There I was again traversing the streets of Silay City, Negros Occidental, and re-acquainting myself to the old structures that spoke thousands of stories. I have walked Silay City’s heritage district several times since my move back to the family’s nest last year as a heritage mapping assignment for a Wikimedia Foundation project that I took part as a volunteer. The purpose was to document our historical sites before they are destroyed by nature or by man.
I already wrote about my own Silay heritage walk wherein it was met with gloomy skies. Even my succeeding visits were always welcomed by a drizzle or dark clouds.
This time was different though. For one, the sun shone so brightly that I got very brilliant colors and wonderful shots using natural light. Two, it was fun to do it in the company of my peers and fellow history enthusiasts in the Negros Blogging Society, Inc. (NBSI or more known as Negrense Bloggers). Three, we had no other than a daughter of Silay, Doc Maritel Ledesma, a Negrense Blogger herself, who toured us around her city, regaling us with stories we have never heard before or never read in history books. We also got the help of another Negrense Blogger, Maricar Dabao, through her Viaje Negrense business, by arranging the tour. Doc Maritel’s relative, Silay City Councilor Solomon Locsin, was kind enough to tour us around The Mansion and, along with Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano, hosted our lunch at Balaring.
From the eastern part of Bacolod City, I joined Maricar and two other Negros Bloggers to meet Doc Maritel and the rest of the gang at the San Diego Pro-Cathedral. We traversed the Bacolod-Silay Airport Road and got to our destination in about thirty minutes.
The silver dome of San Diego shone, reflecting the sun’s bright rays. While waiting for the rest, Doc Maritel led us inside the church and showed us the names of those who were buried there. Although the parish was consecrated in the late 18th century, the structure was completed in 1927. It has experienced expansion and renovations and the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) mark dated 1962 is visible in its exteriors. I have created a Wikipedia entry on the San Diego Pro-Cathedral which was improved by other Wikipedians.
What was a surprise to me was that behind the Cathedral was the ruins of the old structure. Within the ruins, the parish constructed a zen-like prayer room. And as we explored, I also found a tiny arch behind the ruins which seemed to be covered by cement with the words Needle’s Eye were engraved.
Also within the church compound were the old benches that used to be part of the original town square or plaza. These benches still look good and sturdy as they seemed to be made of concrete.
From the church, we turned to the Old Silay Puericulture Center. Doc Maritel said that it used to be a hospital. The structure’s name has been changed several times, depending on who was the sitting government official. There was also a quadrangle behind the building during olden times, which no longer exists at present.
We then proceeded across the street to the Jose Benedicto Gamboa Ancestral House. It was the setting of parties during Silay’s glory days. In fact, the famous movie Oro, Plata, Mata was filmed here. The eaves were very detailed and there were two dormers on top.
We walked to the end of the block towards what is known as the Green House or the Angel Araneta Ledesma Ancestral House, originally owned by Doc Maritel’s grandfather. I also created a Wikipedia article for this house. This time, we weren’t able to enter because it was under renovation. Doc Maritel brought us back in time through stories of her childhood spent in this house. Too bad they sold this house at P350,000 to another individual, who eventually sold it to the Silay City Government at P1 Million, values that were already large during that time.
Beside it was the Alejandro Amechazura Ancestral House, which has beautiful patterns. I have gone inside this house but since it was devoid of any story, I wasn’t able to write an entry on this one. But Doc Maritel has fond memories of her grandfather’s neighbor.
We took the street, passing by the City Hall, another heritage building, and the Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center. Jose Rizal’s statue stood outside because it used to be known as the Rizal Cultural and Civic Center.
Right across was the Benita Jara Ancestral House, currently the Sangguniang Panlungsod Building. Since we took this tour on a holiday, the building was closed. Again, I have explored its interiors during my volunteer days and have seen beautiful murals. According to Doc Maritel, changes were made inside and the panels have been moved and re-arranged.
We continued on to the Delfin Ledesma Ancestral House. Across the house was the Rural Bank of Silay City and both houses share the same design of their window grills.
At the adjacent corner of the block was the Teodoro Morada Ancestral House. Diagonally opposite it was the Cinco de Noviembre Monument.
The next block was where the Digna Locsin Consing Ancestral House and the Balay Negrense could be found.
