Antique: Manggad kag Paranubliun (Wealth and Heritage)

Foreword

                Much of what one knows today of Antique, that long strip of land encompassing the provincial boundaries of Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo in Panay Island are mostly confined in the Municipality of San Jose and its peripheries. While it is true that efforts have been made to make other parts of the province known to a wider audience, there is no book yet on the general picture of Antique in print and photo. The Antique – Wealth and Heritage—attempts to give that picture, featuring its duna (nature), kusug (strength) and kinaiya (culture or uniqueness).

                Anyone who is not a native of the province would think Antique belongs to one of the least developed, if not undeveloped province in the country because it rank low in the socio-economic survey in the highest poverty incidents (NEDA, 2004); however, in the latest survey (NEDA?, ) much progress have been made indicating the efforts and motivation placed by the people and its officials to raise the socio-economic status of the province. Antique’s Kinaray-a is spoken North to South of the province, at one time, has been stereotyped as a language, if not, the dialect of mountain dwellers and the unsophisticated people; but not anymore, for Antique’s Kinaray-a is now spoken with dignity in the pulpit, political rallies and programs, and its music (OKM) is now popularly aired and much appreciated even in other provinces.

                There are few studies and publication about Antique: individual articles about it are scattered and not accessible. There are very few people from the inside and outside of Antique who have access to these materials and therefore do not have an overview of the Antiqueños’ duna, kusug, and kinaiya. The image(s) that some Antiqueños have on themselves are quite distorted. The extent and degree of vagueness may vary from one individual to another. However, the reality remains the same – the knowledge that Antiqueños have about themselves as people who have a distinct past, hence, identity, is not of their own making. Rather, it is the knowledge of outsiders, some tumandoks included, who alienated the Antiqueños their identity.

                Antique - Wealth and Heritage attempts to provide a holistic view of the unique culture (kinaiya), spirit-driven environment (duna) and force (kusug) of its distinct people. Commencing with the physical description of Antique you will be given a picture of its land and people with their livelihoods. Then, you will be introduced to the unique traditions of Antique through its busalian and babaylan and we will be brought back to the colonial past of its people. Next, we will bring you to the world of the Antiqueño artists and achievers. Finally, you will be touched by the yearnings of fellow Antiqueños living abroad.            

                Lastly, we invite fellow Antiqueños abroad to open the pages of this book and quench their yearnings for home. For our non-Antiqueño readers, welcome to our province and know us more.   For those who are here in Antique, let us be proud we are an Antiqueños, gifted by the Almighty God with intelligence,  courage and  artistry. 

                                                                                                                Alicia P. Magos

                                                                                                                APHCC Chairperson

                                                                                                                Head Writer

Note: Antique Coffee Table Book will soon be available for the public. Just visit this website for further information.

Click here to read some of the content of the book.