Bacólod Heritage Watch

[SugarFreak]

NHI to unveil freedom marker

National Historical Institute chairman Ambeth Ocampo and Gov. Joseph Marañon will lead the unveiling on March 29, of the NHI marker in Greenbeach, Brgy. Zone I, Pulupandan where American forces landed on March 29, 1945 during the World War II.

Ocampo and Marañon will be joined by Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco, Board Members Mae Javellana and Ike Barredo (4th District, Neg. Occ.), and Pulupandan Mayor Luis Mondia Jr.

A thanksgiving mass at 8 a.m. to be officiated by Msgr. Nicasio Melicor will precede the unveiling of the NHI marker, that will be blessed by Msgr. Guillermo Gaston, NOHCI board of trustees member, while the municipal council members will have a tree planting. Flowers will be offered by Vice Mayor Julie Seminio, Evelinda Mondia, Zone I Brgy. Capt. Nelita Mondia, and provincial first lady Aida Marañon, among others.

Roque Hofileña, NOHCI executive secretary, will read the historical notes on the landing of the American Liberation Forces in Negros Occidental, the press release added. Caption: This statue in Brgy. Zone I, Pulupandan will be blessed on March 29. source

[sydneygrrl]

An insight on how our forefathers lived...

Hacenderos

Several important phenomena shaped the thinking and behavior of sugar planters and landowners: conquest of the frontier; acquiescence, even encouragement, on the part of the colonial government in this endeavor; strong participation of foreigners in that undertaking; and dependence on international market conditions.

Perhaps the most significant result of the transformation of the frontier into thriving sugar plantations was the considerable wealth generated, despite years of economic depression that sometimes afflicted the industry. During this era no other enterprise yielded more profit than did sugar, and the title of hacendero became synonymous with material riches. Contrary to the romanticism about heroic conquest of the wilderness that suffuses the work of writers like Robustiano Echaúz and Mariano Henson, both planters themselves, the fact persists that at its heart the taming of the frontier remained for the hacendero an economic activity, the conversion of the soil and other natural resources into investors' profits.[1]

With rare exception so-called pioneers of the industry—ex-servicemen like de Miranda and Montilla; former tradesmen and artisans like the mestizos of Iloilo and central Luzon; and erstwhile colonial civil servants, Spanish and American—moved into agriculture from other pursuits and did not actually do farmwork themselves. Advertisements of complete estates for sale on Negros appeared in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Visayan newspapers, and rentals continued to offer a door to planter status. Among later generations, a similar situation prevailed. Consider, for example, Justo Arrastia, member of a prominent Pampangan Spanish mestizo family. He finished engineering studies at the University of the Philippines, undertook graduate studies at Cornell, worked for the Bureau of Public Works, and taught at his alma mater, all before turning to farming.[2] The following note from an Iloilo newspaper conveys an impression of the way many planters approached their occupation: "A tea party will be held in 'Union Juvenal' tomorrow afternoon in honor of Mr. C. R. Fuentes and his family. They are leaving Iloilo to farm in Murcia, N.O."[3] As easily as investors moved into sugar, they just as quickly departed. At the turn of the century, Pampanga's farmers left their land fallow or turned to rice in the face of failing sugar markets; meanwhile, under similar harsh conditions, many Negros planters simply abandoned their haciendas.[4]

Investors certainly had to learn the economics of planting and processing if they hoped to flourish, but maximization of profits remained their chief concern. Overseers and tenants took care of the everyday business of making the soil yield its fruit. Low productivity directly resulted from failure by Filipino hacenderos to pay close attention to farming methods and from their tendency to entrust supervision of their properties to employees or tenants. Some planters actively involved themselves in cane production, but many more either lacked the experience and knowledge of how to farm efficiently or showed no interest in that aspect of the business. To raise productivity required infusions of technological expertise, personal attention, and capital resources—three commodities they often sparingly offered.

Because of low labor costs and an abundance of land, however, planters earned high returns from sugar farming during the best decades of the frontier era. One of the more astute American residents in Negros, John White, a Philippine Constabulary officer assigned there during the early American years, commented:

But beyond other Philippine pueblos that I have known Isabela possessed a distinctive flavor; whether it was the carelessness engendered by the proximity of constant danger or because of the large number of mestizos and Europeans on near-by haciendas I cannot say, but Isabela was always gay. The babaylanes [local insurgents] might be raiding the haciendas by day; but there would be a baile [ball] at night. Despite many years of insurrection and outlawry there was plenty of money in circulation. Let the price of sugar rise ever so little and the haciendas fairly ground out wealth from the black volcanic soil. Did the babaylanes burn the buildings? There was abundant bamboo in the foot-hills to be rafted down the river, and a camarin (storehouse) could be erected in a day or two.[6]

Rather than using their gains to raise agricultural productivity, hacenderos spent money elsewhere. The most entrepreneurial found ancillary activities in which to invest, or they turned to other financial outlets: shares of commercial banks and trading houses, money lending, trade, urban real estate, and utilities. Nevertheless, colonial policy severely limited opportunities in the broad area of manufacturing, and savings institutions did not exist before the twentieth century. Other planters utilized their profits to purchase jewelry for security against hard times or to educate their children as a way of diversifying their economic expectations. Many simply indulged in conspicuous consumption in the form of large houses, imported merchandise, gambling, religious processions, automobiles, and an extravagant lifestyle.

