Batan

Batan is a municipality of 32,000 people (2015) in the province of Aklan, Philippines.

Get in

It is 49 km (30 mi) from the provincial capital of Kalibo and 51 km (32 mi) from Roxas City.

See

• Pandan Hill, Bay-ang. Refreshing verdant hills, overlooking Sibuyan Sea. 

Kalantiaw Shrine Bridge

• Tinago Lake or locally known as Tinagong Dagat, is located between the town (near Brgys. Ipil and Tabon) and Altavas. It is an 8-kilometre (5.0 mi) long and 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) wide "hidden sea" from Batan Bay by two islands. Fringed with mangroves and thick undergrowth, it has a rocky beach and it is one of the town's rich fishing grounds. It is also ideal for speed boating and water skiing.
• Ob-Ob Hill – The 200-metre (660 ft) high and rocky Ob-Ob Hill is east of Poblacion, Batan in barangay Songcolan and it has a sweeping view of the Sibuyan Sea, fish ponds and rice fields. At the foot of the hill is a beach ideal for underwater cave diving, scuba diving, fishing and water sports.
• Kalantiaw Shrine Marker is a historical marker named after Datu Bendahara Kalantiaw III, the third chief of Panay, who is said to have instituted the Code of Kalantiaw in Batan in 1433.
• Mambuquiao Marine Protected Area and Fish Sanctuary is a coral reef turned into a fish sanctuary. Locally called pito, it has the highest live coral cover in Salian Bay. It is ideal for boating, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
• Macawiwili Mountains is located in Barangay Lalab.
• Puting Bato is a protected wildlife area located in Barangay Angas.
• Old Spanish relics from the Spanish colonization period such as the Spanish cannon, Spanish distilleries and old Spanish cemeteries with brick facade can still be seen in Batan, Aklan.
• Aroma Beach Resort, in Barangay Napti.
• Borabocay Beach Resort, in Barangay Songcolan.
• Waterfront Beach Resort, in Barangay Songcolan.
• Mambu Rise Beach Resort, in Barangay Mambuquiao.
• Paradwys Beach Resort, in Barangay Napti.
• Casa Del Mar, in Barangay Ambolong.
• RainForest Botanical Garden, in Barangay Ambolong.
• The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Poblacion, Batan. It is considered as one of the oldest churches in Aklan.

Batan also has pristine beaches, abundant marine life, seafood (Batan is known for its crabs, lobster, and shrimps), coconut products, grain produce, root crops, fruits, and large forests.

Do

Festivals

• Santo Niñohan or Ati-Ati and Malakara Festival (in honor of the Holy Child) is celebrated every third Saturday and Sunday of January. This festival is very similar to the well-known Ati-Atihan of Kalibo, Aklan. Its difference from Kalibo's Ati-Atihan is that participants are required to use native and indigenous materials as the main components of their costumes and props.
• Immaculate Conception, Batan's Municipal and Religious Fiesta, is celebrated every December 8. It is a week-long celebration composed of various activities like street parades, foodfest, dance competition, basketball tournament, drum & lyre competition, boat race, marathon, a showcase of local products from each barangay, consecrated mass & flower offering at Kalantiaw Shrine, Lakambini ni Kalantiaw beauty pageant, merrymaking and a concert at the local playground or park performed by DJs, dance groups and OPM bands or artists.
• Juez De Cuchillo is held every October 19 to commemorate the capture and beheading of 79 innocent Batangnon civilians on October 19, 1943, by the Japanese Imperial Army. A program, re-enactment and flower offering are held at the site where the victims were beheaded and slaughtered by the Japanese soldiers. A marker was erected by local officials and relatives of the victims for their remembrance.