Revisit the Past in These Iconic Heritage Places in Bacolod and Beyond

Where: Vicmico, Victorias City, Negros Occidental

Travel Time: 35-40 minutes from Silay Airport

Recommended Budget: PhP105 (includes the bus fare from North Ceres Terminal and the tricycle fare)

Also known as the Church of the Angry Christ, St. Joseph the Worker Parish is popular for its 60-square meter mural that shows Jesus Christ with a fierce expression. The painter of the 60-square-meter mural, Alfonso Ossorio, interpreted his work as “The Last Judgement”. The church was designed and built by Czech architect Antonin Raymond, and it is his only work in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Ade de Bethune, a Belgian liturgical artist, used broken glasses gathered by the locals for the mosaic that can be seen outside the church’s baptism room.

St. Joseph the Worker Parish is a cultural and religious representation and a symbol of experimental art. In 2015, the church, the mosaic, and the mural were restored by the locals and up until now, tourists pop in to see the famous mural.

Where: Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Travel Time: 15 minutes from Silay Airport

Recommended Budget: PhP160 (Inclusive of PhP100 entrance fee and transportation expenses)

A symbol of love, The Ruins was once a mansion built by Don Mariano Lacson to express his undying endearment for his wife who died giving birth to their 11th child in 1911. Later, the mansion was burned down by the Americans to prevent Japanese forces from making it their basecamp. It took 3 days to burn the two-inch hardwood floor but the A-grade cement still remains.

Right now, The Ruins is dubbed as the “Taj Mahal” of Negros. It is also a popular tourist spot, as many visitors flock the site to see the remains of the building. The landmark has also served as a venue for photo shoots and for concerts by a few local acoustic artists.

Update (June 2020): The Ruins is temporarily closed but will resume operations on June 25.

Where: Old Agricultural Bldg. Gatuslao St., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Travel Time: 28-34 minutes from Silay Airport

Recommended Budget: PhP8 for the fare

The Negros Museum is the first museum in the Philippines that doesn’t focus on historical artifacts; instead, it highlights the contemporary works of local artists. Still, the curated artworks tell the rich history of Negros.

For one, the museum recently unveiled a contemporary sculpture entitled “The Unbowed Bao.” Made by artists Rafael “Paeng” Paderna (sculptor) and Lisa de Leon-Zayco (mosaic artist), the masterpiece features a carabao called ‘BAO.’ Its head is tilted upright to indicate a celebration of trials that have been overcome. The 5-ton sculpture is also a dedication to carabaos for the animal’s contribution to farmers in sugarcane fields.

Update (June 2020): The Negros Museum is temporarily closed.

Where: Barangay III, Cinco De Noviembre St., Silay City, Negros Occidental

Travel Time: : 9 minutes from Silay Airport

Recommended Budget: PhP17 for the bus fare from North Ceres Terminal

Balay Negrense is the first museum to be constructed in Negros. It is also referred to as the Victor Gaston Ancestral home and “bahay na bato” or “house of stone.” The upper-class Filipino house features different architectural characteristics: open windows and elevated apartments inspired by indigenous Filipino bamboo houses and a roof with galvanized iron and low-level concrete that shows an American influence. The ancestral house was developed during the late Spanish period and was donated to the country’s tourism body by one of the heirs in 1990.

Where: 118 Rizal St., Silay City, Negros Occidental

Travel Time: 8 minutes from Silay Airport

Recommended Budget: PhP17 for the bus fare from North Ceres Terminal

Located along the main highway of Silay is El Ideal Bakery, a well-known bakery and a food landmark set up in 1920. It was founded by Cesar Locsin, who baked bread for the locals and gamblers. The legacy was soon passed on to his daughter, Alice Locsin, and then was given to Ma. Teresa “Tess” Villanueva Sanchez. Tess expanded the brand and added new products.

The bakery has expanded into a restaurant so tourists can have a stopover while visiting the ancestral houses in Silay. Some of El Ideal Bakery’s best-sellers are the señoritas (dessert made of layers of buttered crust and dulce de leche) and lumpiang ubod (heart of palm spring rolls). It also has a pasalubong (take-home gift) area filled with delicious packed delicacies like the goat’s milk barquillos (rolled wafer), angel cookies, biscochos (twice-baked bread coated in butter and sugar), and many more.

Update (June 2020): El Ideal is currently open only for delivery for a minimum purchase of PhP300.

If you want to visit Negros, don’t just go for its beaches and mountain resorts; drop by one of these sites, too! Having fun is good, but it’s always worthwhile to learn about the history of the land.

Visit Yoorekka to find more landmarks and famous spots in Bacolod and the entire Negros region!