The Evolution of Panay Bukidnon Identity
Originally, Panay Bukidnon speaks ligbok, an archaic form of kinaray-a evident in the original transcripts of the Sugidanon epic. Though contemporary Panay Bukidnon no longer speak ligbok, the phonemes of the language are still present in their intonation when speaking kinaray-a. They are distinguished by their unique accent in contrast with the lowlanders. The origin of the term Pan-ayanon, as many refer to themselves to distinguish them from other Panay Bukidnon (Halawodnon, Akeanon, Iraynon), dates back during the olden times when feudal and clan wars were prevailing. They refer to Pan-ayanon as those living in the headwaters of the Pan-ay river, the major tributary and the longest river of Panay island. The head of the river is a place called mamarang Pan-ay. They originally refer to themselves, in contrast with the ethnic groups of other provinces, as Pan-ayanon since they take their subsistence from Pan-ay River. Nonetheless, they refer to other Panay Bukidnon as kaangay (
