Bacolod Wedding Destinations
Negros Occidental –
Sugar Bowl of the Philippines
Found in the northwestern
portion of Negros Island, this ‘sweet’ island is
covered with vast expanse of sugar cane plantations that supply
the Philippines and its neighboring countries with sugar. Negros
Occidental also offers its visitors places of beauty and wonder.
White sand beaches, ancestral houses and falls are located throughout
the province. It is one of the few places in the world that
has a working and operating ‘iron dinosaur’ –
steam locomotives.
Demographics
1. Population – 2,869,
766 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 7,926 sq. km
3. Capital – Bacolod City
4. Language/Dialect – Higyanon, Cebuano, English and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (13)
- Bacolod City
- Bago City
- Cadiz City
- Escalante City
- Himamaylan City
- Kabankalan City
- La Carlota City
- Sagay City
- San Carlos City
- Silay City
- Sipalay City
- Talisay City
- Victorias City
Municipalities (19)
- Binalbagan
- Calatrava
- Candoni
- Cauayan
- Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia)
- Hinigaran
- Hinoba-an
- Ilog
- Isabela
- La Castellana
- Manapla
- Moises Padilla (Magallon)
- Murcia
- Pontevedra
- Pulupandan
- Salvador Benedicto
- San Enrique
- Toboso
- Valladolid
Famous For...
MassKara Festival
Place: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Date: Third week of October
The Festival recalls the time when the sugar industry sank
but amidst the crisis, the Negrenses kept on smiling and fought
through adversity. Major activities are the MassKara Street
Dance competition, beauty pageant, carnivals, drum and bugle
corps competitions, food festivals, sports events, musical
concert, agri-trade fair, garden show, and others.
Ancestral House
All over Negros Occidental, tourists can find ancestral houses
built in the 17th century and those that have survived the
World War II. They are maintained by its owners to its original
form which serves as living examples of ancient architecture.
Bacolod’s chicken
Inasal
This specialty cuisine has captured both foreign and local
taste buds. Chicken parts are marinated in native herbs and
spices and skewed on bamboo sticks. It is cooked by grilling
with charcoal. This is served with rice on banana leaves,
which serves as the plate, and is eaten using the hands (kianmot
in Ilonggo)
Sugar Mills and Plantation
British Nicolas Loney and Frenchman Yves Germaine Leopold
Gaston were responsible for the growth of the sugar industry
in the mid-19th century. Since then, the province has remained
constant in supplying the market with its needed sugar supply.
Iron Dinosaurs (Steam
Locomotives)
Location: Central Azucarera de La Carlota, La Carlota City
Victorias Milling Company, Victorias City
Hawaiian Philippines Co., Silay City
Three milling companies have been maintaining these machines
in good working condition. During the milling season of October
to April, one may see these ‘iron dinosaurs’ streaking
through the vast lands of these sugar centrals.
Places of Interest...
Cultural
Muscovado Sugar Mills
Location: Hacienda Canman-ug, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
Don Teodoro Guerra, the owner of Hacienda Canman-ug built the
first muscovado sugar mill in La Carlota in 1910. The mill was
powered by eight A & W Smith Company steam engines, manufactured
in 1883 in Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Central Azucarera de La
Carlota
Location: La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
The Azucarera is one of the oldest sugar mills in the country.
Its history dates back in 1916 when it was established by the
Elizalde and Ynchausti families at Hacienda Esperanza in La
Carlota, Negros Occidental at the south base of Mt. Kanlaon.
La Granja Agricolas
Location: Barrio Cubay, Brgy. La Granja, La Carlota City, Negros
Occidental
A royal decree was issued on November 15, 1881 created the La
Granja Agricolas to serve as a model agricultural land and promulgated
in July 8, 1884.
Ma-ao Sugar Central
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
Founded Don Jorge Araneta in the early part of 1819, this is
now one of the oldest sugar centrals in the Philippines.
Negros Museum
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Tour Days: Tuesday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 10:00am– 6:00pm
The ‘Sugar Museum’ does not have any artifacts inside.
What it has are the stories of Negros Occidental and how it
became the ‘Sugarbowl of the Philippines.
Don Teodolfo Infante Heritage
House (Bahay Daku)
Location: Hacienda Guadalupe, Brgy. Ayungon, La Carlota City,
Negros Occidental
Bahay Daku literally meaning ‘big house’, this ancestral
house was designed by the owner himself, Don Teodolfo Infante
in 1929. It was declared by the National Historical Institute
as a National Heritage House in December 12, 2001.
Silay Heritage Houses
Location: Silay City, Negros Occidental
Silay City is dubbed as the ‘Paris of Negros’ because
during the Spanish era, the señoritas and señoritos
who were involved in the sugar industry constantly traveled
to Europe, and brought with them ornaments and furniture from
the West. Add to the illustrious design of their houses, beauty
and glamour became very evident throughout the city.
