Aklan is known and famous for their white sand beaches that hosts thousands of tourists all year round. But wait, Aklan still has much to offer. From their Bakhawan Eco-Tourism Park, to the women of Pina Village, to the rich culture and history of  Museo it Akean and not to forget, their ever famous Aklan Freedom Shrine, it will surely be a day full of adventure, and an experience Aklanons has to offer. 

Bakhawan Eco-Tourism Park

This project started around 1996 that from 17 hectares grew to 100 hectares of mangrove. From this, different kind of animals and species lived in this protected area that served as a perfect spawning ground to crabs, birds, fish and different kinds of seashells alike. This mangrove had also protected the people from the big waves from the sea, prevents soil erosion, and water during high tides and storms that come their way.

Mangroves such as Nipa, Pagatpat, Piyapi and Bakhawan sprung in this park that benefits from the brackish water of Aklan River and the Sibuyan Sea. Because of the success of this project and abundant wildlife, researchers and students from across the globe came to this park all year round.

Aside from the fact that one can enjoy and experience to plant a mangrove in this park, during high tide, enjoying a boat ride is also offered to locals and tourists alike. Enjoy a 15 minute eco-walk built from bamboos stretching through the mangroves and out to a beach where one can enjoy a picnic or just glaze around the clear waters of the sea. Finding a Tamilok (wood worm) is also an experience for which the locals are fond of. Simply dip the Tamilok in vinegar before eating it is one of the best ways to eat it.

Pina Village

A few minutes walk from the Bakhawan Eco-Tourism Park lies the Pina Village. A small group of families dedicate to create the most delicate and intricate material of all, the Pina cloth. There, one will see the pain staking way of how to make the Pina cloth, from the picking to the weaving. A must see to appreciate, understand and know the reason behind it’s high price and value.

Having the Spanish variety of pineapple planted in their backyard, the women carefully pick out the right and perfect leaf they could find. First step, is the “Pagpisi” - extracting the fiber from the leaf using a broken plate. This is done manually because the fibers are very delicate. After getting the first wash out fiber which they call ‘Bastos’, the extracting continues until they are able to get the second fiber which is smoother and finer called ‘Pino’.

Second, they have to wash it with running water and soap while brushing it with a shell to make it smoother. Third is what they call “Pag-pisi” where one will separate the strands of the fiber one by one. This could take hours, but this has to be done. Fourth, is what they call “Pagsug-ot” where fibers are connected using a special kind of knot so as it will still remain smooth and invisible to the naked eye. This procedure is time consuming and painful to the eyes that is why they need to use a black cloth while working with the fibers. Fifth is called “Pinagak”, where the fibers are weighed. Next step is called “Pagtalinyas” or thredding for the horizontal lines and “Pagsab-ong” or wharping for the vertical lines. Each were made with definite counts and lengths. “Paghaboe” is the last and final step in making a pina cloth. It is the intricate and careful weaving of the fibers to make the Pina cloth. With each strand of fiber weaved together, specific counts and ways of weave depends on the style and complexity of the cloth to be produced.

Each women in this village has their own part. Each varies but complements the other. It is a joined effort mixed with culture and heritage; an experience where one can truly see, how patience and cooperation brings out something good and beautiful. And it all happens here, in the Pina Village.

Museo It Akean

The renovated and elegantly designed Museo it Akean serves as the repository of the province’s cultural heritage. Exhibited here are artifacts that attest to the rich history of Aklan and the masterpieces of Aklanon artists. 

Aklan Freedom Shrine

A tribute to Aklanon forebears.  The first Katipunan movement outside Luzon who gave their lives to the altar of patriotism. The 19 steps adorning the monument contain the mortal remains of the 19 martyrs of Aklan and atop is the effigy of General Francisco Del Castillo, the leader of Katipunan revolutionaries in Aklan.