Bago City
Encyclopedia
Bago City is a second class city in the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines
. According to the August 1, 2007 census, it has a population of 159,933 people. The city is located 21 kilometers south of the provincial capital, Bacolod City
.
Ramón D. Torres was elected as Mayor of Bago City in 2007, replacing Janet E. Torres, whose husband served as mayor for almost 40 years. The coliseum located in the heart of the city is named after him.
Bago City operates a subsidized college
, Bago City College, located in Barangay Balingasag. Most of its students come from the southern part of the island.
Buenos Aires Mountain Resort is one of the main tourist destinations in Bago City and so are the Kipot Twin Falls.
The city fiesta
is celebrated November 5 in commemoration of the Negros Revolution
.
adelantado
, Miguel López de Legaspi, allotted the community to a Spaniard named Juan Gutiérrez, as his “encomienda”. At that time the community was still composed of small cluster of settlements along the banks of a big river, which later became known as the Bago River
. The “economiendero” administered to the spiritual and socio-economic needs of the natives in the settlements until June, 1578. However, in 1578, this community was placed under the evangelical visitations of Father Gerónimo Marin, an Augustinian priest who had taken charge of the Christianization
of the natives of Binalbagan since the year 1572. Father Marin, upon his arrival in the community, celebrated the feast of St. John the Baptist, who would later be accepted as the patron saint. Following the traditions and practices of the Spanish missionaries and historians in recording the founding of a “pueblo” or town that usually coincides with the feast day of a saint and since the feast day of St. John the Baptist, falls on June 24 of each year, it follows therefore that Bago was founded so that the exact month and day can only be deduced from such traditional practices of the Spaniards. Manila
, Cebu City
and Binalbagan also predicated the dates of their founding on the same historical situations, hence the logical conclusion is that Bago City was officially founded on the month, day and year heretofore mentioned.
As with regards to how the community acquired its name, according to the manuscript of a Spanish historian, Diego Lope de Povedano, which is available in the library of the University of San Carlos
, Cebu City
, the community was named after a large tree called “Bago” under which, a native prince by the name of Mapagic died.
Another historical version is that the place got its name from a shrub called “bago-bago” which was then growing luxuriantly along the rivers banks.
From the year 1575 up to the close of the 16th century, no historical account was written about the community. Bago came into the historical scene again when, at the early part of the 17th century, when a group of settlers from Panay
crossed the Guimaras
Strait and migrated to Negros, some of whom settled along the banks of Bago River. The arrival of these settlers spurred the rapid growth of the settlements in the area until all were merged into a sizable village capable of self-governance. In later years, the descendants of these settlers petitioned the Spanish authorities to declare their village a “pueblo” or town and to name it “Bago”. Among the petitioners were Manuel Sitchon, Gregorio Varela
, Paulino Torres, Jacinto Araneta
, Clemente Celis, Mariano Gonzaga and Fernando Villanueva, whose forebears hailed from the town of Molo, Iloilo
. The petition was finally granted by the status of a “pueblo” or town in that same year.
Between the years 1800 and 1898, the inhabitants of Bago were among those who suffered tremendously under the Spanish tyranny, injustice and oppression. This social condition finally led to a revolt on November 5, 1898 when General Juan Araneta
railed his people in the struggle for freedom. This historic event was chronicled in a historic marker found in the City public plaza of Bago which bears the following inscriptions:
Together with General Aniceto Lacson
who led the forces in Talisay
, he was able to force the capitulation of the Spanish garrison at Bacolod
thus putting an end to the Spanish sovereignty in the province. Forthwith, a revolutionary government was established with General Juan A. Araneta
as the Acting Governor. In the then Municipality of Bago, an election was held and Ramón del Castillo became the first elected municipal president who served in such capacity from the year 1898 up to the year 1900.
