Hekasi - Exploring Negros Occidental, Philippines PDF

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Exploring Negros Occidental, Philippines...

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Cadiz City Negros Occidental

 HISTORY One can trace the history of Cadiz from the establishment of a traditional settlement in a place known as Cadiz Viejo, near the banks of Hilaton River. According to historical records, it was on 1861 when Spaniards came and named the settlement as Cadiz because of its northern location which reminded them of the seaport by the same name in Spain. At the onset of American rule, Cadiz was on its way to prosperity with the operation of two lumber companies in the area. The war years brought a stop to all these economic activities and much suffering to the people of Cadiz. The resistance movement put up the civil government in the mountains to deal with civilian affairs. On July 1967, Cadiz was inaugurated as a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 4894 which was passed by Congress on June 17, 1967.

 PRODUCTS Other products made in the Cadiz province include handmade furniture (especially those made of mahogany), wrought iron, pottery, palm and wicker products, blankets and ponchos, textiles, ceramics, leatherwork and woodwork.

 FESTIVALS Dinagsa- The festival began in 1972 and was first known as Cadiz City Ati-atihan Festival. It was only in 2002 that the festival was called “Dinagsa,” a name that is rightly Cadiznon.  TOURIST SPOTS 

Lakawon Island White Sand Beach

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Cadiz Catholic Church

BACOLOD CITY Negros Occidental

 HISTORY The settlement was set up by Malayan people from the Taga-Ilog and settled on a stone hill (which is where Barangay Granada stands today). Later on the Moros attacked early one morning and within a few hours many people had been killed, women raped and houses torn down or burnt. The people then decided to move a little farther from the place down to the shore making the stone hill a ghost town. Bacolod was made the provincial capital of Negros in 1894. It was the focal point of conflict between the Spanish and the Negrenses in 1898. The commanding officer of the Spanish forces; Col. Isidro de Castro, surrendered to the Filipino forces, and the signing of the Act of Capitulation was carried out at the house of Don Eusebio Luzuriaga which once stood in front of the City Hall. In March 1899, US forces, led by Colonel James G. Smith, occupied Bacolod and conducted a campaign of suppression which has been largely overlooked by Americans and Filipinos alike. During American Rule, The Rizal Institute was set up in the city in 1903 providing education to the Bacolodnons. La Consolacion College was then founded on 1919 by Augustinian Sisters as a private school. The City of Bacolod was officially declared a city on 18 Jun 1938. Inclement weather meant that the inauguration had to be postponed twice. It was finally held on 19 Oct 1938; today the first two weeks of October is celebrated as Masskara and 19 Oct as Charter Day celebration declared a holiday. Bacolod was occupied by Japanese Imperial forces on 21 May 1942 but was then liberated by local guerillas and allied forces on 29 May 1945. The small settlement grew and emerged as an urbanized city with a population now around 500,000 and named as one of the two "Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines", it also recognized as the most Business and child friendly city as well as Best in disaster risk management and has been appointed by the European Union as the pilot city for democratic Local governance for Southeast Asia in the Philippines.

 PRODUCTS Antiques, handwoven cloth like hablon (a native developed shimmer fabric), shellcraft, ceramic ware, woodcraft, leather goods, pottery, baskets and children’s garments are among the best buys. Others are shellcraft, ceramic ware and woodcraft. Tourists may visit the ANP Negros Showroom and the Central Market which features best Negrese handicrafts and products such as houseware, decorative objects, garments, gift items and even food delicacies, , textiles, native delicacies and fresh fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, guapple (hybrid guava and apple), durian, atis and golden mangoes. And for antique furniture, heirloom pieces, and wooden images of saints and curio items, one may visit Casa Grande Antiques shop.

 FESTIVALS 

Bacolaodiat Festival: Spring Festival celebrated by the Filipino-Chinese community in Bacolod. This is held in the Provincial Lagoon. The Chinese New Year of Bacolod. Rows of stalls form the chopsticks alley which serve Chinese cuisine, live bands also play, aside from chopsticks alley and live bands, the display of Chinese culture and cookfest is also held.

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Panaad sa Negros: It represents the festive nature of the Negrense, and commences with a mass, which is then followed by a banner and displays of every town and city in Negros. Firework displays also are held during the festival and there is a showcase of local delicacies of the province. 

