REGION 6 Historical Places
REGION 6 Historical Places
REGION 6 Historical Places
Simbahan ng Malinao
IN 1798, IT BECAME A PARISH OF THE PATRONATO OF SAN JOSE UNDER THE DIOCESE OF CEBU,
AND IN 1865, IT BECAME SUBJECT TO THE DIOCESE OF JARO.
THE CURRENT STONE CHURCH WAS BUILT DURING THE REIGN OF FATHER FRANCISCO GAMBOA
JAY889.
IT WAS INTRODUCTED ON APRIL 13, 1889.
DURING WORLD WAR II, 1943-1944, IT BECAME THE JAPANESE CAPITAL.
EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED IN 1948.
1951, SUBJECT TO THE DIOCESE OF CAPIZ.
REPAIRED THE CHURCH FRONT IN 1956, AND THE CAMPANARY IN 1960.
IN 1976, IT BECAME A PART OF THE DIOCESE OF KALIBO.
The Hofilea Ancestral House is the home of the late Manuel Severino Hofilea and his family on
Cinco de Noviembre Street in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Hofilea built the house
for his wife, former Miss Silay Gilda Ledesma Hojilla, and their nine children.
Ramon Hofilea, one of the offspring and heirs, still dwells in this family home and personally
guides visitors who come to see him.
Silay City's stone homes, or bahay na bato, most of which are owned by landed farmers and
sugar barons, are material relics of rich living in the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries, the golden period of Silay and the zenith of the province's sugar business . When the
family retreated to the highlands during World War II, the house was utilized by Japanese
commanders who held meetings there. The house was eventually taken by Americans. The
home was opened to the public in 1962. It was the city's first ancestral house to open. The next
house to open was 30 years later.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) erected a historical plaque at the
Hofilea Ancestral House on April 6, 1993.
The BBC TV series "Far Eastern Cookery," which showcased Ilonggo delicacies, shot part of its
scenes in the Hofilea Ancestral House in 1989. A Canadian film firm also utilized the home as a
backdrop for its documentary about Sugarlandia, which premiered at the 2011 Toronto Film
Festival.
Silliman University
Dr. Horace B. Silliman visited the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions in 1899, convinced that
the Filipino people required a new type of education. To help with this, he gave $10,000 to the
establishment of an industrial school. Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and his wife, Laura, were
commissioned to lead the mission in the Philippines. Pura Blanco, the first female student, was
admitted to the institution in 1912. Two big events in Philippine history intervened on campus: World
War II and martial law. During the height of the conflict, Silliman staff and students were moved to
four locations in Negros Oriental, where they continued to provide professional services. Dr. Betty
Cernol-McCann, the thirteenth and first female President of the United States, took office on June 1,
2018. She has a solid history in Asian higher education and a broad network of higher education
institutions, notably in Asia.
Even the Philippines, which at that time was still recovering from the onslaught of the Spanish-
American War, was not on the immediate list for a Presbyterian mission.
The late Dr. Arthur Carson, third Silliman president, wrote in his book how a man's strong
resolve to help shape Philippine education paved the way for the establishment of Silliman
University.
This man was Dr. Horace B. Silliman, a retired businessman of the town of Cohoes in New York
State.
To support this, he contributed the initial sum of $10,000 toward the founding of an industrial
school.
Among such institutions was Hampton Institute of Virginia, and his proposal to the Presbyterian
Board was for an industrial school in the Philippines on the Hampton model.
The mission in the Philippines started with Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and wife, Laura, who
were commissioned to head it.
Enrollment in the university grew gradually to include students from Asian countries.
This led to the establishment of the "jungle university" in the mountain of Malabo — the first
community school in the Philippines.
In 1972, when martial law was declared, Silliman was one of the first two universities closed.
At the basement of the Silliman University Church, in a room named the Catacombs, the 'secret'
campus rendezvous of students continued.
The rich contribution of Silliman to Philippine history has earned it the distinction of National
Landmark from the National Historical Institute on June 19, 2002.
Growth of Silliman in the early period was greatly attributable to the support of the local
community.
Local families shared in the vision of Dr. Silliman and believed in the educational pursuits of Dr.
and Mrs. Hibbard, and accordingly offered their properties through sale and donation to expand
the campus.
Its thirteenth and first female President, Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann, who assumed the presidency
on June 1, 2018, carries with her a strong background in Asian higher education and a large
network of higher education institutions, particularly in Asia.
Prior to joining Silliman, she served as Vice President for Programs of the United Board for
Christian Higher Education in Asia, a New York-based not-for-profit organization with which
Silliman University has long relations.
Three American presidents and nine Filipino presidents have been instrumental in paving the
way to what Silliman is today and what more it can still become: Dr. David Hibbard (1901-1930),
Dr. Roy Brown (1932-1936), Dr. Arthur Carson (1939-1953), Dr. Leopoldo Ruiz (1953-1961), Dr.
Cicero Calderon (1962-1971), Dr. Quintin Doromal (1973-1982), Justice Venacio Aldecoa (1983-
1986), Dr. Pedro Flores (1987-1989), Dr. Angel Alcala (1991-1992), Dr. Mervyn Misajon (1994-
1996), Dr. Agustin A. Pulido (1996-2006) and Dr. Ben S. Malayang III (2006-2018).
