The Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Division is inviting enthusiasts to join the Capitol Culture Hub Guided Walking Tour for free every Thursday to mark National Heritage Month.
This heritage tour is among the activities featured by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for this year’s celebration, themed “Roots and Horizons: Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future.”
“Celebrate the National Heritage Month with a journey through history. Take a meaningful walk through heritage, discover local history, and experience the pride of Negros Occidental,” the Provincial Tourism Division said in its invitation to Negrenses and visitors on Wednesday, May 6.
Through the guided walking tour, participants can explore the rich stories, timeless beauty and cultural significance of the Capitol Lagoon Park and the Capitol Building in Bacolod City.
The provincial capitol building was constructed in 1927 and was completed in 1933 during the American colonial period on land purchased from the Gonzaga Family.
The design was inspired by Daniel Burnham’s Development and Urban Planning and was initiated by renowned Filipino architect Juan Arellano.
At the Capitol Lagoon and Park, the “Lady and the Carabao” is a “Homage to Agriculture” created by Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti using an Art Deco style.
The statue depicts a graceful woman beside a carabao (water buffalo) holding a sugarcane stalk, symbolizing the strength of Negros as the leading sugar producer in the Philippines.
Another iconic sculpture, the “Man and the Beast of Burden,” was created by local sculptor Felix V. Garzon.
The “Paghimud-os” statue is a towering monument located at the east side of the park along Lacson Street. Its name is a Hiligaynon word that means “struggle,” paying tribute to the sacrifices and resilience of the Negrense people.
Also within the Capitol Lagoon and Park is the Negros Victory Day Marker, which stands as a solemn reminder of the province’s role in the liberation of Negros during World War II.
Tours are available for May 7, 14, 21, and 28, with two schedules each day — 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
To secure a slot, register at https://forms.gle/BHBt1nTUKoTKRxmR7. (PNA)