CITY CHARTER HISTORY

     The people of Bacolod went into frenzied preparation for the inauguration of  Bacolod as a Chartered City. Various committees were formed and members were appointed. Students of the different schools from elementary to high school were organized and trained to sing the Philippine Commonwealth Hymn and the Philippine Triumphant Hymn, sung during the inauguration rites which was tentatively scheduled for September 1939.
     Different high school cadets, people from all sectors of society both rich and poor alike, different municipalities, civic clubs and business establishments in the province of Negros Occidental went out of their way to prepare for the forthcoming inauguration of Bacolod as a Charter City to show the President of Commonwealth of the Philippine their appreciation.
     While the people of Bacolod and Negros Province were enthusiastically busy with the preparations, there were some political maneuverings-on the national level - as to who will be the Mayor of the new city of Bacolod. Numerous names were submitted and the strongest among them was Don Aguedo Gonzaga of Bago who was also a known political figure during that period. But among those submitted for scrutiny, one name stood out.
     He was not so well known in the political arena for he was not politician.
     He was, however, a prominent figure in the fields of agriculture and lobor, who was fast becoming quite a personality. With little time left, Don Alfredo Montelibano Sr., who was staying at his hacienda in Binitin, Murcia, was offered to be the first mayor of the City of Bacolod.
     After a brief deliberation, Don Alfredo  accepted and President Quezon promptly signed the appointment making Don Alfredo the first Mayor of Bacolod City.
     With the appointment of Don Alfredo as mayor, preparations and arrangements for the inauguration went into full gear.
     The President signed Proclamation No. 322 on September 23, 1938, setting aside September 30, 1938 as the Inauguration Day of the City of Bacolod and declared it a special Public Holiday for the whole province of Negros, a chance to participate in the celebration.
     That September, however, rained much and the inauguration was postponed three times from September 30 to October 5, then to October 12.
    The weather started to become favorable only on October 14, and the city finally decided to hold the inauguration on October 19, 1939.
    Bacolod moved once again together with the different towns and municipalities to prepare for the momentous even. Float - bigger and more elegant - were ordered made and rushed in time for the celebrations.
     The whole machinery of the city was mobilized to see to it that everything would be properly accomplished on time.
     As early as October 17, the city was starting to feel the festive mood of the celebration.
     Everyone was anxiously waiting for the big day to see how everything will turn out.
     The inauguration was to take place at the Provincial Capitol Grounds and the grandstand was filled with decorations.
     At the Bacolod Public Plaza, all indications of a grand celebration could be seen all over the place. The whole city was bedecked with lights and the University Club (UC) made more dignified for the Inaugural Ball on the night of October 19th.
     By 4 a.m. October 19th, several parade bands marched the streets around the poblacion to awaken residents for the dawn of the inauguration day.
     At 2 in the afternoon, all the public officials and the members were already at Pulupandan to welcome President Manuel L. Quezon on board "Cutter Arayat".
     The president, however, arrived from Manila via Iloilo on board the president yacht "Casiana".
     School children started to line on both sides of the street where the Presidential entourage was to pass. Participants of the parade were assembled at the Negros Occidental High School grounds and athletic fields.
     The Presidential entourage arrived in Pulupandan by 3:30 p.m. After a brief reception, motorcaded to Bacolod and arrived past 4 p.m..
     The parade started as soon as the entourage passed by the high school grounds.
     The motorcade arrived at the grandstand and after the passing review of the parade, the inaugural ceremonies started. Then Bishop of the See of the Diocese of Bacolod Monsignor Casimiro Lladoc, delivered the invocation blessing the city.
     The author  of the City Charter, Assemblyman Hernaez, read proudly the Presidential Proclamation that converted Bacolod into a city.
     The mayor of Bacolod - young and handsome at 33 years old - took his oath of office before Judge Dionisio de Leon and then delivered his inaugural address.
     Governor Valeriano Gatuslao introduced the President, greeted by a deafening ovation, after which the President delivered his address, punctuated with wild applause from the audience.
     At the middle of his message, a light shower started to fall, but it didn't  cause the enthusiastic crowd to disperse to look for cover.
     The program ended with the singing of the Philippine Commonwealth Hymn and the Philippine Triumphant Hymn.
    A banquet followed that evening, sponsored by the Mapa-Lizares clan at the mansion of Enrica Vda de Lizares.
     By 8 p.m. that same evening, the University Club was filled to capacity for the reception and ball, with the gentlemen wearing formal frocks and chequitillas, while the ladies were in their formal evening gowns as they waited for the President to arrive.
     While waiting for the President, nobody could be seen dancing although the Manila-based Orchestra hired for the evening continuously played music.
     The Presidential party arrived late in the evening at the UC  around 11 pm and was all the same welcomed warmly with a a standing ovation and applause.
     To open the ball, the President requested the orchestra to play the tango and danced with Ms. Mercedes Montilla, who was crowned as the Miss Philippines for 1936.
     That evening the reception symbolized beauty, wealth and culture of Negros Occidental, the Premier Province of the Philippines and of Bacolod City.
      After the reception and ball, the Presidential party proceeded to Hacienda Binitin where they retired for the evening.
    So it was said that 1938 was the Year of Bacolod and its people.