The Silay heritage

The people of Silay City, headed by Mayor Jose Montelibano, recently celebrated another historical milestone as they reminisced on the heroism of local hero, General Anecito Lacson, and the noble Negrense patriots who paved the way to the independence of Negros from Spain.

The Cinco de Noviembre Revolution was probably the very first bloodless revolution in Philippine history that saw the toppling of the powerful Spanish government in our island and the creation of our very own, although short-lived, Negros Republic.

Silay has more reasons to celebrate the 116th anniversary of the Cinco de Noviembre Revolution, after Montelibano approved the ordinance creating the Silay Heritage District, authored by Councilor Solomon Locsin, that aims to preserve and promote renowned heritage structures of the city. The ordinance is indeed “revolutionary”, Silay being the first in Negros Occidental to pass it, joining the ranks of Vigan, Taal, Iloilo and others who are firm in heritage conservation.

The celebrations began at the Cinco de Noviembre monument, site of Farmacia Locsin, where more than a century ago, the people of the town gathered and marched to the plaza, raised the first Philippine flag in the island and won their independence from Spain. Silaynons continue to retrace those patriotic steps when they gather in that street corner and marched to the town plaza for the flag-raising ceremony every November 5.

And because it was said that the revolution was planned in the guise of Silay's banquets and fiestas, deceiving the unsuspecting Spaniards, the people continue to celebrate their culinary heritage through the "Sabor Silay" cooking competition, and food and agri fair, now on its third year, at the public plaza. The event included stage performances from local talents.

Alongside these festive activities, ancestral homeowners and other heritage stakeholders had a simple gathering at the Silay Museum at the Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center where they celebrated the passage of the heritage ordinance and reaffirmed their commitment to the drive for heritage conservation and tourism.*