The document provides an overview of Negros Occidental province in the Philippines. It discusses the province's history, geography, demographics, culture, economy and political divisions. Key points include that Negros Occidental is located on Negros Island in the western Visayas region, has a population of over 2 million people, and its economy relies heavily on sugar production. The province is known for its festivals and Spanish colonial architecture.

1. Hide<br />Wikipedia is getting a new lookHelp us find bugs and complete user interface translations <br />Notice something different? We've made a few improvements to Wikipedia. Learn more. [Hide] [Help us with translations!] <br />Negros Occidental<br />From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<br />Jump to: navigation, search <br />Negros Occidental— Province —SealMap of the Philippines with Negros Occidental highlightedCoordinates: 10°25′N 123°00′E / 10.417°N 123°E / 10.417; 123Coordinates: 10°25′N 123°00′E / 10.417°N 123°E / 10.417; 123Country PhilippinesRegionWestern Visayas (Region VI)Founded1890CapitalBacolod CityGovernment - GovernorAlfredo G. Marañon, Jr. (NPC) - Vice GovernorGenaro M. Alvarez, Jr. (NPC)Area - Total7,802.5 km2 (3,012.6 sq mi)Area rank9th out of 80Population (2007) - Total2,370,269 - Rank6th out of 80 - Density303.8/km2 (786.8/sq mi) - Density rank19th out of 80Divisions - Independent cities1 - Component cities12 - Municipalities19 - HYPERLINK \"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay\"
\o \"
Barangay\"
Barangays601including independent cities: 662 - Districts1st to 6th districts of Negros Occidentalincluding independent cities:Lone district of Bacolod CityTime zonePHT (UTC+8)ZIP CodeSpoken languagesHiligaynon, Cebuano,Tagalog, English<br />Negros Occidental (Filipino: Kanlurang Negros) is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and occupies at the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half. Across the Panay Gulf and the Guimaras Strait to the northwest is the island-province of Guimaras and the province of Iloilo on Panay island. Known as the \"
Sugarbowl of the Philippines\"
Negros Occidental produces more than half the nation's sugar output.<br />Contents[hide]1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Culture, arts and people 4.1 Media 5 Sports 5.1 Football 5.2 Boxing 5.3 Softball 5.4 Golf 5.5 Karatedo 5.6 Basketball 5.7 International tournaments 5.8 Track and Field 5.9 Swimming 5.10 Modern Arnis 6 Economy 7 Infrastructure 7.1 Bacolod-Silay Airport 7.2 Kabankalan City Domestic Airport 7.3 Road network and accommodations 7.4 Energy and water 7.5 Communications and medical facilities 7.6 Banking, finance and accessibility 7.7 Panaad Stadium 7.8 Capitol Park and Lagoon 8 Education 9 Food and agriculture 10 Political divisions 10.1 Cities 10.2 Municipalities 11 Notable people 11.1 Historical figures 11.2 Politicians 11.3 Sportsmen 11.4 Media, Arts and Culture 11.5 Others 12 Gallery 13 See also 14 References 15 External links <br />[edit] History<br />Negros Island was originally known to the natives as \"
Buglas\"
. When the Spaniards discovered the island in April 1565, they named it \"
Negros\"
because of the dark-skinned natives they found. Two of the earliest native settlements were Binalbagan and Ilog which later became towns in 1572 and 1584, respectively. Other settlements were Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Bago, Marayo (now Pontevedra), Mamalan (now Himamaylan) and Candaguit (a sitio in San Enrique).<br />Ilog was made the first capital of the province in 1743. This was later transferred to Himamaylan. Bacolod became the capital in 1849.<br />The island was divided into Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental in 1890.<br />Main article: Negros Revolution<br />Historical marker commemorating the surrender of Spanish forces in Negros in 1898<br />On November 5, 1898, a rebellion led by Juan Araneta and Aniceto Lacson began which ended with the defeat of the Spaniards. Following their victory, the revolutionaries formed a Republic of Negros which later included Negros Oriental.<br />During the succeeding decades between 1901 to the 1930s, Negros Occidental was under the American occupation as with the rest of the country. Nonetheless, the economic growth continued especially with Philippine sugar having a part of the US market despite some accompanying socio-economic problems during this period. When the Japanese landed in the province on May 21, 1942, civilian and military leaders in Negros Occidental refused to surrender and instead organized a free government and guerilla movement under Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Negros Island. They helped bring about the surrender of the Japanese forces in Negros in 1945, coutinued the liberation in Negros Occidental was the country by joint Filipino & American troops together with the Negrosanon guerrillas fought the Japanese forces until the end of World War II.