In April, 1901, the Americans came and established a civil government in the province of Negros Occidental
which completely abolished the revolutionary government of General Araneta. Bago was one of the towns that were placed under the control of the Americans; however, they allowed the municipality to be governed by Filipino officials. The following therefore were the succeeding municipal presidents and mayors of Bago until the outbreak of the Second World War on December 7, 1941:
When the Japanese Forces invaded the Philippines, the civil government of Bago was dissolve. The Japanese occupation forces tried to establish a provisional government but the local people refused to cooperate. When the American forces liberated the town on March 29, 1945 together with the Filipino troops of the 7th, 71st, 72nd, 75th and 76th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 7th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and local Negrosanon guerrilla units continued in Bago, it was completely destroyed but rehabilitation work was immediately started and the town underwent development efforts under the leadership of the succeeding town mayors.
Bago City was finally granted its cityhood on February 19, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4382 written by Senator Ramón Torres a Bago native with his nephew Hon. Manuel Y. Torres as the hold-over City Mayor until 1998.
Legal limitations on the number of successive terms disqualified Mayor Manuel Y. Torres in running again and in the 1998 local elections, his wife Mayor Janet E. Torres run as candidate for Mayor and won. The current Mayor is Ramón Torres, a nephew of Manuel Y. Torres.
s.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the August 1, 2007 census, it has a population of 159,933 people. The city is located 21 kilometers south of the provincial capital, Bacolod City
Bacolod City
The City of Bacolod , is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the Negros Occidental province. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region. It is currently ranked as the 17th most populous city in...
.
Ramón D. Torres was elected as Mayor of Bago City in 2007, replacing Janet E. Torres, whose husband served as mayor for almost 40 years. The coliseum located in the heart of the city is named after him.
Bago City operates a subsidized college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, Bago City College, located in Barangay Balingasag. Most of its students come from the southern part of the island.
Buenos Aires Mountain Resort is one of the main tourist destinations in Bago City and so are the Kipot Twin Falls.
The city fiesta
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
is celebrated November 5 in commemoration of the Negros Revolution
Negros Revolution
The Negros Revolution, now commemorated and popularly known as Al Cinco de Noviembre or Negros Day, was a political movement that in 1898 created a government in Negros Island in the Philippines, informally ending Spanish control of the island and resulting in a government run by the Negrense...
.
History
On September 6, 1571 when the SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
adelantado
Adelantado
Adelantado was a military title held by some Spanish conquistadores of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.Adelantados were granted directly by the Monarch the right to become governors and justices of a specific region, which they charged with conquering, in exchange for funding and organizing the...
, Miguel López de Legaspi, allotted the community to a Spaniard named Juan Gutiérrez, as his “encomienda”. At that time the community was still composed of small cluster of settlements along the banks of a big river, which later became known as the Bago River
Bago River
Bago River is a river of southern Burma. It flows through Bago and Yangon. It arises in the hills of the Pegu Range and flows into the Myitmaka River which below that point is called the Yangon River.-References:...
. The “economiendero” administered to the spiritual and socio-economic needs of the natives in the settlements until June, 1578. However, in 1578, this community was placed under the evangelical visitations of Father Gerónimo Marin, an Augustinian priest who had taken charge of the Christianization
Christianization
The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...
of the natives of Binalbagan since the year 1572. Father Marin, upon his arrival in the community, celebrated the feast of St. John the Baptist, who would later be accepted as the patron saint. Following the traditions and practices of the Spanish missionaries and historians in recording the founding of a “pueblo” or town that usually coincides with the feast day of a saint and since the feast day of St. John the Baptist, falls on June 24 of each year, it follows therefore that Bago was founded so that the exact month and day can only be deduced from such traditional practices of the Spaniards. Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
and Binalbagan also predicated the dates of their founding on the same historical situations, hence the logical conclusion is that Bago City was officially founded on the month, day and year heretofore mentioned.
As with regards to how the community acquired its name, according to the manuscript of a Spanish historian, Diego Lope de Povedano, which is available in the library of the University of San Carlos
University of San Carlos
The University of San Carlos is a Roman Catholic university governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935 in Cebu City. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.It...
, Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
, the community was named after a large tree called “Bago” under which, a native prince by the name of Mapagic died.
Another historical version is that the place got its name from a shrub called “bago-bago” which was then growing luxuriantly along the rivers banks.
