San Jose de Buenavista

Etymology

The name of the municipality has evolved through several iterations reflecting its transition from a mission outpost to a provincial capital. It was originally established as the Visita de Tubigon, a name derived from the Kinaray-a root word tubig (water), due to the area being quite swampy and possessing a reliable water source. As the settlement's religious significance grew, it became known as Sitio de San Josef (and subsequently around 1791, San Jose) in honor of its patron saint, Saint Joseph. Historical evidence suggests that the area may have also been referred to as San Juan in certain early colonial sources, leading to speculation that this was an alternative early designation. The final addition of the suffix Buenavista—Spanish for "good view"—was attributed to the town's scenic, elevated location and its perceived healthy environment, which distinguished it from the swampy conditions of the previous capital. During the Spanish colonial period, the name was also frequently recorded as San José de Buena Vista.

History

Early History

The origins of the settlement date back to 1733, when the parish of the Visita of Tubigon was established under the capital town of Antique (modern-day Hamtic). In 1787, Alcalde Mayor Juan de Montinola and Fr. Martín Iglesias proposed relocating the provincial capital to the site to escape high mortality rates and earthquake damage at the old town. The new settlement was named San José de Buenavista, honoring its patron saint, Saint Joseph, while the "Buenavista" (good view) suffix reflected its elevated location and healthy environment.

Establishment and Growth

While local leaders of Hamtic initially resisted the move to protect their established farms and stone buildings, the Spanish government compromised by elevating San Jose to an independent pueblo on January 16, 1792. In the preceding months, the town had elected its first gobernadorcillo, Agustín Sumandi, and received its first resident curate, Fr. Manuel Ibañez.

Provincial Capital and Economic Expansion

In 1802, following a formal petition from its residents, San Jose de Buenavista was officially designated the capital of the Province of Antique. This administrative elevation triggered a period of significant urban and economic expansion. By the mid-1800s, the town’s port had become a vital hub for regional maritime trade, facilitating the export and import of local goods.

The town's demographic profile diversified during this era as Spanish peninsulars and a significant number of Chinese immigrants settled in the capital. This influx of settlers drove a merchant economy, leading to the construction of permanent stone residences and a more robust commercial sector. The 1818 Spanish census them recorded 3,923 native families in the area, living in harmony with 6 Spanish-Filipino families.

Revolutionary and American Periods

During the Philippine Revolution, the town served as the final stronghold for Spanish forces in the province. On November 24, 1898, after a two-day struggle known as the Battle of Antique, the town was captured by revolutionary forces led by General Leandro Fullon. This victory established a short-lived revolutionary government before the arrival of American forces in early 1899.

Following a fierce skirmish at the Malandog River involving American naval bombardment, the town was occupied on January 20, 1899. San José then became the center for the American military and subsequent civil administration. On April 11, 1901, the Taft Commission visited the town to formally establish a civil government, appointing General Fullon as the first provincial governor under the American regime.In 1954, by the virtue of Executive Order No. 3 of the President of the Philippines, the southern portion of San Jose de Buenavista was formed into an independent municipality under the name of Hamtic. The boundary was described to be "From a point on the south bank of the mouth of Malandog River running northeasterly in a straight imaginary line to a point on the northeast side of the San Jose-Hamtic provincial road ten meters west of the intersection of this northeast side of said road with the northwest side of the Sibalom-Piapi-Malandog provincial road; thence following approximately the same direction in an imaginary line that is parallel to, and ten meters distant from the said Sibalom-Piapi-Malandog provincial road until it touches the present boundary between San Jose and Sibalom."

The Evelio B. Javier Airport, the only airport serving commercial flights in the province of Antique, is located in San Jose.

Geography

San Jose de Buenavista is 97 kilometres (60 mi) from Iloilo City, 182 kilometres (113 mi) from Kalibo, and 213 kilometres (132 mi) from Roxas City.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 48.56 square kilometres (18.75 sq mi)  constituting 1.78% of the 2,729.17-square-kilometre- (1,053.74 sq mi) total area of Antique.

Barangays

San Jose de Buenavista is politically subdivided into 28 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, San Jose de Buenavista had a population of 69,522 people. The population density was 1,400 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,600/sq mi).

Language

Kinaray-a is the spoken language of the municipality. Kinaray-a came from the word "iraya", which refers to a group of people residing in the mountain areas of the province. Hiligaynon is spoken as a second language of the municipality.

Religion

San Jose is the Episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose de Antique.

Economy

Poverty incidence of San Jose de Buenavista

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Tourism

Since 1971, San Jose de Buenavista celebrates the Binirayan Festival during the final week of December. This festival involves a theatrical presentation commemorating founding of the first Malayan settlement or barangay in the country. San Jose celebrates its religious fiesta on May 1 to honor its patron saint, Saint Joseph the Worker.

Evelio Javier Freedom Park is located in front of the Antique Provincial Capitol building in San Jose de Buenavista. It is named for the late Governor Evelio Javier, who was shot by an unknown assassin on February 11, 1986. A marker in the park denotes the exact place of his death.

Old and new buildings dot the town: the Old Capitol Building; Evelio B. Javier Memorabilia (New Capitol); Azurin Mansion; La Granja and Binirayan Hills; and the San Pedro Old Church.

Education

The San Jose 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.

Notable personalities

Jerry Navarro Elizalde (1924–1999), Artist for Visual Arts, later proclaimed a National Artist

John Iremil Teodoro (b. 1973), Writer, university professor, freelance journalist

Richard Yee (b. 1977), Former basketball player

Alberto A. Villavert (1903–1984), Politician who served as Governor of Antique

Marian Capadocia (b. 1995), Tennis player

Jose Romeo Lazo (b. 1948), Catholic priest, Archbishop of Jaro