Another amazing landmark are the Generoso Gamboa Ancestral Twin Houses. They look the same yet they are different. They mirror each other, making them doubly interesting.
Finally, Doc Maritel brought us to The Mansion or the Leandro dela Rama Locsin Ancestral House. Councilor Solo Locsin was waiting for us there. The two-story mansion looked like it has undergone a major change – it was the second floor that was taken down. There was also a deeper story about the family that owned the house. The Mansion was home to Emilio Ledesma and his wife Rosario Locsin, the daughter of Leandro dela Rama Locsin. Emilio and Rosario has an only child, Adela. The Mansion is also being opened to the public. Items and artworks were being put on display. It could also be used as a venue for gatherings and the like.
Within this area along Ledesma Street are other mansions of the Locsins and Ledesmas. At the opposite corner lies the Sen. Jose Corteza Locsin Ancestral House and beside it is the Jose Ledesma Ancestral House and behind it is the Antonia dela Rama Locsin Ancestral House.
We took a break for a sumptuous lunch at Balaring which deserves a separate blog post. Right after lunch we went back to familiarizing ourselves with Silay’s past as we drove past the remaining houses to take some snapshots. There was the Don Bernardino Jalandoni Museum, or the Pink House, along the highway, which I have already explored before.
Across it were the Maria Golez Ancestral House, or the current RCBC Bank, and the Lino Lope Severino Ancestral House, which is now a commercial building. Most of the houses in the highway have been converted into commercial establishments, such as the Josefita Tionko Lacson Ancestral House, the Manuel dela Rama Locsin Ancestral House, and the House of Antonio Novella Siam.
The Kapitan Mariano Montelibano Ancestral House, which is more known as the Kapihan, was under renovation, through the help of the government. We took the small street at the Kapihan to visit the houses in that area which I haven’t visited before.
Behind the House of Antonio Novella Siam is the German Locsin Unson Ancestral House. In the same street are the Arsenio Lopez Jison Ancestral House and the Vicente Conlu Montelibano Ancestral House, which reminded me of the homes in Vigan.
Our final stop was the Cesar Lacson Locsin Ancestral House, which is more known as El Ideal. Fourth generation descendant, Mark Sanchez, welcomed us to their family bakery, which started in the 1920s. He prepared before us their buko pie, piaya, lumpia, and senorita. He also gave us a background on how El Ideal started during the time of his great-grandfather.
Before we went home, we dropped by the Manuel Hofilena Ancestral House. We didn’t stay long and never attempted to enter the house. It was fine by me because heritage advocate Mon Hofilena has given me and my sister a tour before. I learned from him that there were plans of widening the highway but he and other heritage advocates blocked the idea and pushed for the preservation of the heritage homes and buildings. Thanks to Mon and his friends, we are still able to visit and view these houses.
Then, we passed by the Soledad & Maria Montelibano Lacson Ancestral House, and went our merry way. But not without making a quick turn around the Talisay City market before finally heading back to Bacolod City.
It is important that we put value on our historical buildings. We need to inculcate among the young the need to take care of heritage sites and to acknowledge the significance of historical events and learn from them. These historic structures are treasures and we have to do all our best to preserve them and protect them.
Great info about paris… would love to visit this country once in my lifetime
Silay is dubbed as the Paris of Negros because of its culture and heritage. 🙂
Those ancestral houses are huge! They look a bit like the houses at Ilocos. 🙂
They’re being preserved because of their historical value.
Ka tahom sang mga pictures mo! hehe I’m from Bacolod. I grew up there and went to La Salle. Looking at your pictures, it brings up a lot of memories and makes me miss the place. Great blog here! Keep it up! 🙂
I didn’t know you’re from Bacolod! I grew up here and then moved to Manila in college. After two decades in the capital, I went back home over a year ago and is now based here until God knows when. Well, you can drop by my blog anytime to re-orient yourself of Bacolod. 🙂 Great meeting you through Bloggers Worldwide!
Paris is one of my dream city to visit,have great intention to visit there but sadly my schengen visa once got rejected by french embassy.Anyway would surely gonna give it a try again to visit there.
I also hope to visit Paris someday. 🙂
Wow. Your place looks great. The wall in the ruins looks so similar to the Chapel in my school (convent). And that old bench is just too awesome!!!
Old convents and schools seem to have the same look or composition.