Masskara Festival, 3rd Week of October. "Masskara" means "Mask" in Hiligaynon and Tagalog. The use of colorful masks with large smiles represent the nickname for the city, "City of Smiles", the masks are usually the icons for the festival and sometimes of Bacolod.

 TOURIST SPOT 

Bacolod City Plaza Bandstand – this is the center for cultural activities of the early Bacolenos during weekends, located at the Bacolod City Public Plaza.

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CApitol Park and Lagoon – this park is located in front of the Capitol Building where it features sculptural work of a woman and a female water buffalo done by a French artist, as well as a man and male buffalo which was also done by a native Negrense artist.

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The Province Capitol Building – built in 1927 and finished 1933. This building is used to be the current seat of the Provincial Government of Occidental Negros. The building boasts its architectural design of Neo-Roman classic style that was really quite impressive. When the Japanese occupied the country, the building was used as the General Headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army.

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Negros Museum Provincial Capitol Building – this museum was opened last March 18, 1996 and now under the Negros Cultural Foundation, an NGO organization committed to preserving the cultural and historical heritage of Negros.

San Carlos City Negros Occidental

 HISTORY During the 17th century, San Carlos City’s name was Nabingkalan which believed to have derived from the name of the chieftain’s daughter in Negrito settlement who governed the barrio at that time. This settlement was later bought by a native from Cebu and then converted it into a Christian Village. When the Spaniards came, the Island of Buglas (Negros) was divided into 2 provinces, the West negros under Iloilo and the East Negros under Cebu. The barrio of Nabingkalan was under the jurisdiction of Iloilo at that time and it was renamed into Pueblo. In 1890, Negros Island was divided into Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, making Pueblo a barrio of Calatrava. A few years later, a parish priest of Calatrava assembled the cabesas de barangay and all agreed to change the name of the town to San Carlos in honor of Patron Saint Carlos Borromeo. Then on Novemer 4, 1898 th seat of the town was transferred to San Carlos. In 1925, Calatrava was organized into a municipality. During the Spanish regime in 1856, the Island of Buglas (Negros) was divided into two (2) provinces, the West Negros under Iloilo and the East Negros under Cebu. The barrio of Nabingkalan was under the jurisdiction of Iloilo and since then the place was renamed to “Pueblo”. Then in 1890, Negros Island was divided into Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental making Pueblo a barrio of Calatrava. A few years later, a parish priest of Calatrava assembled the

cabesas de barangay and all agreed to change the name of the town to San Carlos in honor of Patron Saint Carlos Borromeo. Then on November 4, 1898 the seat of the town was transferred to San Carlos. In 1925, Calatrava was organized into a municipality. In the onset of First World War, the residents of San Carlos produced enough staple and sugar crops and when the ceasefire happened on 1917, most of the planters or residents having sugar plantations gained more wealth due to the increase in the price of sugar. Then in World War II, residents of San Carlos and Calatrava formed a guerilla movement under the leadership of Lt. Leonardo Marane and Lt. Alfredo Valdivia to fight the Japanese Imperial Forces. In March 1945, the local guerilla attacked the Japanese garrison in the compound of San Carlos Milling Company and succeeded. On July 1, 1960, by virtue of Republic Act 2643, the Municipality of San Carlos was converted into the City of San Carlos. Improvements and city development then paved way since then

 PRODUCTS Home to the finest handcrafted organic quince paste is available. And the only made in the USA organic quince paste.

 FESTIVALS   

Bailes De Luces (La Castellana) – This is celebrated annually on December 30 to January 5 as a festival of hope and thanksgiving. Banana Festival (La Castellana) – This is a harvest festival every first week of April. Pinta Flores Festival –This is celebrated every year in the month of November with flowers tattooed on the bodies of the participants and their costumes.

 TOURIST SPOT 

Sipaway Island – also known as Refugio Island, this island has a century-old Balete tree, white sand beach resort, a private wharf and a recreation center and a huge public swimming pool.

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Codcod Rice Terraces – this is just 28 kilometers away from the city proper. This place serves as the main source of rice and vegetables in the city.

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Hacienda House of Don Teodolfo Infante – located at Hacienda Guadalupe and was built in 1929 with unique architecture.

