Natural Heritage Archives - Page 6 of 9 - Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The pawikan (sea turtle), is a native reptile found in coastal areas of San Jose, especially in Brgy. Funda-Dalipe, Mojon, Malaiba, and Barangay 4. These turtles nest on sandy beaches between August and December, with hatchlings mostly seen from October to November. Known for their hard, oval-shaped shells, pawikan play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs and seagrass beds, thus supporting marine biodiversity. Local conservation efforts include rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs at the Pawikan Center in Funda-Dalipe, where community events and coastal cleanups help protect their habitats. Threats to pawikan include habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, climate change, ...

Natural Geological and Physiographical/ Land Formations, Natural Heritage

MT. GINKAHIGAN

Antique, Igburi, Patnongon

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Mt. Ginkahigan is a protected mountain in Brgy. Igburi, Patnongon, serving as the headwater source for the barangay’s clean water supply. Its name comes from a local story where elders “kahig” (swept) the remains of World War II victims found there. The mountain supports diverse plant and animal species, contributing to environmental balance and providing fresh air through tree planting efforts involving students and community members. Socially, it is a place where locals, especially students, engage in reforestation projects, strengthening community ties. Conservation efforts are led by MENRO Patnongon and Brgy Forestry, focusing on tree planting and strict enforcement against ...

Animals (Fauna), Natural Heritage

USON

Antique, Jinalinan, Pandan

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Uson is a native crustacean, also known as Mud lobster,, commonly found in mangrove swamps and nipa areas in Jinalinan and Dionela, Pandan. It creates volcano-shaped burrows that play a crucial role in the mangrove ecosystem by aerating the soil and recycling nutrients, which supports plant and animal life. The uson resembles a small lobster with spiny features and varies in color from brown to greenish hues, making it distinct among crustaceans. Though its meat is not popular, it is sold in local markets and provides income for some communities. There is no official conservation status for the uson, ...

Bodies of Water, Natural Heritage

BONGAN-BONGAN SPRING

Antique, Libertad, Maramig

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Bongan-bongan spring, located in Brgy. Maramig, Libertad, is a small freshwater spring enclosed by cement near the beachfront. It serves as the primary source of clean drinking water for Brgy. Maramig and nearby communities. Local legend says the spring was created when Tumaca, an Ati, stuck his baston (wooden stick) in the sand to provide water for a thirsty princess or himself, depending on the version. The spring is considered sacred and believed to have healing powers, attracting devotees during Mahal na Araw and San Juan Day festivals who collect its water for blessings. A grotto dedicated to the ...

Natural Geological and Physiographical/ Land Formations, Natural Heritage

BUKID LININTIAN

Antique, Laua-an, Tica

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Bukid Linintian is a mountain located on the border of Laua-an and Bugasong municipalities, covered in tropical and subtropical forests. The mountain supports local livelihoods through resources like firewood, charcoal, wild fruits such as lumboy, and serves as a key agricultural watershed. Residents share strong community ties through activities like gathering forest products and trekking, especially during holidays like Semana Santa. It also acts as a natural boundary influencing local governance and resource management. Despite its value, the mountain lacks formal protected status and faces threats from deforestation, erosion, climate change, and increasing population pressures, though general environmental laws and ...

Natural Geological and Physiographical/ Land Formations, Natural Heritage

SIMBANAN

Antique, Fabrica, Hamtic

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Simbanan is a large, reddish-brown rock formation located within the grounds of General Leandro Fullon National School in Fabrica, Hamtic. Its rough surface is covered in plants, vines, and moss, and the rock has reportedly grown larger over the years. Locals believe the Simbanan is a simbahan (church) for engkanto (supernatural beings), giving it a mystical reputation connected to stories of unexplained illnesses and visits to maarams (seers) or siruhanos (traditional healers). The rock fosters social and spiritual connections through these shared beliefs, while scientifically, it holds potential for understanding local environmental changes. Despite its significance, no conservation efforts ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

POBLACION CENTURY OLD ACACIA TREE

Antique, Centro Poblacion, Culasi

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Akasya tree (Samanea saman) near Culasi North Elementary School is a century-old tree visible throughout Culasi. It was planted during the tenure of a former municipal president in the 1930s, before the school was built on land donated by his family. Locals believe the tree is haunted, sharing stories of mysterious sightings and supernatural occurrences that create a strong sense of folklore around it. Despite these eerie tales, the tree stands as a symbol of community identity, history, and natural beauty, providing shade and uniting residents through shared beliefs. Attempts to remove the tree have been avoided by local ...

Animals (Fauna), Natural Heritage

TATUS

Antique, Caluya, Sibay

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The tatus, also called the coconut crab, is a large native crustacean found mostly in the coastal forests of islands like Sibay and Sibolo in Caluya. It resembles a giant hermit crab with a hard shell up to 16 inches wide and can weigh up to 4 kg, showing colors from violet to orange-red. Locally, tatus is a prized delicacy, and its shells are sold as souvenirs, though harvesting is banned during mating months (August to September) to protect the species. The Tatusan Festival celebrates the crab’s cultural importance and promotes local pride and conservation awareness. Despite protections, threats like ...

Animals (Fauna), Natural Heritage

AWIS

Antique, Bugasong, Ilaures

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The awis, or tibo-tibo, is a native brackish-water snail found in Ilaures, Bugasong, especially in muddy riverbanks called gibungan and coconut groves known as kaalu-an. It has a glossy black shell and appears mostly during the rainy season, when locals say it is nagabaras (as many as sand). Traditionally eaten as food and used in folk medicine, awis is cooked simply by boiling after removing the tail tip. In 2014, the Awisan Festival was established to celebrate the snail with contests and dances inspired by it. Despite habitat loss and pollution, community cleanups and the festival help protect awis and ...

Animals (Fauna), Natural Heritage

KUDAY

Antique, Belison, Ipil

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Kuday, also known as the Brown Land Crab, is a native crustacean commonly found near estuaries and mangrove areas in select barangays of Belison, particularly during the rainy season. It thrives in habitats such as coastal forests, sandy and rocky beaches, and muddy mangrove ecosystems, where it digs burrows to stay moist and protected. This species is a notable ingredient in local dishes like ginata-an, sinigang, and ginisa, and is harvested using traditional techniques such as pamuswang (bamboo trapping) and tughong (flooding its burrow with mud). Locals particularly enjoy the aligue (crab fat) of the kuday, which is distinctively ...

PAWIKAN

Cultural Mapping Of Panay and Guimaras

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