Essay 2009 Reg 12- Sapian: From Past to Present

Registration No. 12

Sapian: From PAST to PRESENT

Sapian is situated at the northern part of Panay Island, 27 kms. West of Roxas City. It is bounded on the north by the Sapian Bay, on the Ivisan on the Northeast and Batan, Aklan on the west side. Lies on coordinates 122.36’5” north latitude, Sapian is the last municipality of Capiz towards Aklan side.

The municipality is very accessible towards the neighboring provinces Iloilo, Aklan, antique and Roxas City. Buses and jeepneys are the chief means of transportation for passengers within the municipalities of Capiz as will as to the neighboring provinces of Iloilo, Aklan and Antique.

The Sapian total land area covered is 15,878.1 sq.kms which are subdivided into ten (10) barangays namely; Barangay Majanlud,Dapdapan, Poblacion, Maninang, Agsilab, Bilao, Damayan, Agtatacay Sur, Agtatacay norte, and Lonoy.

Hill ranges are found on the borders of the municipality along ivisan, Sigma, Mambusao, Altavas, and Batan in Aklan. The coastal plain stretches from the foot of the hills of Sapian Bay are planted mostly to lowland rice while the swampy area is extensively converted into fishpond. Coconuts, woods, and other fruit trees as well as bamboos and bananas abound in the portion of town.

From the hills, twelve (12) creeks and small rivers drain at Sapian Bay. All in all, these inland waters extend to 89 kms, which provide irrigation water in some areas and even made the municipality rich and abundant with seafoods product in which some were transported to Roxas City.

The Sapian Bays cover area of 3 sq. kms. Of marine water shed. The seacoast is dominated by farms with its lines bamboo poles loaded with “tahong” and “talaba”. Along the 1.5 coast lines could be found the Gugma Beach with its clean, gray sand and nature- sculptured rocks. At this point, the watershed is relatively shallow and deep gradually to not more than six feet in area around 400 meters from the shoreline even at high tide. The beach is a perfect place for swimming, wading, boating, exploring rock formations and observing various marine livelihood projects (green mussel culture, fish cage/ ponot, the seaweeds and Capiz shell gathering).

The municipal total land area is abundant with regard to total natural resources is concern. The Sapianons have lately made the land more productive with the planting of mahogany tress and fruit trees  such, mangos, lansones, rambutans, kangkong, string beans, egg plants and others vegetables tribe along the road side and open fields. The conservation Piape and Bakhaw trees of the swam is being under taken with fervor. With Sapianons will full protection of Sapian Bay there bountiful catch of mabalad, kitang, lapu-lapu and other marine fishes.

            Sapian was founded on hilltop more than 300 years ago, it is safe to assume that it must have been in the late years of the 17 century when a tiny settlement on a hilltop was published by groups of wondering people. No definite place was cited on the hilltop[ but folk stories have it that it was cited on the hilltop catadman, a distance of half kms. Esat of the present cite of poblacion. The old side of catadman hilltop is known as “Laging Banwa” or old town. It was said that the old settlement on the hilltop was strategically choose to serve as convenient look out for marauding moros rampantly raiding settlements during those days. At any point on the hilltop, moros, in their vintas could be spotted when they enter Guibongan or Sapian Bay. Thus the people amply warned to get organize and protect their selves. catadman hilltop is close to the sea coast and is surrounded by vast swamp that cradle river and streams rich with fish and all forms of sea foods largely depended by upon the in habitants for their livelihood.

            Long after the Spaniards occupation in 1568, some Spanish shoulders set foot on the hilltop settlement. The first person they met was sent on an errand. He was holding a salapu when the Spaniards stopped the boy to inquire what is the name of the place. The boy perplexed by the strange looks of the castellan figures and in comprehensive of Spanish tongue spoken, answered hesitatingly in faltering voice “Sapi”, fifty centavo silver coins where said to have to have been circulated after  the Spanish occupation. These coins were locally called salapi meaning half a peso. Thus, the Spaniards named the villag “SAPIAN” shortly afterward, the settlement was organized as the town of Sapian.