
After my successful Cebu solo backpacking, another solo backpacking trip to the Visayas was planned - this is it: a solo backpacking trip in Western Visayas. The language barrier wasn't a problem because Hiligaynon has similarities to our native language in Romblon. During my travel, I learned that the Negrenses are accommodating and have a good sense of direction. For simple questions like, "Where is it located?" they provided me with detailed instructions. In general, Negros Occidental and the province of Ilo-Ilo are Must Visit provinces in the Philippines. Sorted according to my itinerary, historical, heritage, and tourist spots below were my destinations.
Negros Occidental Tourist Spots:
- Cinco de Noviembre
- Balay Negrense
- San Diego Parish Church
- Negros Capitol
- Negros Museum
- Bacolod Cathedral
- The Ruins
Photo of Cinco de Noviembre. |
Cinco de Noviembre is a small landmark in Silay City that played a huge part during the revolution. It served as a drugstore and a hideout. It was also where the Negrense Revolutionaries secretly helped plan the revolution against the Spanish Colonial Forces on November 5, 1898. This is the perfect location where Negros Republic was created.
Photo of Balay Negrense. |
Balay Negrense is just one of the century-old houses along Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City. This street is remarkable because of the historical value that transpires to the people. Balay Negrense is a Hiligaynon phrase which means: Balay or a house, and Negrense refers to the people living in the province of Negros. It is a century-old house in Silay City, which was owned by Victor Fernandez Gaston, the eldest son of a prominent sugar baron Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Prudencia Fernandez. It was built between 1897 to 1901, then abandoned in the mid-1970s, repaired by the government, and was inaugurated on October 6, 1990.
Photo of San Diego Parish Church. |
San Diego Pro-cathedral, formerly known as San Diego Parish Church or St. Didacus Parish Church, was declared a pro-cathedral in 1994. It is the only church in Silay City with a dome like St. Peters in Vatican City.
Photo of Old Negros Capitol. |
Photo: Bacolod Cathedral. |
Known as the San Sebastian Cathedral, the original structure of Bacolod Cathedral was made from wood and other local products in 1825. However, its original structure was damaged and was replaced by galvanized iron and coral stones. The bell towers were constructed in 1885. Bacolod Cathedral is in the business center of Bacolod City and is opposite the plaza. Thus, it is always busy.
Iloilo Tourist Attractions:
- Jaro Belfry
- Jaro Cathedral
- Miag Ao Church
- Guimbal Church
- Tigbauan Church
- Molo Church
- Negros Museum
Day 2 Itinerary: The next day, from my hotel, I walked on the streets to SM City for my breakfast. Then, walked on the street again to the port near SM City. Bought a ferry ticket and traveled to Domangas Port. I rode on a motorcycle and alighted at the jeepney terminal, where I took a ride to Ilo-Ilo City. Though the lady beside me gave me an idea of where to alight, I easily recognized Jaro Belfry, so I alighted at the crossing near the belfry and Jaro Cathedral. Had my lunch at the food court nearby and proceeded to my next destination.
Photo: Jaro Belfry |
Photo: Jaro Cathedral. |
Jaro Cathedral is another example of the historical baroque architecture in the country. Built-in 1864 by order of Mariano Cuartero, the first bishop of Jaro. In 1948, this structure was destroyed by an earthquake and was restored in 1956 by the order of the first archbishop Jose Ma. Cuenco.
In front of Jaro Cathedral, with the help of the traffic enforcer, I rode in a jeepney with a "Super" signboard and alighted in Super - a huge marketplace. In Super, with the help of the Tinderas and Tinderros, I found the jeepney terminal called "Miag-Ao." It was a couple of hours before I noticed the dome of Miag-Ao Church. After Miag-Ao Church, rode in a jeepney back to Ilo-Ilo City but decided to visit Guimbal and Tigbauan Church.
Photo: Miagao Church. |
The construction of this Miag Ao Church began in 1787 while Fray Francisco M. Gonzales. O.S.A. was the parish priest of Miag-ao, and Domingo Libo-on was the Gobernadorcillo. The Church was completed in 1797, and it served as a fortress against Muslim raiders. In 1898, this church was destroyed during the revolution but then rebuilt. In 1910, it was damaged by a fine, and then it was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1948. Restoration work began in 1960 and was completed in 1962. During the term of office of the Most Rev. Dr. Jose Ma. Cuenco, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Jaro, of Msgr. Fernando S. Javillo, D.P., Parish Priest of this town, and Dioscoro Mueda, Municipal Mayor.
