life in these islands

People laugh when they hear my town's name Carles (when pronounced, it sounds literally mean no car) The farthest town in the northeastern tip of Panay Island, it has under its jurisdiction, 26 islands and islets with long stretch of white sand shores and cool crystal clear water.

Unique in many ways, one can't  imagine how life in these islands must be where majority of its residents depends on fishing as their main source of living. Living in extremes, small time fishermen live in shanties while the well off big fishing boat operators in concrete fully furnished houses.

"There's no place like home". A typical house in fishing villages of Carles.

Most of the islands don't have electricity and limited potable water source. For the economically well off households in these rural areas depends on generator sets for their electrification.

Despite of these material inadequacy, they have their own conventional ways of doing things, reasoned attitudes and actions, tastes, leisure activities, cultural interests, moral standards, and economic levels. It is difficult to classify simply because it is remarkably assorted, one of a kind in its own right.

Tangke

                                   The famous Tangke

Island hopping and sight seeing in Carles is not complete if you cant take a plunge in the cool crystal clear water of "Tangke"

Tangke in Hiligaynon means tank or a container.  Just like its name sake, Tangke is compares to a container with high rising karst stones around it. During high tide, the water in Tangke also rises, just like a tank being filled with seawater. On low tide, the water also recedes.

                                The entrance of Tangke.

Tangke is located in the Southern part of Gigantes Sur, Carles, Iloilo. The only way to get there is through boat and the best time is during high tide.

The Tangke during low tide

The Mystery of Gigantes Islands

Gigantes group of islands is composed of two big islands, Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur and ten (10) islets namely Balbagon, Cabugao Daku, Cabugao Gamay, Waydahon, Bantigue, Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, Gigantona, Ojatras and Gakitgakit.

These islands is approximately 14 nautical miles from Bancal Fish Port, Barangay Bancal, Carles (mainland Panay) or an hour minimun travel time.

Blessed with unique natural beauty, these islands have long strecth of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and one of its kind landscape.

                                         Balbagon Island

                                         Bantigue Island

Gigantillo Island

Apart from the geographical splendor, Gigantes is also loaded with enchanting stories. One of the most popular stories that was handed down verbally for generations was the tale of the Golden Ship. Other equally famous stories are the account of the Langub Princess; the three colored marbles; the story of the mysterious wreath; the mystery of the giant coffins; the story of the two headed snake; and the belief that al the caves of Gigantes Islands connects to Pilar, Capiz and Masbate.