1.

) Choose one town/island from any part of the Philippine archipelago, write a one paragraph
history, describe it’s geography, demographics, economy, and identify at least one man
made attraction, one natural attraction, it’s festival, cultural, historical, educational, and
religious site.
THE BLACK ISLAND (Negros Island)
At the outset, the term “Negros” (black) already provides an eye opener into the
background of how the concept of “will to power” was shaped. The coming of the Spaniards
ushered in an event which, through simple labeling and sweeping generalization, gave a name to
the fourth largest island in the archipelago.[i] The term “Negros” came about as a result of an
expedition ordered by Legaspi in search of food and new land. The men who made up the
expedition included a captured Bornean pilot and a Negro who acted as interpreter.[ii] From the
diary of the chief frigate pilot, we learn that even before their arrival in the island, they already
had information that the island was said to be full of black inhabitants.
However, a closer look at the texts will prove that they never saw any black man, although they
were told that there were many living in the hills. This first contact between Legaspi’s men and
the lowland natives was friendly and accommodating, but the succeeding contacts with the natives
as the Spanish soldiers reconnoitered the island became hostile. In fact, the Bornean pilot who
acted as their guide was killed while he was drinking water from a spring.[iii] Hence, the stigma
of the island as being full of Negros, hostile, and wild was further strengthened with the early
uprisings of the inhabitants. Clearly, the natives wanted power for their own…“buut og gahum”.

Geography, Demographics, and Economy

Negros, island, one of the Visayan Islands, central Philippines. It is separated from the
island of Panay to the northwest by the Guimaras Strait and from Cebu island to the east by Tanon
Strait. The island is bordered on the north and south by the Visayan and Sulu seas, respectively.
Negros is shaped like a boot and is about 135 miles (217 km) long and 22 to 49 miles (35 to 79
km) wide. A lofty central mountain range runs nearly the island’s entire length and is deeply
dissected by erosion. The range contains Mount Canlaon, an active volcano that at 8,086 feet
(2,465 metres) is the highest point in Negros. The island’s major rivers are the Binalbagan, Ilog,
Tolong, and Tanjay. The southeastern peninsula (the toe of the boot) contains the crater lakes of
Danao and Balinsasayan. Most of southwestern Negros comprises the Tablas, an undeveloped
plateau with a varied landscape. The island’s coastal areas are densely populated. The eastern coast
has only discontinuous piedmont plains, but the western coast’s plains are among the broader
Philippine lowlands, being from 5 to 30 miles (8 to 48 km) wide and extending for nearly 100
miles (160 km) along the shoreline. Visayans live in the coastal areas, while Negritos inhabit the
forested upland interior. The island’s main linguistic division reflects the separation of the eastern
and western coastal areas from each other by the central mountain range: Hiligaynon, from Panay,
is widely spoken in western Negros, whereas Cebuano, from Cebu, is dominant on the eastern
coast.

Man made attraction

The Ruins (Mansion) of Bacolod City

The then-mansion-turned-to-ruins was built by a sugar baron for his Portuguese wife upon
her death. The place is considerably one of the most famous heritage landmarks in the country and
is a premier destination for events in Bacolod. The Ruins welcomes visitors from 8:30AM to
8:00PM daily. Entrance fee is P100. The best time to visit is in the evening when the entire
structure is lit up. After enjoying the Ruins, roam around the 400-hectare mansion and find yourself
a comfortable seat at its park. To get here by public transport, take a jeepney en route to Bata from
the downtown area. Drop off at the tricycle terminal near a Pepsi factory. There is a sign showing
the way to the Ruins. If you haven’t spotted the sign, ask any motorcycle driver in the area for
directions. Some drivers would offer to take you to the ruins but the better way is to charter a
tricycle which is only around the corner. Take note that there are no available transport from the
Ruins back to the main road. It is best to ask the tricycle driver to wait. The round trip on a tricycle
would set you back about P80-100, depending on your negotiation with the driver.

Natural Attraction

Apo Island Marine Reserve of Dauin

A modest work of nature and human geniality that is APO ISLAND lies 30 minutes off the
coast of Malatapay in Dauin, Negros Oriental, less than an hour away from Dumaguete city. It
stretches for about 72 hectares terrestrial area, and 619 hectares marine area. What draws most
tourists are the soft coral gardens that are well-orchestrated from the shallow waters of the island
down to the steeps of its ridges; and the turtles that are exceedingly just about everywhere because
of the abundance of algae and seagrass that make up for their food. These two create a brimming
beauty of underwater scenery that launches Apo island as a premiere snorkeling and diving
destination in the Philippines.
Festival
Panaad sa Negros Festival
The Panaad sa Negros Festival, also called simply as the Panaad Festival (sometimes
spelled as Pana-ad), is a festival held annually during the month of April in Bacolod City, the
capital of Negros Occidental province in the Philippines. Panaad is the Hiligaynon word for
"vow" or "promise" coming from the root-word saad; the festival is a form of thanksgiving
to Divine Providence and commemoration of a vow in exchange for a good life.[1] The celebration
is held at the Panaad Park, which also houses the Panaad Stadium, and is participated in by the 13
cities and 19 towns of the province. For this reason, the province dubs it the "mother" of all its
festivals.[2]
The first Panaad sa Negros Festival was held at Capitol Park and Lagoon in a three-day affair in
1993 that started April 30. The festival was held at the lagoon fronting the Provincial Capitol for
the first four years. As the festival grew each year, it became necessary to locate a more spacious
venue. In 1997, the festival was held at the reclaimed area near where the Bredco Port is located
today.[3]
The construction of the Panaad Stadium and sports complex paved the way for the establishment
of the Panaad Park as the permanent home of the festival.

