Libertad Archives - Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Pagrara it banig (mat weaving) is a traditional practice in Libertad, Antique, where the bariw plant is used as the primary material for weaving. It is believed that this practice existed long before the Spaniards arrived. This intricate process consists of 14 steps: pagsasa, paghapnig, pagriras, pagbulad, pagpalpag, paglikid, pagbuntay, pagkulhad, pagkyupis, taytay, pagrara, sapay, hurip, and gutab. The practice has been passed down through generations, with elders teaching younger community members through observation and hands-on experience. Most elders believed that the best time to weave is during the rainy season, when the bariw plant is softer and easier to ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage,

BANIGAN FESTIVAL

Antique, Libertad

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Banigan Festival is an annual event held in Libertad, Antique, during the second week of March, celebrating the town’s traditional banig (mat) industry. The festival includes activities such as Pasundayag (Agri-Trade Fair), a streetdance competition, and the Lin-ay kang Libertad pageant. These events highlight the local artistry and craftsmanship, with participants, including students and mat weavers, engaging in competitions that showcase the cultural significance of mat weaving through their costumes and performances. At the same time, the festival also honors the town’s patron saint with mass celebrations. Established in 2000, the festival has become a cultural celebration which fosters ...

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 ...

Monuments and Markers, Tangible Immovable Heritage

UNION ROTONDA

Antique, Libertad, Union

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Union Rotonda is a public landmark located in Barangay Union, Libertad, Antique, built around the 1960s and standing at a busy Y-shaped road intersection. It features century-old metal chains believed to be from a shipwrecked vessel called Erik, which was destroyed by a typhoon, and some parts of the ship were used by locals for building. Over the years, the Rotonda has served as a meeting place and even a temporary jail for unruly people during local festivities. Though the structure remains in its original location, it has undergone some changes, such as closing off its door and modifying ...

PAGRARA IT BANIG (BANIG MAKING)

Cultural Mapping Of Panay and Guimaras

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