Historia de Bais City

 By :   Maria Montenegro Faith Eighty years ago, today, on December 13, 1945, a U.S. military plane took off from an airstrip outside of Dumaguete (on the island of Negros in the Philippines) carrying members of the U.S. 13th AF Squadron along with 19 civilians, including my grandfather, Jose Antonio Montenegro, my great-grandmother, Asuncion Abad Martinez, my grandfather’s sister, Maria Antonia Morro, and her baby girl, Christina Morro. Though it was a violation of U.S. regulations to be carrying civilian passengers, this was the era before commercial air travel between Negros and Manila and there had been four years of brutal hostilities.   According to the accident investigation report filed by the U.S. military nine months later when the wreckage was finally found, weather conditions had been poor and the plane was overloaded with passengers and cargo. During the ascent, the plane suffered engine failure and tragically crashed into Mt. Madalagan, 600 feet f...

  A Legacy Rooted in Honor: The Life and Legacy of Don Juan Montenegro y  Vera of Bais, Negros Oriental  By : Prof. Penn T.Larena ,MPA,MA In the rich and storied landscape of Negros Oriental’s history, few names carry the weight of tradition, leadership, and legacy like that of Don Juan Montenegro y Vera . A man of heritage and vision, he stood at the crossroads of colonial legacy and Filipino self-governance in the early 20th century, steering the province with dignity and foresight during a transformative era.  He is the son of Don Joaquin Brabo Montenegro, married to Luciana Vera, was born into a prominent and influential family in Bais City. The Montenegro family was well-known for their wealth from their haciendas, as well as their dedication to civic involvement and public service. During the transformative years of the American Occupation in the Philippines, Don Juan Montenegro emerged as one of the most respected Filipino leaders in Negros Oriental . Appoi...