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[av_heading heading=’Boracay tourists find retreats in Antique’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Sunday, April 2, 2017
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BORACAY – With its proximity to this island resort, Antique is attracting visitors from the world-famous island, especially adventure travelers.
With regular daily bus schedules, Tibiao, Antique is just about one hour and 30 minutes away from Caticlan, the jump-off point to Boracay.
Tibiao town is a thriving eco-tourism destination.
But aside from Tibiao, a number of tourism destinations in Antique are also frequented by Boracay travelers.
These include Mararison Island, Bugang River and the Pasungang Waterfalls, said Flord Nicson Calawag, former tourism officer of Antique.
“We are now receiving more tourists from Boracay,” said he confirmed.
The 55-hectare Mararison Island in the municipality of Culasi promises not just beautiful diving spots but a plunge into a unique treat for tourists.
It has a long stretch of white-sand bar, a view of Mount Madja-as, a mysterious cave, corals and stones of all shapes and colors, the solitary Nablag Islet, fine scuba sites, fresh marine catch, and hospitable folks.
“We offer a simple life with limited luxuries,” said village chief Allan Bernabe Macuja, “but we assure our visitors a safe stay and a secure night.”
Due to the increasing number of tourists, especially foreign visitors, they are now putting more innovations in Tibiao.
“From the usual kawa (cauldron bath) experience, tourists can now try the experience with either salt, coffee or wine,” Calawag said.
Aside from the kawa hot bath, tourists can now experience white water river tubing.
The activity involves an extreme water adventure along the two-kilometer Tibiao river.
“We are gearing to be the eco-tourism adventure capital in Panay,” said Calawag.
Tibiao is also counting on the buzz created by two giant pearls on display at the new Museo de Tibiao.
But these pearls should also heighten public awareness on the rich biodiversity of Antique.
Aside from its vast marine grounds, Antique also has lush mountain ranges that are home to endemic plant and animal species.
“These pearls are a blessing to us Filipinos. May amo gale kita sini kadako nga manggad, mas dako pa sa material wealth,” said Calawag.
One of the pearls weighs 13.75 kilos. The other is 24.75 kilos. They are estimated to be worth $100 million each.
The pearls were registered under the National Museum and are considered Important Cultural Properties.
The “Pearls of Tibiao” are bigger than the famous “Pearl of Allah” that weighs only nearly 7 kilos and the “Pearl of the King” that weighs 9 kilos.
They should also stir a sense of pride among Filipinos, and Antiqueños in particular, Calawag said.
The two pearls were found by a Palawan fisherman in the waters between that province and Tibiao in Antique. He did not want to be identified for security reasons.
This fisherman sought the help of his best friend from Tibiao for the verification of the pearls’ authenticity.
The friend, in turn, sought help from Calawag, a licensed fisheries technologist. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
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