<br />The history of the province for the post World War II period has yet to be formally written. Suffice it to briefly note here that this was mainly a period of rehabilitation from destruction of the war. With the sugar industry, the major pillar of the province's economy, as well as other areas being revived, consequent socio-economic growth in the province followed.<br />The socio-economic life of Negros Occidental from the 1950s up to the 1980s depended as before mainly on the sugar industry. Producing annually about 60% of the country's sugar output, an expansion in the industry with the establishment of several new mills in the late 1960s spurred increased production. A downturn caused by the low world sugar prices in the mid-1970 was followed by possibly the worst sugar prices hitting rock bottom in 1985. The province was also hit by two destructive typhoons in 1984, Nitang and Undang, after a serious drought in 1983.<br />Negros del Norte was created from Negros Occidental on January 3, 1986. Its creation was declared unconstitutional on July 11, 1986, and was abolished on August 18, 1986.<br />Towards the end of 1987, the rays of hope started to shine when the over-all economic situation showed a positive upturn. The campaign for agricultural diversification had been gaining momentum, paving the way for more landowners to invest in prawn farming and high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, livestock and other cash crops.<br />Investments upswing became apparent by 1988. The participation of the industrial sector accelerated the consumer-led economic growth and development manifested by the increase in sales of consumer goods and by-products.<br />Today Negros Occidental remains one of the most progressive and largely developed Philippine province, in large due to the profits from the sugar industry but also due to diversification to other fields.<br />[edit] Geography<br />Negros Occidental is located in the western side of Negros Island, the fourth largest island in the Philippines with a total land area of 972,607 hectares or 9,726.06 sq. kms. The province is approximately 375 kilometers long frm north to south. It is bounded by the Visayan Sea in the north, Panay Gulf on the west, Tanon Strait and Negros Oriental province on the east and Sulu Sea on the south. Negros is basically volcanic, making its soil ideal for agriculture. Eighty percent of all arable land is cultivated.<br />The north and western parts of the province are largely composed of plains and gentle slopes. A mountain range lines the eastern part of the province, forming the basis of the border with Negros Oriental. Mount Kanlaon, which is partially located in Negros Oriental, rises to a height of 2465 m (7987 ft) and is the highest peak in the Visayas.<br />[edit] Demographics<br />Most residents are of Austronesian heritage. Residents of Negros are called \"
Negrensè\"
. Negros Occidental is predominantly a Hiligaynon-speaking province. However, the cities and towns facing the Tañon Strait are Cebuano-speaking due to their proximity to the island-province of Cebu. English is widely spoken on both sides of the island.<br />Negros Occidental is the second largest province in terms of population after Cebu, with the second largest number of congressional districts.<br />[edit] Culture, arts and people<br />Negros Occidental has long been a center of culture and arts, the wealth brought about by the sugar industry made sure that the Negrense principalia enjoyed the very best.<br />Balay Negrense on Cinco de Noviembre Street<br />Silay City to the north of the capital Bacolod City , nicknamed the \"
Paris of Negros\"
is the cultural and artistic center of Western Visayas. It boasts of 30 heritage houses declared by the national historical institute, most notable of which is Balay Negrense, it is also the hometown of National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture Leandro Locsin and International Mezzo-Soprano Conchita Gaston.<br />This blossoming in art was due to the economical importance of the area during the spanish era, Negros became probably the most hispanized area and pro-spanish area, due to the enormous investments of Spain in the sugar business.<br />Another famous treasure of Negrense art heritage is to be found in Victorias City, within the confines of the Victorias Milling Company in its chapel is the world famous mural of the Angry Christ, painted by artist Alfonso Ossorio,a scion of the Ossorio family who owned the mill.<br />The Negrenses' joie de vivre is manifested in the various festivals all over the province, foremost among which are famous MassKara Festival of Bacolod, Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota, Bailes de Luces of La Castellana and Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos. These and other interesting local festivals are featured during the Pana-ad sa Negros Festival staged every April at the 25-hectare tree-lined Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. Dubbed as the \"
Festival of Festivals\"
