San Diego Pro-Cathedra

Silay City, dubbed the Paris of Negros because of its European architecture inspired houses which had been declared historical landmarks, because of this it is the second museum city in the Philippines next to Vigan. Located in the province of Negros Occidental, it is second class urbanized city and what does Silay have to offer? Silay is Western Visayas' center for arts, culture and ecotourism and might be as close as the province can get to the dazzling streets of Europe because of its well preserved European colonial houses.

Get in

Bacolod-Silay Airport (BCD  ^IATA), is served by the two major airlines of the Philippines and connects Silay and the whole of Negros Occidental with Manila, Cebu and Davao. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, have daily connections. Take a taxi from Silay airport to Silay city proper on arrival. Silay is about 30-45 minutes away from Bacolod by car, and buses also cater to passengers from Bacolod to Silay.

Get around

Balay Negrense in Silay

By taxis

Taxis are the best option for getting around Silay however some of them might offer you a fixed price because of the distance of your destination or either if you're a tourist but if they do offer you a fixed price don't accept it, get out of the taxi as soon as possible and look for another one or either try threatening the driver that you will call the police as fixed prices are illegal, always pay according to the meter and keep a close watch at the meter as some of the drivers might cheat on you. If you plan to give a tip better round off the fare for example if it is 90 pesos better give him 100 pesos and also tell him to keep the change. Flagdown rate for taxis is 30 pesos.

By tricycles

Tricycles are small and often cramped for two people however they're the cheapest mode of transportation for getting around alone.

By jeepneys

The cheapest mode of transportation if you choose not to travel alone, it is the local version of buses. Don't forget to ask for a discount if you're a senior citizen or a student. Flag down rates for jeepneys nationwide is 7 pesos, jeepneys have fixed routes. One can easily go anywhere in Silay by riding a tricycle which cost Php 8.00 per passenger within the city limits only. Riding a jeepney to Bacolod will cost Php 15.00 per passenger and Php 18.00 on aircon shuttles.

See

The main attractions in Silay are the well preserved European houses. Drop off by the tourist info desk near the city hall and get a map of the ancestral homes.

• Bernardino-Ysabel Jalandoni Ancestral House, Rizal St. Besides from European architecture, what special about the house is that it has been turned into a museum and displays an expensive doll collection, as well as century old objects like telephones, chandeliers, etc. [1]
• Manuel Severino Hofilena Ancestral House, Cinco de Noviembre St (Near Balay Negrense). The ancestral house is home to the world's smallest doll, it also displays ancient artifacts from the 15th Century and a collection of Ramon Hofilena. Adults P40, Senior Citizens and youth P20. 
• Balay Negrense - Home of the French descent family; the Gaston family, who helped in experimenting Sugar cane production in the province. After the death of their father; Victor Gaston, the family abandoned the house and fell into ruins but during the 1970s concerned people showed their support and repaired the house. The architecture is a typical example of "Bahay na bato" or House of stone, with American-European colonial influences. Today it is a museum containing antiques.
• San Diego Pro-Cathedral. - The only pro-Cathedral church outside Metro Manila, its birth was in the 1700s, the church was still made of nipa-palm, bamboo and grass, in the 1800s the church was then made into a wood and stone structure, finally in the 1900s the structure was made into what it is now, the architecture; Lucio Bernasconi (an Italian architect) took churches in his native Italy as an influence and model of the church. It was finished on 1927 also inaugurated in the same year.
• Cinco de Noviembre St.
• Silay Public Plaza.
• St. Theresita's Academy.
• Mt. Patag

Do

Painted ceiling at the Silay Catholic church

Eat

• El Ideal Bakeshop, 118 Rizal St. Inside an old Silay building, serves Filipino/international cuisine (try the lumpiang ubod) as well as offering baked goods like piaya, meringue, and barquillos. You can also find the famous Guapple Pie, made of Guavas, the local version of apple pie. 

• Mang Inasal. Also serves its grilled chicken here, and customers who dine on the second floor get an excellent view of some of Silay's heritage architecture. 

Drink

Nationwide the native alcoholic drink "Tuba" is famous, San Miguel Beer is another option. Bought can be easily bought in stores.

Sleep

• Sunburst Bay Resort, Barangay Mambulac, ☏ +63 34-4956611 to 12FORMAT, sunburst@yahoo.com. 

• Silay Pension, Sitio Dacutan Dacu. 

• Christina Pension House, #1 Bonifacio-Locsin Sts., Brgy. V, Silay, ☏ +63 34-495-5096.