TWO towns in Iloilo are named after sand – Igbaras and Balasan. Igbaras was named by the Atis even before the Spaniards came. They prefix “ig” means “there is.” Hence, Igbaras means “there is sand” or baras.

Igbaras is on the bank of the Tangyan river which is abundant in sand.

On the other hand, Balasan comes from “balas” (the Chinese corruption of “baras”) of Balasan river which crosses the poblacion.

Cabatuan, Iloilo is named after stone (bato) abundant at the Tigum river. However, others believe it was named after the “batuan” tree.

Still, others believe that it was named after a brook in the middle of the poblacion which flows in the opposite direction as the other brooks. It is described as “nagabatu” – meaning opposing.

Ati Legend

After Marikudo sold Aninipay (Panay) to the Bornean datus, he retreated to the mountains.

Eager to show off the price of Panay – a gold “sadok” and “mananangyad”, he gave a feast to his Ati chieftains Datu Mamburao of Minuro and his son Mangarin, Princess Dayangdayang Agnaya of the Agabris and Agbilad tribes, and Datu Amindan.

During the feast, Mangarin fell in love with Agnaya. So, Datu Mamburao asked for her hand and Marikudo immediately agreed. The wedding was set for the next full moon.

However, Agnaya and Amindan, unknown to others, were already lovers. Before the full moon occurred, they eloped and Marikudo chased them. However, his men lost their way.

The two lovers settled at the headwaters of Pangabat river at Aglibakaw where they begot children.

In time, Agnaya died and as was the custom, she was placed on a decorated raft left to float downstream. Somewhere along the way, the raft caught among the bushes in the river. The natives of the place got Agnaya and buried her.

Soon, Amindan died, too, and his body was also placed on a decorated raft which floated downsteam. The raft got strangled among the bushes just a few kilometers before the burial place of Agnaya. The natives also took Amindan’s body and buried it.

Later on, in the burial place of Agnaya, a new vine grew – which the natives called Jagnaya.

On the burial place of Amindan, a new tree also grew which the natives named Hamindang.

Later, these burial places were called Jamindan (now a town in Capiz) and Jagnaya (now a barrio of Jamindan).

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