Learn about the province’s past through these institutions!
Images: Images: The Negros Museum Facebook page
Bacolod City has a rich and vibrant history back to the pre-colonial period. The city’s effort to keep up with fast-paced urbanization lies in its strong will to preserve its bountiful museums where you can still visit and relive Bacolod’s cultural inheritance on display. Many Bacolod museums are willing to share their stories if you want to see what the city went through up close.
Read on as Yoorekka shows you the list of museums in Bacolod City, perfect for your next side trip.
Operating Hours:Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The newly refurbished Negros Museum
Image: The Negros Museum Facebook page
First on our list of Bacolod museums is the Negros Museum, a neoclassical structure that houses some of the most important cultural artifacts. This historical museum in Bacolod is the very first museum built in the Philippines that also houses contemporary works of local artists that retell a series of events that occurred in the past. Negros Museum is just a three-minute stroll from the Provincial Capitol Building near 888 Chinatown Square Bacolod, making it hard not to spot. There is also a café inside this Bacolod museum, making this museum in Bacolod an ideal place for tourists who want to take a break in the middle of their historical excursion.
The entrance fee is PhP100 (adults) and PhP80 (students, PWDs, seniors).
Location:Barangay 3, Cinco De Noviembre Street, Silay City
Operating Hours:Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
A beautiful morning shines over Balay Negrense Museum
Image: Dai Sy T. Ale
Next on our list of must-visit Bacolod museums is the Don Victor Gaston Ancestral House, more famously known as Balay Negrense Museum. This museum showcases the lifestyle of the Negrense sugar baron during the 19th Century. Formerly owned by Victor Gaston, the son of Yves Leopold German Gaston, who brought the sugar industry in Negros to life, the ancestral house has become one of the most visited museums in the province. The museum is just a 25-minute drive from Bacolod City proper.
The entrance fee is PhP60 (adults) and PhP30 (students).
Operating Hours:Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Some of the artifacts you will see inside Museo Negrense de La Salle
Museo De La Salle Bacolod Facebook page
Museo Negrense De La Salle is one of the Bacolod museums on the University of St. La Salle campus. The museum in Bacolod was developed through generous donations from primarily Negrense families and is connected with the institution. This historical museum in Bacolod houses various historical artifacts and treasured relics, allowing local artists to hold exhibits within its walls. The different collections inside this Bacolod museum include the Ledesma Collection, Vega Collection, Esteban Collection, Velayo-Javelosa Collection, and the Puentevella Collection. Since this Bacolod museum is inside the campus, it is recommended that visitors make a reservation first before paying a visit.
The entrance fee is PhP50 (adults) and PhP30 (seniors and students).
Operating Hours:Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The stunning and eye-catching façade of Bernardino Jalandoni Museum
Image: Bernandino Jalandoni Museum Facebook page
This Bacolod museum on our fourth spot is the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum, famously known as Pink House, one of the ancestral and heritage houses in Silay City converted into one of the museums in Bacolod. It is a two-story building based on local Filipino and European architecture. The museum is known for its ceiling made of embossed steel trays from Hamburg, Germany, which was considered exceptional when it was built. This Bacolod museum houses cultural artifacts and serves as a venue for cultural and educational activities in Silay City. You wouldn’t miss the museum since it stands on the main highway in Silay City.
Operating Hours:Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The inviting facade of Laguerta Home of the Vintage Glasses Museum
Image: Image: Joe Louvières Castro Cenizal
Laguerta Home of the Vintage Glasses Museum is a humble Bacolod museum owned by Tomas Claridad Casiano, a florist in Beverly Hills, California florist. He returned to Bacolod City for good and built his museum called "Laguerta." This museum in Bacolod houses displays of decorative glasses, from plates and bowls to drinking glasses and mugs. This historical museum in Bacolod is filled with different pieces of glass art of various sizes, shapes, and colors, which is very pleasing to the eye. When going to this Bacolod museum, it is recommended to check with the museum first or make a reservation before going.
Operating Hours:Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A beautiful afternoon at Hofilena Heritage House
Image: Lara Trinidad
Next on our list of Bacolod museums is the Hofilena Heritage House, another in Silay City that reflects Art Deco and Art Nouveau architecture. Opened in 1951, it is the first museum in Silay City. It houses paintings of famous local artists from the Philippines like Manansala, Hechanova, Luna, Amorsolo, Rizal, etc. Inside the museum is also the world’s smallest doll, which the Hofilenas are proud to have. This is one of the must-see museums in the province because of the surprise tourists will see on the museum’s second floor. Let’s preserve the element of surprise until you see it for yourself!
Operating Hours:Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The stunning interiors of Balay ni Tana Dicang which is perfect for people with an old soul
Image: Balay ni Tana Dicang
Last on our list of Bacolod museums is Balay ni Tana Dicang, the oldest surviving house in the province of Negros Occidental and genuinely well-preserved. This is the main ancestral house of the Lizares family, one of the most influential sugar barons in the area. Balay ni Tana Dicang means “House of Kapitana Dicang,” the name by which Mrs. Lizares was known. This historical museum is just a 20-minute drive from Bacolod City. The museum appears to be closed all the time, so you need to knock as hard as you can to get the attention of the housekeepers and let them know of your interest in entering the heritage structure.
The entrance fee is PhP100 per head.
VisitYoorekka Magazinefor more exciting travel destinations in Bacolod!
Stay safe as you travel! Follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. Have a great trip!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on May 08, 2018.
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