Visayas - Definition and Overview

Map of the Philippines showing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Visayas is one of the three island groupings in the Philippines along with Luzon and Mindanao. It consists of several islands, forming the central part of the country's archipelago.

The major islands are:

• Panay
• Negros
• Cebu
• Bohol
• Leyte
• Samar

Regions and Provinces

Politically, Visayas is divided into 3 regions which are further subdivided into 16 provinces.

Western Visayas (Region VI)

Western Visayas consists of the island of Panay and the western half of Negros. 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. Its provinces are:

• Bohol
• Cebu
• Negros Oriental
• Siquijor

Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

Eastern Visayas consists of the islands of Leyte and Samar. Its provinces are:

• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Eastern Samar
• Northern Samar
• Samar

Legend

There are legends, which are compiled in the book Maragtas, of ten chiefs(datus) who escaped from the tyranny of Datu Makatunaw of Borneo to the island of Panay. The chiefs and followers are believed to be ancestors of the Visaya. The arrival is celegrated in the festival of the Ati-atihan ni Kalibo, Aklan.While they are legends, they are also based on actual facts and events. The were compiled into a book by Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro in 1907.