Silay City can be reached in 15 minutes by private car from Bacolod
City. Public utility vehicles plying the route abound and can reach the
city at the same time.
Silay is the site of the new airport of
international standard. Traveling to the city is made easier by its
four-lane highway.
Silay City is bounded on the west by Guimaras Strait, on the east by Marapara mountain ranges, on the north by the Municipality of E.B Magalona and on the south by the City of Talisay.
Founded in 1760, Silay evolved from being an old Spanish settlement.
Migrant families from Iloilo gave vigor to Silay, making it an
important commercial and agricultural settlement during the Spanish
era. In 1846, cultivation of sugarcane led by Yves Leopold Germain
Gaston made the town prosperous. November 5, 1898 played a
significant
role in Silay’s history. Sugarcane workers attacked the Spanish
garrison and made the Spaniards surrender peacefully. It was a
bloodless revolution. The Philippine flag was raised for the first time
at the public plaza. Silay, famous for its artists and cultural shows,
became the “Paris of Negros”.Kahirup Theater was the center of these
activities. Jose “Pitong” Ledesma, a Silaynon pianist, conductor and
philanthropist 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 is known as the “seat of arts, culture and ecotourism” and is recognized by the Department of Tourism as one of the top destinations in the Philippines.