| |
Formerly a barrio of Cauayan,
Sipalay had the distinction of having been used as a
garrison for Spanish soldiers guarding the southern corridor
of Negros Island.
Original immigrants of the
place came from the island of Panay, the town being just
across a short sea span from what is now Iloilo. When the
new settlers arrived, they drove away the natives to the
mountains. No roads existed during the time, and trading was
easier with Iloilo and Panay through sailboats. When the
Americans came, development was introduced with the putting
up of schools and roads. Literacy among residents was
improved.
Sipalay became a lookout
point when the Japanese occupied the country, with the town
being used as an outpost by the guerillas.
It was also in Sipalay, in Campomanes or Maricalum Bay,
where the first American submarine landed to deliver arms
and supply for the forces commanded by airman-hero Col.
Jesus Villamor. The staging of the final fight with the
Japanese jumped from this point when sufficient supplies
shipped from Australia arrived.
|
|
Negros
Occidental, Sipalay City