Sugar hacenderos became known for their liberal spending, as this quote from the Philippines Free Press suggests:

With sugar at eight pesos a picul it looks as if the halcyon days of yore were on the wing for the planters of Negros and Panay. . . .

Now it looks as if even P8.00 might not constitute the limit and that the register recording saccharine prices might not stop until it strikes an even P10. All of which means mortgages wiped off and plantations free and unencumbered and a healthy balance in the bank and large purchases and a revival of the ancient splendor and glory and royal magnificence and lavish entertainment for which Negros was formerly famed.[7]

...English businessman John Foreman about a hacienda in northern Negros in the early 1880s:

From Victoria[s] to Cadiz Nuevo, the route is still worse, and one has to ford several streams and a number of insecure bridges to reach the town. Instead of going directly to Cadiz Nuevo, I turned off to a place called Bayabas—to the property of a half-cast Chinese planter, whose acquaintance I had made in Yloilo. His estate-house is the neatest and prettiest I have ever seen in any Philippine plantation. The spacious airy apartments are well furnished and decorated, whilst the exterior calls to mind a country gentleman's residence in fair Andalusia. Moreover, the furniture of the house was chosen with rare taste, whilst the vestibule and lobbies are void of that miscellaneous lumber generally found in Philippine farmery.

The owner, Don Leandro, and his Señora showed me every attention. Ponies were at my disposal for riding round his splendid property—a basket chaise was always ready if I wished to go into town. I could bathe in the house, or I could swim in the river, the Italon diutai —with its shaded banks, two minutes walk from the house.[9]

Besides elegant meals, sugarlandia's hosts frequently treated their guests to an evening of dancing such as the ones attended by John White at the turn of the century.

The people of Negros delighted in dancing. Rarely a week passed in any pueblo but that a baptism or a birthday offered excuse to get together a few guitars or a more pretentious orchestra, clear the polished hardwood sala (hall) of some house, and tread a maze of waltzes, polkas, and rigadons (square dances) from 9 P.M. to daybreak.[11]

The first ball that White attended in Bacolod honored the visiting governorgeneral. Mourin was also invited to such affairs during his stay in Pampanga.

Other travelers to nineteenth-century Negros and Pampanga shared Mourin's view of the newly rich quality of the planter life there, of the elegant possessions out of sync with the hacenderos' own more plain, rustic lifestyle. Recent penetration by Chinese mestizos and others into the planter group at a time when the taming of the frontier created new fortunes likely accounted for their need and ability to acquire status symbols, the fancy goods so proudly exhibited. As the period closed, however, later, better-educated generations behaved in a more sophisticated manner and became more comfortable with their use of such possessions. Edith Moses, a visitor in Apalit's most distinguished home, confirms this transition in the following comment:

The dinner was good, but dining or rather the feeding of one's guests is a serious affair in the Philippines. . . . After dinner we had music and dancing, and were delighted with the young uncle of the girls. He is a charming young man educated in Europe, yet not spoiled by his sojourn there. He was gay, unaffected, and simple in his manners. He is clever, too, and manages the large estate owned by an elder sister, who, it appeared, is a woman of character and position in Pampanga. She did not appear at the dinner and we did not see her until just as we were leaving, when a tall dark "Indian woman" appeared, who was dressed in a straight narrow skirt and a cotton jacket. She extended a hand in greeting, and our young host presented her with all due deference and courtesy as a lady who had never learned Spanish. No one seemed disturbed by her sudden appearance and there was no attempt to keep her in the background, but this dispenser of diamonds and dinners, for she owned the house and all it contained, preferred to superintend the kitchen maids and be presented to her guests later.[12]

At least one version of the contemporary social ideal of the planter class appeared in "A Remarkable Filipino Family." Written by Negrense planter/journalist Ramon Navas, the article, which was published in the Philippine Free Press , dealt mainly with the four daughters of a planter from Cadiz. Of them, he wrote:

But it is not so much that they play the piano and the violin so well, and that they shine in both Negros and Iloilo society, that the Lopez girls elicit admiration. Personally, I admire them most when they are at home.
Last week I had an opportunity of visiting their home in Faraon. While traveling for the FREE PRESS I saw many Filipino homes, but I have never been in one where so much of that right and sane Americanism, mingled with all that is best in our own native manners and customs, is to be found. As one enters the house one sees on the left a stand of books, on the table on the other side, books again, and copies of the Ladies Home Journal, The Delineator, Woman's Home Companion, Collier's, Everybody's Smart Set, Popular Mechanics , and half a dozen other magazines, besides Manila and Iloilo and local newspapers.[13]

[kyle@1008]

Rizal St. Silay City...








According to history the City of Silay was once known as the "Paris of Negros" and the "cultural and intellectual hub of Negros" because people lived here were very passionate both in knowledge and in work of arts. On 1760 it was the birth of Silay and it started as a town and eventually became a leading sugar producer in the province, thanks to Yves Leopold Germain Gaston a Frenchman who later became a Silaynon for introducing Horno Economico or also known as the "Sugar Mill"


Silay is located at the northern part in the province of Negros Occidental. To its north is the Municipality of EB Magalona, to its south is the City of Talisay, to its east boundary are the portions of Calatrava and Sagay, and to its west is the Guimaras Strait. Approximately 30 minutes travel time from the city of Bacolod and very accessible to any land transportation. Hiligaynon is the local dialect used in the city, Tagalog and English are frequently used in schools, public and private offices and in formal occassions. At present Silay is one in the top 25 tourist destination in the Philippines. Silay elevated to city status last June 12, 1957 by virtue of Republic Act 1621.

