Philippine Travel Advisor

The affluence of sugar industry made Silay and Silaynon rich. Palatial mansions built by affluent families has been a living testament of how Silaynon lived during their heyday. Cultural heritage has been well preserved up to this day, the proof of which are the 29 plus surviving ancestral houses. Silay is acclaimed as the "Paris de Negros." Also considered as the Seat of Arts, Culture and Ecotourism in Western Visayas and declared as a Museum City. HISTORY SPANISH COLONIZATION The first settlement in Negros is “Carobcob,” founded in 1565. It serves as the landmark and civilization in Silay. It is a village by the sea formerly situated between the present barangay Balaring properand Sitio Bungol. Villagers make a living through scratching for “Tuway” shells which were abundant in the shores. Thus, Spaniards named the place Carobcob because of the occupation of the people. To date nothing is left as it was devastated by the typhoons. On January 25, 1571, Carob...

Photo Courtesy : http://indencioseyes.wordpress.com/ Bacolod City is known as the City of Smile, also the capital of the sugar bowl of Philippines, Negros Occidental. It symbolizes progress and business opportunities. Its fast pace towards progress enable them to become one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines. Bacolod, a home of Masskara Festival is a living proof of ups and downs way back then. The Masskara Festival which symbolizes hope is a tool of escapism during dark and dire times. When immigrants from the neighboring island like Iloilo came here for business ventures, the province of Negros propelled its economic growth. Prominent families started to cultivate sugar and became the province main source of income. The sudden growth of income means more business opportunities and jobs. More and more immigrants most especially “sakada” came here to plant and harvest sugar cane. Haciendas and villages sprout like mushroom that makes landlords and sugar barons. Sugar...

La Carlota City is in the southwestern part of central Negros Island nestled in the foot of the sacred Mt. Kanla-on which is the highest peek in Central Visayas .  The rich culture of La Carlota is manifested through the celebration of Pasalamat Festival. A weeklong celebration of thanksgiving to the bountiful harvest which falls every nearest Sunday of May.  It culminates with a Mardi Gras like parade of floats and caricatures. Dancers clad in their colorful indigenous costumes. Sashaying in the tune of samba which drumbeaters created out of carabao leather drums and percussion instruments from indigenous materials.  The original "sambita" or the samba beat was first conceptualized by late Mayor Luis "Nonoy" Jalandoni Jr. In which the original Pasalamat Festival was a simple marry making and street dancing to mark the end of the milling and harvest season to give thank to God Almighty for the bountiful harvest. The first festival took place on May 1, 1980 after sev...