Negros Occidental – Sugar Bowl of the Philippines

Found in the northwestern portion of Negros Island, this ‘sweet’ island is covered with vast expanse of sugar cane plantations that supply the Philippines and its neighboring countries with sugar. Negros Occidental also offers its visitors places of beauty and wonder. White sand beaches, ancestral houses and falls are located throughout the province. It is one of the few places in the world that has a working and operating ‘iron dinosaur’ – steam locomotives.

Demographics

1. Population – 2,869, 766 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 7,926 sq. km
3. Capital – Bacolod City
4. Language/Dialect – Higyanon, Cebuano, English and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (13)

• Bacolod City
• Bago City
• Cadiz City
• Escalante City
• Himamaylan City
• Kabankalan City
• La Carlota City
• Sagay City
• San Carlos City
• Silay City
• Sipalay City
• Talisay City
• Victorias City

Municipalities (19)

• Binalbagan
• Calatrava
• Candoni
• Cauayan
• Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia)
• Hinigaran
• Hinoba-an
• Ilog
• Isabela
• La Castellana
• Manapla
• Moises Padilla (Magallon)
• Murcia
• Pontevedra
• Pulupandan
• Salvador Benedicto
• San Enrique
• Toboso
• Valladolid

Cultural

Muscovado Sugar Mills
Location: Hacienda Canman-ug, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
Don Teodoro Guerra, the owner of Hacienda Canman-ug built the first muscovado sugar mill in La Carlota in 1910. The mill was powered by eight A & W Smith Company steam engines, manufactured in 1883 in Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Central Azucarera de La Carlota
Location: La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
The Azucarera is one of the oldest sugar mills in the country. Its history dates back in 1916 when it was established by the Elizalde and Ynchausti families at Hacienda Esperanza in La Carlota, Negros Occidental at the south base of Mt. Kanlaon.

La Granja Agricolas
Location: Barrio Cubay, Brgy. La Granja, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
A royal decree was issued on November 15, 1881 created the La Granja Agricolas to serve as a model agricultural land and promulgated in July 8, 1884.

Ma-ao Sugar Central
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
Founded Don Jorge Araneta in the early part of 1819, this is now one of the oldest sugar centrals in the Philippines.

Negros Museum
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Tour Days: Tuesday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 10:00am– 6:00pm
The ‘Sugar Museum’ does not have any artifacts inside. What it has are the stories of Negros Occidental and how it became the ‘Sugarbowl of the Philippines.

Don Teodolfo Infante Heritage House (Bahay Daku)
Location: Hacienda Guadalupe, Brgy. Ayungon, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
Bahay Daku literally meaning ‘big house’, this ancestral house was designed by the owner himself, Don Teodolfo Infante in 1929. It was declared by the National Historical Institute as a National Heritage House in December 12, 2001.

Silay Heritage Houses
Location: Silay City, Negros Occidental
Silay City is dubbed as the ‘Paris of Negros’ because during the Spanish era, the señoritas and señoritos who were involved in the sugar industry constantly traveled to Europe, and brought with them ornaments and furniture from the West. Add to the illustrious design of their houses, beauty and glamour became very evident throughout the city.

1. Victor Fernandez Gaston Heritage House (Balay Negrense)
Location: Cinco de Noviembre St., Silay City, Negros Occidental
Tour Days: Tuesday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 10:00am– 6:00pm
Entrance Fee: P25.00
The Balay Negrense served as the residence of Frenchman Yves Germaine Leopold Gaston, and his son Don Victor Fernandez, who developed the sugar industry in Northern Negros during the 19th century. It has been restored to its former glory and beauty since its abandonment during the World War II. Now, it hosts several Negrense artifacts; some of which have French origin.

2. Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni Museum
Location: Rizal St., Silay City, Negros Occidental
Tour Days: Monday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 9:30am– 6:00pm
Entrance Fee: P25.00
Built between 1908 and 1912, this ancestral house now serves as a museum which contains antique Japanese currency and law books, as well as a huge metal vat used to make muscovado sugar.