[SugarFreak]

Exhibit for a cause set

Seven Negrense women visual artists will hold an art exhibit for a cause at the Bernardino Jalandoni Ancestral Home-Museum in Silay City from March 31 to April 15.

Part of the proceeds of the exhibit will benefit the Artist's Association of Bacolod which will mark its 32nd anniversary on July 4.

The group show will feature the works of Teret Arnaldo, Sony Golez, Dolly Gatuslao, Beth Puey, Miriam Bayles, Annette Feria and Chrysee Samillano.

Opening reception is on Saturday at 4 p.m. The group held its last exhibit in Sea Breeze Hotel in Bacolod City on October 2006 for the benefit of the Negros Occidental Senior Citizens Foundation Inc. and the patients of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.

They were also invited to exhibit their works in Athens by the Greek Ambassador to the Philippines on June 12 in celebration of the Philippine Independence.

Interested parties may inquire from Chrysee Samillano at 09196307585, for details, or visit their website at www.femininetouch.tk. source

[SugarFreak]

SM CITY BACOLOD

It is a mall of many new concepts; a bridgeway highlights the architectural structure which will bear a semblance to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco that will connect the two buildings, unifying design of two buildings, making it the first of its kind among SM Malls. It welcome customers with a six-sided grand facade with 10 SM signages all around. The mall's interiors are equally compelling- high ceiling and colorful murals inspired by Bacolod's world famous Maskara Festival and designed by director Fritz Infante.




SAN AGUSTIN BACOLOD
From the year 2002 to 2003, the Student Center was renovated into a five-storey building and the CSA-B Park was unveiled in June 2003.




TAY TUNG HIGH SCHOOL BACOLOD


The new Pre-School Building.

[kyle@1008]

Al cinco de noviembre

The Negros Revolution, now commemorated and popularly known as Al Cinco de Noviembre or Negros Day, was a political movement that in 1898 created a cantonal form of government in Negros Island in the Philippines, ending Spanish sovereignity and resulting in a government run by the Filipino natives, at least for that part of the archipelago and for a relatively short period of time. The newly established Negros Republic would last for approximately four months, before American forces landed on the island unopposed on February 2, 1899.

Prelude to Revolution

It has been stipulated that the Spanish civil and religious authorities in Negros did not initially suspect that the sugar barons and traders of the island would participate in an uprising against Spain.[1] The clergy in Negros had not acquired vast tracts of land, unlike their counterparts in the island of Luzon. Negros had become a rich province and "the local leaders were content, sharing even in many instances the social previleges of the Spanish elite."[2]

Negros did not seem enthusiastic about the August 23, 1896 Cry of Balintawak and the subsequent revolt headed by the Tagalog Katipuneros.[3] Rather, it disapproved the same as battalions of volunteers were organized in Bais, Valladolid, La Carlota and Isabela in order to defend the island. There had been, however, early on, attempts by various groups on the grassroots level to revolt against the Spanish colonizers. See Dios Buhawi and Papa Isio.

However, a greater part of the sugar planters soon began to sympathize towards the proposed ends of the insurrection, until two years later, such sympathy bore fruit when these same sugar planters broke out in open revolt. By that time, Aniceto Lacson, a rich landlord of Talisay City had joined the Katipunan, and Juan Araneta, Rafael Ramos, Carlos Gemora, Venura and other leaders of what would become the revolution of 1898 were negotiating with their comrades in Iloilo and were arming themselves.

By the middle of August, 1898, as numerous rumors of a coming insurrection in the Visayas spread, a number of parish priests sought refuge in Iloilo. The Negrense revolutionaries agreed that the revolt would begin on November 3, 1898. It was to be led by Aniceto Lacson with Nicolas Golez of Silay City as deputy commander. South of Bacolod City, the revolt would be led by Juan Araneta of Bago City with Rafael Ramos of Himamaylan as deputy commander

Chronicle of the Revolt

November 3


Aniceto Lacson rode to Silay. A committee headed by Lacson and acting for the province included Golez, Leandro Locsin and Melecio Severino assembled and decided to begin the revolt on November 5. They then advised Juan Araneta of their decision.

November 4

Juan Araneta, from one of his haciendas in Ma-ao, advised all the southern mayors to begin the revolt the following day. In the afternoon, a woman from Kabankalan Norte (the present-day barrio of Eustaquio Lopez) in Silay told Fr. Tomas Cornago of the impending revolt, even though the planning for the same was held secretly. He inquired of his friend, Doroteo Quillama, cabeza of the barrio, seeking to verify the report. The cabeza claimed no knowledge of the revolt. That same afternoon, groups of armed men passed the haciendas of Silay, and proceeded towards the town. The guardia civil in Silay were, however, unable to report this to Bacolod, since the rebels had cut the telegraph lines in Talisay (Talisay is between Silay and Bacolod) the day before

November 5

The revolt began in Central and Northern Negros in the morning and by the afternoon had spread to other towns such as San Miguel and Cadiz. In Silay, Lt. Maximiano Correa, commanding the Spanish garrison, had ten Spanish cazadores (Spanish, literally, "hunters") and seven Filipino civil guards. They were entrenched inside the municipal building, but surrendered without a fight when they realized that the townspeople were determined to burn the building to the ground should there be resistance. The Silay parish priest, Fr. Eulogio Saez, a businessman named Juan Viaplana and Jose Ledesma persuaded the Spanish forces to lay down their arms, but in order to save face, the lieutenant had it appear in the official records that the capitulation was the result of a bloody battle with "dead and wounded littered all over the field of battle".[4] Ten Mauser and seven Remington rifles were surrendered by the Spanish garrison. Later, a Filipino flag embroidered by Olympia Severino and her sisters was hoisted by the victorious townspeople.

