lighthouse to the other side of the island where its mangrove covers thrive. You will also be amazed by its balete tree that was bent to form a natural canopy along the trail. POST TRAVEL NOTES Local folklore has shared, through generations, the love story of Nogas and Anini. The couple’s narrative has been immortalized by earlier generations by naming the town and the island under their names. Or was it the other way around? Nevertheless, the town of Anini-y is an example of how local stories passed from generation to generation to showcase the rich culture and beliefs of the place. It also shows that love remains to be the greatest story shared that surpasses time.  Exploring the other side of Panay Island is up next. Like theater, there are no small towns in the Philippines. Each town or city has their own story to share to the world that gives you a glimpse of its colorful culture and its locals’ creativity. It gives you a different point of view while exploring the place. You appreciate the beauty of the place matched by its generational stories. Watch out for my Anini-y travel video on my Youtube Travel Channel: #ByahengOffTheGrid Getting there: There are regular flights from Manila and major PH airports to Iloilo International Airport. You can take a van from the airport to SM City Iloilo where you take an aircon mini-bus to Mohon. Ask the driver to drop you off at the Ceres Bus Terminal in Mohon. You then take a bus bound for Dao and ask the driver to drop you off at Anini-y Town Plaza. Travel time from Iloilo to Anini-y is around 3 hours. You can get around town using a tricycle. #MahalinNatinAngPilipinas Shoutout to my travel buddies - HULL & STERN Dry Bags for keeping my stuff safe and dry during my travels. Get 5% off on your Hull & Stern dry bag purchase on the Hull & Stern website when you use the code - marc7del.
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Marc del Rosario
I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment. 
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