The Confederation

Panay was the seat of the ancient Confederation of Madja-as - the first pre-Hispanic Philippine state within the Visayas islands region, and the second Srivijayan colony in the Philippine Archipelago, next to the Sulu Archipelago. Established by nine datus connected with the court of Brunei, who were forced to leave that country on account of enmity of the Rajah at that time ruling the land. The datus, together with their family, as well as few faithful servants and followers were secretly escorted out of the country by Datu Puti, Rajah's Chief Minister. The local folklore says that the name of the Bornean Rajah was Makatunao. They embarked on sailing rafts of the type used by the Visayans (the term used in the Malay settlements, what is now Borneo and Philippines, to refer to Srivijayans) in Sumatra and Borneo. According to tradition, which survive in the local culture of Western Visayas, this seafaring vessel is called Balangay, from which Barangay - the smallest social unit in the present-day Philippines - came from.

Location

Panay island is located in the western part of the Visayas Region. It is divided into four provinces namely Antique, Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo. On the northwest is the island of Mindoro and in the southeast was the island of Negros separated by Guimaras Strait. In the southwest is the Sulu Sea and in the north is the Sibuyan Sea and the Islands of Romblon. It has many rivers which includes Banica, Panay, Iloilo, Akean and Halaur River.The highest point is in the Mount Madia-as which elevates up to 2,117 m (6,946 ft). The island has an area of 12,011 km2 (4,637.5 sq mi) and it ranked 6th in the largest islands in the Philippines Archipelago. The largest city is Iloilo. Ethnic groups include Aklanon, Capiznon, Caluyanon, Hiligaynon, Karay-a, Suludnon and Ati.

*Image courtesy of Google Earth