In Bacolod, the Spanish Governor of the province, Isidro de Castro, sent a force of 25 cazadores and 16 civil guards to engage a swarm of rebels seen camping near the Matab-ang River. After a brief skirmish, they withdrew, leaving two of their number dead. The Governor decided to make a stand in the Bacolod Convent (presently the Bishop's Palace), where hundreds of Spanish families had taken refuge. They waited for the attack, but it did not come

November 6


In the morning, the rebels advanced upon Bacolod. Lacson and Golez approached from the north, crossing the Mandalagan River. Araneta with a thousand bolo-men took positions at the Lupit River in the south-east of Bacolod. The wily revolutionaries augmented their lightly-armed men with "cannon" made of bamboo and rolled amakan, and "rifles" carved out of wood and coconut fronds. The bluff worked; Governor Castro was persuaded that it was useless to defend the capital.

Jose Luis de Luzuriaga, a rich businessman who was deemed acceptable to both rebels and Spanish authorities was sent to mediate. At noon, a delegation from each of the major belligerents met at the house of Luzuriaga. The rebel delegation included Lacson, Araneta, Golez, Locsin, Simon Lizares, Julio Diaz and Jose Montilla. In an hour, it was agreed by both sides that "Spanish troops both European and native surrendered the town and its defenses uncondionally, turning over arms and communication" and the "public funds would be turned over to the new government".

November 6, 1898, therefore, is the day that the revolution in Negros triumphe




Last page of the Acta de Capitulacion (Surrender Document)

[kyle@1008]

República dé Négros
Cantonal Republic of Negros






On November 3 to November 6, 1898, the Negrenses rose in revolt against the Spanish authorities headed by politico-military governor Colonel Isidro de Castro in the provinces of Negros Occidental viz. Oriental. The Spaniards decided to surrender upon seeing armed troops in a pincer movement towards Bacolod. The marching revolutionaries, led by General Juan Araneta from Bago and General Aniceto Lacson from Talisay, were actually carrying fake arms consisting of rifles carved out of palm fronds and cannons of rolled bamboo mats painted black. By the afternoon of November 6, Colonel de Castro signed the Act of Capitulation, thus ending Spanish rule in Negros Occidental. This event is commemorated in Negros Occidental every Cinco de Noviembre as the day the Negrenses bluffed the Spaniards to attain their freedom.
For a detailed article on this event, see Negros Revolution.

November 5 has been declared a special non-working holiday in the province through Republic Act. No. 6709 signed by Corazon Aquino on February 10, 1989.

On November 27, 1898 the Cantonal Republic of Negros was established. It came under U.S. protection on April 30, 1899. On July 22, 1899 it was renamed Republic of Negros (República de Negros), but on April 30, 1901 this was extinguished by the United States.

Leaders

Presidents were:

* 5 November 1898 - 22 July 1899 Aniceto Lacson (to 27 November 1898 in Negros Occidental only)
* 24 November 1898 - 27 November 1898 Demetrio Larena (in Negros Oriental).

President of the Constituent Assembly (22 July 1899 - 6 November 1899) was José Luzuriaga

Civil Governor (6 November 1899 - 30 April 1901) was Melecio Severino.

[kyle@1008]

The Araneta Family

One of the most famous and powerful filipino families


THE FIRST PHILIPPINE ARANETAS

According to historical accounts obtained from the elders in the family, the Philippine Aranetas originated from the Basque region of Northern Spain.

Reconquest of the peninsula freed the Spanish monarchs to look to the rest of the world and begin to build an empire of their own. The new world was discovered in an attempt to find an ocean passage to the orient. From its original base in the West Indies, Mexico and Peru, Spanish exploration radiated in all directions.

In 1723, during the Galleon Trade, two priest brothers named Baltazar de Araneta and Don Jose de Araneta arrived in Manila aboard the Spanish Fleet,"Nuestra Senora de Guia". They came from the Basque region of Spain by way of Mexico. This was, however, not conclusive as some members of the family, disputed that the two are not a priests nor brothers and Don Jose de Araneta must have been born in Gipuzkoa, but not Baltazar de Araneta, who was born in Mexico. Until we have the actual fact, this still remains to be known.

Baltazar de Araneta served the Spanish government as a Regidor of the Cabildo and Secretary of the Charitable Fraternity of the Misericordia in Manila. He married Manuela de Aguirre. He died in Manila in 1750.

While in 1725, Don Jose de Araneta joined and served the Spanish Politico-Military Government of Mindanao based at Zamboanga City. He served also as interpreter of the Government and the Sultan of Maguindanao, together with Placido Alberto de Saavedra. According to some historians, he was executed on or before 1746, at Sulugan, Mindanao, nowadays known as Anuling in Cotabato. Also, this was not conclusive as the interpreter mentioned in the document, maybe another person.

