BACOLOD CITY – One of the oldest towns in Negros Occidental known for bird watching activities, spectacular sunset, beaches, and seafood – Himamaylan City joins Masskara Festival, celebrates Himamaylan Day in the City of Smiles.
Organic red and black rice varieties, to organic mushrooms, food and pastries, native crafts, and local Pitik Kawayan souvenirs, different products of the City were showcased in the event.
Artworks showing Himamaylan in different interpretations using the power of colors made by the students under Special Program for the Arts of Himamaylan National High School were also exhibited, together with photographs from the annual Himamay-an Festival.
Different talents from singing to folk and tribal dancing and drum beating of Himamaylanons were also showcased.
Himamaylan Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson, Jr. believes that opening the celebration to a different “sister” City is an opportunity to show to others the capabilities of Himamaylan and what it can offer.
Tongson considers Himamaylan as a “blessing” to him and his people and this blessing, he emphasized, has to be nurtured continually.
Also present in the event is Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer bringing with him a promise that the provincial government will continually support the City of Himamaylan.
Together with Tongson is Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao and the City Council.
The City’s name “Himamaylan” which was originally spelled as “Jimamaylan” or “Jimamailan” was derived from “Hay Hima Y Babaylan” which means “there is fatigue and fanaticism in the town” – a commentary of Spaniards which indicates that the pueblo was the seat of radical activities.
The town was “organized” in 1748 making it one of the oldest towns in Negros Occidental.
The 31st day of March marks the conversion of the municipality to a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 9028.
It is located 82 kilometers south of Bacolod, in the middle of the Municipality of Binalbagan and the City of Kabankalan.
On its eastern part is the Municipality of Tayasan in Negros Oriental and the Gulf of Panay in the opposite.
Today, the City in the south of Negros, a City rich in history, culture, arts, products, and talents, continues to rise.
