The Visayan Island

Visayas (Visayan: 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. Its inhabitants are referred to as the Visayans.
The major islands of the Visays are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. The category may also include the islands of Romblon and Masbate, whose inhabitants identify as Visayan.

History

The history of the Visayas before the arrival of the Spanish remains a mystery. 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 and Malay kingdoms since the locals of Cebu were able to converse with Enrique of Malacca using Malay when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521.

After Magellan's expedition, the Spanish became interested with the 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 were not the only problems of the Visayans. Moros 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 revolution. After Philippine independence, Visayans continued to participate in Philippine politics with the presidents coming from the Visayas.

On May 23, 2005, Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) by Executive Order 429. 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 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. Hence, Palawan is currently (as of May 2007) still part of Region IV-B.
Administrative divisions

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 and the western half of Negros. The regional center is Iloilo City. Its provinces are:

Aklan
Antique
Capiz
Guimaras
Iloilo
Negros Occidental

Central Visayas (Region VII)

Central Visayas includes the islands of Cebu and Bohol, and the eastern half of Negros. The regional center is Cebu City. Its provinces are:

Bohol
Cebu
Negros Oriental
Siquijor

Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

Eastern Visayas consists of the islands of Leyte and Samar. The regional center is Tacloban City. Its provinces are:

Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Eastern Samar
Northern Samar
Samar

Culture

Legends

There were unhistorical fabrications created in 1907 by Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro in his book Maragtas, telling the story of ten chiefs (Datus) who escaped from the tyranny of Datu Makatunaw from Borneo to the islands of Panay. The chiefs and followers were said to be the ancestors of the Visayan people.

Unfortunately, the fabrications were credulously accepted by Manila historians and found their way into Filipino history textbooks. As a result, the Maragtas arrival is celebrated in the Festivals of the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Aklan and Binirayan in San Jose, Antique. Philippine historian William Scott conclusively proved the book to be a complete and most unfortunate hoax. Panay boasts of the Hinilawod as its oldest and longest epic.

Hypotheses

A contemporary theory based on a study of genetic markers in present-day populations that Austronesian migrants from Taiwan populated Luzon and headed south to the Visayas, Borneo, modern day Indonesia, then to the Pacific islands to the east. The study, though, may not explain interisland migrations, which are also possible, such as the Tagalog migration to Luzon.

Another theory suggested the Visayas were populated by Malays migrating from Borneo to Sulu to Mindanao to the Visayas, while other Malays crossed to Palawan through Sabah. This was postulated to explain the similarities of the Warays, the Ilonggos and some of the Cebuanos. Other Malays were suggested to have crossed from Samar island to the Bicol region in Luzon. The theory suggests those who passed through Palawan may have migrated to what is presently Manila, and that the word Luzon, may have came from the word "Lusong" meaning to wade in the waters or seas, and attack the enemies. The word "lusob" may have evolved from this word.
A supplementary theory was that at the time the Malay migrants where moving north from Mindanao, to Visayas, and to Manila, Chinese merchants who were trading with Sulu and Borneo passed by Luzon island and may have settled the island. This theory postulates these Chinese as the origins of the facial features of Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, and Pampangueños.