Silay evolved from being an
old Spanish settlement and was founded in 1760. Several
families from Iloilo migrated to Silay and gave vigor to the
lace making it an important commercial and agriculture
settlement during the Spanish era.
It was in 1846 that
cultivation of sugarcane spearheaded by Yves Leopold Germain
Gaston made the town prosperous.
November 5, 1898 played a
significant rolse in the history of Silay. It was on that
day that the Silaynons attacked the Spanish garrison and the
Spaniards surrendered peacefully. It was a bloodless
revolution. The Philippine flag was raised for the first
time at public plaza.
Silay was famous for its artists and cultural shows. It
became the "Paris of Negros". Kahirup Theater was the center
of these activities. Jose "Pitong" Ledesma, a Silaynon
pianist, conductor and philantrophist was one of those
responsible for inviting operatta and zarzuela performers
from Europe.
Silay is the second town in
Negros Occidental to become a city on June 12, 1957. Silay
was famous for its artists and cultural shows. It became the
"Paris of Negros".
In Region VI, Silay is known
as the "seat of arts, culture and ecotourism. Silay has been
recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the
tourist destinations in the Philippines.
To date, under the
administration of Mayor Edwin D. Velez , Silay has been
recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the
tourist destinations in the Philippines. In Region VI, Silay
is known as the "seat of arts, culture and ecotourism".
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Negros
Occidental, Silay City
