Culasi, Antique

Map of Antique showing the location of Culasi

Culasi is a third class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. Located at the northern portion of the sea-horse shaped province. It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Sebaste, on the south by the Municipality of Tibiao, on the west by Cuyo East Pass in the China Sea and on the east by the Municipality of Madalag, Aklan, just behind Mt. Madyaas. Culasi is approximately 90 kilometers from San Jose de Buenavista, the capital town of Antique and 88 kilometers from Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. It is also an hour drive from Caticlan, the jump-off point to the island paradise of Boracay. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 32,998 people in 6,396 households.

Its northernmost point is located at 11^o32’05” latitude and 122^o 05’00” longitude. Its easternmost point is located at 11^o30’50” latitude and 122^o10’05” longitude. Its southernmost point is located at 11^o21’04” latitude and 122o02’08” longitude and the westernmost point is at 11^o31’05” latitude and 122^o03’08” longitude.

History

During the Spanish times Culasi was known by its old name "Bacong". Now, Bacong is only one of its barangays. Bacong was once of the four visitas or towns established by the Spaniards. The others were Nalupa (now Barbaza), Bugason (now Bugasong), and Hamtik (now Hamtic).

The 1905 census revealed that Culasi had the biggest Chinese population in Antique, so much so that it had a barrio named "Villa de Hong Kong" in their honor. It is now part of the Poblacion.

Japanese troops occupied Culasi in 1942. It was liberated by Philippine Commonwealth troops under the 6th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary in 1945.

Topography

The Municipality of Culasi has a slope of 8^oC. Eastern height ranges from 200-2,177 meters high summit of Mt. Madja-as. It has a terrain narrow coastal plain. It has unbroken mountain range from barangay Batonan Sur in the south to barangay Salde in the northernmost. From the peak of Madja-as Mountain it gradually flattens down to a narrow strip. Land area roughly covers 82.92% upland and above lowland comprises 17.08% of the land area with a slope of 18% and below. Forest areas comprise almost half of the total land area covering 12,078 hectares.

Climate

Culasi has two distinct seasons, the rainy and dry. Rainy season occur in the months of May to November and dry season for the rest of the year. For areas like barangays Flores and Osorio which are mountainous barangays, located at the southern portion of the municipality is characterized by a relatively cool temperature which is highly suited for coffee. The higher precipitation acquired may be caused by high mountain range or because of its high topography.

Livelihood

Farming and fishing are the major livelihood where the Culasinhon depend their living.

Natural Resources

The rolling hills of Mt. Madja-as are rich in manganese, copper and coal found in Timbaban. Other metallic mineral deposits are white clay and pebbles in the island barangays of Malalison and Batbatan. Sand and gravel is being extracted in various rivers and used for infrastructure. Another metallic mineral is the limestone deposit found in Sitio Bula, Camancijan and is used for agricultural and industrial purpose. Limestone is used in the production of cement.

Most treasured one is the oil deposit in Maniguin Island explored by the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC). Several companies drilled oil deposit in Maniguin with black coal. Maniguin has a potential reserve of 28 million barrels to 250 mmbbls. based on the PNOC drilling project report.

Tourism

There are at least five (5) tourism potentials in the municipality: (1) the Majestic Mt. Madja-as, (2) the Rio Guintongaban, (3) Malalison Island, (4) Batbatan Island, and (5) Maniguin Island.

Barangays

Culasi is politically subdivided into 44 barangays which comprises 3 island, 11 upland, 16 coastal and 14 interior/lowland barangays.

Alojipan Bagacay Balac-balac Magsaysay (Balua) Batbatan Island Batonan Norte Batonan Sur Bita Bitadton Norte Bitadton Sur Buenavista Buhi Camancijan Caridad Carit-an

Condes Esperanza Fe Flores Jalandoni Janlagasi Lamputong Lipata Malacañang Malalison Island Maniguin Island Naba Osorio Paningayan Centro Poblacion

Centro Norte (Pob.) Centro Sur (Pob.) Salde San Antonio San Gregorio San Juan San Luis San Pascual San Vicente Simbola Tigbobolo Tinabusan Tomao Valderama

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information

Coordinates: 11°24′56″N 122°04′04″E / 11.41556°N 122.06778°E / 11.41556; 122.06778