Cultural
Customs and Beliefs
The culture of Negros Occidental has been heavily influenced by both the Spanish and the later
American occupations of the region. The indigenous religion long gave way to Roman Catholicism
as the dominant religion. The people of Negros Occidental value hospitality, family, humor and
hard work. When a family cooks a special meal, they share a bit of it with their neighbors. Because
of the sugar industry and the region's later diversification in the 1970s, Negros Occidental has long
been a province of industry and comparative wealth. Cockfighting is a big sport in Negros
Occidental and is one of the industries that have helped the area diversify. If a gambler is in
mourning, he is not allowed to engage in this sport because it is believed that it can only end in
loss.
Holiday Traditions
On Christmas Eve, it is customary to eat bread that is spread with one of many different toppings
and drink soft drinks. New Year's Eve is a bigger tradition, and the meals are larger and more
festive. Firecrackers are lit on New Year's Eve to keep bad luck away from the home and its
residents. They also clear the way for good luck in the coming year. The New Year also is a time
of housecleaning and making sure all bedding, curtains and other soft goods are washed. It is
customary to stay home on New Year's Day and avoid any shopping. To shop on New Year's Day
is believed to herald a year of shopping. Other practices that want to be avoided during the coming
year are also avoided on New Year's Day. In addition, the first 12 days of the new year are believed
to represent the months of the coming year. The weather on each of the first 12 days presages the
weather for the corresponding month.
Food Traditions
Sugar is central both to the history of Negros Occidental and to the cuisine. Pastries and
confections abound, and favorites include guapple pie, made from an oversized variety of guava,
and pinasugbo, a type of banana fritter. Other highlights of the cuisine include inasal, which is
barbecued marinated chicken. In fact, barbecue is a traditional food throughout the province. Look
for foods heavy in Spanish influence, lots of sugar and family recipes handed down with extreme
secrecy.

Historical Site

BEFY

One of the most significant landmarks of Dumaguete, also known as the “University Town”, is
the Dumaguete Belfy. It is the city’s most popular marker. It was built in 1760s and developed in
the 1870s to warn townfolks of attacks by marauding pirates.

The Dumaguete Belfry is also known as the Campanario de Dumaguete (a direct Spanish
translation). It was built upon one of the four original massive watchtowers that Parish Priest Don
Jose Manuel Fernandez de Septien built in the 1760s to discourage Moros from ransacking the
town. The two layers which are now known as the Bell Tower or the Campanario were added
during the administration of Fray Juan Felix de la Encarnacion in 1867.

Located next to the magnificent St Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, the Dumaguete Belfry,
unlike before, is no longer visible in most parts of the city. It used to be the most imposing among
the architectural structures until tall buildings were erected due to modernization.

Educational
The University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos was founded in 1941 in Talisay, Negros
Occidental by Dr. Antonio A. Lizares and Dr. Francisco Kilayko. Then known as Occidental
Negros Institute, the school offered first and second years of high school education. Upon the
outbreak of World War II in the Philippines in December of that same year, the institute closed
temporarily.[4]
Occidental Negros Institute was re-established in Bacolod in 1946, this time offering elementary,
high school and three tertiary degree programs. The campus transferred from Locsin street
(formerly Smith Street) to Lupit Subdivision in Lizares Avenue, its present site, in 1950. Dr.
Antonio Lizares served as the school's first President with Dr. Francisco Kilayko as the School
Director.[5]
On May 15, 1957, ONI was elevated to university status by the Acting Secretary of Education,
Martin V. Aguilar, Jr. ONI became the University of Negros Occidental, the first university in the
province. Five years later, on May 25, 1962, UNO was acquired by the Augustinian
Recollect friars. UNO became the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos with Fr. Federico
Terradillos, OAR, as the first acting Rector.[6]
Religious
San Diego Pro-cathedral

San Diego Pro-cathedral, Silay City

The San Diego Pro-cathedral, formerly known as the San Diego Parish Church or the St. Didacus
Parish Church before its declaration as a pro-cathedral in 1994, is an early 20th-century church
in Silay City, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It is the only pro-cathedral outside of the
national capital of Manila, and is unique in Negros Occidental for being the only church in the
province featuring a cupola or dome

2.) Of the different sites and attraction mentioned in your assignment, which of these has made
an impact to you? Support your answer by discussing in a two to three paragraphs.

The attraction that made an impact to me is the Panaad sa Negros Festival. Because this festival
celebrate their commemoration of a vow for a good life. The annual festivity captures the essence
of Negros Occidental as it brings together all the cities and municipalities in a week -long
merry-making and trade fairs showcasing their heritage and tradition. It is a Thanksgiving
celebration of the people of Negros and at the same time a showcase of the best of the province.
Panaad Festival showcases the festivals of the participating cities and municipalities during a
cultural show. It features theme pavilions showcasing the history, how they emphasis their culture
and arts, best products, and tourism of the different cities and municipalities of the province. Also,
these make me realize how important our own culture is and it should always be honored.
This shows how being united to our neighbor place is important, to show the world the
amidst all diversities that we are united to make the festival. All these attractions has different
impact to us humans especially how we relate the history, or the story of those to us. It’s just makes
me feel proud as a Filipino that though we were invaded by different foreign countries, we all tend
to celebrate more our own culture and our own history. We value our ancestors who fought for the
independence of our country which we call our heroes. This symbolize us Filipinos how hospitable
we are to all , we share our products, food, root crops, furniture, and other crafts.

References:
http://www.thefunsizedtraveller.net/top-25-tourist-spots-in-negros-island-with-sample-itinerary-
and-budget/
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1776216
https://traveltips.usatoday.com/customs-traditions-negros-occidental-philippines-101108.html
https://su.edu.ph/830-negros-history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panaad_sa_Negros_Festival

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negros_Occidental