Bacolod Travel Information
Brief History | Language/Dialect
| Major Industries | Historical
and Cultural Attractions | Special Interest Tours
| Nature Adventure and Ecotourism | Festivals
| Topography, Soil And Climate | Bacolod
Hotels & Resorts | How to get
there
BRIEF HISTORY
Originally known as "Buglas" by its natives.
This fourth largest island in the Philippine archipelago was given the
name "Negros" by the Spanish navigators when Esteban de Rodriguez
discovered the island in April, 1565 and found its earliest occupants
to be dark-skinned natives belonging to the Negrito ethnic group. The
natives then, occupied initially most of the southern portion of the province,
being Binalbagan and Ilog. Two of the earliest native settlements which
officially became towns in 1572 and 1584, respectively. Other settlements
were Hinigaran, Bago, Marayo (now Pontevedra), Mamalan (now HImamaylan)
and Candaguit.
In 1734, the island became a military district and Ilog
became its first capital. Bacolod was made provincial capital in 1849.
Then in 1856, Negros Occidental was raised to the category of a politico-military
province. During this time, several more towns were established like San
Carlos and Calatrava. Other towns were created, particularly Saravia,
Escalante and Valladolid (1860) as a result of the growth of Population
and the influx of immigrants coming from neighboring provinces such as
Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, and Cebu. These growth in population and immigrants
brought to the province in turn rapid material growth and development
during the later part of the 18th century.
The major boon to the province at this time were two:
the cultivation of sugar which brought economic boost as it later led
Negros to pioneer other provinces in sugar production with its initial
of 4,000 piculs of sugar in 1856 increasing to 2,000,000 piculs in 1897.
With this, new machineries such as those operated by steam were used in
the towns of Bacolod, Minuluan and Bago. Another boon was the opening
of the ports like Iloilo and Cebu to foreign commerce.
During the last decade of the 19th century, several important
events may be summarized: one, the making of Negros Occidental as a separate
province in 1890.Two, the joining of the Negrense revolutionary leaders
in the nationwide Katipunan Movement which overcame the Spanish garrison
in the province on November 6, 1898 during one of the Filipinos´revolt
against the Spanish rule. Three, the arrival of the Americans in the province
in May, 1899 leading to the establishment of a Civil Government in Negros
Occidental on April 20, 1901. Fouth, the ousting and surrender of the
Japanese Forces in Negros (1945) after both civilian and military leaders
in Negros Occidental pursued and organized a free government in the province.
After the upheaval and destruction brought by the first
and second world wars, the next years following it, were dedicated to
the rehabilitation and reconstructions of various sectors as Industry
and Commerce, principally the sugar industry. Following this recuperation
period, socio-economic growth in the province ensued.
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LANGUAGE/DIALECT
Negrenses, as practically all Filipinos, are poly-lingual. Of the 87
dialects in the country, two Visayan dialects are predominantly used in
the province: Ilonggo, which is spoken by 80% to 90% of the populace,
and Cebuano which is used by the rest. English, however, is widely spoken;
thus the English-speaking visitor will have little or no communication
problem at all.
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MAJOR INDUSTRIES
Negros Occidental is primarily an agricultural province. Of the total
land area of 792,607 hectares, 588,145 hectares are arable land of which
appoximately 419,305.084 hectares or 53% are devoted to agriculture.
With diversification as a major provincial development program, new land
uses such as more inland fishing, livestock & poultry, grains and
new crops like coffee, cacao, black pepper, orchards, ramie and others
are increasing.
The province of Negros Occidental is reported by the Bureau of Mines
to be rich in both metallic and non-metallic mineral resources, notably
copper, gold, silver and molybdenum. Among the non-metallic minerals are
stones, gravel, and sand and other construction materials, also salt and
guano.
The socio-economic life of Negros Occidental from the 1950´s up
to the 1980´s depended mainly on sugar, producing annually about
60% of the country´s sugar output. The four corners of the archipelago
have focused their wide open eyes and melting mouth to the glory of the
Negrenses. Negros is where high living and high eyebrows were.
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HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
Revolutionary Markers in Bago and Silay Cities and E. B. Magalona; 22
kms. and 15 kms. from Bacolod City, respectively; commemorate the spots
where local revolutionaries fought against Spanish authorities during
the Negros revolution of 1898 and the American forces later.
Araneta and Lacson Monuments, Bago City and Talisay; 22 kms. and 6 kms.
from Bacolod City, respectively; in memory of two great leaders of the
Negros revolution.
Fountain Of Justice, Bacolod City; where the Capitulation of Bacolod
was signed between the Spanish authorities and revolutionary forces.
Instituto Rizal, Bacolod City; first public school established in Bacolod
in 1902.
Church Of Talisay, Talisay; 7 kms. from Bacolod City constructed in the
early part of 1900's where the remains of Fr. Fernando Cuenca and Gen
Aniceto Lacson are being kept.
Ancestral House Of Dr. Soriono, Bacolod City; constructed in 1901, the
house was made of hardwood with fine carvings; served as a hospital during
the Japanese occupation.
Hofileña Ancestral House, Silay City; 15 kms. from Bacolod City;
home to a collection of rare art pieces, antiques and paintings done by
Luna, Rizal and Hidalgo; venue of the first wood printing in Negros.
Hacieda Fe. - Ancestral House Of Don Eusebio Uriarte Y Hermanos, La Carlota
City; 42 kms. from Bacolod City where the Circulo de Agriculture, a planters
organization formed to undertake an anti-locust campaign
The House Of Don Mariano Ramos, Bacolod City; ancestral home of the late
Don Mariano Ramos, first appointed Presidente Municipal of Bacolod.
