Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Hearing Bacolod's Story: Must-Visit Historical Attractions By Jose Martin Benares

You may have already heard of Bacolod in relation to the world-famous festival it hosts, the Masskara Festival. But this City of Smiles has so much more to offer than just this October mardi gras-like festivity. Out of the over 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines, Bacolod has been proclaimed as the cleanest and greenest city in the country, not to mention the most livable as well. It can be reached by plane or by boat, and is just a 50-minute plane ride from the country's capital, Manila. As the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental, Bacolod serves as the gateway to the many tourist attractions, nature marvels, and historical landmarks in the province.

One of the must-visit destinations in Bacolod City is the San Sebastian Cathedral. It is a cultural, historical, architectural, and religious landmark rolled into one, as its rich history, construction and role in the Bacolodnon's way of life is unmatched. Constructed in 1876 through the initiative and leadership of Fr. Mauricio Ferrero, it remains to this day as a well-respected and well-visited infrastructure that's over a century old yet still features a wonderful stone exterior with statues and belfries. In the year 1976, the 100th year anniversary of this religious landmark, its bells were taken down from the belfries and set at the right side of the churchyard, where they still stand today famously referred to as the centennial bells of San Sebastian. Also just beside the Cathedral and its centennial bells you can find the Palacio Episcopal, which is an even older building as it was erected 46 years prior to the construction of the church. Built upon the initiative of Fr. Julian Gonzaga, it was constructed mainly to serve as the residence of the bishop, but in the 1898 revolution, it also served as a refuge for civic leaders and the Spanish military.

Aside from the San Sebastian Cathedral and the Palacio Episcopal, other destinations that should be on your itinerary if ever you're in Bacolod are the Negros Museum, the Don Mariano Ramos Ancestral House, the Dizon-Ramos Museum, and the Museo Negrense de La Salle. These popular tourist attractions offer must-see galleries of paintings, pictorial reproductions, personal collections of early Bacolodnons, sculptures, artifacts, and other knick-knacks that are sure to enrich your knowledge of the locals' way of life and deepen your understanding of Bacolod culture. The city of Bacolod has stories to tell, which you'll be delighted to hear if you take the time to discover them.

For more information regarding Bacolod City, check out cityofbacolod.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jose_Martin_Benares/643815

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