"Silay City, Gateway To Bacolod City" Silay City by cyndymc

From the New Silay-Bacolod Airport, our driver drove slowly around the city so we can view the old houses BUT...we were not able to go inside the heritage houses since it was still too early. We didn't feel so bad, however, because the houses and streets were not as impressive as the heritage houses and cobbled streets of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. We passed by the Silay Cathedral to offer thanksgiving prayers for a safe trip, then resumed the trip to Bacolod City.

Silay, a 2nd class city in Negros Occidental Province, was declared a heritage city of the Philippines by the National Historical Institute (NHI). Silay City is said to have 28 heritage houses, the most number of NHI-declared structures in a city in the Philippines. It is the center of arts and culture in Negros Occidental, thus it is a declared “living city museum” in the country. Silay is also known as the “Paris of Negros”.

SILAY is derived from the name of KANSILAY, the city's official tree. Kansilay grew abundantly in the area, and a local legend explains its existence.

The story starts with a brave princess named Kansilay who lived during the times of "datus" and "rajahs". She bravely led the people in the village's defense against pirates, fighting like a seasoned warrior. She died in one of her battles. Grieving the loss of an endeared princess, the people lovingly buried her. They were then amazed to see a tree grow right over her grave. They interpreted it to mean as a parting gift from the brave princess who had always protected the people. Henceforth, they referred to the tree as Kansilay