Silay City

Silay City is known as the "Paris of Negros" and the cultural and intellectual center of Negros due to the Silaynons' passion for education and works of arts. By virtue of Republic Act 1621 in June 12, 1957, Silay became a chartered city. It has quite a large commercial and fishing port, and it is the site of the new international airport, which will take the place of Bacolod City Domestic Airport. Through the People's Initiative approving the 2003 Annual Executive Budget in June 7, 2003, Silay City became the first and only local government unit in the whole Philippines to hold a referendum. The term "taga-Silay" translates to "from Silay" or "of Silay" in Hiligaynon.

Silay City is a second class city located on the northwestern part of Negros Island, approximately 14 kilometers north of Bacolod City, the capital of the province. It lies along the coordinates 10 deg 48' N and 122 deg 68' E. It is bounded by the municipality of E.B. Magalona on the north, Marapara Mountain Ranges on the east, Talisay City on the south and Guimaras Strait on the west.

According to a popular folklore, in the olden days when datus and rajahs still exist, there was also a princess named Kansilay. Fearlessly, she led the people in securing the villages from the assault on the comminuity by the pirates. It was a tough battle, but the princess attacked like an expert fighter. In the end, however, the pirates were defeated, but in exchange of the princess' life. She was fondly buried by the people. Much to the people's surprise, on her grave grew the first Kansilay tree, which they deemed to be a final present from the brave princess.

On the other hand, the real chronicle reveals that in was in 1565 that the first settlement was established in Silay, under the name "Carobcob" which means "ribcage" in the Hiligaynon dialect. The settlement was also referred as "Calubcub", "caracol" and "caraco" which means "snail" or "spiral" in Spanish, in early writings. In the afternoon of November 5, 1898, the Philippine flag was initially hoisted when the Spanish soldier admitted defeat to the hacienda laborers and landowners who attacked the stronghold. In 1760, about 2 centuries after the first settlement, Silay became a town.

Akin to the remainder of the Negros Island, the sugar trade boosts the financial system of the town. Silay became a chief sugar producing town in 1896, owing to the existence of the Horno Economico (sugar mill), which was initiated by a French who became a Silaynon, Yves Leopold Germain Gaston. Among the additional industries in the city are pottery, embroidery, and sugarcane farms.

For a good look at the culture and some period lifestyle in Silay, some of the places worth visiting include the Revolutionary Markers. The Balay Negrense is originally the house of Victor Gaston which was later converted into a private museum. Silay has several interesting old house in reminiscence of the Castilian past. At 21 de Noviembre Street is the Hofilena Ancestral House, which is home to a collection of rare art pieces, antiques and paintings done by Luna, Rizal and Hidalgo. Patag Valley is located between the highlands of Mt. Silay and Lt. Marapara.

Trekking is a very popular activity in this site, which is also the home of the Philippine spotted deer. The Church of San Diego is located 15 kilometers from Bacolod City. It is a Basilica type of architectural work, constructed in the 1920s. Another popular attraction in this city is the Kansilay Festival, a nine-day celebration which starts with "El Cinco de Noviembre", commemorating the one-day bloodless revolution in Silay which caused the laying down of arms of the Spanish civil guards.

Another big celebration is the Ilonggo Sarsuela Festival, usually held during the last week of November. This event features the best Ilonggo zarzuela scripts written by Silaynon playwrights, which are produced by independent theater groups, school-based clubs, and barangay cultural ensembles.

Silay City is known as the "Paris of Negros" and the cultural and intellectual center of Negros due to the Silaynons' passion for education and works of arts. By virtue of Republic Act 1621 in June 12, 1957, Silay became a chartered city. It has quite a large commercial and fishing port, and it is the site of the new international airport, which will take the place of Bacolod City Domestic Airport. Through the People's Initiative approving the 2003 Annual Executive Budget in June 7, 2003, Silay City became the first and only local government unit in the whole Philippines to hold a referendum. The term "taga-Silay" translates to "from Silay" or "of Silay" in Hiligaynon.