There’s a more historical side to Bacolod and Negros Occidental besides the chicken inasal and Masskara festival. The land of sugar has pockets of mysterious old houses, historical ancestral homes, and picturesque ruins.
Our day tour itinerary included…
- Exploring the Silay Heritage Park
- Touring the Balay Negrense in Silay
- Visiting the Ruins in Talisay City
- Buying sweet pasalubongs from Pendy’s in Bacolod
Our group contracted a jeepney driver (Php 1,700.00) that would take us to Silay City which is a 40-minute drive away. We sped down a highway that cuts across fields of sugar plantations. Ganda ng views!
Where’s the Heritage Park? When we reached Silay City none of the locals there could tell us where the heritage park was. We were led instead to Balay Negrense. (Later research would show me this article and list of ancestral homes.)
Balay Negrense or “Negrense House” in the Ilonggo (Hiligaynon) dialect was the first museum established in the province of Negros Occidental.
Entrance and tour fees for adults is just Php 40.00. It’s Php 40.00 that goes a long way to help preserve a historical ancestral home.
The ancestral house was built in 1897 and renovated in 1990 to become a museum showcasing the lifestyle of a 19th century sugar baron. The ancestral house belongs to Victor F. Gaston, a native of France who married a Filipina in the early 20th century.
The layout of the house was particularly interesting. Our guide discussed how adults wanted the children to stay away from their affairs. So the location of the rooms was well-planned for privacy.
I noticed that several children shown in the portraits in the house looked like they had celebrity appeal.
The place was beautifully maintained to give the present generation a chance to see how people lived a hundred years ago. Elements on the second floor kind of reminded me of our own ancestral home in Tanza. Nothing grand, but the floors and the small ventilation windows.
I admire the people who dedicate themselves to preserving old relics, buildings, and elements from time. Our tour guide was very passionate about telling the story of the house and its occupants in the past.
We couldn’t resist taking pictures too.
Our next stop: The Ruins in Talisay City.
Other blog entries about Balay Negrense:
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I rarely visit ancestral homes/museums and when I do, it always amazes me. May counterpart pala ang Negros sa Casa Gorordo ng Cebu. Cool ah.
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