Photo: Guimbal Church. |
Guimbal Church or St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church doesn’t have any record to when I was erected or established. However, it was completed between 1769 and 1774 under Friar Juan Campos. 1893, it was further enlarged but was later destroyed by fire during the Revolution from 1896 to 1898.
Photo: Tigbauan Church. |
It is believed that there had been no parish priest when Tigbauan Church was established, but it could be between 1575 and 1580 when F. Luis de Montoya was assigned as Prior. This church underwent a lot of repairs because of natural disasters like earthquakes. The repair was done by different people who served as church leaders.
It was already dark when I reached Ilo-Ilo city, and I still needed to look for a hotel or a pension house. I stayed in Robinsons and had dinner while searching for hotels on my mobile phone. I FINALLY FOUND ONG BUN PENSION HOUSE. A taxi brought me to the pension house. Luckily, a fan room for 330 pesos was still available upon my arrival. My room has free WiFi and a cable TV. Toilets and baths are common.
The next day, had my breakfast at the cafeteria. Tidy up and proceeded to my next destinations. Before checking out, I asked the lady at the reception the exact location of the Molo Church. As instructed, I rode in a jeeney and alighted at the Molo Church. Then, by the plaza in front of the church, I rode in a jeepney with a "Timawa" signboard and alighted at the plaza near the City Hall.
Photo: Molo Church. |
Molo Church (St. Anne Parish) is situated opposite the town plaza. Molo is actually one of the seven districts of Ilo-Ilo City, which was formerly called Parian (Chinatown). Then it was changed into Moro because of the frequent arrival of Muslim pirates from Mindanao, but it later evolved into Molo – info from Wikipedia.com.
This church is the first in the city of Ilo Ilo, built by the Jesuits around 1607. But, on April 29, 1617, the Augustinians established San Jose, a house of the order. It was saved from being bombed by the Americans during World War II. As the years went by, renovations were made.
I stayed there for less than 30 minutes and walked to the port nearby. Bought an Ocean Jet Ferry ticket for Bacolod City. Travel time from Ilo-Ilo to Bacolod: 1.5 hours. Took a ride in a pedicab to SM Bacolod. Had Lunch. Walked on the street to the plaza and rode in a jeepney with "Mandalagan" signboard to Negros Museum.
Photo: Negros Museum. |
Negros Museum is almost in front of the Negros Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. It serves as the provincial museum of Negros Occidental, which was opened on March 16, 1996, at the Provincial Capitol Building. In May 2003, it was transferred to its current location, which is the former Agricultural Building. The Agricultural Extension Building was built in 1941 and was renovated in 1991.
After Negros Museum, I walked a few meters going to a street near the Capitol, and then I took a jeepney with the "Bata" signboard going to PEPSI. The driver didn’t know the place of the world-famous The Ruins, but thanks to some students and the old lady who instructed me well. She’s the one who informed the driver about it. I alighted at PEPSI, and then took a tricycle to The Ruins.
Photo: The Ruins, Silay City. |
The Ruins of Talisay City was the largest residential structure built then. This mansion belongs to sugar baron Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948.) Built after the death of his wife Maria Braga (1911) and served as the residence of their unmarried children. But, in the early part of World War II, USAFEE and then guerrilla fighters built this mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from making this structure their headquarters. It was burning for three days, leaving no traces of its glorious past, but still, the effort of the workers paid off because its gorgeous RUINS are still standing and part of our today.
I stayed there for an hour and waited for the sun to set, but it wasn’t successful, although I took a lot of gorgeous photos of The Ruins. After The Ruins, I took a tricycle going back to PEPSI. Then, I crossed the highway and walked to the BATA North Terminal. At the terminal, I took a van to go to the Airport.
This solo backpacking was a three-day itinerary. I did not use the GPS mobile application this time. Instead, I used a map from the National Book Store. It was a life-changing experience, and if I am given a chance to do it again in this province, it's a YES for me! This itinerary was in 2013.