ILOILO City – Panay Island has earned a spot on National Geographic Traveller (UK)’s list of the eight best islands in Southeast Asia for an ultimate regional adventure, recognized for its colorful festivals that showcase the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage.
Ranked fifth on the list published on October 25, 2025, Panay was cited as “best for festivals,” sharing the spotlight with destinations such as Koh Chang in Thailand, Penang in Malaysia, and Komodo in Indonesia.
The National Geographic Traveller-UK article written by Sara Gillespie cited Panay Island’s rich tradition of celebrations rooted in history, singling out Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan — described as the “mother of festivals” — and Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival, which has been running since the 1960s and regularly wins awards as one of the Philippines’ best celebrations.
“Travellers to the Philippines’ Western Visayas region tend to see Panay merely as an airport stop on the way to Boracay,” the article noted, “but a stay on Boracay’s much larger sister island offers a glimpse into both the past and future of Filipino festival traditions.”
Another Philippine destination, Isla Verde in Batangas, also made it to the prestigious list, recognized as “best for scuba” for its exceptionally biodiverse waters home to more than 1,700 fish species and 300 coral species.
The other islands featured by National Geographic Traveller (UK) are Koh Chang (Thailand) for its beaches, Penang (Malaysia) for food, Cat Ba (Vietnam) for adventure, Komodo (Indonesia) for wildlife, Java (Indonesia) for temples, and Don Khong (Laos) for cycling.
The National Geographic feature underscores that Panay’s colorful tribal dances, feather headdresses, and Catholic pageantry dating back to the 13th century make it a standout cultural destination in Southeast Asia — blending tradition, faith, and creativity into world-class festivities that continue to captivate visitors from around the globe.
Panay is the sixth-largest and fourth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of 12,011 square kilometers and a total population of 4,669,037 as of 2024 census. The City of Iloilo is its largest settlement, with a total population of 473,728 inhabitants as of the 2024 census.
Panay is divided into four provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. Just off the mid-southeastern coast lies the island-province of Guimaras. (RJM/PN)