From the year 1575 up to the close of the 16th century, no historical account was written about the community. Bago came into the historical scene again when, at the early part of the 17th century, when a group of settlers from Panay
Panay
Panay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident...
crossed the Guimaras
Guimaras
Guimaras is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Among the smallest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros...
Strait and migrated to Negros, some of whom settled along the banks of Bago River. The arrival of these settlers spurred the rapid growth of the settlements in the area until all were merged into a sizable village capable of self-governance. In later years, the descendants of these settlers petitioned the Spanish authorities to declare their village a “pueblo” or town and to name it “Bago”. Among the petitioners were Manuel Sitchon, Gregorio Varela
Varela Family of Negros
The Varela family is a clan from Negros, southern Philippines, the family has produced several notable figures in religion politics and education.-History:...
, Paulino Torres, Jacinto Araneta
Araneta family
The Aranetas are influential Filipino family that originated from Gipuzkoa, the Basque region of northern Spain. The name is derived from the Basque word "aran" meaning valley, with the suffix "eta" denoting a "place of" .-Origins:...
, Clemente Celis, Mariano Gonzaga and Fernando Villanueva, whose forebears hailed from the town of Molo, Iloilo
Iloilo
Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
. The petition was finally granted by the status of a “pueblo” or town in that same year.
Between the years 1800 and 1898, the inhabitants of Bago were among those who suffered tremendously under the Spanish tyranny, injustice and oppression. This social condition finally led to a revolt on November 5, 1898 when General Juan Araneta
Juan Araneta
Juan Anacleto Araneta , was a pioneer sugar farmer and revolutionary leader during the Negros Revolution.-Early life:Juan was born to Romualdo Araneta and Agüeda Torres in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines...
railed his people in the struggle for freedom. This historic event was chronicled in a historic marker found in the City public plaza of Bago which bears the following inscriptions:
Together with General Aniceto Lacson
Aniceto Lacson
Aniceto Lacson y Ledesma was a sugar farmer, revolutionary general and businessman in the Philippines. He was the fifth son of seven children of Lucio Lacson y Petronila and Clara Ledesma of Iloilo, Philippines who migrated to Negros when Aniceto was still young...
who led the forces in Talisay
Talisay City, Negros Occidental
Talisay City is a 5th class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It neighbors Silay City to the north, and Bacolod City to the south. According to the August 1, 2007 census, it has a total population of 96,444 people. As of 2007, it has a total land area of 20,118 hectares...
, he was able to force the capitulation of the Spanish garrison at Bacolod
Bacolod City
The City of Bacolod , is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the Negros Occidental province. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region. It is currently ranked as the 17th most populous city in...
thus putting an end to the Spanish sovereignty in the province. Forthwith, a revolutionary government was established with General Juan A. Araneta
Juan Araneta
Juan Anacleto Araneta , was a pioneer sugar farmer and revolutionary leader during the Negros Revolution.-Early life:Juan was born to Romualdo Araneta and Agüeda Torres in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines...
as the Acting Governor. In the then Municipality of Bago, an election was held and Ramón del Castillo became the first elected municipal president who served in such capacity from the year 1898 up to the year 1900.
In April, 1901, the Americans came and established a civil government in the province of Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...
which completely abolished the revolutionary government of General Araneta. Bago was one of the towns that were placed under the control of the Americans; however, they allowed the municipality to be governed by Filipino officials. The following therefore were the succeeding municipal presidents and mayors of Bago until the outbreak of the Second World War on December 7, 1941:
When the Japanese Forces invaded the Philippines, the civil government of Bago was dissolve. The Japanese occupation forces tried to establish a provisional government but the local people refused to cooperate. When the American forces liberated the town on March 29, 1945 together with the Filipino troops of the 7th, 71st, 72nd, 75th and 76th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 7th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and local Negrosanon guerrilla units continued in Bago, it was completely destroyed but rehabilitation work was immediately started and the town underwent development efforts under the leadership of the succeeding town mayors.
Bago City was finally granted its cityhood on February 19, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4382 written by Senator Ramón Torres a Bago native with his nephew Hon. Manuel Y. Torres as the hold-over City Mayor until 1998.
