BAIS CITY POLITICAL HISTORY

 Prof. Penn T. Villanueva Larena ,MPA,DPA candidate Negros Historian Guillermo Zosimo Teves Villanueva, born on April 4, 1893, in Bais, Oriental Negros, was a prominent Filipino legislator and public servant. He received his education from Silliman Institute ( Silliman University), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. He pursued further studies in law at the University of Michigan, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1913, and later took postgraduate MASTERS OF  law courses at the University of Wisconsin.  Villanueva began his political career as a municipal councilor of Bais in 1920 and was elected as the representative of the first district of Oriental Negros in 1922. He was reelected in 1925, 1928, and 1931. As a legislator in the Tenth Philippine Legislature, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Public Works, and External Relations, and was a member of various committees, including Public Instruction, Ways and Means, Rules, Bank...

By : Bais City Historian Prof. Penn T. Larena ,CPS,MPA,DPA  The railway system in Bais City played a crucial role in the development of the local sugar industry, facilitating the efficient transportation of sugarcane from the farms to the sugar mills. The early railway network was established alongside the rise of the Central Azucarera de Bais, one of the pioneering sugar mills in Negros Oriental, which began operations at the outset of the 20th century.  Early Steam-Powered Operations In the initial years, steam locomotives were the primary mode of transport for hauling sugarcane to the mill site. One of the most notable steam engines was Engine Number 7, built by "The Baldwin Locomotive Works" of Philadelphia. Steam-powered railway transport was widely adopted during the early 1900s, as most sugar centrals in Negros relied on this technology. By the early 1920s, the sugar centrals expanded their railway networks, connecting various haciendas in Bais, Tanjay, and P...

 

  The Life of Gemma Minda Laxina Iso By: Sir Penn T. Larena, MPA, KGOR, DSM Early Life Gemma Minda Laxina Iso was born in Dumaguete City and raised in the picturesque City of Bais, Negros Oriental, where the lush landscapes and vibrant culture of the region shaped her formative years.   Her first dream was to become a soldier believing that fighting for her country is the best way to show her love. Then at the tender age of five, as she discovered during a trip passing by the Provincial Jail, that people can be jailed even when not guilty, all because they couldn’t afford a good lawyer. There and then, she began dreaming of becoming a defense lawyer. With that dream, she began watching detective stories and courtroom dramas on TV (since she couldn’t read yet). Growing up, she devoured novels and books, not knowing that the reading habit she developed will help her become the writer that she is at present. Although she was inclined toward the arts, she never thought o...

By : Prof. Penn T. Larena The Pinili Clan in Negros Oriental has a rich history of public service, involvement in politics, success in business, and contributions to the agriculture and sugar industry. Their story is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the development of their community and the province as a whole. Family Historian Penn T. Larena,Hanover Leonor,Merzoh Cadiz,Bais City Vice Mayor Merci Goni and Tita Pamela B. Teves The origins of the Pinili Clan can be traced back several generations, beginning with their patriarch, Don Antonio Pinili. He was a prominent figure in Negros Oriental during the early 18th century, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for public service. Don Antonio Pinili ventured into the sugar industry and established successful rice & sugar plantations in the Southern Negros, which laid the foundation for the family's involvement in agriculture. In the realm of public service, the Pinili Clan made significant contribu...

  Beneath the silent stone I stand With heart heavy, in this solemn land Before me lies the tomb of my kin Their legacy a reminder of what has been I feel the weight of the past upon my soul As memories and stories come to unfold Of love that bloomed and tragedy that struck Of family ties that were broken and stuck The whispers of betrayal echo through time As secrets that were kept, slowly unwind But through the pain, their love still shines In the faces of descendants, who still carry their lines The past may be buried, but their spirits remain Reminding us of what we have gained Inheritors of a legacy, that we must carry on For the sake of our ancestors, whose light has shone So I stand here, with tears in my eyes Honoring the lives that came before mine Grateful for the lessons they've left behind And the hope that their love will forever bind. Villanueva Private Cemetery Talungon Bais City  A poem from  Baisanon and Negrosanon Poet  Penn T. Larena  in 2000 ...