Visit Olotayan Island: A Promising Place in Roxas CityAn hour boat ride from wharf of Banica, Roxas City
Capiz, a province located in Western Visayas of the Philippines, gifted by nature with bountiful aquamarine resources, within lies Roxas City, a city named after Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, the first president of the Republic of the Philippines. The city is known as the Seafoods Capital of Philippines, with its seas, rich in varieties of fishes, crabs, prawns and other marine essentials. A tourist attraction also contributes to the beauty of Roxas. Aside from this bounty, few islets can be seen in the seas of Roxas, and one of these is the Olotayan Island, the only island barangay in Roxas City with an estimated land area of 100 hectares.
Olotayan Island, a less explored, less discovered barangay island within Roxas City. Natives of this place consider it as “mini boracay”, with its white sand and clear waters. Travel in this island with a boat, approximately an hour from wharfs of Banica, Roxas City, will bring a refreshing sight of placis atmosphere, serene shores, and white sand that may look like that of Boracay’s. This island is truly blessed with its beautiful sceneries. Scattered pieces of corals are washed to the shore by shore waves, which makes the place very pleasing and things were made naturally by nature’s own architechtural design. Olotayan Island is one true riches that City of Roxas had. The area is certainly a perfect to unwind and to get rid of hassles the urban setting with its irritating atmosphere has. Beaches of Olotayan offer a refreshing and relaxing mood. The place is very suitable for honeymoons and family vacation, or even getting together with friends. With clear waters, white sands and the rural setting that the place still adapts, one can feel very close to Mother Nature. Sounds of sea waves and occasional laughter’s of children’s at a distance will set a peaceful atmosphere. Relatively, few visitors and tourist visit the island. Still the place remains placid and native all through the years. Most of it’s native folks adheres the classic way of living, since electricity does not exist in the island. ___________________________________________________
Olotayan Island has beautiful beaches.
Wonder where Olotayan got its name? It came from native words “Olo” (head) and “Tyan” (stomach). A popular legend covers the existence of Olotayan Island. It said that in the very old days there lived a wicked giant in the land has brought chaos and sufferings to the inhabitans of the area. They prayed and believe in “anitos” and “anitas” (gods and goddesses) and asked fro help. Their please were heard and a strong lightning strike the wicked giant which scattered his body parts to the sea. And this is where islands of Roxas City gto its names. Thus, the giants head and stomach (Ulo and Tyan) came to be Olotayan. Aside from electricity, the island also lacks the supply of water for drinking, but it’s great that Metro Roxas Water District rations the supply for drinking water weekly.
Four (4) sitios composes Olotayan Island: Look, Putting Balas, Sawang and Capaculan. Population is most on the sitios of Sawang and Capaculan. The other sitio called Putting Balas was the most popular among the four, for it is where Olotayan Beach Resort is located. It has been called Putting Balas for its white sand from bits of corals are pounded by strong waves can be seen here. This resort perfectly suits for a Vacation with family and friends and an excellent setting for some beach pictures. It can be found in the south-western part of the island, and its shoreline measures 100 meters. Fishing is the main source of living in this island, with a present population of more or less 970 with 175 household. The island has been declared by the Roxas City government as a fish sanctuary. Summer time is the best season to visit Olotayan Island. Unstable weather conditions, affects the behavior of the seas. Thus it is dangerous to travel with ordinary boats especially with rainy seasons and for the months where typhoons monthly arise Indeed, Olotayan Island is a gift of nature to Roxas City. It is one of the best places that can be found in traveling the city. It is an ideal place for nature lovers and those whom would like to be close to nature. Seeing the island sets the mind in peace. The island is one of Roxas City’s hidden treasures which is now slowly being unearthed, despite of its unmodernized setting, still the island remains beautiful. Why not explore this island and see for yourself its wonders? This place when developed can be as beautiful as Boracay, without abusing its resources and maintaining simplicity and a very naturalistic aura. Enjoy swimming, fishing, and discovering the island. Bring a camera too for it’s a beautiful spot for picture taking, especially during sunset, and also don’t forget to bring food and water for you might get hungry exploring the island, visit the beautiful Olotayan Island and feel a different ecstasy its adventures will bring into you. |
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