Legal limitations on the number of successive terms disqualified Mayor Manuel Y. Torres in running again and in the 1998 local elections, his wife Mayor Janet E. Torres run as candidate for Mayor and won. The current Mayor is Ramón Torres, a nephew of Manuel Y. Torres.
Barangays
Bago City is politically subdivided into 24 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
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Notable natives or residents
- Dizon family - founder of Brgy Tabunan
- Araneta familyAraneta familyThe Aranetas are influential Filipino family that originated from Gipuzkoa, the Basque region of northern Spain. The name is derived from the Basque word "aran" meaning valley, with the suffix "eta" denoting a "place of" .-Origins:...
- prominent Filipino clan who consider Bago as their primary hub. - Juan AranetaJuan AranetaJuan Anacleto Araneta , was a pioneer sugar farmer and revolutionary leader during the Negros Revolution.-Early life:Juan was born to Romualdo Araneta and Agüeda Torres in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines...
- revolutionary - J Amado AranetaAraneta ColiseumThe Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines...
- business tycoon - Manolet Araneta - Member, 1948 London Olympics, Basketball
- Garbanzos Family - one of the prominent Filipino families runs the sugar industry in Negros.
- Jorge L. Araneta- Pre-war Industrialist
- Judy Araneta-Roxas - socialite, wife of Senator Gerardo Roxas, mother to Senator Mar RoxasMar RoxasManuel "Mar" Araneta Roxas II is a former Senator of the Philippines. He is the son of former Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of former President Manuel Roxas and industrialist J. Amado Araneta....
- Roberto S. Benedicto - business tycoon, Philippine Ambassador to Japan, former President Philippine National Bank
- Esteban de la Rama - Senator, grandfather of Philippine Senator Sergio Osmeña III
- Rafael M. SalasRafael M. SalasRafael M. Salas , was the first head of the United Nations Population Fund from its inception in 1969 up to his death in 1987 . Salas is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines...
- United Nations Under-Secretary General, Executive Director UNFPA - Ruperto Montinola - Senator
- Eduard Sacapaño - Goalkeeper, Philippines national football teamPhilippines national football teamThe Philippines national football team is the national football team of the Philippines and represents the country in international football. The team is controlled by the Philippine Football Federation , the governing body of football in the Philippines....
- Ramón Torres - Senator, Labor Secretary
- Jesús Y. VarelaVarela Family of NegrosThe Varela family is a clan from Negros, southern Philippines, the family has produced several notable figures in religion politics and education.-History:...
- Roman Catholic Bishop - Richard N VarelaVarela Family of NegrosThe Varela family is a clan from Negros, southern Philippines, the family has produced several notable figures in religion politics and education.-History:...
- Salesian Priest, former Acting President, Philippine Education Publishing Association - Jorge B. VargasJorge B. VargasJorge B. Vargas was a lawyer and youth advocate born in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. He graduated valedictorian from Negros Occidental High School in 1909 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911 and a Bachelor of Law degree with honors in 1914, both from the University of the...
- Wartime Head of the Philippine Government, Executive Secretary to Manuel Quezon - Mansueto Velasco, Jr.Mansueto VelascoMansueto "Onyok" Velasco, Jr. is a Filipino boxer from Bago City, Negros Occidental. He competed in the Men's 48 kg category at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and took home the silver medal, the Philippines' only medal of the games...
- Olympic Silver Medalist - Roel VelascoRoel VelascoRoel Velasco is a retired boxer from the Philippines. He competed in the light flyweight division during the late 1980s, early 1990s....
- Olympic Bronze Medalist - Arsenio Yulo- Chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (Philippines)Sugar Regulatory Administration (Philippines)The Philippines' Sugar Regulatory Administration , abbreviated as SRA, is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture responsible for promoting the growth and development of the sugar industry through greater participation of the private sector and to improve the...
- José YuloJose YuloJosé Yulo was the Chief Justice of the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation and was Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1939 until the World War II started in 1941.-Career:...
- Speaker of the House, Wartime Chief Justice