Capitol Building, Bacolod City; imposing structure of Romanesque neo-classical
architectural design, official seat of government of the Province of Negros
Occidental; served as headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during
World War II.
Gaston Farm House, Silay City; 15 kms. from Bacolod City; typical example
of a "sugar baron's mansion"; converted into a museum and known
today as the "Balay Negrense".
Old Fort At Himamaylan , Himamaylan; 83 kms. from Bacolod City; served
as a garrison when the town became the capital of Negros in 1795.
Yulo Acestral House, Bacolod City; by the sea; built in the early part
of 1900's; residence of Don Alfredo Yulo, mayor of Bacolod at the coming
of the World War II.
The Church Of San Diego, Silay City; 15 kms. from Bacolod City; Basilica
type of architectural work constructed in the 1920's.
Mural Of Birhen Sang Barangay, Bacolod City; large mural mosaic of 95,000
pieces of shells of various species in their natural colors. A unique
work of art found at the Chapel of Sta. Clara.
Chinese Temple, Bacolod City; symbol of Chinese influence in the culture
of the province.
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SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS
Iron Dinosaurs - known among locomotive enthusiasts as the "Steam
Paradise of the Philippines". Seven of the fifteen sugar centrals
in the province maintain these machines in good working condition. Each
milling season, one may occasionally encounter one of these "dragons"
creeping along the cane fields like a mechanical caterpillar dragging
along a host of cane field cars.
War Memorial Tours - Visit memorial shrines, places of significant events,
and other war related activities commemorating World War II.
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NATURE ADVENTURE AND ECOTOURISM
Mt. Kanlaon - One of the mountains found in the north-central portion
of the island of Negros. It is the highest peak in Central Philippines,
the most dominant and attractive feature of which is the active summit
crater of a volcano.
Mambucal Mountain Resort, Murcia; 30 kms. from Bacolod City ; gateway
to the Mt. Kanlaon National Park; built as a spa in 1927; situated at
an altitude of roughly 2,000 ft. above sea level on the north-western
foot of Mt. Kanlaon.
Sitio Guintubdan Nature Camp, La Carlota City; 36 kms. from Bacolod City;
a destination for nature enthusiasts; at the western foot of Mt. Kanlaon
at an elevation of 700 meters above the plains of the sugarland.
Patag Valley Trekking, Silay City; 45 kms. from Bacolod City; located
400meters above sea level between the highlands of Mt. Silay and Mt. Marapara;
home of the Philippines spotted deer; highlight of the visit is a skyline
ride.
Isla Puti, Escalante; 101 kms. from Bacolod City; immense sand bar islet
jutting out of the sea and measuring about 2 hectares in area
Danjugan Island, Cauayan; 177.5 kms. from Bacolod City; 3 hectare reserve
marine sanctuary, a virtual marine paradise to lovers of the underwater
world.
Sagay Marine Sanctuary, Sagay; 86 kms. from Bacolod City; established
in1978; an aggregate area of 200 hectares covering the so called carbin
reef, maca reef, maca shoal and panal reef.
Ubong Cave, Hinobaan; 202 kms. from Bacolod City; system of cave passages
situated at the coastline of Sitio Ubong. Ideal for "spelunker-to-be"
Pating Cave, Kabankalan; highest cave found in the eastern part of Bgy.
Magballo.
Hagdanan Cave, Kabankalan; named so because of the natural formation
of stairs made of stone inside the cave leading to the water under it.
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FESTIVALS
Masskara festival, Bacolod City; every October; a masquerade ball and
beaming images of smiling masks street dancing and stomping to the frenzied
beat of Latin sambas; depicts the Negrenses happy disposition despite
adversities in life.
Pasalamant Festival, La Carlota City; every May; based on the tradition
of giving thanks to the Gods of the elements after a bountiful harvest
by the ancients in "Buglas".
Kali-Kalihan Festival, Don Salvador Benedicto; every November; celebration
of age-old practice showcasing ancient skills in martial arts and beliefs
in the forces of nature; walking on live charcoal is one of the highlights.
Pinta Flores Festival, San Carlos City; every November; coined from the
words "pinta" and "flores", depicts the tradition
of welcoming visitors through dancing as in the "pintados" during
the coming of the Spaniards in the Visayas. Flowers instead of tattoos
are painted on the bodies and costumes of the dancers.
Cadiz Ati-Atihan, Cadiz City; every January; festival in honor of the
Sto. Nino, patron of Cadiz City believed to have created miracles protecting
the city from the invading pirates long time ago.
Sinulod, Ilog and Kabankalan; every January; reenactment of the battle
between the Christian forces and the invading Moro pirates in the Ilog
river; commemorates the defiance of Datu Manyabog against the conquering
forces of Gov. Emilio Saravia.
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TOPOGRAPHY, SOIL AND CLIMATE
The City is ideally located on a level area, slightly sloping as it extends
toward the sea with an average slopes of 0.9 percent for the City Proper
and between 3 to 5 percent for the suburbs. The altitude is 32.8 feet
or 10.0 meters above sea level. The benchmark is the Bacolod Public Plaza.By
soil type, the different varieties of soil covering the entire area fall
into several broad types and qualities like Bago Fine Sandy Loam, Bago
Sandy Clay Loam, Guimbala-on Fine Sandy Loam, Guimbala-on Loam, Hydrosol,
Rough Mountainous Land, Silay Loam, Silay Sandy Loam and Tupi Fine Sandy
Loam.Bacolod has two (2) pronounced seasons, wet and dry. The rainy season
starts from May to January of the following year with heavy rains occur
during the months of August and September. Dry season starts from the
month of February up to the last week of April.
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