Suroy-suroy in Silay-The Paris of Negros Silay City: Where life is sweet and the past is forever.

     

Suroy-suroy in Silay-The Paris of Negros

Silay City: Where life is sweet and the past is forever.

         In my 19 years here in Silay City, I can say that I'm not a resident in this city, I feel like I'm a tourist of my own city. Others said that Silay City is known as "dalok na lugar" but they didn't know that the people of Silay or what we call "Silaynons" are generous in terms of food, water and etc. and also a loving, caring and a helpful individual.

         Silay City is a 3rd class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Silay is often referred to as the "Capital Artistica de Negros" due to its artist, cultural shows and large collection of perfectly preserved heritage and ancestral houses have been declared by the national Historical Commission of the Philippines as part of Silay National Historical Landmark. Silay is also known as the "Seat of arts, culture and Eco-tourism" and is recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the top destinations in the Philippines.

        Silay City can be reached in 20 minutes by private car from Bacolod City (Capital City of Negros Occidental). Public utility vehicles plying the route abound and can reach the city at the same time. Traveling to the city is made easier by its four-lane highway. Silay City is bounded on the west by Guimaras Strait, on the east by Marapara mountain ranges, on the north by the Municipality of E.B. Magalona and on the south by the City of Talisay.

        There are famous landmarks in Silay City that I'd already visited like:

1. San Diego Pro-Cathedral- it is the only pro-cathedral outside of Metro Manila. This is the church where I attended mass every Sunday to serve our God. It was built in 1920 and designed by Italian Architect, Antonio Bernasconi.

2. Balay Negrense- one of the most known historical landmark here in Silay owned by the Gastons that was converted into a lifestyle museum showing how sugar planters lived at the beginning of the century. Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday at 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m, located at Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City.

3. Bernardino-Jalandoni House (museum)- this house is also known as "Pink House" because of its paint color. This house was built in 1908. All items that display inside the house are authentic period pieces. It is located at Rizal Street, and opensTuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m

4. Silay City Park- it is a garden complex that features a children's park, a fountain, a basketball court, and a family lair. Back in 1951, the Old Silay Plaza was adjudged the Most Beautiful Plaza in the Philippines.

5. Mangrove Canopy- it is located at Barangay Balaring and it is a romantic promenade featuring mangrove conservation and a perfect view for sunset at the horizon.

         Silay City has its own sea port also and it is called as "Old Sea Port", it was built in 1933. Designed by Lucio Bernasconi an Italian architect who is also responsible of the San Diego Pro-Cathedral. This old sea port is located in our barangay which is Barangay Mambulac. Consider to be the first operational seaport in Negros Occidental.

  The city has two main fiestas, the Charter Day celebration every June 12 of the year, and the Feast of San Diego de Alcala, its patron saint every November 13. But rankly, I don't remember any merrymaking or commemoration of the Charter Day when I was growing up. To me and for most Silaynons of my generation, the parish church's fiesta was always the one that the people celebrated.

        However, in the last 20 years or so, the Silay Charter Day celebration has gradually taken over the parish fiesta as the primary festival of the cityin terms of scope and grandeur. Kansilay Festival is celebrated every 12th of June every year, this is the day where the 16 barangays competing in Silay City covered court and more dramatic depicting the "Legend of Kansilay" through dancing, using lively original music composition of "Hugyaw Silay" and colorful costumes.

      When you visit Silay, you can say "Walang Goodbye sa Silay" because here in Silay City: Where life is sweet and the past if forever."