A Walk Down History With Ramon Hofileña at the Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental

The Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental (ACTNO) organized by Mon Hofileña, now on its 37^th year, is the longest running cultural tour in the world. The tour is an excellent way both for Negrenses and non-Negrenses  to know Negros Occidental. And there’s no better person to do that than Mr. Ramon Hofileña.  The tour is often conducted all Saturdays of December every year. However, it was only conducted two weekends last December and our trip on December 12 was the last for the year 2009.

The tour commenced at the zero marker at the Provincial Capitol.  While snacks of native kakanin were distributed, Mr. Hofileña emphatically started his lecture. The Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol was built in 1927 using Neo-Roman architectural design of American Daniel Burnham and executed by Filipino Architect Juan Arellano. Negrense Architect Leandro Locsin considered it as the most beautiful capitol building in the country.  Fronting the capitol is a man-made lagoon with carabao statues at both ends, one with a man and the other with a woman.

We proceeded to the posh Sta. Clara Subdivision, considered as the Forbes Park of Bacolod. The Virgen sang Barangay Chapel which was designed by Architect Norman Campos is found inside Sta. Clara Subdivision. The chapel features a 19 ft x 21 ft mural mosaic of Virgen sang Barangay made of 95,000 pieces of polished shells done by Ms. Leticia Sia Ledesma. The Stations of the Cross and images of saints and altar pieces are made of 30,000 shells.  An imposing chandelier made of 14,000 pieces of shells hang at the center of the chapel.

We then proceeded to Silay City which is considered as the Paris of Negros. Entering the city is like traveling into a time warp. You’d be transported back in time of affluence with Silay City’s 31 ancestral houses. One of which is the Bernardino‐Jalandoni House built in 1908. It is a perfect example of the affluent Filipino house of the late 19th to early 20th century. The house is now turned into a museum and was identified as a Heritage House by the National Historical Institute.

I again had a chance to visit the famous Church of St. Joseph the Worker popularly known as the Church of the Angry Christ. Mr. Hofilena doesn’t want to use that name “Church of the Angry Christ” since he said Christ in the church’s most famous mural is not angry. The church features the works of world famous artists including Alfonso Ossorio who painted the mural.

Lunch was at the Victorias Golf and Country Club located inside the Victorias Milling Corp., The golf club features 71 Par, 18 Holes, 6,000 Yards with Clubhouse Restaurant, Tennis Court and Bowling Alley.

We were unfortunately delayed since the bus had a slight mechanical problem.  However, it did not burst our bubble since our next stop was the Chapel of the Cartwheels. The chapel can be found inside the hacienda of the Gaston family in Manapla, Negros Occidental. It is made of cartwheels and other farm implements. The chapel was designed by Msgr. Gigi Gaston like a salakot. It was not my first time at the Chapel of the Cartwheels but Mr. Hofileña made it very entertaining you wouldn’t mind hearing the same story all over again.

It was then his time to welcome us to his home, the Hofileña Heritage House. It was the first Heritage House in Silay to be opened to visitors which is not surprising. Mr. Hofileña is an advocate in the preservation and promotion of Negrense cultural heritage. His house is a repository of his personal collection of the work of top Filipino artists including Amorsolo and Jose Rizal. Other interesting pieces in his collection are the world’s smallest dolls, copies of the world’s first pocket books, meteorite stones, Ming dynasty jars, manual printing machine and much more.

The tour would not be complete without trying Silay City’s famous delicacies.  We just couldn’t resist Nora Lacson’s pili squares and lumpia ubod.  Homemade delicacies are simply the best. These recipes were handed down from generations just like the original piaya and pastel de manga recipes of Rommie Lacson.

If you think you know enough about this genteel province, wait till you join the Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental. There are loads of interesting stories and historical facts that you don’t get to read about plus nobody knows more about Negros Occidental than Mon Hofileña.  He spice up the tour with trivia and exclusive information. I wish they teach history like this in school. But it’s not yet too late to take an interest in Negrense history. Watch for the tour this year and don’t dare miss it!