Silay City Negros Occidental

 HISTORY In 1565, Silay was first called as “Carobcob”, which means “to scratch” in Kinaray-a. That was because the people were relying on harvesting tuway clams which involved “scratching” (or raking) the sands for the mullocks at low tide, as a means of livelihood. Carobcob was granted as an encomienda to Cristobal Nuñez Paroja, one of the 17 soldiers of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi on January 25, 1571. Even though already established encomienda, the settlement was not still safe for the attacks of the native oppressors. In the second half of the century, Moro slave raiders escalated their incursions on the island, forcing the Corregidor of Negros to adopt the policy of flight rather than resistance. People left their homes sometime in 1760 and settled in a new location between two small rivers Matagoy and Panaogao. A paloisades or estacada (Spanish for “fortification”) was constructed to protect the populace from Moro raiders. The place is now known as Sitio Estaca, its name derived from the Spanish word estacada. In 1760 Silay was recognized as a town being referred to in a letter from Governor Juan Jose de Mijares (1772–1775) mentioning Silay as a leading town in the north. In 1776, the bishop of Cebu considered Silay as the center of the parish. In 1760, it became a pueblo or town. By 1896, it had become a leading sugar-producing area because of the Horno Economico (sugar mill) built in 1846 by a Frenchman who became a permanent resident of Silay, Yves Leopold Germain Gaston.

 PRODUCTS  FESTIVALS 

Kansilay Festival – this festival is celebrated every 12th

of June. The festival runs with a story of a Princess named Kansilay who defended the settlement from the invading pirates. She fought for her people. They were successful in driving out the pirates but the princess died in the battle. 

Adobo Festival – locals as well as foreign visitors flock into Balay Negrense along 5 de Noviembre Street, Silay City, to taste many kinds of adobo cooked by the locals.

 TOURIST SPOT 

Cinco de Nobiembre Marker – marks the site of the first exchange of shots between the Filipino and Spanish forces on Novvember 5, 1898. It was also the location where the northern forces of Gen. Lacson assembled and raised the Philippine flag.

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Ramon Hofilena Museum – located at No. 14 Cinco de Noviember Street, is a typical turn of the century Philippine ancestral home built in 1934. Now a museum, it displays more than 1,000 works of Goya and Picasso, works of Dr. Jose Rizal, Juan Luna and Felix Resurrection Hidalgo, imported Chinese pottery, silver picture frames, antiques and a collection of small dolls (said to be the smallest in the world, you need a magnifying glass to appreciate them). It also houses the oldest printmaking workshop outside Manila, Silay Printmaking, founded on 1970.

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Balay Negrense – is one of the largest ancestral house in Silay City. It was built in a NeoRenaissance style (1898 to 1912) by Frenchman Yves Leopold Germain Gaston of Lisieux. Gaston, the first sugar baron in the 19th century, generated wide-scale interest in cultivating sugar on a commercial scale. His horno econonmico is the precursor of today’s sugar mills. The house built was said said to have been occupied by Japanese military officers in World War II. It was a venue for a ballet school run by one of the descendants until the early 1970s and was abandoned shortly thereafter. It was later restored and was opened in 1987 by the Negros Cultural Foundation as a lifestyle museum showcasing Negrense art and culture. It boasts of 12 bedrooms, a grand W-shaped stairway, calado or carved panels that served as ventilators between rooms, antique furniture, Gaston memorabilia, etched window glass, fancy-grilled ventanillas and sprawling gardens. Open Tuesdays-Sundays, 10am-6pm.

