Savor the flavors, colors of Silay

Heritage houses are among the local attractions in Silay.

So you’re planning to visit the City of Silay? Well, the destination you have in mind will not only give you a taste of history, but also of Negros Occidental, with its mouthwatering cuisine.

Silay—which is part of an island brimming with diverse potentials be it for tourism or for business—looks to the past for inspiration and at the same time, moves forward to the future with excitement. The host island, Negros Occidental, ranked second in the Department of Tourism’s top 10 most visited places in the Philippines.

There are plenty of things to do in this laid back city in Western Visayas. The local attractions include heritage homes. These are the former residences of the sugar barons that speak volumes about the history of the island—back when Negros enjoyed a period of opulence due to a thriving sugar industry in the early part of the century.

But that’s just one item to put on your list. Allow us to give you ideas on how to best enjoy your stay in Silay City.

1 Visit the heritage district that has 29 ancestral houses identified by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as National Treasures. During its heyday, the City of Silay was dubbed as the “Paris of Negros”, serving as a hub for European artists and musicians during the Spanish era.

The heritage homes were then evidence of the fortune and abundance enjoyed by the sugar barons of the island.

Today, some of these glorious residences are being converted into bed and breakfast. Some of the heritage buildings are also transforming their hidden gems into a more re-adaptive use like cafés and bars.

Not only will you enjoy a hot meal, you will also be treated to a bit of history in these famed heritage sites.

2 Visit museums and church for a glimpse of Silay City’s rich and glorious past.

The San Diego Pro-Cathedral is the only church in Silay with a dome. It was called “pro-cathedral” because it has been elevated to cathedral status while another exists in the diocese. It shares cathedral honors with San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod.

San Diego Pro-Cathedral is the only church in Silay with a dome.
Wikipedia and silaytourism-office.wordpress.com

It was in 1925 when sugar baron Don Jose Ledesma commissioned Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi to take charge of the church’s renovation. Bernasconi was said to have lifted from Romanesque design, which is characterized by semi-circular arches. It was completed in 1927.

3 Food trip, anyone?

The restaurant scene in Silay City offers nothing but the most mouthwatering menus and heritage recipes. Each restaurant guarantees that you will walk out with a full belly and warm memories.

Do check out Café 1925 and Ann Co Cakes. The latter says that it is where art, culture, cakes and good food meet. Silay City has plenty of delicious sugar-based delicacies and desserts. Of course, they also have the most delectable seafoods in Balaring.

And don’t leave Silay without tasting the world-famous chicken inasal. Once you’ve tasted it, we guarantee that you will never think of chicken the same way ever again. Also, you may want to enjoy locally concocted beverages, either hot or cold, at local cafés and bars.

Don’t leave Silay without tasting its chicken inasal

4 Nature tripping

Barangay Balaring is the seafood capital of Silay City. This is also where the 50-hectare eco-tourism mangrove forest serves as natural habitat for the abundant supply of fish, seashells, and seaweeds.

A 30-foot watch tower was put up to better enjoy the view of the mangrove forest. If you still haven’t gotten enough of nature, you may also want to visit the Silay Outdoor Recreation and Eco-tourism area.

A 50-hectare eco-tourism mangrove forest can be found in Silay.

5 Explore machine wonders

Curious how sugar is produced? Your curiosity is about to be satisfied should you decide to visit the muscovado mill. There you can see a “simborio” or smokestacks of the old muscovado sugar mill.

In the old days, each plantation has its own muscovado mills to be more cost-efficient. Now, they are considered as antique structures as a reminder of a sweet past of Silay City.

6 Musical nightcap

At the end of a long day in Silay City, watch a hearty performance by the talented locals called “The Kabataang Silay Performing Arts.” Finally, be swept away by the festive music of the Rondalla Ensemble.