HISTORY OF BACOLOD
Prior to the coming of the Spaniards in Negros in 1565, there existed a small village near the mouth of the Magsungay river inhabited by Malayans who belong to the “Taga-ilog” group. The early missionaries placed the village of Magsungay under the protection of St. Sebastian in 1700s and was later known as “San Sebastian de Magsungay”. In 1770, Bernardo de los Santos became its first Governadorcillo or Capitan municipal. Its first parish priest was Fr. Leon Pedro, having been appointed as Propitario of Bacolod in 1806.
Due to the rampant attack of Moro pirates, the villagers moved inland and established a new settlement on a hilly terrain they called Buklod, the forerunner of its present name, “Bacolod”. Gradually, the people left the hilly terrain which later became known as Camingawan (loneliness).
In 1849, then Gov. Valdevieso y Morquecho declared Bacolod as the capital of the whole island of Negros. Subsequently, with the splitting of Negros into two provinces, Bacolod was named capital of the province of Negros Occidental in 1884.
On October 19, 1938, Bacolod became the fifth chartered city during the Commonwealth period under President Manuel L. Quezon, with Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. as its appointed chief executive.
From a mere settlement in the hills with only about 5,000 people in 1770, Bacolod has developed into a highly urbanized city in 1984. In 1996, Bacolod was named one of the “Outstanding Cities of the Philippines”. It was also adjudged the “Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City” in the country in 1997, 1998 and 2000, 2001, respectively.
Famous Landmarks
Bacolod’s famous landmarks include beautiful 19th century mansions of sugar barons, historical monuments and churches during the Spanish era.
The San Sebastian Cathedral is located in downtown Bacolod. It was originally a small chapel which became a cathedral in 1933. The structure, made of coral stones from Guimaras Island was completed in 1882. Beside the cathedral is the Palacio Episcopal or Bishop’s Palace constructed in 1830.
The Sta. Clara Chapel in Sta. Clara Subdivision features a large mural mosaic of Barangay Sang Birhen, a local version of the Virgin Mary made of 95,000 pieces of polished shells. The stations of the cross, the images of the saints and altar pieces are a collage 30,000 Philippine shells.
The San Antonio Abad Church showcases national artist Solomon Saprid’s masterwork “The Risen Christ.”
The Provincial Capitol Building was built in 1927 using the Neo-Roman architectural design of American Daniel Burnham executed by Filipino Architect Juan Arellano. In July 2001, Gov. Joseph G. Marañon initiated the rehabilitation of the Capitol. It was inaugurated on June 23, 2004.
MassKara Festival
MassKara is a combination of two-words: “Mass–” its means many and the Spanish “Kara” for face and thus means a multitude or mass of smiling happy faces. MassKara was conceptualized during a challenging time in Negros Occidental, the sinking of the MV Don Juan where many Negrenses perished and the collapsed of the sugar industry. It has since then became a symbol of the Negrenses resilience to triumph against life’s difficulties. Street dancers wear smiling masks and colorful costumes and dance to the beat of latin music. MassKara Festival is celebrated the week nearest Bacolod City’s charter celebration every October 19.
BacoLaodiat Festival
BacoLaodiat Festival is Bacolod City’s celebration of the Chinese New Year. The word comes from “Bacolod” and “Laodiat” – a Fookien word for ‘celebration’. The festival is a showcase of the harmonious merging of both Chinese and Filipino cultures and its co-existence. BacoLaodiat Festival features cultural performances, lantern dance parade, dragon and lion dances, Chinese food fest, fireworks display, larger than life zodiac animals, and live bands. One of the highlights is the lantern dance contest where dancers don traditional Chinese costumes and illuminated Chinese lanterns.
Pana-ad sa Negros Festival
Negros Occidental Festivals 