Roxas City, with a population of approximately 157,000 (2010 projection), is a small town with a big attraction, its seafood. Dubbed as the seafood capital of the Philippines, much of its seafood is shipped to other parts of the country but there's plenty of fresh pickings left to savor at beachside restaurants.
The Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral sits in the center of the city, sandwiched between City Hall and a Catholic university. It is one of the oldest churches on Panay Island. It was recently renovated and a dome was added to it. During the feast of the Immaculate Conception (She is the patroness of the city) in December, the city comes alive with the colorful Sinadya sa Halaran parade and a fluvial parade down the Panay river which is right across from the church.
On the other side of the river is the public market which is especially busy on Sundays when it spills out onto surrounding streets. It's amazing what you can buy here. Fruit, fresh produce (mostly home grown), fish and meat, clothes, canned goods, merienda fare, plants, housewares and so much more.
The business district of Roxas City along Roxas Avenue was threatened by a big fire decades ago. One building in particular was razed to the ground but its skeleton remains. A bittersweet reminder of things past.
I always try to catch the sunrise in the early morning hours. But the sunsets are equally mesmerizing. Baybay beach is a good vantage point to catch both.
There's more to see and do in Roxas City. Check out my articles on Olotayan Island, In the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, Captivating Capiz, Baybay Beach and Roxas City Fresh Market. Or you can also come to Roxas City and luxuriate in "il dolce far niente", the art of doing nothing.
* * *
Images by Charie