Culasi

The name Culasi or Kulasi was derived from the local term for a species of mangrove Lumnitzera racemosa which grow abundantly in the vicinity's river basin. ==History==

Spanish colonial times During the Spanish colonial times, Culasi was known by its old name "Bacong". Now, Bacong is only one of its barangays. Bacong was one of the four visitas or towns established by the Spaniards. The others were Nalupa (now Barbaza), Bugason (now Bugasong), and Hamtik (now Hamtic). The 1905 census revealed that Culasi had the biggest Chinese population in Antique, so much so that it had a barrio named "Villa de Hong Kong" in their honor. It is now part of the Poblacion. 1981 Bacong Bridge Massacre One of the significant events of the Philippines's Martial Law era was the Bacong Bridge Massacre, which took place in Culasi on December 19, 1981. Sometimes also known as the Culasi incident, it involved the Philippine Constabulary killing 5 protester-farmers at the Bacong River bridge in Barangay Malacañang, Culasi, Antique. The victims were identified as Leopoldo A. Anos, Aquilino M. Castillo, Fortunato M. Dalisay, Remegildo P. Dalisay, and Joel B. Plaquino. ==Geography==

Culasi is north from San Jose de Buenavista, the capital of Antique, and south from Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Antique. Located in the northern portion of the province, it is bounded on the north by Sebaste, south by Tibiao, west by the Sulu Sea and east by Mount Madja-as and the Municipality of Madalag, Aklan, just beyond. Its territory includes Maniguin (or Maningning / Hammerhead) and Batbatan Islands. Excluding the outlying islands, its northernmost point is located at 11°32’05" latitude and 122°05’00" longitude. Its easternmost point is located at 11°30’50" latitude and 122°10’05" longitude. Its southernmost point is located at 11°21’04" latitude and 122°02’08" longitude and the westernmost point is at 11°31’05" latitude and 122°03’08" longitude. Barangays Culasi is politically subdivided into 44 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. These barangays are classified into 3 island, 11 upland, 16 coastal and 14 interior/lowland barangays. Climate {{Weather box Culasi has two distinct seasons, the rainy and dry. Rainy season occurs in the months of May to November and dry season for the rest of the year. Areas like the mountainous barangays of Flores and Osorio located at the southern portion of the municipality are characterized by a relatively cool temperature which is highly suited for coffee. The higher precipitation acquired may be caused by high mountain range or because of its high topography. Islands land area • Batbatan Island • Maniguin Island • Mararison Island Topography Culasi has a slope of 8°. Eastern height ranges from to at the summit of Mount Madia-as, it is the highest point in Panay. It has unbroken mountain range from barangay Batonan Sur in the south to barangay Salde in the northernmost. From the peak of Madia-as Mountain it gradually flattens down to a narrow strip of the coastal plain. Land area roughly covers 82.92% upland and above lowland comprises 17.08% of the land area with a slope of 18% and below. Forest areas comprise almost half of the total land area covering . ==Demographics==

'' In the 2024 census, Culasi had a population of 46,442 people. The population density was . == Economy ==

Farming and fishing are the major livelihood where the Culasinhon depend their living. Natural resources The rolling hills of Mount Madja-as are rich in manganese, copper and coal found in Timbaban. Other metallic mineral deposits are white clay and pebbles in the island barangays of Malalison and Batbatan. Sand and gravel is being extracted in various rivers and used for infrastructure. Another metallic mineral is the limestone deposit found in Sitio Bula, Camancijan and is used for agricultural and industrial purpose. Limestone is used in the production of cement. Most treasured one is the oil deposit in Maniguin Island explored by the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC). Several companies drilled oil deposit in Maniguin with black coal. Maniguin has a potential reserve of of oil, based on the PNOC drilling project report. ==Infrastructure==

Communication Landline service is provided by Panay Telephone. Mobile service include Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity. Postal Services are provided by PhilPost. ==Education==

The Culasi Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. Pre-schools • Culasi Christian Learning Center • Culasi Cooperative Learning Center • Day Care Centers • Saint Michael Parochial Kindergarten School • Seaside Baptist Learning Center Primary and elementary schools • Alojipan Primary School • Bagacay Elementary School • Balac-Balac Primary School • Batbatan Elementary School • Batonan Norte Elementary School • Batonan Sur Primary School • Bitadton Elementary School • Buenavista Elementary School • Buhi Elementary School • Camancijan Elementary School • Carit-an Elementary School • Culasi Central School • Culasi North Elementary School • Esperanza Elementary School • Fe-Caridad Elementary School • Flores Elementary School • Kawit Elementary School • Kawit Integrated School • Light Bearer's Fundamental Baptist Learning Center • Mag-ayad Primary School • Magsaysay Elementary School • Malacañang Elementary School • Malalison Elementary School • Maniguin Elementary School • Naba Primary School • Osorio Elementary School • Paningayan Primary School • Saint Michael the Archangel Grade School • San Antonio Elementary School • San Juan Elementary School • San Luis-Condes Elementary School • San Pascual Primary School • San Vicente Elementary School • Tomao Primary School • Valderrama Elementary School Secondary schools • Bitadton National High School • Kawit Integrated School • Lipata - Lamputong Integrated School • Northern Antique Vocational School • Saint Michael High School • San Antonio National High School Higher educational institution • Vicente A. Javier Memorial Community College ==Media==

FM radio • 95.9 Sweet FM Xanthone Broadcasting • 101.1 Radyo Natin DYRE-FM Manila Broadcasting Company & Madjaas Communication Service Cable TV • Kalibo Cable TV ==References==