History of Panitan

Panitan has already climbed the first step of the ladder of industrialization due to the presence of Asia Pacific Aquamarine, Inc., in Timpas, Panitan, Capiz. Other light industries such as rice mills also exist. Founded in 1800 by the malay brothers Danao and Dalhog, Panitan prides itself as one of the oldest towns in Capiz. Its original settlement was at Sitio Capul-an, near the banks of lake Danao. It was only after the Spanish colonization, that it was transferred to its present location. Legends tell how the town got its name. It was known by the name “IPIONG” (YPION) before the arrival of the Spaniards. The present name accounts for two etymologies: one folkloric & another, scientific. According to an oral tradition, that when the Spaniards came, they inquired from the farmers working in the field peeling off the bark of the tree presumably to be dried for firewood. They asked in Spanish “Como se llama el pueblo este lugar?, asked the Spaniards. Thinking that they were asked what they were doing, they answered back without hesitations . . . PANITAN, meaning to peel off. So, from then on, PANITAN became the official name of the village as listed by the Spanish overlords. But for historians like Fr. Juan Fernandez, O.S.A in his “Monografias De Los Pueblos De La Isla De Pan-Ay” The word “Panitan” comes from a local fish called “Apnit” (Annona rufa), which is abundant in this town like in the common conversation: “Pacain ca? Paapnitan ako” (are you going to serve a meal? I want apnit). By word of mouth Pappnitan has become a by word and is always been said by the natives so that when the Spaniards came they adapted it and make it Panitan due to the difficulty on their part to say the word Paapnitan. Panitan has been led by many great men and women, since Spanish times they have molded Panitan into what it has become today.

Panitan is a breathtakingly beautiful town-its sights and sounds, its people and history. Panitan truly is one of Capiz’s prized gems.