Visayas
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2008-07-16T18:56:10Z
167.1.146.100
/* Administrative divisions */
{{Infobox Islands
|name = Visayas <br><small>(Visayan Islands)</br></small>
|image name = Ph luzviminda.png
|image caption = Map of the Philippines; the center shows the location of the Visayas
|native name = Kabisay'an
|native name link = Visayan languages
|location = [[South East Asia]]
|archipelago = [[Philippines]]
|area = 58,295 km
|major islands = [[Bohol (island)|Bohol]], [[Cebu (island)|Cebu]], [[Leyte]], [[Masbate (island)|Masbate]], [[Negros]], [[Panay]], [[Samar]]
|highest mount = [[Mount Kanlaon|Kanlaon]]
|elevation = {{m to ft|2435|abbrv=yes}}
|country = Philippines
|country admin divisions title = Regions
|country admin divisions = [[Central Visayas]], [[Eastern Visayas]], [[Western Visayas]]
|country largest city = [[Metro Cebu|Cebu]]
|country largest city area = 998 km²
|population = 17.3 million
|population as of = 2005
|density = 297
|ethnic groups = [[Visayans]] ([[Aklanon people|Aklanon]], [[Boholano people|Boholano/Bol-anon]], [[Caluyanon language|Caluyanon]], [[Capiznon]], [[Cebuano people|Cebuano]], [[Eskaya]], [[Hiligaynon people|Hiligaynon]], [[Karay-a]], [[Masbateño people|Masbateño]], [[Porohanon]], [[Romblomanon people|Romblomanon]], [[Waray people|Waray]]), [[Ati (tribe)|Ati]]
}}
'''Visayas''' ([[Visayan languages]]: '''Kabisay-an''') is one of the three island groups in the [[Philippines]], along with [[Luzon]] and [[Mindanao]]. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the [[Visayan Sea]]. It is the [[homeland]] of the [[Visayans]].
The major islands are:
*[[Panay Island|Panay]]
*[[Negros Island|Negros]]
*[[Cebu Island|Cebu]]
*[[Bohol Island|Bohol]]
*[[Leyte (island)|Leyte]]
*[[Samar (island)|Samar]]
Culturally it may also include the following whose inhabitants identify as [[Visayan people|Visayan]]:
*[[Masbate]]
*[[Romblon]]
==History==
Up to now the history of the Visayas before the arrival of the [[Spanish empire|Spanish]] remains a mystery. Although legends exist that tell about the history of the [[Visayans]], many still doubt their authenticity. One of this legends tells about a legendary king, known as [[Kalantiaw]], who created a [[Code of Kalantiaw|code of law]]. Another implies that the [[Visayans]] are from [[Borneo]].
The first known mention of the Visayas in history is in the 12th century, when the region is thought to have been ruled by the empire of [[Srivijaya]].
[[Visayans]] were thought to have kept close diplomatic relations with the various [[Javanese people|Javanese]] and [[Malay people|Malay]] kingdoms since the [[Cebuano people|locals of Cebu]] were able to converse with [[Enrique of Malacca]] using [[Malay language|Malay]] when [[Ferdinand Magellan]] arrived in 1521.
After Magellan's expedition, the [[Spanish empire|Spanish]] became interested with the [[Philippines|archipelago]] and sent [[Ruy López de Villalobos]] and [[Miguel López de Legazpi]] in 1543 and 1565, respectively, to explore and colonize the islands.
At first, the [[Visayans]] accepted this colonization and many began converting to [[Christianity]] and started to accept the [[Santo Niño]] as their patron. However, the situation soon turned sour and revolutions such as those of [[Francisco Dagohoy]] began to emerge.
The [[Spanish empire|Spanish]] weren't the only problems of the [[Visayans]]. [[Moro (ethnic group)|Moro]]s are thought to have invaded various [[Visayan islands]] during this era.
During the [[Philippine Revolution]], [[Visayans]] were active participants. The island of [[Negros]] itself initiated their own [[Negros Revolution|revolution]].
After [[Philippine independence]], [[Visayans]] continued to participate in Philippine politics with the [[President of the Philippines|presidents]] coming from the Visayas.
