Silay City is located in Negros Occidental. From Bacolod City, you will head to north in order to get there. Silay City offers an old-fashion feeling as almost all of the houses are maintained to their original architectural style between the pre and post Spanish era. By walking around the ancient town, you will have envisioned yourself being in the history of it, seeing the culture and the arts.
1. Go to Libertad Ceres Bus Terminal. (Ceres Bus Terminal in Bacolod is the beautiful bus station/terminal I have ever seen in the Philippines. )
2. Choose the route going to Silay in the Ticket Booth and pay 15.00 Php/ head for non-aircon bus.
3. Ride the bus enroute to Silay.
4. Alight at the town.
Travel Duration:
around 15 minutes.
What to see and do
This map will guide you that by just walking around the small town , you can discover the historical and cultural flavor of Silay. City, Negros Occidental
1. San Diego Pro Cathedral
The Italian architectural-styled Cathedral is just to the right of the public plaza as you alight from the bus. The exterior of the Cathedral looks like you are in Vatican because of the Italian feature of the dome. No fee is required to enter as this is a Catholic church.
Location: Zamora Street, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, 6116 Negros Occidental
San Diego Pro Cathedral is located in Zamora Street, Silay City which is near Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
inside San Diego Pro Cathedral is located in Zamora Street, Silay City which is near Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
2. Hofileña Ancestral House
Touring around this ancestral home is never a bore as you will discover a lot from the history of the family and Silay to his magnificent art collection. The real owner, Mr. Ramon Hofileña, will tour you around his lovely home. I was happy that he, Mr. Ramon - the Silay hero, welcomed us again on my 2nd time visit.
Location: Manuel Severino Hofileña Ancestral House, Cinco De Noviembre Street, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidental
Entrance fee: 60 Php/head (regular). For students, show a valid ID and you will get a discount.
Operation hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 am to 5pm.
Hofileña Museum is located along Cinco de Noviembre St. in Silay City near Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Opens every Tuesdays-Sundays 10am-5pm.
with Mr. Ramon Hofileña
3. Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House
Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or 'The Pink House' is just located few steps on your right as you took off the bus coming from Libertad. The house features the lifestyle of the family and the equipment and furniture that are obsolete these days.
Location: Brgy. II, Rizal St, Lungsod ng Silay, Negros Occidental
Entrance Fee: 60 Php/head
Operation hours: Tuesdays- Sundays, 8am - 5:30pm
Bernardino - Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or Pink House in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Opens every Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am-5:30pm
outside of the Bernardino - Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or Pink House in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Opens every Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am-5:30pm
the garage area in Bernardino - Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or Pink House in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Opens every Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am-5:30pm
the living room with the antique piano in Bernardino - Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or Pink House in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Opens every Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am-5:30pm
the old way of giving birth is seen in this photo. inside the Bernardino - Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or Pink House in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Opens every Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am-5:30pm
the kitchen of Bernardino - Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House or Pink House in Silay City, Negros Occidental. Opens every Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am-5:30pm
4. Cafe 1925
A cafe located in Ledesma St. if you wanna take a sip after strolling around the small city. We tried the next door's cafe as there were a lot of customers in a small chill-out space. But a local said that this one serves great quality of beverages and foods.
Location: J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, 6116 Negros Occidental
Operation hours: 10:30am - 9:30pm
outside Cafe 1925 along J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidental
5. The Mansion - Cafe Bar and Gallery
The Mansion is open to public to serve you- yes, you as their masters - drinks and snacks and to promote arts. Relax to the ambiance that brings you comfort of an ancient European-designed interiors. Best for selfie with yourself and friends.
Location: just beside Cafe 1925 in J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidental
Operation Hourse: Wednesdays- Mondays, 10am - 10pm
outside of The Mansion- Cafe Bar and Gallery J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidental, schedule: everyday open except Tuesdays, 10am - 10pm
lobby area of The Mansion- Cafe Bar and Gallery J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidenta
Exhibit Area of The Mansion- Cafe Bar and Gallery J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidenta
entrance seeing the outside of The Mansion- Cafe Bar and Gallery J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidenta
menu of The Mansion- Cafe Bar and Gallery J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidenta
a great hangout place is found in The Mansion- Cafe Bar and Gallery J.Pitong Ledesma St, Silay City Heritage Zone, Silay City, Negros Occidenta
6. and so many more that some of them I have visited already when I travelled in 2013 such as Balay Negrense, Cinco de Noviembre St. and El Ideal. Check more on my other blog site.
Best time to visit
The museums are open from 10am-5pm, everyday except Mondays. We went in the Ceres Bus Terminal Libertad at around 3pm. The places that I have mentioned were toured around on foot.
In order to see and take a picture of almost all the heritage houses, you can go there in the morning in January - May, when the weather is so fine. I have experienced a damp tour on my 1st visit around the town in June - the start of the rainy season.
Total Fees (without food)
1. Jeep to Libertad Ceres Bus Terminal - P7.00
2. Bus to Silay - P15.00
3. Hofilena's Home Entry Fee (Adult) - P60.00
4. Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni Entry Fee (Adult) - P60.00
TOTAL - 142.00
These are just some of the things that you can do. You can check another activities around Negros Occidental on this link.