1. Victor Fernandez Gaston
Heritage House (Balay Negrense)
Location: Cinco de Noviembre St., Silay City, Negros Occidental
Tour Days: Tuesday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 10:00am– 6:00pm
Entrance Fee: P25.00
The Balay Negrense served as the residence of Frenchman Yves
Germaine Leopold Gaston, and his son Don Victor Fernandez, who
developed the sugar industry in Northern Negros during the 19th
century. It has been restored to its former glory and beauty
since its abandonment during the World War II. Now, it hosts
several Negrense artifacts; some of which have French origin.
2. Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni
Museum
Location: Rizal St., Silay City, Negros Occidental
Tour Days: Monday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 9:30am– 6:00pm
Entrance Fee: P25.00
Built between 1908 and 1912, this ancestral house now serves
as a museum which contains antique Japanese currency and law
books, as well as a huge metal vat used to make muscovado sugar.
3. Carlos Arceo Ledesma
Heritage House
4. Jose Benedicto Gamboa Heritage House
5. Angel Araneta Ledesma Heritage House
6. Benita Jara Heritage House
7. Amelia Hilado Flores Heritage House
8. Alejandro Amechazura Heritage House
9. Jose Corteza Locsin Heritage House
10. Augusto Hilado Severino Heritage House
11. Severino Building/Heritage House
12. Manuel Severino Hofileña Heritage House
13. Claudio Hilado Akol Heritage House
14. Manuel de la Rama Locsin Heritage House
15. Felix Tad-y Lacson Heritage House
16. Soledad and Maria Montelibano Lacson Heritage House
17. Kapitan Marciano Montelibano Lacson Heritage House
18. Vicente Conlu Montelibano Heritage House
19. Maria Ledesma Golez Heritage House
20. Jose Ledesma Heritage House
21. Teodoro Morada Heritage House
22. Generoso Reyes Gamboa Heritage House
23. Digna Locsin Consing Heritage House
24. German Lacson Gaston Heritage House
25. Modesto Ramirez Hojilla (Carlos Javelosa Jalandoni)
Heritage House
26. Dr. Jose Corteza Locsin Heritage House
27. German Locsin Unson Heritage House
28. Delfin Ledesma Ledesma Heritage House
Historical
General Aniceto Lacson
Historical Landmark
Location: Talisay City, Negros Occidental
The landmark honors the valor and sacrifices of Gen. Aniceto
Lacson who served as the President of the cantonal Republic
of Negros during the Negros Revolution on November 5, 1898.
General Juan Araneta
Historical Landmark
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
Gen. Araneta was the Secretary of War during the tenure of General
Lacson as President during the Negros Revolution. The cantonal
government lasted only from November 27, 1898 until March 4,
1899. A monument of him mounted on a horse was placed at the
entrance of the city in honor of his contribution to Philippine
Independence.
Gen. Juan Araneta Ancestral
House (Balay na Bato)
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
This was the residence of General Araneta. It was built in the
19th century and has been restored to its original form. The
house was declared as a National Historical Landmark in 1978.
Fountain of Justice
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The fountain serves as a memorial of the site where Spanish
politico-military governor Col. Isidro de Castro signed the
Act of Capitulation on November 6, 1898, a day after the victorious
‘Cinco de Noviembre’.
Old Fort at Himamaylan
Location: Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental
Himamaylan served as the capital of Negros in 1795. The fort
was built to serve as a garrison and lookout point for Muslim
raids during the Spanish occupation.
Bago River Bridge
Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental
The bridge served as one of the key structures during the World
War II. Members of the 503rd Parachute RCT joined Filipino guerillas
in securing the bridge against Japanese forces. This allowed
the American troops to advance and liberate Bacolod.
World War II Memorial
Wall
Location: Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
This 10-foot tall wall serves as a sidewall to the Cadiz City
Public Plaza. Embossed in it are the names of the ‘heroes’
of World War II.
Man-made
Fort San Juan
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
From it construction in 1888 up to now, Fort San Juan has served
as the provincial jail of Bacolod. Thirty-six (36) Spanish friars
were detained in here during the Negros Revolution.
Negros Occidental Provincial
Capitol
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The building, which was built in 1931, has a Romanesque neo-classical
architectural design. It once served as the headquarters of
the Japanese in World War II
Luzuriaga Cemetery
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Located along Burgos Street, this is the only cemetery in the
Philippines, and probably in the world, that is located right
in the middle of the highway.
Mambukal Mountain Resort
Location: Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental
This mixed natural and man made wonder is the home of three
species of bats – the Philippine Flying Fox (Philippine
Giant Fruit Bat), Philippine bare-backed fruit bat, and the
endangered Little Golden-mantled Flying Fox. Aside from these
flying creatures, the resort has therapeutic springs, waterfalls,
swimming pools, hiking trails, and camp sites. It is also the
gateway to the Mount Kanlaon Volcano.