, Pana-ad brings together the 13 cities and 19 towns in a showcase of history, arts and culture, tourism, trade, commerce and industry, beauty and talent as well as games and sports.<br />San Sebastian Cathedral.<br />Negros Occidental is rich in structures and buildings that are remnants of a once affluent lifestyle. The Palacio Episcopal (1930), San Sebastian Cathedral (1876), and the Capitol Building (1931) are popular landmarks. In most towns, steam locomotives that used to cart sugarcane from the fields to refineries attract steam-engine enthusiasts from all over the world. There are also impressive churches all over the province, both built recently and during the Spanish era.<br />[edit] Media<br />Hacienda Rosalia, setting for 1981 film Oro, Plata, Mata.<br />Modern communication facilities, as well as radio, television and newspapers, are available in the province. Most are provided by dominant national players in the industry like PLDT, Globe Telecom and their subsidiaries. For television and radio, the major providers are giant network ABS-CBN, GMA and RPN. Cable TV provides access to CNN, BBC, ESPN and other international programs. National and international newspapers are available on the same day of issue in Manila.<br />Bacolod City is noted for being the home of the Negros Summer Workshops, founded by multi-award winning film-maker and Negrense Peque Gallaga. Founded in 1991, Workshops has long been training students from different parts of the country who wish to learn courses in film-making, acting, writing, and more. Some of its alumni include actors in mainstream Philippine show business.<br />Negros Occidental has also been used as a setting and location shoot for various films and television shows, most notable of which is the 1981 epic Oro, Plata, Mata. Recent films that were set and filmed in Negros are Ligaw Liham (2007) and Namets! (2008).<br />[edit] Sports<br />[edit] Football<br />The province has been touted as the sports capital of the Philippines. The Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been a venue for national and international athletic events,. most notable of which is the 23rd Southeast Asian Games men's football and the 2006 ASEAN football qualifiers. Bacolod City is also b nicknamed, the Philippine football city, for its patronage of the sport in the country<br />[edit] Boxing<br />Aside from hosting sporting events Negros Occidental has produced many of the nation's finest athletes, particularly in boxing. The likes of World Flyweight boxing champion 1923, Francisco Guilledo a.k.a Pancho Villa, current WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes, 1970's WBA world junior lightweigh champion Ben Villaflor, to cite a few have all come from this province.<br />It is also notable for producing Olympiads, Silver Medalist Mansueto Velasco in the 1996 Summer Olympics, his brother Roel Velasco who in turn won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics both for boxing of course.<br />[edit] Softball<br />Negros is also home to the Junior League World Series (softball) Champions for 2003.<br />[edit] Golf<br />Bacolod City has two major golf courses. These are the Bacolod Golf and Country Club and the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. The city hosted the 61st Philippine Airlines Inter-club Golf Tournament and the 2008 Philippine Amateur Golf Championship.<br />[edit] Karatedo<br />Bacolod City hosted two major karatedo championships, the 1996 Philippine Karatedo Federation National Championship and the 2007 20th PKF National Open. Both tournaments were held at the La Salle Coliseum of USLS. The tournaments were participated by hundreds of karatekas all over the country.[1][2]<br />[edit] Basketball<br />Bacolod City hosted the 2008 PBA All-Star Weekend. The city is also a regular venue for the Philippine Basketball Association out-of-town games. Another major sports team in the past is the Negros Slashers arguably the most successful team of the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association<br />[edit] International tournaments<br />Many other athletes of the province have also won medals, in the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games and international billiard 9-ball championships.<br />[edit] Track and Field<br />Negros Occidental produce a lot of national athletes which competes to other nations in and out of the Philippines.<br />[edit] Swimming<br />One of the product of Negros Occidental who competed in 1986 Olympic in Los Angeles, California was Francisco Guangco.<br />[edit] Modern Arnis<br />Main article: Modern Arnis<br />The Philippines' national martial arts and sports was founded in its modern incarnation in Negros Occidental by the late Remy Presas, Beginning with a small gymnasium in Bacolod in the 1950s, he attempted to spread the art to the local youth as both a cultural legacy and a form of physical development or sport. He also taught the art at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos<br />[edit] Economy<br />Known as the \"
The Sugarbowl of the Philippines\"
