Silay City
There are a lot of reasons why Silay became known as “the Seat of Arts, Culture and Eco-Tourism in Western Visayas”. We are very familiar with images of Silay with its grand ancestral mansions but what really make Silay special are beyond those landmarks. Silay City’s rich history, delectable delicacies, flourishing arts and culture, and a natural landscape that is awe-inspiring make the city stand out.
Rich History
The Spaniards landed on a village by the sea known as Carobrob in 1565. Yet even before the colonizers arrived in Carobcob, the village is already a thriving community. Proof of which were the Ming dynasty wares discovered at Hacienda Lugway. Due to raids by Moro pirates, the people of Carobcob moved inland in 1760 in what is known as Silay.
From then on, Silay evolved from being an old Spanish settlement, it has become a melting pot of people and culture. Silay has perhaps, more than any other town in Negros Occidental, is where most Panayanons (people from Panay Island) migrated to. It was Fr. Eusebio Locsin of Molo, Iloilo who was instrumental in inviting his family and friends to come to Silay where the land is fertile. And so came the Locsins, Lacsons, Jalandonis, Lopezes, Javellanas, Montinolas and other affluent families who became the hacenderos of Silay.
It was in 1846 that a Frenchman from Normandy, France, Yves Leopold Germaine Gaston installed the first horno economico which reduced sugar production time and reduced production cost. It ushered in the era of sugar industry in Negros with Silay at the forefront.
Ancestral Houses
The affluence that the sugar industry brought made the Silaynons afford to build palatial mansions. These ancestral houses became a testament to the colorful lifestyles of the sugar barons. They spared no expense in the construction of their homes with imported materials and furnishing. Built between the late 19th century and the pre-war years, the 29 surviving ancestral houses were considered as national heritage treasures by the National Heritage Institute (NHI). In fact, Silay has the most number of heritage houses by the NHI in the country making Silay a “Museum City.”
Flourishing Arts and Culture
Silaynons also love the good life and throw lavish parties and bring in European performers to perform with local artists at the Kahirup Theatre. This made Silay known as the “Paris of Negros.” Today, this love for the performing arts remain even with Silay’s youth as evident with the Kabataang Silay Performing Arts and Rondalla Ensemble.
Silay not only attracted the affluent families from Panay but also the seasonal workers we call the sacadas. At Hacienda Adela, the people still practice old Ilonggo oral traditions such as the composo and luwa. Most of the residents trace their roots to Panay and these traditions were handed down to them by their forefathers.
There are also traditional crafts that still exist today. The maninihon (artists) of Brgy. Guinahalaran still make clay tiles, pots, stoves and garden accessories.
Delectable Native Delicacies
One never goes to Silay without sampling its delectable native delicacies. The oldest bakeshop in Silay, El Ideal, opened in the 1920s. In Silay, you get to taste the best piaya, lumpaiang ubud, pili squares, and other local delicacies not from pasalubong outlets but from the kitchens of its makers. Most of these are family recipes handed down from generations and are not available anywhere.
Aside from the local institutions like El Ideal, there’s the manuglibod who goes around Silay selling local delicacies. Most kakanins traded in Bacolod are from the manuglibods of Silay. It is said that these manuglibod became a necessity to Silay’s high society gamblers who could spend a lot of time at the gambling tables and no longer have time to go to the dining table to eat.
Modern Day Silay
Silay is a microcosm of a society undergoing change constantly. The opening of the Bacolod-Silay International Airport opens a lot of opportunities for industries within Silay City.
With the priority of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental to make Negros the organic food bowl of Aisa, the vast land of Silay is a resource waiting to be tapped. One of the first companies to into organic agriculture was Fresh Start Organics whose farm is located in Hacienda Maquina. The company now produces and markets its organic produce not only in the province but even to Iloilo and Metro Manila.
Clearly, there’s more to Silay than meets the eye. All of these are just waiting for you to discover and experience. Beyond Silay’s landmarks is a Silay pulsating with life and a culture that’s unlike no other. No wonder migrants have found their home in Silay. Life is definitely sweeter here.
Silay Tourist Spots
San Diego Pro-Cathedral is the only pro-cathedral outside of Metro Manila. The church has a dome that resembles St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It was built in 1920 and designed by Italian architect Antonio Bernasconi.
Steam Locomotives at Hawaiian Philippines Co. or known as “Iron Dinosaurs” are among the oldest in the world and there’s still a working steam locomotive which can be rented out to tourists.
There are 29 surviving Ancestral Houses in Silay identified by the National Historical Institute as cultural landmarks. Three of these ancestral houses were turned into museums.
Balay Negrense is the ancestral mansion of the Gastons that was converted into a lifestyle museum showing how sugar planters lived at the beginning of the century. Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday at 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. Cinco de Noviembre Street Tel. No. 4954916.
Bernardino-Jalandoni House or the Pink House was built in 1908. It is a perfect example of the affluent Filipino house of the late 19th-early 20th century still influenced by the nipa hut, and built smack by the side of the street since motor vehicles were still non-existence to smog the place. All items on display are authentic period pieces. It is located at Rizal Street with Tel. No. 4955093. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Hofileña Ancestral House, the first house in the city to be opened to visitors. It is the repository of the private art collection of Ramon H. Hofileña. The exhibit includes the work of top artists in the country.
Silay City Park is a garden complex that features a children’s park, a fountain, a basketball court, and a family lane. Back in 1951, the old Silay Plaza was adjudged the “Most Beautiful Plaza in the Philippines.”
Cinco de Noviembre Marker is located on the site formerly occupied by the drug store of Leandro Locsin. The place served as the secret meeting place of the leaders of the 1898 revolution. A bloodless revolution against Spanish authority in Silay took place on November 5, 1898.
Patag Valley is 32 kilometers east of the city. It was the stronghold of Japanese Imperial Army in Negros during the Second World War. It features underground tunnels and war artifacts. Patag Tourist Zone features the Patag Lantawan Bivoacs, sulfur springs, enchanted lakes, numerous waterfalls, skyline for cliff hangers, flora and fauna.
Balaring Restaurants by the sea are the perfect place to go to for the freshest seafoods at affordable prices where you also enjoy the gentle breeze from the sea.
Balaring Mangrove is a romantic promenade featuring mangrove conservation and a perfect view for sunset at the horizon.
Bagonita Ride offers tourists a galloping adventure at the railroad passing bangus ponds and mangrove areas.
Hda. Adela Forklore Village showcases traditional bilasyon, luwa, harana, luy-a, composo and other folk beliefs.
Nora Lacson House of Delicacies located at the corner of Rizal- McKinley streets. The house offers lumpia ubod, pili square, empanada and other family delights.
How to get there
By air, SIlay is 50 minutes away from Manila and 30 minutes from Cebu. Three Airline companies fly daily to Silay froom Manila and Cebu.
By sea, Bacolod is accessible by boat from Manila and by fast craft from Iloilo and via “Roll-on, Roll-off” from Cebu.
Silay can be reached in 15 minutes by private car from Bacolod City. Public utility vehicles plying the route abound and can reach the city at the same time.
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