Before the turn of the century, his two sons Buenaventura and Vicente Araneta y Sta. Ana, left Zamboanga province for Iloilo. They permanently settled in Parian [Molo]. The other son of Don Jose's, stayed behind in Zamboanga City. Years later, Vicente Araneta y Sta. Ana, together with his family, moved to the province of Negros Occidental and established his residence there. This started the Negros branch of the family.

The present Aranetas of today are forebears of the two brothers Don Jose de Araneta and Baltazar de Araneta.

TRIVIA:

THE ARANETA FAMILY

Did you know that the Aranetas of today: Bianca Araneta, Judy Araneta Roxas, Mar Araneta Roxas and the whole of their family clan are the descendants of Gregorio Araneta? Gregorio Soriano Araneta was one of the delegates to the Malolos Republic and a member of the first Congress of the Philippines under the presidency of Emilio Aguinaldo, who helped make the first constitution of the Philippines. Around September 26, 1898, he became the youngest Secretary of Justice of the Philippine Republic. Their family dates back from the early times, where aristocracy was still prevalent. The Araneta Family came from Aragon, Spain and from there scattered all over the country. The Family usually lived near mountains, surrounded by valleys in which their name came from. The word “Araneta” came from two Basque words; "aran" which means valley and “eta” (a suffix), which signifies someone who dwelled in a valley, thus, making “Araneta” mean as someone who dwelled in valleys. One of the earliest records of a person bearing the surname, Araneta is Martin de Araneta of Aragon, an ancient kingdom of Spain. He was a Knight during the era of the Reconquest. He accompanied Ferdinand III, king of Castile and Leon, in the conquest of Cordova, Murcia, Jaen, and Seville from the Moors in 1217. Subsequently, he was honored with numerous lands. The nobility of the Araneta Family can be depicted by the "Coat-of-Arms of the Hispanic Communities” below.



IMAGES:

Silver Lion, gold star, war body armor

SYMBOLISM AND EXPLANATION

Blue: Heraldic sense, loyalty and truth (Those who carry this color in their coat-of-arms or coat are obligated to help servants who are unjustly abandoned by their feudal lords.)

Silver or white: Peace and sincerity.

Gold or Yellow: Nobility, honor and courage

Red: strength

Seal: A ducal crown of gold

Crest: Three ostrich feathers

Motto: Nobleza Y Valor

It is not only during the ancient times that Aranetas showed their streak of heroism but also during the Philippine Revolution. Not only Gregorio Araneta exemplified valor but also many of the Araneta family members such as; Don Felix Araneta y Militante, Agaton M. Araneta, Ceferina Araneta de Estebanm, Pablo Araneta y Soriano, Jose Araneta y Soriano, Eusebio Araneta, Casamiro Araneta, Emilio Araneta, Mariano Araneta, Faustino Araneta and so on and so forth. They bore within their hearts their family legacy of nationalism. Indeed, the family has proved that its regency rooting back from the distant past could never be erased by time.

the Araneta Family still exudes power today....

In their hometown of Bago, their relatives the Toress, the javellanas are still in political positions...

The current mayor, Janet Torres an araneta is Mayor.

Mikey Arroyo, the first gentleman is an Araneta..

Manuel Araneta Roxas is a Senator..

The Aranetas own Cubao.. their cousins the Yulos own half of Laguna..

Famous beauties , former miss International Gemma Cruz Araneta, and model Bianca Araneta hail from this clan....

BongBong Marcos and Irene Marcos are both married to Aranetas...

These are just examples, the list goes on...

[SugarFreak]

Summer art workshop set

The Negros Museum in Bacolod City will hold a Summer Art Workshop, April 16 to May 18, a press release from organizers said.

The event is aimed enhanching the participants' skills and interest in art. Courses will be taught by some of the foremost local artists of Negros Occidental, the press release said. Courses will include Play Art I (for ages 4-6); Play Art II (7-8); Visual Basics (9-12); Water Color (13-17); Acrylic/Oil Painting (13-17); Terra Cotta/Clay (for ages 13-17); and Junior Tour Guiding and Photography (open to all).

Interested parties may call The Negros Museum at Tel. Nos. 431 9451, 7085080, telefax 4334764, or email at negros_museum96@yahoo.com. source

[david_sonic15]

hope i can find posts of Sagay city soon....magpopost din ako dito...help niyo ko mga Sagaynons ha...Go Sagaynons

[Pinoy_ako]

Originally Posted by kyle@1008

Rizal St. Silay City...



According to history the City of Silay was once known as the "Paris of Negros" and the "cultural and intellectual hub of Negros" because people lived here were very passionate both in knowledge and in work of arts. On 1760 it was the birth of Silay and it started as a town and eventually became a leading sugar producer in the province, thanks to Yves Leopold Germain Gaston a Frenchman who later became a Silaynon for introducing Horno Economico or also known as the "Sugar Mill"

Nice images of Silay. The streetscape of Silay is a beautiful mixture of Philippine traditional and western architecture. It's my first time to see these streetscapes. Are these along the main road of the city, or are these typical of city blocks within the city proper?

[kyle@1008]

the entire city looks like that.... that's just the tip of the iceberg...

[kyle@1008]

The Diocese of Bacolod

The coming of the Augustinian Missionaries to the island of Negros between
1566, and 1569 marked the introduction of the Christian faith to the inhabitants of the island. The place was called Negros by the Spaniards because of the Negrito tribes who were the original inhabitants. The place was explored in 1569 when Legaspi transferred his headquarters from Cebu to Panay Island. Negros formed a single province with Panay until 1734 when Negros was made a separate military district. The separation of the two provinces, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental took place in 1890.