, the sugar industry is the lifeblood of the economy of Negros Occidental, producing more than half of the country's sugar. There are 15 sugar centrals located throughout the lowland areas the north and west of the island, stretching from northwest along the coasts of the Visayan Sea and Guimaras Strait. Victorias Mill in Victorias City is the largest sugar mill in the country, and the world's largest integrated sugar mill and refinery. Sugar is transported from plantations to refineries by large trucks that use the national highway. Because of the priority given to sugar plantations, much of the province's food has to be imported from neighboring islands.<br />A fishing industry is found in Cadiz City, and other fishponds dot the province. One of the country's largest copper mines is located in Sipalay City. There also exists a cottage industry which produced handicrafts made from indigenous materials.<br />Bacolod City is the center of commerce and finance in Negros Occidental. It is where you find oil companies, factories, bottling plants, allied industrial businesses, steel fabrication, power generation, agri-businesses, prawn culture and other aqua-culture ventures.<br />Teletech Bacolod<br />It is also the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub of the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines. Among the notable BPO companies operating in the city are Convergys, Teleperformance, TeleTech, Focus International and Transcom Asia.<br />[edit] Infrastructure<br />Through its capital, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental is only 50 minutes from Manila and 30 minutes from Cebu by air. By sea, it is an 18-hour cruise from Manila and an hour by fast ferries from Iloilo. It is also accessible by sea and land trip from Cebu via Escalante City, San Carlos City and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Travel from Bacolod to Dumaguete is only 5 to 6 hours by land. Seven airline companies, including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines, serve the province. Four inter-island shipping lines call on 9 seaports of Negros Occidental<br />[edit] Bacolod-Silay Airport<br />Main article: Bacolod-Silay Airport<br />The Bacolod-Silay Airport Terminal Building.<br />On January 18, 2008, the new domestic airport was inaugurated in Silay City 16 kilommeters north of Bacolod. The new Airport replaces the 60 yr old Bacolod domestic airport. The new Bacolod/Silay Airport runway is of International Standards and was constructed to facilitate future landings of International Flights to serve the growing number of Tourists visiting Negros Occidental each year.<br />[edit] Kabankalan City Domestic Airport<br />Main article: Kabankalan City Domestic Airport<br />is a new airport designed to serve the general area of Kabankalan City,The airport would be the second airport in Negros Occidental, after the New Bacolod-Silay Airport, and the third airport on the island of Negros. It is located four kilometers northeast of Kabankalan City proper on a 100-hectare site in Barangay Hilamonan.<br />[edit] Road network and accommodations<br />All cities and municipalities are linked by an extensive road and bridge network stretching more than 1,500 kilometers crisscrossing the province with seven alternative scenic routes to the nearby province of Negros Oriental. Within the province, travel is also easy, comfortable and even enjoyable by air-conditioned and non-aircon buses or metered taxis. Car rental services are also available. However, the jeepney is still the most common means of transport among the towns and cities. For accommodations, visitors may choose from a wide range of about 67 hotels, pension and lodging houses and tourist inns. The better known hotels are L’ Fisher, Bacolod Convention Plaza, Casino Filipino Hotel, and Business Inn, Sugarland Hotel, all in Bacolod City.<br />[edit] Energy and water<br />The province has adequate power and water supplies. It is currently interconnected to the Visayas Power Grid whose main sources of power are geothermal. Aside from its existing 170 megawatts capacity, Negros Island by the year 2006 has an additional 105 megawatts of locally produced power from geothermal plants in Bago and Palinpinon, and from bagasse co-generation facility of First Farmers Sugar Mill. Ample water supply for household, commercial, industrial and agricultural uses is assured by 73 thousand hectares of proclaimed and protected major watersheds, regular rainfall and six major river systems.<br />[edit] Communications and medical facilities<br />Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital<br />International direct dialing, fiber optic data lines and internet services are accessible in most areas of the province. Also, GSM, digital and analog cellular networks provide good coverage in Bacolod City and other areas, including international roaming. The medical and health care needs of the people of Negros Occidental and its guests are presently being met by 20 government hospitals and 10 private hospitals, as well as several city and municipal health centers, barangay health stations and day-care centers. Doctors, nurses and other medical personnel serving these facilities are not only competent but also very caring towards their patients.