Kuno Beta

Panay Island

Raz Salvarita
David Quimpo
Karen Bermejo
Iss Bautista

Curated by Raz Salvarita and 6 others

Panay Island lays in the heart of the Philippines archipelago, and is home to an extraordinary collection of plants, animals and ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, mangroves, and grasslands. It faces the Sulu sea, home of the World Heritage listed Tubbataha Reef.

Panay Island by Andrew Pasaporte

Panay Island by Andrew Pasaporte

About the region Articles about Panay Island Conservation Things to Do Nature Community

About the region

Wonders from the ridge to the reef

Nestled in the heart of the Philippines, Panay Island belongs to the Western Visayan region with rich natural environment and cultural, historical heritage. The diverse landscapes and flourishing ecosystems are testament of how nature takes charge in shaping the island’s resources – from the ridge to the reefs.

The island is home to spectacular flora and fauna with some endemic species that remains in the wild habituating the Central Panay mountain range that is considered the backbone for conservation sites and where the “Big 5” species can be found: the Rafflesia speciosa, Visayan Spotted Deer, Visayan Warty Pig, Panay Monitor Lizard, and the Visayan Writhed-billed Hornbill.

The natural beauty of the island extends beyond terrestrial realms; it encompasses majestic mountains, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, and wonders of its underwater world. Each of these elements contributes to the allure of Panay, offering a haven for both adventure seekers and those seeking tranquility.

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Turtle, Image: Hitoshi Namura, Unsplash
Darya jum Boracay unsplash

Boracay, Image: Darya Jum, Unsplash
Cristina ong guimaras unsplash

Guimaras, Image: Cristina Ong, Unsplash
Ray aucott Clownfish unsplash

Clownfish, Image: Ray Aucott, Unsplash
Red morley hewitt Puka Shellbeach unsplash

Puka Shell beach, Image: Red Morley Hewitt on Unsplash
Panay Island by Andrew Pasaporte

Panay Coastal Community / Andrew Pasaporte

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Articles about Panay Island

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Atop Ibajay's Mount Balinsasayaw

According to legend, Mount Balinsasayaw originates from the Philippine swiftlet (aerodramus mearnsi), an endemic bird species known for its unique dark plumage and found throughout...
Philippines Panay Island Stories of Place

Caves and Falls around Panay Peninsula

The geographic terrain of the northwest Panay peninsula reveals fascinating nooks containing some of the most extensive and highest-quality lowland forests remaining in the Negros...
Philippines Panay Island Stories of Place

Hobart launch: introducing Raz Salvarita

"We hope that this can create an impact, not just on the island but for the whole of the Philippines as well. So thank you...

Embracing Ecotourism in Sibalom Natural Park

Ecotourism in Sibalom Natural Park is a commitment to conservation. By showcasing the rare Rafflesia speciosa and our unique natural heritage, we inspire visitors to...
Philippines Panay Island
Darya jum Boracay unsplash

Darya jum Boracay unsplash

Conservation

Preserving Panay Island for future generations

Panay Island, with its remaining natural mountain forest, stands as one of the crucial carbon sinks within the Philippine archipelago. As the sixth largest island in the country, it boasts diverse features in both its land and sea life, serving as a habitat for various species of flora and fauna. Notable inhabitants include the critically endangered Walden's hornbill, locally known as "dulungan," the Panay Monitor Lizard, and the Visayan Warty Pig, among others.

The island encompasses key biodiversity areas, such as the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park - the last contiguous lowland forest in the Western Visayas. Additionally, the mountainous spine of Panay Island spans across the borders of four provinces. namely Capiz and Aklan, as well as Antique and lloilo.

The proposal to establish the Central Panay Mountains National Park emphasizes the urgent need for conservation efforts to safeguard and preserve the island's remaining natural resources. Furthermore, it underscores the vital role of empowering local communities to advocate for just transitions and to uphold environmental laws and policies that contribute to the well-being and existence of nature and its people as a whole.

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Conservation efforts for Panay Island

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Barangay Maadios Pandan

From hunter, to guardian: the inspiring journey of Benjamin Tacud and the fight to save the dulungan

Benjamin Tacud is an irreplaceable figure in Panay's conservation community. His transformation to protector of the critically-endangered bird he once pursued, exemplifies the true spirit of conservation.