The civil government in Negros was established in 1901, early in the American regime. On May 16, 1933 the Diocese of Bacolod was created, separating it from the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Jaro and Cebu. The Most Reverend James P. McClosky became Apostolic Administrator from June 1933 to October of the same year.

The first bishop of Bacolod was Most Reverend Casimiro Llador, DD, who took over the diocese on October 24, 1951. The Most Reverend Manuel Yap, DD, became the second bishop of Bacolod, from 1952 to 1966. On January 13, 1967, the reins of the diocese were again transferred to Most Reverend Antonio Fortich, who became the third bishop of Bacolod and stayed until 1989. He was succeeded by the Most Reverend Camilo D. Gregorio, DD, who was appointed as the fourth bishop of Bacolod on May 10, 1989 and still occupies the position as of this writing in 1995.

In February of 1989, the Diocese of Bacolod was divided into the three dioceses of Bacolod, San Carlos and Kabankalan. The Most Reverend Camilo Gregorio, the fourth and present Bishop of Bacolod was installed on July 27, 1989. The first three years of his episcopacy were periods of adjustment in all levels of diocesan affairs as the diocese had just been divided into three. The local Church of Bacolod regained its momentum in 1992. By then various diocesan commissions had been established in answer to the different needs for the faithful.

The different commissions operative in the Diocese of Bacolod today are those on youth, catechetics, Catholic schools, family and life, liturgy, immigration, ecumenism, health care, laity, vocations, mission, parochial schools, social communications, prisoners' welfare and on-going formation of the clergy.

The diocese is served by 97 diocesan priests and 51 religious priests in its 63 parishes. Among the Catholic institutions are 32 schools, 5 orphanages, 2 nurseries, 11 retreat houses, 2 homes for the aged and 1 pastoral center.

Today the inhabitants of Negros come mostly from the neighboring islands such as Panay, Cebu and the far south. Remnants of the aborigines are still found in the mountains of San Carlos. With the presence of many manufacturing companies plus the sugar mills in what is called the "sugar bowl of the Philippines", unemployment in the province is one of the lowest in the country.

In November of 1993, the Diocesan Pastoral Congress was held at the Sacred Heart Seminary, attended by 78 diocesan priests, 12 religious priests, 163 lay people from the parishes and chaplaincies, 22 school representatives, 34 lay organization representatives, 16 sectoral-groups' representatives, and 21 representatives from various other religious institutions.

The Congress was convoked by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Camilo D. Gregorio with the assistance of Monsignor Ramon G. Tirania, Jr., the Diocesan Vicar-General. The objectives of the Congress were: 1) to formulate the vision-mission statement of the diocese in line with the Plenary Council of the Philippines II, 2) to define the pastoral thrust and program of the diocese, and 3) to create a diocesan pastoral council.

Most Reverend Camilo D. Gregorio, DD promulgated the decrees on January 20, 1994, the feast of Saint Sebastian, patron of the Diocese of Bacolod

[kyle@1008]

Bacolod Diocese :Asia's center for THE Pontifical Institute of John Paul II for Studies on Marriage and Family


THE Pontifical Institute of John Paul II for Studies on Marriage and Family is a duly accredited institution of learning founded by the late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, at the Lateran University in Rome in 1981. It has the authority to confer academic degrees to students of family-related sciences and disciplines.

The vision of the Pontifical Institute is the building or development of strong family structures whose core values are anchored on Catholic teachings on marriage and family life and whose faith and witnessing evangelizes and transforms society.

The Institute, for its mandate or mission, is committed to serve as a learning and formation center providing programs on marriage, family and life according to the established teachings of the Church, and as a research center that delves particularly with the various conditions affecting marriage, family and life, especially within the Asian context.
In the face of the present, and undeniably formidable, threats and challenges to family life, the Institute is but a welcome attempt at enriching the Church with theologico-pastoral reflections on marriage and family.

At the turn of the century, six Pontifical Institutes, or Sessions, had been set up worldwide. These are the Central Session in Rome and the Sessions in Washington D.C., Spain, Mexico, India, and Benin in Africa.

The need for a Session to serve the vast Far East arena had been acknowledged. Since the Philippines is considered as the largest Roman Catholic nation in this part of the world, the idea of establishing a Philippine Session was thus deemed as both logical and opportune.
In 1994, Bishop Jesus Y. Varela, then the chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, was tasked by Rome to look into the possibility of putting the Philippine Session. The attempt to integrate it with a Catholic university in Manila did not materialize, so Bishop Varela looked for a host Diocese which can deservingly accommodate the Institute.
Meanwhile, Msgr. Victorino A. Rivas of the Diocese of Bacolod, founded in 1995 the Diocesan Institute on Marriage and Family Life in Bacolod City. It provided a six-month pastoral training to laymen and laywomen to become family life ministers of their respective parishes and chaplaincies.

The achievements of the Diocesan Institute earned for the Bacolod Diocese the reputation of producing not a few invaluable family life experts and ministers in the country. In recognition of this achievement, Bishop Varela proposed in 1999 that Bacolod be the host of the Philippine Session. The positive response of Bacolod Bishop Camilo D. Gregorio was communicated to Bishop Angelo Scola, the President of the Pontifical Institute in Rome.
After a visit to Bacolod, Bishop Scola, with Bishop Varela, Bishop Gregorio, Msgr. Rivas and twelve Filipino lay delegates endorsed the project to the Holy Father at the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

During its Plenary Assembly in 2000, the CBCP recognized the uniqueness and achievements of the Bacolod Diocesan Institute on Marriage and Family Life. On the same occasion also, the Bishops unanimously endorsed the proposed Pope John Paul II National Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Bacolod. Thus, even under pending evaluation by the Vatican, the Bishops approved the opening of the Institute under probationary arrangement.