<br />[edit] Banking, finance and accessibility<br />Banking and finance is likewise a thriving industry in Negros Occidental. According to the latest count, there are 389 financial institutions competing for businesses in the province. 149 of these are banks. Negros Occidental offers several advantages for those who are doing business in the province. It is strategically located near Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, all major international gateways with maximum travel time of only about 4 hours between the Philippines and its neighbors in Asia. It is equipped with major infrastructure facilities for easy travel and shipment of goods within and outside of Negros.<br />It has adequate information and communication facilities with excellent connection capabilities necessary for, among others, call center operations for business communication and transmission of data. The province is also blessed with abundant water supply and dependable power supply for almost any type of business endeavor. Modern health care facilities with competent medical professionals are available, as well as excellent schools to care for the needs of the investor and his family.<br />[edit] Panaad Stadium<br />Main article: Panaad Stadium<br />The Panaad Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the province. It is currently used mostly for football matches, and was used for the 2005 South East Asian Games. It was the venue of the pre-qualifiers of the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship or ASEAN Cup, in which the Philippines, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Brunei and Laos participated. The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,500, but holds around 20,000 people with standing areas. It is unofficially designated as the home stadium of the Philippines national football team. Aside from the football field, it also has a rubberized track oval, an Olympic-size swimming pool and other sports facilities.<br />The stadium is also the home of Panaad Festival, a week-long celebration participated in by all cities and municipalities in the province held annually every summer. The festival is highlighted by merry-making and field demonstrations at the stadium. The stadium itself features replicas of the landmarks of the 13 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.<br />[edit] Capitol Park and Lagoon<br />Main article: Capitol Park and Lagoon<br />Capitol Park and Lagoon<br />The Capitol Park and Lagoon is a provincial park located right in the heart of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, in the Philippines. One of the landmarks of the park is the carabao (water buffalo) being pulled by a woman. This carabao is located at the northern end of the lagoon. On the other end, there is also another carabao sculpture but the figure is being pulled by a man.<br />There are several other attractions in the park. These include activities of the locals-jogging, aerobics, school dance rehearsals, promenaders, arnisadors, martial arts practitioners and even the relaxing and therapeutic quiet of feeding the tilapias of the lagoon. It is well-secured and well-lighted; it is very safe to walk /stroll, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.<br />[edit] Education<br />University of Negros Occidental.<br />There are 1,318 schools in the province, including 53 registered technical schools. Of these, 158 are private schools, including University of Saint La Salle, West Negros University and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R).<br />[edit] Food and agriculture<br />Rice field in Hinoba-an.<br />Negros Occidental’s output of more than 1 million metric tons for crop year 2002-2003 accounts for nearly half of the country’s sugar production in an industry that generates an estimated annual revenue of more than P18 Billion. There are 12 sugar mills in the province, of which only 10 are presently operational. Victorias Milling Company has the highest rated capacity with 15,000 tonnes cane per day.<br />However, the volatility of the sugar industry forced the province to shift, albeit slowly, to other high value crops and alternative industries. The diversification has proven to be successful. Production of rice, the basic commodity for food security, has been increasing. By 2003, annual output of 437 thousand metric tons of palay was 33% better than two years ago. This allowed the province to significantly raise its sufficiency level from 65% to more than 84%. The improvement could be attributed to the introduction and promotion of hybrid rice, which increased rice yields to 3.8 metric tons per hectare. Because of the success of the program, area planted to hybrid rice has increased nearly fivefold. The highest hybrid yield was recorded at 10.3 tons per hectare.