Talisay City
Negros Occidental · Component City · Home of The Ruins & the Cinco de Noviembre revolution
About
A fast-growing city between Bacolod and Silay, stretching from the Guimaras Strait coast up to the cool highlands of Campuestohan. Its lowlands are planted with sugarcane, its poblacion keeps ancestral houses, and Ayala Northpoint gives it a modern center.
History
Talisay was first called Minuluan. In the Spanish era its people, led by Kapitan Sabino 'Sabi' Pangantihon, repelled Moro raiders. On November 5, 1898, Talisay native Gen. Aniceto Lacson and Gen. Juan Araneta of Bago led the uprising that drove out Spanish forces and created the short-lived Republic of Negros. During World War II guerrillas burned the Lacson mansion now known as The Ruins. Talisay became a component city in 1998.
Festivals
Minulu-an Festival — September · September 1–10 (main events Sept 3–10; feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino Sept 10)
Talisay's 10-day annual fiesta and cultural celebration in honor of its patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino. It recalls the city's old name, Minulu-an, and the heroic defense led by Kapitan Sabino 'Sabi' Pangantihon against Moro raiders. Highlights: barangay street dancing and a ritual dance-drama showdown at the public plaza, cultural parades, the pre-festival exhibit and agro-trade fair, the Himos ni Kulas heirloom food festival and community food hubs.
Pasidungog Festival — February · February, about Feb 7–11 (Charter Day Feb 11, a special non-working day in Talisay)
Talisay's Charter Day celebration of its cityhood (1998). A week of local arts, culture and grand performances — school folk-dance and pop-dance contests (Pasundayag sang DepEd), the Pasidungog Queen pageant, awards honoring outstanding taxpayers, employees and families, concerts and fireworks.
Maradula Fruit Festival — August · Mid-year fruit season (around June–September) — confirm dates with Talisay City Tourism
A local harvest celebration of the fruit orchards in the uplands of Talisay, around Sitio Maradula in Barangay Concepcion, featuring freshly picked marang, rambutan, durian and lanzones.
Must-see
- The Ruins
- Campuestohan Highland Resort
- Balay ni Tana Dicang
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Church
- Ayala Malls Northpoint
Food to try
- Himos ni Kulas heirloom dishes
- Piaya
- Chicken inasal
Places in Talisay City
- The Ruins — The 'Taj Mahal of Negros' — the skeleton of a 1900s sugar-baron mansion built for love.
- Campuestohan Highland Resort — Giant King Kong statue, wave pool and cool mountain air in the Talisay highlands.
- Balay ni Tana Dicang — A lived-in 1880s ancestral house where Negros revolutionary history was planned.
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Church & Talisay Plaza — Heart of the Minulu-an Festival and home of Talisay's patron saint.
- Ayala Malls Northpoint & The District — Talisay's lifestyle hub: restaurants, cafés, cinema and pasalubong shops.
- General Aniceto Lacson Ancestral House — 1880s bahay-na-bato that was the seat of the Cantonal Republic of Negros.