The Municipal Government of Kalibo in the Province of Aklan staged once more the “Barter of Panay,” being an intangible cultural heritage, at the Magsaysay Park on January 17, 2024.

The "Barter of Panay" theatrical performance has always been one of the highlights of the “Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Festival” since the play debuted in 1968 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park. 

The “Barter of Panay” brings to life the story that has been passed on through oral tradition.

This story was also documented in Pedro Monteclaro's book entitled “Maragtas sang Panay” published in 1907. Monteclaro was a local leader, writer and historian.

Monteclaro acknowledged that legends are important to Visayan heritage. He embarked on a gleaning of stories shared by the elderly in Panay.

The barter in Panay island had something to do with the legendary story of ten Bornean datus who arrived at the shore of Panay in the 13th century and bartered items with the indigenous “Ati” people led by a certain King Marikudo and his wife, Queen Maniwangtiwang.

The legend mentioned of the exchanging of the lowlands of Panay for a golden “saduk” (or salakot which is a type of hat with a wide brim) and a “manangyad” described to be a long gold necklace that dazzled the settlers. The indigenous people moved up the hinterlands of Panay so the Bornean datus, their families, and constituents aboard a flotilla of balangays (ancient boats) could settle in the lowlands. 

The Kalibo Council for Culture and the Arts Performing Arts Guild, featuring the talents of students from Regional Science High School in Western Visayas, Aklan State University, Garcia College of Technology, and Northwestern Visayan Colleges, immortalized an 800-year-old story through the theatrical cultural presentation under the artistic direction of  Arthur Peracullo.