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Mt Madjaas Panay Island

2017 masl (Poetry)

Iss Bautista is an Aklan-born nature writer and poet whose works explore the intersection of ecology and self. A product of UP Diliman's Creative Writing program (University of the Philippines), Iss has honed her craft through a multifaceted career in marketing and decades of “obsessive” note-taking.

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Tumawog Falls Panipiason

Poetry: Wild (Tumawog Falls)

Tumawog falls is one of the hidden gems of Panipiason, a remote town on Panay Island. This beautiful piece of poetry from Iss Bautista explores the call of the wild.

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Mount Baloy Antique Philippines Jackson Groves 06

Mount Baloy: The Toughest Hike in The Philippines

Mount Baloy is located in the beautiful mountain range that spans almost the entire west side of Panay Island. Here adventurer Jackson Groves describes the Mount Baloy hike, one of the most challenging and rewarding in the Philippines.

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Father and son Dulungan Hornbill by David Quimpo

Rufous-headed Hornbill: A flagship species for conservation action

Amidst the heightened anxiety of the pandemic, a global programme dubbed as the EDGE of Existence has chosen David Quimpo, a Panay island conservation specialist, to work on his project to “Improve the conservation of the Rufous-headed Hornbills in the municipalities of Madalag and Malinao, Aklan, Philippines”.

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Guardians of the Forest

Guardians of the Forest

This short film explores efforts to save the beautiful rainforests of Panay Island, home to extraordinary species like the Warty pig, Visayan hornbill and Negros bleeding-heart pigeon.

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Things to Do

Visiting Panay Island

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Cristina ong guimaras unsplash

Cristina ong guimaras unsplash

Nature

Discover the plants and wildlife that call Panay Island home

Panay Island galleries

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Panay, Philippines

The triangle-shaped island of Panay is the sixth-largest of the Philippines archipelago, and has an amazing array of landscapes and biodiversity hotspots, including the Central Panay Mountain Range. As the fourth-most populous island of the Philippines, it is also facing conservation challenges.

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Community

Engage with the Panay Island community

David Quimpo

David Quimpo has served as a conservation specialist for the Haribon Foundation since 2012. In this role, he helps draft policies at both local and national levels and trains community-based forest protection teams.
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Hermz Gacho, Jr.

Hermz Gacho is a leader in Citizen Science and a passionate educator who has worked with several NGOs for nature conservation in the Visayan region.
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Iss Bautista

Iss Bautista, an Aklan-born poet, nature writer, and documentarian of the natural world's wonders.
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Javie Barcinal

Javie Barcinal is a community organiser and storyteller advocating for the mainstreaming of community-led biodiversity conservation in Antique, his home province in the Philippines.
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Karen Bermejo

Karen Bermejo is a writer, traveler, and volunteer from the Philippines.
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Elle Lorraine Wood

Elle is an Australian writer and artist whose passion for healing modalities is deeply rooted in the essential power of nature.
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Phill Pullinger

Phill is a GP, conservationist, author of Tarkine Trails, and co-founder of Kuno. Phill has broad expertise and a long held passionate commitment to the natural world.
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Raz Salvarita

Ra’z is a creative artist, community facilitator, and social action strategist based in Buruanga, Panay Island, Philippines.
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Kynth Edrel B. Rebaño

A Licensed Forester, Photographer, and Environmental Content Creator.
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Klyvin June Torres Reyes

Klyvin is an Aklanon photographer, mountaineer, and conservation advocate, co-founder of Balintanaw Travels, and Vice President of Aklan Kamera Organization.
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Richard R. Cahilig

Richard is a seasoned traveler, avid mountaineer, birder, and dedicated environmental advocate.
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Riza Ornos

Riza Ornos, the Queen Mermaid of EarthingPH, weaves her passion for nature into a tapestry of environmental stewardship.
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Jackson Groves

Jackson Groves is an Australian adventure traveler who has been on the road for eight years now.
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Tonio Flores

Tonio Flores II is an artist-researcher, educator, and agroecologist based in the Philippines.
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Ocean Trekkers

An eco-adventure group that promotes sustainable tourism and conservation from ridge to reef on Panay Island in the Philippines.
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Philippine Initiative for Environmental Conservation and the People

PhilinCon is a non-government organization centered on conservation and empowerment on Panay island in the Philippines.
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