Kabankalan City Negros Occidental

 HISTORY According to historians the first inhabitants of Kabankalan were people who came from neighboring towns. They derived the name Kabankalan from the word “Bangkal” a species of trees which is abundant and can be found in the place. The settlers established the Barangay form of government, which every group has its own leader called the Capitan. In early years, Kabankalan started as a barrio of Ilog, a neighboring town of the city today. When Kabankalan turned into a town in 1903, its first town president was Capitan Lorenzo Zayco, but in mid-1907 a group of rebel called “pulahan” led by Papa Isio raided the town and burned all the houses. However, the people of Kabankalan quickly recovered and rebuilt the town from destruction caused by the dissidents. During the Spanish regime, the people were taught by the Spanish with their language and introduced the Roman Catholic religion. When the American came they introduced the democratic form of government. During this time, a lot of improvements came through to the town and new modern techniques of farming were introduced by the Americans to the local farmers that give them good products. After the American regime, another invaders occupied the town of Kabankalan: the Japanese, and during this time, a guerilla unit was formed to oppose the foreign aggression and many people fled to the mountain to avoid the Japanese military abuse but when Americans returned in the island, they helped the people to be freed from the Japanese. After the World War II, the town began to move and regain the economy. The establishment of two sugar mills in 1960’s and early 70’s give the town a boost into the list of top improving towns of Negros. The town of Kabankalan was declared by former president Fidel V. Ramos as a chartered city on August 2, 1997, under Republic Act No. 8297.

 FESTIVALS Sinulog (Kabankalan) Festival – this festival happens every January 10-16. This is the city’s version of Sinulog Festival of Cebu, where the participants wear colorful costumes with bare bodies painted in black soot take to the streets to the riotous and frenzied beats of drums celebrating the feast of El Señor Sto. Niño.

 TOURIST SPOT 

City Hall with its interesting architecture

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City Plaza

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Mag-aso Falls

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Agustina Falls

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Magballo Cave

Talisay City Negros Occidental

 HISTORY The primary settlers in Talisay were the Negritos who came from the north mountain ranges of Negros. By 1788, families of Malay descent settled in the pristine part of Negros Island and named it as Minuluan. Sugar plantations progressed in the place and lots of traders and buyers came to buy the products that the place is proud of – sugar. Haciendas were also created where large hectares of sugarcanes were planted.

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 FESTIVALS 

Minuluan Festival – this is an annual culture and arts festival celebrating the unique identity of the Talisaynons. Held every September 4-10, it inspires the present generation with the cherished traditions and rich culture of the past and the bravery of its ancestors especially. The festival is also celebrating the feast of its patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino which falls on the 10th of September.

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Pasidungog Festival – is the Charter Day, thanksgiving festival of the city celebrated every 11th of February. It is a three-day festival which showcases the artistry and skills of the Talisaynons. Competitions in vocal solo, composo, cheer and dance, folk and pop dance, drum and bugle corps, platoon drill, chorale and sports are some of the events. The Pasidungog Queen Pageant, a beauty talent search highlights the festivities.

 TOURIST SPOT 

The Ruins or “Don mariano Ledesma Lacson Mansion” – this is one of the latest attractions if the city. This is actually an old mansion standing in thr middle of sugarcane plantations, debut and other parties are normally held here due to the romantic and relaxing ambiance of the place.

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Nature’s Village Resort – is located along the Talisay National Highway. This is a rustic, country-style resort complete with restaurants, swimming pools, tennis court, driving range, function rooms and hotel facilities. A children’s park, complete with bike tracks, horse back ridding, and a playground, also include their amenities. it is an ideal homeaway-from-home setting with resort features.

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Campuestuhan – located at 21.9 kilometers away from the city proper in Barangay Cabatangan. This place has a breathtaking view of the cities of Talisay, Bacolod and Silay. This forest reserve is a home to many rare and endangered forest species. An exciting cable car ride takes you across the ravine and three-hour trek will take you to the mysterious Henares Garden and Resort – the resort has a spring swimming pool, and it promotes vermiculture and grows fresh vegetables, black pepper, and different varieties of herbs and tropical plants.

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Bago City Negros Occidental

 HISTORY The earliest recorded history of Bago City dates back from the 17th century when a group of settlers from Panay crossed the Guimaras Strait and migrated to Negros. Some of those settlers went to the banks of Bago River, one of the largest river in Negros Island. These settlers made the rapid growth of the community. They formed a village which capable of establishing its own government. When the Spaniards came to the place, they petitioned them to make the village as “pueblo” or town and name it Bago. Their petition was granted within that same year. Bago experienced lots of oppressions from its colonizers. However, the people still continued to live and to fight for the desired freedom. They joined forces to free themselves from being exiled. One of the noted leaders of the revolutionary organizations formed in Bago at that time was General Juan A. Araneta. Since then, Bago continued to aim for freedom and progress which were also reached when it was declared as a city on February 19, 1966.

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