Panaad Park and Stadium
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
This 25-hectare sports complex has bore witness to several international
events. Footballl events were held here during the 2005 South
East Asian Games. This also served as the venue for the qualifying
tournament of the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship. The Staduim
also has a rubberized track oval, a 15,500-seating-capacity
stadium, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Located at the
park is a replica of the landmarks found in the 13 cities and
19 municipalities of Negros Occidental.
Natural
Mount Kanlaon
Location: Negros Occidental
The active volcano was declared as a National Park through Proclamation
No. 721 on August 8, 1934 and revised by Proclamation No. 1005
on May 8, 1997. It serves as the home of the Negros bleeding
heart dove, fruit doves and other endangered species. It has
three hot springs on the slope: Mambucal Hot Springs, Bucalan
Hot Spring, and Bungol Hot Spring.
Danjugan Island Marine
Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Danjugan Island, Negros Occidental
Established in 2000 through the collaborative efforts of Philippine
Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (PRRCFI) and
UK-based Coral Cay Conservation, this island found 3k west of
Negros Occidental is home to sea eagles, herons, sunbirds, several
varieties of bats and many other species and surrounded by diverse
coral reefs.
Guintubdan Nature’s
Park
Location: Sitio Guintubdan, Bgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City, Negros
Occidental
From the Hiligaynon word “tubod” which means flowing
water, the park hosts several falls and vast greenery where
visitors can picnic and enjoy the beauty of nature in tranquility.
Sagay Marine Reserve
Location: Sagay City, Negros Occidental
Through Proclamation 592 issued in 1995, the 32,000 hectare
Sagay territorial water was declared as a Protected Seascape.
Now, it serves as the major fishing ground in Negros and a sanctuary
for coral reefs and inhabited by blue crabs, sea urchins, abalones,
sea cucumbers and various sea shells.
Ubong Caves
Location: Brgy. Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental
The caves, two are on land connected by a small shaft and the
other, called Salvacion Cave is by the water. The cave has several
unique stalagmite and stalactite formations. Its clear coral
covered water is ideal for free diving.
La Fortuna Nature &
Wildlife Lagoon
Location: Brgy. Fortuna, Buluangan, San Carlos City, Negros
Occidental
It is a five-hectare man-made lagoon which is seven meters deep
and serves as a grow-out pond for Taiwan and tilapia (a type
of tilapiine cichlid fish) fishes. It has several hardwood and
fruit-bearing trees like Santol (Sandoricum koetjape), Guyabano
(soursop), Duhat (black plum), Mango, Atis (Sugar Apple/Sweet
sop), Jackfruit, and Mansinitas (Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.)
Religious
Brgy. Sang Virgen Chapel
Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
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.
Saint Joseph Church
Location: Victorias City, Negros Occidental
Located at the heart of Victorias Milling Company compound,
the church is noted for its mural of a rough -faced Christ in
psychedelic colors popularly known as the Angry Christ. It is
the only church in Negros that depicts Filipino liturgical art.
Festivals...
Pasalamat Festival
Location: La Carlota City, Negros Occidental
Date: May 1
Pasalamat Festival is based on the tradition of giving thanks
to gods of elements after a bountiful harvest. The city takes
on a festive atmosphere during the weeklong celebration, which
culminates with a Mardi Gras like parade of floats and caricatures.
Sinulog Festival
Location: Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Date: Third Sunday of January
The Sinulog is a hilarious festivity held in commemoration of
the triumph of the townspeople against the moro pirates through
the intercession of the Sto. Nino. Locals dress in colorful
costumes in black soot stamp and dances all over the city.
Pinta Flores Festival
Location: San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Date: November 5
In celebration of the ‘Cinco de Noviembre’ and the
bountiful harvest of the city, the city streets are filled with
dancers dressed in colorful costumes decorated with sunflowers
and other flora. |
Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental, is famous for heritage houses, old churches, MassKara Festival, and chicken inasal. More importantly, it is known for its residents' genteel, relaxed pace of life. Their warmth and hospitality, coupled with their lilting Hiligaynon accent and genuine smiles, has earned Bacolod the monicker "City of Smiles."
Occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions are best remembered through its photos and videos, a testament of joyous moment of loved ones being together. But there are special occasions, like weddings, where in you take extra effort to make sure that the best moments are captured and kept through the years.
For an entire day, the bride and the groom are the center of attention of their families, friends, and acquaintances. They celebrate the union of these two individuals as they take each other as husband and wife. Thus, a wedding takes place through a series of ceremonies and activities scheduled throughout the day. Filipino weddings, in particular, take a lot of time to prepare.