A recent photographic expedition to Guihulngan brought back some remarkable shots of numerous geologic formations in Hinakpan that resemble the Chocolate Hills of a neighboring island. Read More

In 1918 the Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas SA, or Tabacalera, established its first sugar mill in the Philippines in Bais, thus making the area the cradle of Oriental Negros’ sugar industry. Read More

Designated a municipality in 1872, Bayawan was fused with adjacent Tolong (now Santa Catalina) to make Tolong Nuevo in 1903. The two towns were separated in 1945, and Bayawan reclaimed its former name in 1948. Legend has it that the priest was slain by a native at the high point of the Mass, just as he was elevating the host, “bayaw sa ostiya,” thus – Bayawan. Read More

At over 8,000 feet, Mt Kanlaon is among the highest peaks in the country. On its northeastern slopes Canlaon City nestles, staking Oriental Negros’ claim to a small fraction of the legend-shrouded volcano. Read More

A map dated 1572, attributed to Diego Lope Povedano, a member of the Legaspi expedition of that same year, identifies a large area as “Dananguet.” Murillo Velarde is credited with first using the name “Dumaguete” in 1734. There are stories of moro marauders who regularly plundered the town, taking away captives, thus, “daguit” and “dumaguit,” the act of snatching away. Read More

The Legazpi-commissioned expedition of 1565 discovered Tanjay as the most important settlement on the southeastern coast of Negros Island. It is said to have been named after a Chinese trader and from a tall tree, Tan Hai. In 1580 it was designated as the first Catholic parish of Negros Oriental. Read More