<br />Corn also registered increasing gains. Production for 2003 of 42 thousand metric tons outperformed 2001 output by 18%. Average yield per hectare has also grown by 18%. Other fruit and vegetable crops, except for banana and cassava, likewise improved their harvest. Harvested coconut was placed at 139 million nuts, while production of banana; fruit and vegetable crops totaled 110 million kilograms. Livestock and poultry are industries where Negros Occidental has strongly diversified.<br />With the province successfully quarantined from the dreaded Foot & Mouth Disease and the Bird Flu, and with other endemic diseases under control, total production of livestock and poultry in 2003 of 49 thousand metric tons exceeded estimated local demand by 18%. Fishing is likewise an industry where the province has remained focused. After all, 9 of its cities and 16 of its municipalities are located along the coast and a great portion of the population depends on fishing for their livelihood.<br />The area for exploitation by this industry is huge covering most of the coastal areas and the rich fishing grounds of the Visayan Sea on the north, Sulu Sea on the south, Tañon Strait on the east, Guimaras Strait and Panay Gulf at the southern portion of the province. These rich coastal areas and fishing grounds continue to be generous to the people of Negros Occidental. In 2003, products from deep-sea fishing, municipal marine and inland waters, and aquaculture reached 87 thousand metric tons, 30% better than 2001 production.<br />The province is rich in mineral deposits. Minerals that abound in the province are primary copper with estimated reserve of 591 million metric tons and gold ore with estimated reserve of 25 million tons. Silver and molybdenum deposits are also abundant, as well as non-metallic minerals suitable for agricultural and industrial uses. Notwithstanding its great potential, the mining industry in Negros Occidental has remained virtually dormant since the biggest copper mine in Sipalay suspended its operation.<br />[edit] Political divisions<br />Negros Occidental is subdivided into 19 municipalities and 13 cities. It has the most chartered cities among all the provinces in the Philippines, . Although Bacolod City serves as the capital, it is governed independently from the province as a highly-urbanized city.<br />[edit] Cities<br />Bacolod Government Center<br />Bacolod City (independentfrom province) Bago City Cadiz City Escalante City Himamaylan City Kabankalan City La Carlota City Sagay City San Carlos City Silay City Sipalay City Talisay City Victorias City <br />[edit] Municipalities<br />Binalbagan Calatrava Candoni Cauayan Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia) Hinigaran Hinoba-an (Asia) Ilog Isabela La Castellana Manapla Moises Padilla (Magallon) Murcia Pontevedra Pulupandan Salvador Benedicto San Enrique Toboso Valladolid <br />[edit] Notable people<br />Below is a list of people who are from Negros Occidental, or who lived there for an extended period.<br />[edit] Historical figures<br />Juan Araneta - revolutionary <br />Yves Leopold Germain Gaston-Sugar Baron <br />Antonio Ledesma Jayme-revolutionary, provincial governor and assemblyman. <br />Aniceto Lacson- Revolutionary, President Republic of Negros <br />Papa Isio- Revolutionary, <br />[edit] Politicians<br />Jose Miguel Arroyo-First Gentleman of the Philippines <br />Iggy Arroyo-Representative 5th District of Negros Occidental, brother in law of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo <br />Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.-former Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Representative Lone District of Bacolod City <br />Guia Gomez- Mayor of San Juan City, mistress of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, and mother to his son Rep. Joseph Ejercito <br />Alex Lacson-lawyer, philanthropist and politician,author of \"
12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.\"
<br />Arsenio Lacson-broadcaster, Mayor of Manila <br />Jose Locsin-former Senator and Secretary of Health <br />Enrique B. Magalona-former Senator, grandfather of the late Francis Magalona <br />Alfredo Montelibano, Sr.-politician and industrialist,served as Mayor of Bacolod City governor of Negros Occidental,and Philippine Secretary of National Defense and Interior <br />Gil Montilla-Speaker of the National Assembly <br />Monico Puentevella-politician, former Representative Lone District of Bacolod City former Commisioner of Philippine Sports Commission <br />Mar Roxas-former Trade Secretary, Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate <br />Rafael M. Salas - former United Nations Under-Secretary General, Executive Director UNFPA <br />Jorge B. Vargas - Wartime Head of the Philippine Government, Executive Secretary to Manuel Quezon <br />Haydee Yorac-former Chairman of the Commission on Elections (Philippines) <br />Jose Yulo - former Speaker of the House, Wartime Chief Justice <br />[edit] Sportsmen<br />Francis Arnaiz-former professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for Toyota and Ginebra San