This is very local and I like the local delicacies at El Ideal. It simple but authentic. Thanks for the information and so many nice photos.
The food in El Ideal are truly delectable.
Visiting ancestral houses and ancient churches is a great way to explore the city. Mingling with the locals and learning about their culture are two things you can do with zero cost. 🙂
So true, we learned a lot at no cost at all.
The pictures are breath-taking. I wish I lived in sch a beautiful colourful place.
Some of the houses contain interesting pieces, too.
This made me realized that it’s been 10 years since I went to Bacolod. And never got the chance to see the ruins. But planning to travel there this summer.
You should go back here and see more of the place. 🙂
Those houses are so well maintained and lovely! Thanks for sharing this, I love the fact that bloggers gather and go on trips together. That’s awesome.
It was fun because we were all quite inquisitive. We found many beautiful and sad stories behind those houses.
I love Silay. I am from Bacolod and still I enjoy going around Silay
Oh, it’s good to know I have a kasimanwa here. 🙂 I also met another blogger in our Blogger Worldwide group who was hailed in Bacolod.
It feels like being transported in a time machine with the old churches and the ancestral houses. It would really be nice to appreciate the heritage in Silay City.
I walked around the area several times and the homes never fail to impress me.
Heritage walks like this are so amazing. I would love it more if it were cold here in the Philippines! Huhu
Hahaha! I know what you mean. It’s just terribly warm in our country.
I wanna visit this one. There was a movie i think I saw that featured Silay, or was shoot in Silay. I think it was starred by the Forevermore stars. Great views, heritage it is!
Yes, it was Everyday I Love You. Too bad I never got to watch that movie.
My grandfather is form Negros, though i have only been there once. Those houses reminds of my Lolo’s house, i miss my childhood, in which one christmas i spent in negros
Wow, you’re the third one in the Bloggers Worldwide group I knew who has roots in Negros. 🙂
Those old houses are each piece of art. Great to see the architecture examples.
They depict the popular architectural styles in olden days. These houses are reminders of what life has been in the past.
I have been to Bacolod, but not yet Silay. Although I think I ate lumpia from Silay. Why was it compared to Paris? I wish you can show photos to show the Paris-looking sights in town.
Silay was the place where the rich and famous in Negros Occidental lived. In earlier times, during its golden years, it was where fashion, arts, culture, and business thrived and was then compared to Paris in terms of those aspects. But the comparison ends there, I guess.
I love that wall in the ruins. It somehow calms me down thinking of the heritage and history of these places you’ve visited. These are great photos!
I’m glad you feel that way. Thanks for appreciating my photos and post.
This place looks incredible, I love all the variety in the building. All so very different. Here’s to more traversing.
Each house is unique, except for the twin houses. 🙂
I haven’t been to Negros.I think it’s wonderful that these buildings are still existing and remembered for their historic value.I think old buildings also give a place character.
The history buff in me is screaming!!! I love looking at historical houses. I’ve only been to Negros Oriental in Dumaguete, and it was so calming for me. I’d definitely want to tour around more of Negros someday.
I miss this city! one of my favorite weekend escapades when I was working in Iloilo. Thank you for showing me again these gorgeous houses.
I love cultural and heritage places. It somehow gives me a feeling like i was being transported from the old times…. This place is so interesting!
Beautiful houses! I hope they’ll be taken care of and not left to deteriorate, it would be such a shame! Love to see this in person 🙂
Oh my gosh! The pictures are lovely. I first heard of Silay from Everyday I Love You. I didn’t know it was this beautiful. It reminds me of Pila in Laguna. 🙂
Those ancestral houses are really a gem! I feel happy that they’re well maintained for future generations.. Thanks for the virtual tour! 🙂
I have never been to Negros but I really want to, see, I happen to love Negrense cuisine.
I like the laid-back feel of the province (based on your picture). It’s great that they still preserve those old infrastructure, it really adds character to the place.
Can’t wait to book my next flight to negros… I really have fascination with old houses and mansion. Love to visit the place soon 🙂
What a great lesson in culture and blogging communitys
I’ve been to Bacolod twice for a speaking engagement, but I didn’t have the opportunity to explore the province. If I’ll have the opportunity again, maybe I’ll get in touch with your group to recommend great places to visit, and restos to eat.