In June 2001, in time with the opening of the school year, the Pope John Paul II National Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family was formally opened, in consortium with the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, chairman of CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, led the solemn blessing and inauguration of the Institute’s physical facilities. Eleven students immediately enrolled, including a priest from the Diocese of Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma).

Msgr. Rivas, who earned his Doctorate degree in Canon Law (JCD), Summa Cum Laude (with highest academic honors), from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, headed the first faculty roster composed of noted professors that included, among others—Fr. Nilo Tanalega, SJ, D.Min; Fr. Tom Groarke, CSsR, SThD; Dr. Natividad Dayan, PhD; and Dr. Lorenzo Cabalfin, MD. It included likewise a cast of mentors, with doctorate degrees in their respective fields, from the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod.

Recollections, pastoral exposures, and lectures by visiting professors from other Sessions or Pontifical Institutes of other countries—apart from the regular classroom experience—form part of the curriculum. The Institute, by far, has already accommodated a veritable host of notable international guest professors like, namely—Msgr. Jean Lafitte, SThD, vice president of the Central Session in Rome; Mr. David Crawford, SThD, from Washington, D.C. Session; and Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, SThD, one of the officials of the Pontifical Council on the Family in Rome.

On May 28, 2004, the Institute (JPNISMF) produced its first batch of graduates who were conferred the degree of Master of Education in Marriage and Family by the University of St. La Salle in the graduation ceremonies held at the University of St. la Salle coliseum. In the school year 2004-2005, the Institute welcomed Fr. Ronald Quijano, SThD, as its new Academic Dean. Fr. Quijano obtained his Licentiate and Doctorate degrees in Sacred Theology (STL and SThD), Magna Cum Laude, from the Pontificio Instituto Giovanni Paolo II per studi su Matrimonio e Famiglia, Universita’ Lateranense, in Rome.

Family ministry, indeed, is an indispensable task. There is no community renewal if it is not family based. It is the subject and object of evangelization. As the late Pope John Paul II, of happy memory, said: “The future of humanity passes through the family” (FC, 86).

[SugarFreak]

Originally Posted by david_sonic15

hope i can find posts of Sagay city soon....magpopost din ako dito...help niyo ko mga Sagaynons ha...Go Sagaynons

Bro create ka account mo sa www.photobucket.com para maka post ka pictures here.

[kyle@1008]

Araneta Ancestral Mansion Bago City

[SugarFreak]

Negros Occidental to commemorate Al Cinco de Noviembre

THE Provincial Government and the Negros Occidental Historical Council, Inc. will lead the 108th Cinco de Noviembre Commemoration to be held at the Social Hall, Provincial Capitol on Monday, November 6.

Assembly will start at 9 a.m. to be led by the Social Science Association of Negros Occidental (SSANO) and to be facilitated by the NOHCI and the Public Affairs Office.

There will be a showing of the Cinco de Noviembre film produced by the Negros Museum and ABS-CBN to be followed by induction of the newly elected SSANO Interim Board and Members with Gov. Joseph G. Maranon as inducting officer and speaker.

At 4:30 p.m., a ceremonial commemoration will be held at the Fountain of Justice Area at the Bacolod City Hall.

This site, where the old Luzuriaga house stood, was the place where the Spanish forces surrendered to the Negrense revolutionaries on Nov. 6, 1898.

Included in the ceremonial commemoration is the reading of the brief synopsis of Cinco de Noviembre Historical Background by Roque P. Hofilena of the Negros Occidental Historical Council and invited to give the floral offerings are Governor Joseph G. Maranon, Mayor Evelio Leronardia of Bacolod City, Mayor Janet Torres of Bago City, Mayor Carlo Gamban of Silay City, and Mayor Eric Saratan of Talisay City.

Historical records show that on Nov. 5, 1898, the Negrenses rose in revolt against the Spanish authorities in the province headed by politico-military governor Col. Isidro de Castro.

The Spaniards decided to surrender upon seeing armed troops in a pincers movement towards Bacolod. The marching revolutionists, led by General Juan Araneta from Bago and General Aniceto Lacson from Silay, were actually carrying fake arms consisting of rifles carved out of palm fronds and cannons of rolled bamboo mats painted black.

By the afternoon of November 6, Col. de Castro signed the Act of Capitulation, thus ending the Spanish rule in Negros Occidental.

This event is being commemorated in Negros Occidental every Cinco de Noviembre as the day the Negrenses bluffed the Spaniards to attain their freedom.

November 5 has been declared a special non-working holiday in the province through Republic Act No. 6709 signed by President Corazon Aquino on February 10, 1989.


Ariola: El cañon de Cinco de Noviembre

IN MY hometown of Silay City, at the junction of Golez (formerly Mckinley) and Cinco de Noviembre Streets, lies the historical marker commemorating that momentous uprising of the Silaynons led by Nicolas Golez, Melecio Severino, Olympia Severino, Timoteo Unson, Vicente Gamboa, and Leandro Locsin against Spanish rule in Negros Occidental.