3. Carlos Arceo Ledesma Heritage House
4. Jose Benedicto Gamboa Heritage House
5. Angel Araneta Ledesma Heritage House
6. Benita Jara Heritage House
7. Amelia Hilado Flores Heritage House
8. Alejandro Amechazura Heritage House
9. Jose Corteza Locsin Heritage House
10. Augusto Hilado Severino Heritage House
11. Severino Building/Heritage House
12. Manuel Severino Hofileña Heritage House
13. Claudio Hilado Akol Heritage House
14. Manuel de la Rama Locsin Heritage House
15. Felix Tad-y Lacson Heritage House
16. Soledad and Maria Montelibano Lacson Heritage House
17. Kapitan Marciano Montelibano Lacson Heritage House
18. Vicente Conlu Montelibano Heritage House
19. Maria Ledesma Golez Heritage House
20. Jose Ledesma Heritage House
21. Teodoro Morada Heritage House
22. Generoso Reyes Gamboa Heritage House
23. Digna Locsin Consing Heritage House
24. German Lacson Gaston Heritage House
25. Modesto Ramirez Hojilla (Carlos Javelosa Jalandoni) Heritage House
26. Dr. Jose Corteza Locsin Heritage House
27. German Locsin Unson Heritage House
28. Delfin Ledesma Ledesma Heritage House

Historical

General Aniceto Lacson Historical Landmark
Location: Talisay City, Negros Occidental
The landmark honors the valor and sacrifices of Gen. Aniceto Lacson who served as the President of the cantonal Republic of Negros during the Negros Revolution on November 5, 1898.

General Juan Araneta Historical Landmark
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
Gen. Araneta was the Secretary of War during the tenure of General Lacson as President during the Negros Revolution. The cantonal government lasted only from November 27, 1898 until March 4, 1899. A monument of him mounted on a horse was placed at the entrance of the city in honor of his contribution to Philippine Independence.

Gen. Juan Araneta Ancestral House (Balay na Bato)
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
This was the residence of General Araneta. It was built in the 19th century and has been restored to its original form. The house was declared as a National Historical Landmark in 1978.

Fountain of Justice
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The fountain serves as a memorial of the site where Spanish politico-military governor Col. Isidro de Castro signed the Act of Capitulation on November 6, 1898, a day after the victorious ‘Cinco de Noviembre’.

Old Fort at Himamaylan
Location: Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental
Himamaylan served as the capital of Negros in 1795. The fort was built to serve as a garrison and lookout point for Muslim raids during the Spanish occupation.

Bago River Bridge
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
The bridge served as one of the key structures during the World War II. Members of the 503rd Parachute RCT joined Filipino guerillas in securing the bridge against Japanese forces. This allowed the American troops to advance and liberate Bacolod.

World War II Memorial Wall
Location: Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
This 10-foot tall wall serves as a sidewall to the Cadiz City Public Plaza. Embossed in it are the names of the ‘heroes’ of World War II.

Man-made

Fort San Juan
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
From it construction in 1888 up to now, Fort San Juan has served as the provincial jail of Bacolod. Thirty-six (36) Spanish friars were detained in here during the Negros Revolution.

Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The building, which was built in 1931, has a Romanesque neo-classical architectural design. It once served as the headquarters of the Japanese in World War II

Luzuriaga Cemetery
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Located along Burgos Street, this is the only cemetery in the Philippines, and probably in the world, that is located right in the middle of the highway.

Mambukal Mountain Resort
Location: Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental
This mixed natural and man made wonder is the home of three species of bats – the Philippine Flying Fox (Philippine Giant Fruit Bat), Philippine bare-backed fruit bat, and the endangered Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox. Aside from these flying creatures, the resort has therapeutic springs, waterfalls, swimming pools, hiking trails, and camp sites. It is also the gateway to the Mount Kanlaon Volcano.

