Silay is one of the second city in the Philippines declared as Museum City next to the famous Vigan City of Ilocos Sur. It is also called as Paris of Negros, then it also the cultural intellectual hub of Silay.

During martial law when government proposes to widen the roads of Silay. Most of the residents opposes to that initiation coming from the decision of Malacanang. They considered Silay as their treasure because of its very rich culture and big contribution to the history of Silay.

When the original public plaza was destroyed and removed forever. People of Silay fought for the ancestral houses that it should be kept as part of the heritage.

Where hundreds of ancestral houses was built here during the Spanish era. Then thirty of them was already declared by
National Historical Institute of the Philippines as Heritage Houses.

Balay Negrense Museum

Balay Negrense Museum was built of balayong hardwood in 1898 and has the most photogenic exterior of any houses in Silay. Where family Gaston who owned this house a prominent family known as one of the Asucarera.

Victor's father, Yves Leopold Germain Gaston, is credited with being the first to cultivate sugarcane commercially in the region. The house has been painstakingly restored and furnished.

The house has huge sliding windows whee the air is free flowing inside. Then there is also a small windows below called ventanilla.

The Balay Negrense also known as the Victor Gaston Ancestral Homeis belong to the Thirty Heritage houses. It is also a museum that is open for visitors who wants to know more about the history of Silay. During the time I visited the museum is closed it was stated that museum is open only from Tuesday to Sunday.

• Entrance fee is charge to use for maintenance expenses of the grounds
• Adult is 60 pesos
• Senior citizen is 45 pesos
• Student/children is 30 pesos

The Hofilena Museum

The stately Hofilena Ancestral Home contains one of the Philippines finest art collections, as well as antiques belonging to one of Silay's principal families, The Hofilena Family. The house is now owned by a charismatic and loquacious Ramon Hofilena, a tireless preserver of Negros Occidental's cultural heritage.
If you book a head, Ramon will proudly show you around his house, including his collection of paintings, ancient artifacts and collectibles.

For almost 35 years Ramon has run the Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental ( tours 700.00 pesos ). The three one day tours are scheduled in December and take in attractions from nearby regions, including the famous church of St. Joseph the worker at Victorias Milling Company. With a few days notice, Ramon can arrange architecture tours of Silay any time of the year.

• Entrance fee for adult is 40 pesos
• Entrance fee for students/children 20 pesos
• No walk-in visit for tour ( Appointment basis contact : 495-4561

Teodoro Morada Ancestral House

Teodoro Morada Ancestral House owned by the family of Teodoro Morada in Silay City in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Because of its historical significance, it is considered and declared as part of the thirty heritage houses of Silay in the Philippines by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP).

Sen. Jose C. Locsin Ancestral house

Ac cross along Washington and Ledesma street, where this combination American and Spanish architectural house are designed. This is a Heritage house pursuant to board resolution no. 3 dated April 06, 1993 of the National Historical Institute of the Philippines.

Jose Benedicto Gamboa Ancestral House

This is a Heritage house pursuant to board resolution no. 1 dated March 08, 1994 of the National Historical Institute of the Philippines.

Lopues Silay Supermarket

This ancestral house was reconstructed and used as commercial building for the residents of Silay. A commodity store that offer basic needs to people like groceries, medicines, and etc.

Ruins of Ancestral House

Abandoned Ancestral House

I notice this shipping boat shape house is totally abandoned. Its decrepit house part are partially wrecked and it was restricted for along time ago. Because of its rusty padlock from the outside gate entrance.

Assorted Images of Ancestral houses

The old Concrete water Tank Supply of Silay Town

This water tank is located as the border line of Cinco de Noviembre street going North. I am not sure if the water supply tank is still operating. Because there is no way of getting their and the steel gate restricts people with in the community to go inside. I better took a decent shot from a far just to share how the way it looks.

Because it's getting dark I decided to stop my exploration in Silay. Where I need to travel more than an hour going home in Bacolod City. Then all of these images was originally taken using my nikon coolpix s2700 camera and I used Adobe express non-pro version photo editor software application to adjust the clarity including the noise reduction.

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