On that historic date, November 5, 1898, the Silaynons simultaneously rose in revolt together with the Taliseños and the Bagoeños, under the command of Generals Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta, respectively.

At that precise spot where the marker now stands was the location of Leandro Locsin's botica where the Silaynon revolucionarios assembled on the fateful day.

The rest is history. That street which stretches from Antonio Luna in the north to Figueroa Street in the south bears that historic date for its name since then.

Silay in fact has been dubbed as the "Cradle of the Negros Uprising. Both Talisay and Bago have their own respective monuments to venerate the heroism of the Negros revolutionaries.

But what makes the Silay monument unique is the authentic Spanish colonial-era cannon, which forms part of the memorial.

This vintage cannon was donated to the City of Silay some time in the latter part of the year 2000 by a scion of the prominent Gaston Family, Mr. Claudio G. Akol, Jr. (a.k.a. Tito Claudito), a dyed-in-the-wool Silaynon whose only motivation in donating that priceless antique to the city of his birth was to initiate the building of a shrine in Silay City which will honor the bravery of its native sons during that uprising.

Silay, unlike Talisay and Bago, had no "Cinco de Noviembre" memorial of its own at that time.

Several issues back, I wrote about how Tito Claudito lamented the manner by which his cannon was shabbily displayed thereat. Well, last Saturday, November 4, 2006, I happened to bike all the way to Silay and while I made my rounds of the streets I used to haunt, I ultimately reached the "Cinco de Noviembre Memorial." I must admit that I was curious to see what happened to Tito Claudito's cannon.

And as I approached the shrine, lo and behold, the cannon was already placed on top of a concrete replica of a Spanish man-of-war cannon mounted on a four-wheeled cart. Boy, was I floored at the site of that aesthetic and artistic representation of a cannon mount, which was definitely much better than its previous steel frame mount. And upon its front base, the name of Tito Claudito as its donor was proudly emblazoned.

Thus, in my excitement immediately upon my arrival at home, I instantly called my "kumpare" Yves J. Akol to tell him the good news about Tito Claudito's cannon and how the city government of Silay had taken steps to give it the representation befitting its historical value. I even proudly proclaimed to my "kumpare" -- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! They must have surely read the article I previously wrote about his dad's cannon.

Yet, in the course of our conversation, my "Kumpare" Yves jokingly retorted that while their family is grateful to the administration of Mayor Gamban for what they have done to the cannon, the mount he however noted is not the accurate representation of what it should have been.

He pointed out that the proper mount should have been a two-wheeled cart, the cannon having been used as an artillery piece by land infantry forces and not the naval representation of a smaller four-wheeled cart of a Spanish man-of-war. Oh well, only an ardent history buff can take note of that flaw. But nonetheless, a cart is a cart. And a cannon is still a cannon. Nobody could tell the difference unless he is a history buff himself. But they are few. So what the heck! At least the cannon looks pretty much imperial on its new mount, in fairness. Thanks to Mayor Gamban!

So now Tito Claudito could heave a sigh of relief. While the rest of Negros could collectively shout -- VIVA CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE! Funny but it seems that only the Cities of Silay, Talisay, and Bago marked the event while the rest of the entire province was relatively quiet. Isn't November 5 supposed to be Negros Day?

Nov. 2006 Issues. source: sunstar-bacolod

[SugarFreak]

Talisay Socials

The Tana Dikang ancestral home in Talisay City was all lit up that night. It was the week of the Chinese New Year and a beautiful live tree bedecked with Chinese lanterns was at the ground floor entrance.

Landscape artist Adjie Lizares was entertaining philanthropist Dee Zobel who jetted in for the Operation Smile, antique collector Mike Santos, film director Nonon Padilla, Menchu Jalandoni, Monsignor GG Gaston, party animal Joe Leonardia, real estate magnate Larry Lacson and plant enthusiast Chuck Tse. There was lechon and wine for appetizers in the main living room which looked like it was plucked out of a history book with all the antique furniture glistening in all its glory.

Dinner followed which was heralded with the opening of the large wooden doors leading to the formal dining room. The table was set with fine crystals from the 1920's to the 50's with heirloom silverware sparkling from the cathedral candelabras that loomed precariously over our heads. The social banter ranged from honorable causes to the latest showbiz gossip.

The Imperial Manille visitors were given a grand tour of the house after dessert. What a night! A couple of days later, grande dame Layette Rosello treated her Lacson relatives and friends to a sumptuous lunch at her Talisay seaside residence.

After mass at the Aniceto Lacson ancestral home, the group partook of typical Spanish cuisine with recipes dating back to the 1700's. Fashion Hall of Famer Celine Herras came with her whole family, holding her signature mini-umbrella to shade her porcelain skin from the midday sun.

Real estate tycoon Manny Lacson was dignified sitting on an heirloom chair from the ancestral home. Sophisticate Nena Rosello and brother Paquito entertained the younger Lacson clan in an al fresco setting in the garden with anecdotes of historical family gaffes which put everyone at ease. Definitely, this is how grand families gather at home…source

[Pinoy_ako]

Originally Posted by kyle@1008

Araneta Ancestral Mansion Bago City

Kyle@1008,

Is this the Balay ni Tan Juan Community Museum?

[david_sonic15]

Originally Posted by SugarFreak

Bro create ka account mo sa www.photobucket.com para maka post ka pictures here.

Thank you Bro!!! Soon makakapost na din ako..