The Magellan Shrine honors Portuguese adventurer Ferdinand Magellan, the first European to set foot
in the Philippines. It is claimed to be the location of his death at the Battle of Mactan. Learn about this
significant period in Philippine history to have a better grasp of the local culture.
The stone platform has a plaque stating the date of Magellan's battle death, April 27, 1521.
The monument itself dates back to 1866 and was erected by Spanish colonial rulers.
Examine the plaque proclaiming "Spanish Glory" and another carving with Magellan's original
Portuguese name.
Visit the nearby statue of his vanquisher, the native chieftain Lapu-Lapu.
It depicts a muscular, long-haired man carrying a sword and shield.
His forces defeated the invading Spanish settlers in the Battle of Mactan.
It is thought Lapu-Lapu was the first native of the Philippines to resist colonization.
Consider Magellan's complex role in the collective psyche of the Filipino people.
Although he is adored by some for bringing Christianity to this predominantly Catholic nation, he
was also a colonizer and enemy defeated by a national hero.
The two monuments are part of the Mactan Shrine that commemorates the conflict.
Admire the large painting of a battle scene in the sea.
Look for the Magellan Marker sculpture that is made from marble and sheds light on the two
heroes.
On the mainland of Cebu, see Magellan's Cross that Magellan set up on the island as he
converted the locals to Christianity.
The shrine contains many paintings decorating the walls and the roof.
Interpret the works of art depicting scenes of the explorer's activities on the island.
See devotees lighting candles at the shrine to honor the Portuguese settler.
The Magellan Shrine is in the Mactan neighborhood on the eastern flank of the tiny island
beside mainland Cebu.
It overlooks Magellan Bay and is about 4 miles (7 kilometers) northeast of the city of Lapu-Lapu.
The Leyte Landing Memorial Park is a memorial in Palo, Leyte, Philippines, commemorating General
Douglas MacArthur's momentous landing in the Leyte Gulf on October 20, 1944, marking the start of
the fight to retake and free the Philippines from Japanese domination.
This event led to the largest naval battle of World War II and Japan's eventual defeat and
surrender after almost three years.
The U.S. campaign plan for Leyte was to secure vital territories in order to establish airfields,
supply dumps, and military facilities that would turn the island into a staging area for operations
against the Japanese.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf happened three days after MacArthur's landing and was a decisive air
and sea battle for the Allied forces as it weakened the Japanese Combined Fleet, and halted the
Japanese's ability to move resources from Southeast Asia to their home island.
The Allied forces took the opportunity to take over the Philippines, thus reinforcing the Allied
forces' control over the Pacific, and marking the loss of Japan's strategic grip on Southeast Asia.
As one of the leaders presiding over the battle, the Allied forces' victory allowed MacArthur to
fulfill his promise of returning to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese after he had been
forced to leave two years prior.
On October 20th, MacArthur's forces landed on Leyte and after four hours of intense fighting
had secured the Red Beach sector.
As a sign of victory, General MacArthur waded ashore to the beach from his boat that had run
aground.
Along with him followed a group of important colleagues, including President-in-exile Sergio
Osmena, Lieutenant-General Richard Sutherland, Brigadier-General Carlos P. Romulo, Major-
General Courtney Whitney, Sergeant Francisco Salveron, and CBS Radio correspondent William
J. Dunn.
Later that day, MacArthur announced on a radio broadcast 'People of the Philippines, I have
returned!'
A photographer named Gaetano Faillace captured the significant moment of MacArthur and his
entourage walking to shore on film.
This photo later became one of the most iconic photographs of World War II.
A monument was erected at the center of the park that features seven bronze statues that
portrayed his landing.
There are also two tablets – one in Filipino and one in English that described the symbolism of
the statue and the reasoning for being positioned there.
Since then, ceremonies would be held every year on the 20th of October to mark the Leyte Gulf
landing and the subsequent Allied victory.
The Fort San Pedro (or Fuerte de San Pedro in Spanish) is a Cebu military defense construction. The
Spaniards erected it under the direction of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first governor of the
Captaincy General of the Philippines. During the Philippine Revolution at the end of the nineteenth
century, the fort was besieged and conquered by Filipino revolutionaries, who utilized it as a fortress.
The Fort San Pedro (or the Fuerte de San Pedro in Spanish) is a military defence structure in
Cebu.
It was built by the Spaniards under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first governor
of Captaincy General of the Philippines.
The original fort built right after the arrival of Legaspi and his expedition was made of wood.
It was then replaced in the 17th century with a stone fort to repel Muslim raiders.
Today's fort was built in 1738.
It is the oldest triangular bastion fort in the country.
It served as the embryo of the very first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
At the end of the 19th century during the Philippine Revolution, the fort was attacked and taken
by the Filipino Revolutionaries who used it as a stronghold.
Fort San Pedro is triangular in shape.
It has two sides facing the sea and the third side is facing the land.
The sides facing the sea were safeguarded with cannon and the front with a strong fence made
with wood.
Its three bastions are named La Concepcion (southwest), Ignacio de Loyola (southeast), and San
Miguel (northeast).
Fourteen cannons were settled in their locations and most of them are still there today.