Negros Island Region (NIR)

Negros Island Region (NIR)

Basic Facts:

     The Negros Island Region (Filipino: Rehiyon ng Pulo ng Negros; Hiligaynon: Rehiyon sang Isla sang Negros; Cebuano: Rehiyon sa Isla sa Negros; abbreviated as NIR) is the 18th region of the Philippines comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental with the highly urbanized city of Bacolod in the island of Negros.

     The region was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued by President Benigno Aquino III on May 29, 2015.     

Country	Philippines
Island Group	Visayas
Regional Center (Interim)	Bacolod and Dumaguete
Area
• Total	13,350.74 km2(5,154.75 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	4,194,525
• Density	313.59/km2(812.2/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Negrense Negrosanon (local)
Divisions
• Provinces	2
• Highly urbanized city	1
• Component cities	18
• Municipalities	38
• Barangays	1,219
• Districts	11
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
Spoken languages	Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Filipino, English

Places Of Interest:

1. Belfry in Dumaguete

     In the year 1811 when Dumaguete was a place whose inhabitants were always threatened by Muslim marauders in search of slaves, the Bell Tower was then built to forewarn the locals of any incoming danger. It remains to be the oldest bell tower in  the Visayas and is a very famous architectural landmark in the city.

      Located along the main Perdices Street right next to the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral fronting the Rizal Park, it is an imposing stone structure that certainly calls for the attention of many passersby. Because of its antiquity and authenticity it may well look out of place in the midst of the city’s modern day activities. But although it has been restored and given some additions over the years like the garden and grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at its base, it has retained its ancient look right down to the now moss covered exterior walls.

2. Apo Island Marine Sanctuary

     Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is considered to be one of the best dive spots in the world. It is the home of more than two-thirds of the worlds known coral species. Because of the vastness of its marine resources, Apo island has been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982.
     Only a 30-minute "bangka" (small boat in the Philippines) ride from Zamboangita, a town approximately 20Km south of Dumaguete.

3. Silliman University Anthropology Museum

     The museum houses the collection of the university's Cultural Research Center started in 1964. The exhibits are rare and priceless collections of ethnographic and archaeological artifacts which date back from as early as 200 BC.

Products:

1. Sugar Cane

2. Ceramics

3. Mat Weaving

Delicacies:

1. Silvanas in Sans Rival

     An institution that started in Dumaguete in the 1970’s, Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries has churned out countless Sans Rival Cakes and Silvanas that the locals have been indulging and teaching the next generation to appreciate. The Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries shop has taken this and evolved into a local cafe, not also serving rice meals and other confectioneries.

     Silvanas, on the other hand, is its cookie-like counterpart. While not much in terms of layers, all the buttery and cashew nut goodness is sandwiched between some crunchy-chewy meringue. The crunchiness is experienced when the Silvanas are fresh out of the refrigerator, so you can imagine that this treat needs to stay cool.

Silvanas from Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries is also the same Silvanas recipe from the House of Silvanas that is seen all over Metro Manila. It is crazy popular that this particular delicacy has even opened branches in Southern California, USA.

2. BudBud Kabog

     Budbud Kabog is a native delicacy similar to suman (sweet, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves) but made from millet which is a whole grain used to make bread like chapatti and roti. In some Eastern European and African countries, millet is also used in porridge and as baby food. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and is known to be rich in fiber, vitamins and phytochemicals.

3. Piyaya

     Piyaya is a muscovado -filled unleavened flatbread from the Philippines especially common in Negros Occidental where it originated. It is made by filling dough with a mixture of muscovado and glucose syrup. The filled dough is then flattened with a rolling pin, sprinkled with sesame seeds and baked on a griddle.

Literary Works:

1. Sicalac and Sicavay ( A Visayan Creation Myth)
2. Legend of Dumaguete
3. Ang Among Kabantang by Fernando Buyser
4. Aquino-Our Pride translated by Juliet B. Samonte
5. Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citezen, Also Called Pete by Rene Estella Amper
6. The Clay Pipe by Marcel M. Navarra
7. The Chambers of the Sea by Edith L. Tiempo

Visayan Folk Songs

1. Usahay
2. Matud Nila