PLACES OF INTERESTS
In front of the Bacolod City Hall, the former site of the old City Hall where the formal signing of the Spanish surrender to the local forces by Gen. Aniceto Lacson tool place - Col. Isidro Castro, Spanish governor of Negros, signed in behalf of he Spanish forces on November 7, 1898.
The centennial bells of San Sebastian Cathedral were brought down from their places in the belfry and mounted at the right side of the churchyard in 1976, the 100th year anniversary of the Cathedral.
Built in 1876 upon the initiative of Fr. Mauricio Ferrero, a Recollect friar. It became a cathedral in 1933 is one of the century -old churches found in Negros Occidental.
Negros Museum
The Negros Museum is a unique historical and
humanities museum in that in does not collect antiques but stories about
the people of Negros Occidental. It showcases important historical events
which made Negros as 'The Sugarbowl of the Philippines". Thus, the
museum is sometimes referred to as 'The Sugar Museum'. Open from Tuesday
to Sunday. from 10:00 A. to 6:00 PM. / Tel. No. 433-4764.
Older than the San Sebastian Cathedral by approximately 50 years, the Bishop's Palace was built by Fr. Julian Gonzaga but was eventually finish only in the 1890's. During and after the revolution of 1898, the Palacio served as refuge for the Spanish military and civic officials.
The only school-based museum in Bacolod City that was born out of a dream to preserve vital documents, photographs, cultural artifacts and the history of Negros. The museum can accommodate 40 visitors at one time. Large groups are requested to call the Museum at least 48 hours before the visit at Tel. No. 435-5998. It is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Bacolod
Plaza Bandstand and Gazebo
Right at the center of Bacolod Public Plaza, the
bandstand was constructed in 1927 to complement the weekend cultural
activities of the early Bacoleņos, Names of world-famous composers like
Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner circle the sides of the roofing,
attesting to the early Bacolodnon's familiarity with European culture.
The park is the site of the ancestral home of the prominent Yulo family. The Yulo's belong to a clan of politician's that helped shaped the status of Negros Occidental. - a premier province of the south. The Park used to be the center for social and recreational affairs in Bacolod at the turn of the century.
Fronting the Negros Occidental High School along Araneta Street. The promenade used to be a sidewalk renovated and beautified by the city to honor the school alumni who are now prominent civic and government leaders.
The Sta. Clara Subdivision chapel features a unique mural mosaic measuring a 9 ft. x 21 ft. of the lady of the Barangay Sang Virgen done on a collage of 95,000 pieces of shells of various sizes, shades and colors.
San Antonio Abad Church
This crown-shaped church features stations of the
cross done by Bacolod's top artists. It also features an altar sculpture
"The Risen Christ" done by a national Artist, Solomon Saprid.
Rizal
Centennial Park
Fronting the Rizal Elementary School along
Araneta Street. The city's contribution to the Centennial Celebration.
Inaugurated in December 30, 1996, the park is the tribute of Bacolod to
the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and provides an oasis for many city
commutes, students and professionals during early morning and late
afternoons.
Golf is one of the most popular sports attractions in Bacolod today as local golf course - The Negros Occidental golf and Country Club, Inc. provides challenging 18-hole adventures for amateur and professional golfers, with panoramic views of scenic Mounts Marapara and Patag.
Negros Forest Ecological
Foundation & Biodiversity Center
A breeding and rescue center for endangered and
endemic animals found in Negros Island as well as other places in the
Philippines Visayan spotted deer, Luzon bleeding heart pigeon, Philippine
Visayan Tarictic hornbill, Philippine hawk-eagle, monitor lizard,
Philippine serpent eagle and the sailfin lizard. Tel. No. (034) 433-9234.
Bacolod
Western Visayas
Clonal Nursery
The Bacolod Western Visayas Clonal Nursery lies
on a one-hectare flat and gently rolling grassland terrain located 2.5 kms.
away from Barangay Alangilan which is about 17 kms. from the city proper
of Bacolod. The only one of its kind in the Province of Negros Occidental,
this nursery has been put up in order to provide continuous supply of
quality planting stocks for the reforestation and greening program of the
city. It has an orchard of hedge plants for vegetative propagation, a
nursery for seeds and planting stocks; a hardening shed and a potting area
for rooted cuttings to pots. Visits to the nursery is by appointment
through the City Environment Office; the City Mayor's Office or the City
Tourism Office.
Considered as the country's number one trade house and pasalubong center, the Showroom is an alternative giftshop that houses arts and crafts that Negros island had to offer - from furniture to furnishings, ceramics, scented candles, pottery, novelties, ladies/children's garments, fashion accessories, souvenir t-shirts as well as indigenous foods. Open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Tel. No. (034) 434-0717 / 434-1000.
Recuerdos de Bacolod
"Recuerdos" (souvenirs) is know for its
collection of excavated items and heirlooms, wooden saints, furniture and
pottery pieces as early as the 7th and 9th century. These antique items
were taken mostly from Bohol and Panay.
Located in Barangay Mansilingan near the boundary of Barangay Alijis, this 25-hectare sports complex and park is known to be one of the best in the country and has already been host to a lot of national sport events. It has a rubberized oval tract, an Olympic-size swimming pool and other sports facilities. Its unique feature is the replica of the landmarks of the 13 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.
Fort San Juan
Was constructed in 1888 mainly thru the
initiative of Don Ramon Pastor, the governadorcillo at the time and with
the cooperation of Recollect Friar, Fray Mauricio Ferrefo, who designated
and constructed the Fort San Juan, with Fernando Cuenca, also built the
San Sebastian Cathedral. The Fort served as the jail for prisoners during
the Spanish era. After the Negros Revolution in 1898, thirty six (36)
Spanish friars were ordered in incarcerated. Today, the fort serves as the
Provincial Jail.
An imposing structure of Romanesque neoclassical architectural design, is the official seat of the government of the Province of Negros Occidental. It served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II.
Paghimud-os Provincial Capitol
Park
"Ang paghimud-os " which literally
means "The Struggle" is a fine sculpture erected at the east
entrance of the Capitol Lagoon Park. This magnificent work of art was done
by one of the country's noted sculptor, Eduardo Castrillo.
It is located In front of the Capitol Building. To the north and south ends of the rectangular lagoon stand the statues of a woman and female water buffalo and a man and a male water buffalo, respectively. The woman standing beside the female water buffalo is a massive sculptural work said to have been done by a Italian artist whose work was never been duplicated until a Negrense artist who finished Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines duplicated the Italian's work of art by coming out with a man and male water buffalo. Presently, the lagoon grounds is a favorite jogging area of Bacolod residents.
