THE Silay City Government under the administration of Mayor Mark Golez is showcasing a new image for Silay Pavilion in this year’s Panaad Sa Negros Festival. Those who frequent our booth for their annual “visita casa” will understand better why Silay is “the seat of arts and culture in Western Visayas.” Silay became a city on June 12, 1957 under the first city mayor, Romulo Geolingo Golez. On June 12, 2017, Silay (as a city) was 60 years old already. The incumbent mayor of Silay is Mark Andrew Arthur Golez. Silaynons should know that the father of Felix Hechanova Golez is Edilberto Lopez Golez, who is the grandfather of Serafin Ledesma Golez. Edilberto has a brother, Isabelo, who is the grandfather of Romulo G. Golez.
The span of 60 years could be a date in Silay history. The city of Silay started with a Golez: Romulo Golez (1956-1963), Jose Locsin Jr. (1964-1967), Natalio Velez (1968-1986), Carlos Jalandoni (1986-1987), Ramon Jison (1988-1992), Edwin Velez (1992-2001), Carlo Gamban (2001-2007), Jose Montelibano (2007-2016) and Mark Andrew Arthur Golez (2016-present). Each mayor has contributed his share that made Silay what it is now.
At the turn of the century (after the Nov. 5, 1898 revolution), Silay was the “Paris of Negros” and to date Silay is “the seat of arts and culture in Western Visayas.” In 1996, the Department of Tourism (DOT) named Silay as one of the Top 25 Destinations in the country, a distinction that in Western Visayas is shared only by Boracay in Aklan.
Silay now is proud to be in the Hall of Fame of DOT and the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) as the three-time winner (consecutive wins) as the Most Outstanding Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit (City Category) of the Philippines.
In Panaad Festival 2016, Silay Pavilion was the champion and this year Silay lands in second place. The Pavilion main feature is the 60th Charter Anniversary in visual art. This portion headed by Councilor Solo Locsin showcases the best of Silay in 60 years. He is assisted by the Silay millennial artists in putting up the workmanship using the state-of-the-art technology.
The other portion is handled by the Silay City Cultural Society under Doctor Fred Napay of Department of Education Silay. His members prepare a lay-out of cultural activities that could be sustainable in Silay, including the latest project, Cine Kahirup-Silay that caught Silay life in short films (now on its second year). The film project is under Frances Dane Yanson Cobrado. The Napay creation is not just limited to literature, dance, films, music and visual arts.
Two stations have been given to me together with the Asosasyon sang mga Mangunguma sa Adela (Ama). We give prominence to the sustained culture, beliefs and traditions of the hacienda workers at Hda. Adela Folklore Village owned and managed by the Unson-Lacson family of Silay. I am assisted by Ligaya Ardenio, Pablito Luces, Lende Estardo, Flor Miago, Lourdes Ibanez, and Leon Pacete. They are all hacienda workers who made Adela Folklore Village a National awardee in Atop and DOT Excellence Awards.
We feature lifestyle through songs, religious chants, San Roque procession, creative arts, hometown delicacy preparation, farm work demonstration, and many spices of community life, including faith healing. Tourists and visitors will find the village very interactive. They are free to ask questions that pertain to community living, group farming, backyard gardening, non-participation in particular politics, religious activities, cultural interactions and more. Media men are free to meet the villagers.
The other clump includes the Kabataang Silay Rondalla members who are the cultural ambassadors of Silay. They gave honor to the Republic of the Philippines when they performed in China, Scotland, Singapore and Taiwan (and many other places in the Philippines). The group is headed by rondalla master, Maestro Jegger Anjao, with the supervision of Panoy Corteza.
The Sibato Bukidnon Tribe (indigenous people) under Chieftain Ben Acsi offers indigenous arts, songs, dancers, and food. They have the full support of the National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples. These animistic practices learned from the ancestors are well preserved with the assistance of DepEd Silay through the Mother Tongue Program and Special IP Module. Agriculturist Jason Benedicto takes pride in the organic agriculture display with the Villarenia Family, most outstanding family of farmers in the Philippines. Products comprise vegetables, root crops, fruits, tilapia, mushrooms and more.
The best of Silay delicacies are sold in a “tiyanggi” – piaya, empanada, baye-baye, butong-butong, kalamay-hati, assorted cookies, pickled veggies, and other delights. Gerle Hilado heads this group with Inday Arbella, Michelle Hechanova and other tourism office staff. Thanks also to Leo Canson, Armin Paredes, Eddie Osorio, and Sir Andy Javelona. Welcome to Silay City Pavillion. Welcome to our Open Air Museum.
