Last Sunday I took a long-overdue stroll around the city square. I enjoyed seeing the old familiar sites but this time I took more time to intently gaze at them. Who knows, I might see something else I have not yet seen before. It's been a while since I did a stroll like this and it feels to waste the afternoon away and enjoy your community.
I'm sharing this wonderful afternoon with you, so enjoy Roxas City's gentle beauty.
I started my stroll at Ang Panublion Museum, where I work as a volunteer. This is the water-tank portion and it used to be sole source of potable water in the poblacion. It was repurposed and converted into a museum in 1993.
President Manuel Acuna Roxas was born and grew up in the town of Capiz. He was president of the Philippine from 1946 until his sudden death in 1948. In his honor, a statue was erected in the heart of Roxas City, which was renamed in his honor. A smaller statue was originally inaugurated. In 2016, however, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines took the old one and installed this replica of a larger-than-life bronze statue originally made by Guillermo Tolentino. The old statue is now displayed at the National Museum branch in Iloilo City. Fox tail palms and golden bamboos where planted around the statue and makes a refreshing background to this rather grand structure.
Across the museum stands a series of fire trees. They've been here for decades and have been adding color to the city center whenever they bloom.
The fire tree is also known as Delonix regia and is a native of Madagascar. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and gorgeous show-off of orange-red flowers that blend well with the sky at dusk.
The square in front of the City Hall is planted with bougainvilleas. A burst of colors profuse whenever they're in full bloom. The bougainvillea, by the way, is native to South America but the Filipinos took a constant liking to this flowering ornamental.
There are four Corinthian posts that stand in front of the City Hall. I saw many of them in old photos but there's just four of them left today.
The Roxas City Hall faces an empty square. The heart of the city used to teem with people before coronavirus hit us badly.
The city government installed this huge tarpaulin in the plaza to remind everyone to work together to fight and survive COVID-19.
This pink frangipani is a rarity. A Mexican native, the kalachuchi has become a favorite ornamental tree and they even abound on cemeteries.
What was once a bustling thoroughfare is almost empty. Most of the locals now stay at home for fear of catching the virus.
This pink bougainvillea deserves a snapshot for posterity's sake. Bougainvillea blooms year-round, especially after enjoying full sunshine, constant watering, and a good trim.
Sunday is a church affair and locals flock to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral from dawn until early evening to hear the mass. Church doors have since been shut, the choir silenced, and the pews emptied because of COVID-19.
The Capiz Provincial Capitol's roof is being repaired after sustaining heavy damages during Typhoon Ursula last December.
The band stand is a flamboyant structure built during the flamboyant days of Capiz. It was constructed in 1926 - the roaring twenties- a decade when things were good and great and served as a venue for public gatherings.
Foxtail palms were planted along the river as part of the city government's beautification scheme. Fire trees used to grow here, but they have died or were felled by typhoons through the years.
Lush plants were added and the riverside is now a pleasant space to commune with nature.
This is a charming view of the Panay River and the Capiz Bridge. The still water glistens and reflects the blue sky.
An afternoon view like this is enough to ease your worries.
Bougainvilleas line the riverbanks. A rainbow of colors comes alive every summer.
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