Panaad Park and Stadium
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
This 25-hectare sports complex has bore witness to several international events. Footballl events were held here during the 2005 South East Asian Games. This also served as the venue for the qualifying tournament of the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship. The Staduim also has a rubberized track oval, a 15,500-seating-capacity stadium, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Located at the park is a replica of the landmarks found in the 13 cities and 19 municipalities of Negros Occidental.

Natural

Mount Kanlaon
Location: Negros Occidental
The active volcano was declared as a National Park through Proclamation No. 721 on August 8, 1934 and revised by Proclamation No. 1005 on May 8, 1997. It serves as the home of the Negros bleeding heart dove, fruit doves and other endangered species. It has three hot springs on the slope: Mambucal Hot Springs, Bucalan Hot Spring, and Bungol Hot Spring.

Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Danjugan Island, Negros Occidental
Established in 2000 through the collaborative efforts of Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (PRRCFI) and UK-based Coral Cay Conservation, this island found 3k west of Negros Occidental is home to sea eagles, herons, sunbirds, several varieties of bats and many other species and surrounded by diverse coral reefs.

Guintubdan Nature’s Park
Location: Sitio Guintubdan, Bgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
From the Hiligaynon word “tubod” which means flowing water, the park hosts several falls and vast greenery where visitors can picnic and enjoy the beauty of nature in tranquility.

Sagay Marine Reserve
Location: Sagay City, Negros Occidental
Through Proclamation 592 issued in 1995, the 32,000 hectare Sagay territorial water was declared as a Protected Seascape. Now, it serves as the major fishing ground in Negros and a sanctuary for coral reefs and inhabited by blue crabs, sea urchins, abalones, sea cucumbers and various sea shells.

Ubong Caves
Location: Brgy. Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental
The caves, two are on land connected by a small shaft and the other, called Salvacion Cave is by the water. The cave has several unique stalagmite and stalactite formations. Its clear coral covered water is ideal for free diving.

La Fortuna Nature & Wildlife Lagoon
Location: Brgy. Fortuna, Buluangan, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
It is a five-hectare man-made lagoon which is seven meters deep and serves as a grow-out pond for Taiwan and tilapia (a type of tilapiine cichlid fish) fishes. It has several hardwood and fruit-bearing trees like Santol (Sandoricum koetjape), Guyabano (soursop), Duhat (black plum), Mango, Atis (Sugar Apple/Sweet sop), Jackfruit, and Mansinitas (Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.)

Religious

Brgy. Sang Virgen Chapel
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The Sta. Clara Subdivision chapel features a unique mural mosaic measuring a 9 ft. x 21 ft. of the lady of the Barangay Sang Virgen done on a collage of 95,000 pieces of shells of various sizes, shades and colors.

Saint Joseph Church
Location: Victorias City, Negros Occidental
Located at the heart of Victorias Milling Company compound, the church is noted for its mural of a rough -faced Christ in psychedelic colors popularly known as the Angry Christ. It is the only church in Negros that depicts Filipino liturgical art.

Pasalamat Festival
Location: La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
Date: May 1
Pasalamat Festival is based on the tradition of giving thanks to gods of elements after a bountiful harvest. The city takes on a festive atmosphere during the weeklong celebration, which culminates with a Mardi Gras like parade of floats and caricatures.

Sinulog Festival
Location: Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Date: Third Sunday of January
The Sinulog is a hilarious festivity held in commemoration of the triumph of the townspeople against the moro pirates through the intercession of the Sto. Nino. Locals dress in colorful costumes in black soot stamp and dances all over the city.

Pinta Flores Festival
Location: San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Date: November 5
In celebration of the ‘Cinco de Noviembre’ and the bountiful harvest of the city, the city streets are filled with dancers dressed in colorful costumes decorated with sunflowers and other flora.