Raisa Gennel Huan 11-Honesty

Westen Visayas Region

The Philippines is an archipelagic country in the Southeast Asia. It consists of about
7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main divisions: Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. The three main division is further separated into 17 regions. Each region sharing
having distinct culture, languages, beliefs, practices and etc. Let us dive in deeper into the
country and focus mainly on talking about Region 6 or the Western Visayas Region. Region 6
consists the islands of Western Visayas. It consists of six provinces: Aklan, Antique, Negros
Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo. This region is rich in culture, practice, man-made
products, language and etc. [ CITATION Phi \l 1033 ]

The rich cultural and natural heritage of Western Visayas came to the fore with the
recent launch by the Department of Tourism (DOT) of “Experience Western Visayas First,” a
tourism program that aims to showcase the region’s best attractions. The event, held at Iloilo
City’s Freedom Grandstand, featured Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan and Iloilo’s Dinagyang, two of the
country’s top original cultural festivals that have inspired similar street-dancing fests all over
the country. Taking to the streets were dancers of Capiz with their religious-themed Halaran
Fest; Antique with its Binirayan, which traces the arrival of the 10 Bornean datus in Panay; and
Guimaras with its Manggahan, which celebrates the famed sweet-tasting mangoes.[ CITATION
Les \l 1033 ]

The most famous products man-made products of Region VI or the Western Visayas
Region consist of the following: Loomweaving and Food Processing of Aklan, Food Processing
and Gifts & Houseware of Antique Horticulture, Food Processing and Gifts & Houseware of
Capiz, Food Processing and Lime of Guimaras, Bamboo Fur. & Fur. and Food Processing of Iloilo,
Food Processing and Gifts & Houseware of Neg.Occidental. No notable artifacts were known in
the Western Visayas Region but there are quite a few notable writers. Some of these writers
are Graciano Lopez Jaena, Magdalena Jalandoni, Leoncio Derieda and many more.[ CITATION
DTT \l 1033 ]

On the other hand, let us talk about the common beliefs and practices accepted by the
[ CITATION Phi \l 1033 ]people in this region. Let us start with the beliefs of this region. Despite
the prevalence of Christianity, native beliefs about Aswang and the Babaylan are still relevant
among the people. Kulam or witchcraft, locally known as amulet is sill feared by many
residents. The Western Visayas Region has quite the number belief when there is a death
amount the family. A few of these are: The family members are expected to mourn by wearing
black cloths while the others would wear black ribbons, They must always wear a piece of red
cloth, They must hanging a piece of black cloth hanging on the window facing the street,
Children are not allowed to listen to radios, No social gatherings will be held during this period,
and Weddings will be postponed until after a year.[ CITATION GOV11 \l 1033 ]
 Another aspect that we can dive in further in this region is the aspect of language such
as the common ways of interaction or socialization. The most common languages used in this
region are Filipino and English, as these languages are the staples of the whole country. There
are some prevalent Visayan language that dominate in this region such as Kinaray-a, Hiligaynon,
Aklanon and Capiznon. On another aspect, we can consider literature as a form of socialization
for it helped people connect with their ancestors. Some of the famous forms literatures in this
region are Ambahan, Balak, Paktakon, Hurubaton, and Haya. Ambahan is an unrhymed seven
syllable line containing a complete thought. Balak, on the other hand , is a love song which can
also be a song of praise sung by a man and a woman. Patakhon is a form of riddle, Hurubaton is
a form of proverb and Haya is a dirge in this region.[ CITATION Aze \l 1033 ]

No region is perfect, therefore we can also prove that the Western Visayas Region is
also facing problems of their own. One of which is the main problem towards effective rat
control program is the attitude of the farmers themselves. Action is taken only when damage to
crops is already inflicted and visible. The farmers are still dependent on doleouts of
rodenticides from the government for rat control. Another problem is the non-functional
Barangay Rat and Pest Patrols (BRAPPS) organization promulgated under Letter of Instruction
405. Two main conditions are considered contributory factors to the rat problem. First, is when
there is abundant food supply all year round. Second, is when there is rapid multiplication of
the rat population in spite of unfavorable environmental conditions - presumably due to some
intrinsic factors in the rats themselves. To solve all these problems there must be an effective
program for rat control. The program should start with the implementation of Rat Act 3942 and
LOI 405 in the whole Philippines. The severe rat outbreaks in Western Visayas follows a 10-year
cycle. Two rat species identified to c1906ause heavy damage to crops particularly rice are the
Philippine ricefield rats, Rattus rattus Mindanensis and Norway rat, Rattus norvegi. [ CITATION
Sil \l 1033 ]