On [[May 23]], [[2005]], [[Palawan]] was transferred to Region VI ([[Western Visayas]]) by Executive Order 429.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/eo_no429.htm
|title=Executive order No. 429
|author=President of the Philippines
|publisher=Office of the Press Secretary
|accessdate=2007-05-18}}</ref> The [[Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)|Department of the Interior and Local Government]] announced in June 2005 that the transfer had been completed.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Palawan, Puerto Princesa Transfer to Region VI
| publisher =Government of the Philippines - News
| date =[[3 June]] [[2005]]
| url =http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=10069
| accessdate =2007-05-18}}</ref>
However, Palaweños criticized the move, citing a lack of consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa City and all municipalities but one preferring to stay with [[MIMAROPA|Region IV-B]]. Consequently, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on [[August 19]], [[2005]] to address this backlash. This Order directed the abeyance of Executive Order 429 pending the approval of an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of Palawan from Region IV-B to Region VI.<ref name=AO129>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/ao_no129.htm
|title=Administrative Order No. 129
|date=[[August 19]], [[2005]]
|author=President of the Philippines
|publisher=Office of the Press Secretary}}</ref>
Hence, Palawan is currently (as of May 2007) still part of Region IV-B.
==Administrative divisions==
[[Image:Visayas regions.PNG|right|thumb|A [[map]] of Visayas color-coded by [[Regions of the Philippines|region]]s.
{{legend|blue|Central Visayas}}
{{legend|green|Eastern Visayas}}
{{legend|red|Western Visayas}}
The major islands, from west to east: Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar]]
Administratively, Visayas is divided into 3 regions, namely Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas. Each region is headed by a Regional Director which is elected from a pool of governors from the different provinces in each region.
However, it is made up of 16 provinces. The Visayas comprises 16 provinces, each headed by a Governor. A governor is elected by popular vote and can serve at the maximum of three terms of three years each.
As for representation in the Philippine Congress, the Visayas is represented by 44 Congressmen elected the same way as the Governors.
===[[Western Visayas]] (Region VI)===
Western Visayas consists of the islands of [[Panay Island|Panay]] and the western half of [[Negros]]. The regional center is [[Iloilo City]]. Its provinces are:
* [[Aklan Province|Aklan]]
* [[Antique Province|Antique]]
* [[Capiz]]
* [[Guimaras]]
* [[Iloilo Province|Iloilo]]
* [[Negros Occidental]]
* [[Palawan]]
===[[Central Visayas]] (Region VII)===
Central Visayas includes the islands of [[Cebu Island|Cebu]] and Bohol, and the eastern half of [[Negros]]. The regional center is [[Cebu City]]. Its provinces are:
* [[Bohol]]
* [[Cebu Province|Cebu]]
* [[Negros Oriental]]
* [[Siquijor]]
===[[Eastern Visayas]] (Region VIII)===
Eastern Visayas consists of the islands of [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]] and [[Samar (island)|Samar]]. The regional center is [[Tacloban City]]. Its provinces are:
* [[Biliran]]
* [[Leyte Province|Leyte]]
* [[Southern Leyte]]
* [[Eastern Samar]]
* [[Northern Samar]]
* [[Samar Province|Samar]]
==Culture==
===Legends===
There are [[legend]]s, which are compiled in the book [[Maragtas]], which tells the story of the ten chiefs ([[Datu]]s) who escaped from the tyranny of Datu Makatunaw from Borneo to the islands of Panay. The chiefs and followers are believed to be the ancestors of the [[Visayan people]]. The [[arrival]] is celebrated in the Festival of the [[Ati-Atihan]] in [[Kalibo, Aklan|Kalibo]], [[Aklan Province|Aklan]]. While these are stories, they are believed to be based on actual facts and events which were compiled into a [[1907]] book by [[Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro]].
Panay also boasts as its oldest and longest epic, the [[Hinilawod]].
==Hypotheses==
A contemporary theory based on a study of [[genetic marker]]s in present-day populations that [[Austronesian people|Austronesian migrants]] from [[Taiwan]] populated Luzon and headed south to the Visayas, [[Borneo]], modern day [[Indonesia]], then to the [[Pacific islands]] to the east.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Cristian Capelli ''et al.'' | title=A Predominantly Indigenous Paternal Heritage for the Austronesian-Speaking Peoples of Insular Southeast Asia and Oceania | journal=American Journal of Human Genetics | year=2001 | volume=68 | issue= | pages= 432–443 | url=http://hpgl.stanford.edu/publications/AJHG_2001_v68_p432.pdf | doi=10.1086/318205 }}</ref> The study, though, may not explain interisland migrations, which are also possible, such as the [[Tagalog people|Tagalog]] migration to [[Luzon]].
==See also==
{{wiktionary}}
* [[Regions of the Philippines]]
* [[Provinces of the Philippines]]
* [[Luzon]]
* [[Mindanao]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Islands of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Visayan Islands]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes]]
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