Bantayan, Coastal island in Cebu Province, Philippines.
Bantayan is a 108-square-kilometer island in Cebu Province with white sand beaches around its edges. Three municipalities—Santa Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos—divide the land, each serving different communities on the shores.
Eighteen watchtowers were built across the island during Spanish colonial times to defend against pirate raids. These structures reveal how the early communities adapted to threats from the sea and organized their defense over time.
The Palawod Festival in June features traditional street dancing and food preparations rooted in local fishing traditions. These celebrations reveal how the island's communities maintain their connection to the sea and each other.
Most visitors reach the island by taking a bus to Hagnaya Port, then boarding a one-hour ferry to Santa Fe. Travel works best during dry months when water conditions are more favorable for boat crossings.
The island has a significant poultry farming industry that supplies eggs across the country. This agricultural activity often goes unnoticed by tourists but remains central to how many residents earn their living.
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