Miguel <br />Nonoy Baclao-Filipino professional basketball player,plays for the Philippine Patriots in the ASEAN Basketball League. <br />Jeffrei Chan-professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters <br />Rudy Distrito-former professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for Pop Cola Panthers <br />Monsour del Rosario-taekwondo champion who has also starred in several Filipino and international action films. <br />Boyet Fernandez[3] – coach of the Philippine Basketball Association's Sta. Lucia Realtors <br />Ramil Gallego - professional pool player <br />Francisco Guilledo-more commomly known as Pancho Villa, professional boxer,World flyweight champion <br />Noli Locsin-etired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association <br />Donnie Nietes-professional boxer, current WBO Minimumweight World Champion <br />Dodie Boy Peñalosa-boxer , former IBF champion in the light flyweight and flyweight classes. <br />Gerry Peñalosa-professional boxer,former holder of the WBC super flyweight and the WBO bantamweight titles <br />Ernesto Presas-martial artist,founder of Filipino martial arts system Kombatan <br />Remy Presas-Father of Modern Arnis <br />Remy P. Presas-martial artist <br />Roberto Presas-martial artist, founder of filipino martial arts system Hinigaran Arnis de Mano. <br />Joan Tipon-boxer, Asian Games gold medalist <br />Mansueto Velasco, Jr. - Olympic Silver Medalist <br />Roel Velasco - Olympic Bronze Medalist <br />Ben Villaflor-boxer who was the WBA world junior lightweight (now called super featherweight) champion during the 1970s. <br />James Yap-professional basketball superstar player for the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the Philippine Basketball Association. <br />Rudy Distrito -former professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for Pop Cola Panthers <br />[edit] Media, Arts and Culture<br />Allan K.-is a singer, comedian, actor and TV host. He is one of the co-hosts of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga. <br />Saicy Aguila-dancesport and samba instructor,former reality show contestant who joined Pinoy Big Brother (season 2). <br />Alfredo Alcala-comic book artist for DC and Marvel Comics <br />Grendel Alvarado-fashion model, winner of Philippines' Next Top Model <br />Bernard Bonnin-actor <br />Rio Diaz-was a former beauty queen, TV Host and actress <br />Bobby Enriquez- jazz pianist who became prominent in the United States and well-known internationally. <br />Peque Gallaga -multi-awarded filmmaker <br />Adelina Gurrea-journalist, poet and playwright in Spanish <br />Leandro Locsin-national artist for architecture <br />Kuh Ledesma-popular pop and jazz singer.known as the Pop Diva of the Philippines <br />Pancho Magalona-award winning actor <br />Elsa Martinez Coscolluela-award-winning poet, short-story writer, and playwright <br />Alfonso A. Ossorio-abstract expressionist artist, <br />Romy Pastrana-comedian <br />Susan Roces - award winning actress, nicknamed Queen of Philippine Movies, widow of Fernando Poe, Jr. <br />Sandra Seifert-beauty queen and an international fashion model <br />Rosemarie Sonora-actress <br />Rafé Totengco-New York based fashion designer <br />Joel Torre[1] - is an actor, director, producer <br />Margaret Nales Wilson-British-Filipino beauty pageant contestant, TV personality, and actress <br />Christian Vasquez-actor, model and a former housemate of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother: Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. <br />Francis Magalona-is an actor, TV host, master rapper and also VJ on Channel V Philippines and MTV Philippines. He is one of the past co-hosts of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga. <br />[edit] Others<br />Niall O'Brien (priest)-was an Irish Columban missionary priest,writer of the hiligaynon bible <br />Rolando Ramos Dizon-de la salle brother, former chairman of the Commission on Higher Education <br />Antonio Fortich-former Bishop of Bacolod, political activist and Ramon Magsaysay Awardrecipient <br />Gen.Victor Ibrado- Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines <br />Jesus Y Varela-Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon,former President, Philippine Federation of Catholic Broadcasters <br />Rose Lacson-Porteous-Australian-filipino Socialite <br />[edit] Gallery<br />The Ruins Plantation House, Talisay CitySan Diego Pro-Cathedral SilayFountain of Justice bacolodThe Mariano Ramos Ancestral houseNorthdrive Bacolod CityPhilippine National Bank building, along Lacson StreetUNO-Recoletos facadeSM City Bacolod North WingRobinsons Place Bacolod, along Lacson Street in Barangay MandalaganLa Salle Coliseum of the University of St. La SalleColegio de San Agustin-BacolodThe Student Center-Colegio de San AgustinTay-tung-high-school.jpgBacolod Tay Tung High School 描戈律大同中學Bacolod Christian centerFigure of woman and water buffalo,Figure of man and water buffaloPaghimud-os by Eduardo S. CastrilloAniceto Lacson Statue ,TalisaySM City Bacolod<br />