The Ruins, Bacolod

The Ruins, in Talisay City, was the largest residential mansion built then. This mansion belongs to sugar baron Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948.) Built after the death of his wife Maria Braga (1911) and served as the residence of their unmarried children. But, in the early part of World War II, USAFEE and then guerrilla fighters built this mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from making this structure their headquarters. It was burning for three days, leaving no traces of its glorious past, but still, the effort of the workers paid off because its gorgeous RUINS are still standing and part of our today.

Negros Occidental Tourist Spot

1. The Ruins, Talisay

Negros Occidental holds most historical sites of the region. The first attraction you should visit is a mansion that was owned by the sugar baron Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948). The construction of this mansion was non-stop until the entire structure was completed. It was the largest mansion built during that time, however, was burnt to prevent the Japanese forces from making it their headquarters during World War II. Because of the A-grade mixture of concrete that was used, its ruins remain today. Click here to read more.

Silay City: Historical Sites (Top Tourist Spots)

1. Balay Negrense

Balay Negrense is one of the century old houses along Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City. This street is remarkable because of the historical value that transpires to the people. Balay Negrense is a Hiligaynon phrase which means: Balay or a house and Negrense refers to the people living in the province of Negros. It is a century old house in Silay City owned by Victor Fernandez Gaston, the eldest son of a prominent sugar baron Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Prudencia Fernandez. It was built between 1897 to 1901, then abandoned in the mid-1970’s, repaired by the government and was inaugurated on October 6, 1990.

My Solo-Backpacking in Negros Occidental and Iloilo

After my successful Cebu solo backpacking, another solo backpacking trip to the Visayas was planned - this is it: a solo backpacking trip in Western Visayas. The language barrier wasn't a problem because Hiligaynon has similarities to our native language in Romblon. During my travel, I learned that the Negrenses are accommodating and have a good sense of direction. For simple questions like, "Where is it located?" they provided me with detailed instructions. In general, Negros Occidental and the province of Ilo-Ilo are Must Visit provinces in the Philippines. Sorted according to my itinerary, historical, heritage, and tourist spots below were my destinations.

Negros Museum

This museum is almost in front of the Negros Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. It serves as the provincial museum of Negros Occidental, which was opened on March 16, 1996, at the Provincial Capitol Building. In May 2003, it was transferred to its current location, which is the former Agricultural Building. The Agricultural Extension Building was built in 1941 and was renovated in 1991.

Cinco de Noviembre

Cinco de Noviembre served as the drugstore and a hideout where Negrense Revolutionaries secretly helped plan the revolution against the Spanish Colonial Forces on November 5, 1898. Today, it is a small landmark in Silay City, but before, it played a huge part during the revolution. This is the perfect location where Negros Republic was created.

Balay Negrense

It is a century-old house in Silay City owned by Victor Fernandez Gaston, the eldest son of a prominent sugar baron Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Prudencia Fernandez. It was built between 1897 and 1901, abandoned in the mid-1970s, repaired by the government, and inaugurated on October 6, 1990. Balay Negrense is just one of the century-old houses along Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City. This street is remarkable because of the historical value that transpires to the people. Its name is a Hiligaynon phrase; Negrense refers to the people living in the province of Negros and Balay or a House.

Cinco de Noviembre Festival

Sigabong sang mga Kanyon means “explosion of cannons.” It is also part of an annual Fiesta dubbed as “Cinco de Nobyembre” by the City of Bago, Negros Occidental, commemorating the uprising of the Negrenses and the somewhat “explosive” true story behind the province’s independence. History accounts relate to the siege of Bago City, then a poblacion, which was liberated by the Philippine revolutionary General Juan Araneta in the early hours of November 5, 1898.  Info from Aliwan Fiesta Website

Centuries Old Churches in Negros Occidental and Iloilo

 This Lenten season, one of the cultural practices by some of the Filipinos is Visita Iglesia or visiting several churches. Here are some of the Centuries Old Churches in Negros Occidental and Ilo-Ilo. Let's start with Miag-ao Church, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1787 while Fray Francisco M. Gonzales. O.S.A. was the parish priest of Miag-ao and Domingo Libo-on  was the Gobernadorcillo. The Church was completed in 1797 and it served as the fortress against Muslim Raiders. During revolution, this church was destroyed but was rebuilt. Like other heritage churches, it was damaged by fire and earthquake. Restoration work began in 1960 and was completed in 1962.