Historia de Bais City

Spanish Oct 1895  

Bais City is the largest producer of raw sugar in Negros Oriental. There are two sugar mills in the city. The Central Azucarera de Bais was established by Tabacalera of Spain in the early 1900s and is one of the oldest in the country. The other mill, URSUMCO (Universal Robina Sugar Milling Corporation) was formerly UPSUMCO (United Planters Milling Corporation) and constructed in the mid '70s by Marubeni Corporation of Japan as a project of Ignacio Montenegro (also of Spanish roots). [ edit ] Geography There are two bays in the area, hence the name "Bais". The shore line is mostly mangroves , which are in danger of destruction due to the increasing population. The richness of marine life in the bays is because of these mangroves. Bais City's bays are widely known to have one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the area. The Pelarta river runs beside the city center. There is, however, a dispute that the name Bais was taken after the eels locally called "Bais...

 The literary and cultural history of Bais City, Negros Oriental, is deeply rooted in the fertile soil of its vast sugarcane plantations, its historic coastal bay, and the shifting dynamics of its prominent pioneering families. Far from being merely an economic engine driven by the sugar boom, Bais developed a rich, reflective intellectual life. Local literature emerged as an essential canvas for preserving ancestral history, asserting local identity, and processing the profound transitions from a 19th-century feudal landscape to a modern chartered city. Through poetry, historiography, drama, and local cultural leadership, the literary legacy of Bais is defined by a distinct group of writers, poets, and historians who captured the "simple old-world charm" and complex human stories of the Baisanons . The Pioneers & Historiographers The foundation of Bais City’s literary consciousness began with a deep obligation to document its roots, pioneering families, and political his...

 Baisanon lady daughter of one of our local Heroes in Negros Oriental  Ambrosio B. Somoza

  Emplaz Paulio-Violeta , a distinguished Baisanon visual artist who has become a vital cultural bridge between Negros Oriental and the international art community. Born and raised in Bais City , Teacher Emplaz (as she is affectionately known) represents the "soul" of Baisanon creativity, blending her roles as an educator, a cultural worker, and a prolific painter. Profile: Emplaz Paulio-Violeta Hometown: Bais City, Negros Oriental Current Role: International Art Teacher at Mandalay International Science Academy (Myanmar) Primary Medium: Painting (Oil, Acrylic, and Mixed Media) A Legacy of Education and Community Before her international tenure, Emplaz was a cornerstone of the Department of Education in Bais City, serving as a MAPEH Teacher at Bais City Special Science Elementary School . Her impact on the youth of Bais is most visible through her Annual Summer Art Workshops . For years, these workshops have been a rite of passage for "Baisanon Kids," fostering t...

  DOÑA BRIGIDA GOMEZ y GONZALEZ Mestiza Española Doña Brigada Gomez y Gonzales was the daughter of Español Peninsular Don Bruno Gomez natural de la Anaya, Provincia de Salamanca and Mestiza Español Ramona Ramos Gonzalez. Doña Bridiga Gonzalez Gomez was first married to Don Diego Garcia Baena y Gil. Upon the death of Don Diego Baena, she was married to Don Queterio Pileo Abilla. She was laid to rest at Bais Roman Catholic Cemetery

  The grave of Español Peninsular DON CLEMENTE DIAGO Y GIL (Natural de Fuedejalon, Provincia de Zaragosa, España) and wife/esposa Insulares DOÑA VICENTA GONZALEZ Y VDA. DE DIAGO.

  This celebration of life honors Marina Carino Maturan, a woman who was a shining light to all who knew her. From the Montesa Clan of Bais City, Tita Marina was a woman of deep faith and a pillar in her community. Juan Luna St. Bais City relatives A beloved teacher, she shaped countless young minds, instilling in them not just knowledge, but also kindness and integrity. Her classroom was a place of warmth and encouragement, where every student felt seen and valued. As a community leader, Tita Marina dedicated herself to making a positive impact. She was tireless in her efforts to serve others, and her compassion and strong sense of purpose made her a trusted and respected figure. To her cousins, she was a wonderful cousin, sharing laughter and memories, and always offering support and wisdom. Her presence brightened every family gathering. Above all, she was the best mother, raising her children Cresyl ,Anelyn and Christie with unwavering love, strength, and grace. Her legacy live...

  Dance Researcher: Josefa Baena Villanueva Perez 1980 Duration: Approximately 10 minutes Music: Rondalla or Solo Guitar Setting: Bais City, Negros Oriental Cultural Context: The "Kuratsa de Negros," as meticulously researched and documented by Josefa Villanuevas Perez, is a vibrant interpretation of the traditional Filipino courtship dance, the Kuratsa, specifically tailored to the unique cultural tapestry of Bais City, Negros Oriental. This particular rendition beautifully blends the spirited Mexican influence, evident in the dance's lively tempo and flirtatious movements, with the subtle nuances and traditions indigenous to the Baisanon community. It serves as a captivating portrayal of the intricate dance of affection and pursuit between a man and a woman, reflecting the social graces and romantic aspirations of the locale. Dance Description: The "Kuratsa de Negros" is typically performed by a pair of dancers, a man and a woman, engaging in a charming ...

  "Gen. Sergio Lopez Sinco" who was a Filipino general. He was the son of Don Escolastico G. Sinco and Saturnina Lopez of Iloilo. He served during the Philippine Revolution and later during the Philippine-American War. He assumed command of the La Libertad revolutionary forces and joined the group of Don Diego de la Viña in 1898. He also assumed command of the Bais revolutionary forces.

                     Baena and Alcala Family  "Tracing my roots in Bais City and Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, this celebrates my nephew, Gean Gabriel Baena Alcala. A proud alumnus of the University of Limerick, Ireland, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with First Class Honours (Summa Cum Laude). He was one of only three students to receive a medal for his final year thesis on Laparoscopy on Hernia Repair. We are incredibly proud of his outstanding achievement."

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...