Building the future without erasing the past
Some places we visit, and some we carry with us. For me, Bacolod City is one of those places.
I found myself thinking about it again when I saw the MassKara masks appearing in anticipation of another October celebration. MassKara 2026 will run from October 1 to 18, filling the City of Smiles with color, music and the warmth that I have come to associate with Bacolod.
I have been fortunate to visit Bacolod and other parts of the Negros Island Region over the past two years, largely because of my good friend, architect Cris Laino, and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) events hosted by the Bacolod City Chapter.
What began as professional visits became something more personal. Between meetings, I discovered the streets, the food, the art, the old houses and, perhaps most memorably, the people.
Negrense hospitality
There is something about Negrense hospitality that stays with you.
Of course, one cannot speak of Bacolod without speaking of food. Chicken inasal, piaya, sweets and the many flavors of Negrense cooking are expressions of place and memory.
But beyond the table, I discovered another kind of richness: the region’s extraordinary artistic and architectural heritage.
Walking through the historic streets of Bacolod and Silay, I was struck by how the heritage houses continue to tell stories. They speak of families, industry and communities that shaped Negros. They are more than beautiful structures; they are reminders of a cultural landscape that could easily have disappeared.
It is remarkable that Silay also gave the Philippines one of its greatest architects, National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin. His work showed that modern architecture could be distinctly Filipino without simply copying the past.
Growth and identity
This is what I find most compelling about Bacolod: development does not necessarily have to erase culture.
The city is growing, with new buildings, commercial centers and investments changing its landscape. Yet from what I have seen, growth and identity can coexist. There remains an appreciation for heritage, open spaces, greenery and the character of established neighborhoods.
For me, this is an important lesson in sustainability. Sustainable cities are not simply about efficient buildings or greener transport. They are also about understanding what is worth carrying forward.
Heritage, public spaces, local food, artists, communities and relationships are part of a city’s sustainability. Development becomes meaningful when it creates opportunities for the future without requiring us to erase the past.
Sustainability
That spirit extends beyond architecture. The Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation, established in Bacolod in 2010, has supported disadvantaged communities through programs in child nutrition, education and sustainable livelihoods. It is a reminder that sustainability is ultimately about people.
And perhaps that is why I long to return. I miss the heritage houses, the artists, the food and the streets. But most of all, I miss the friendships and the people who made those visits memorable.
For those in Metro Manila who want a taste of Negros, the 40th Negros Trade Fair, “Butlak,” will be held at SMX Convention Center Aura from September 22 to 27, bringing together Negrense food, crafts, fashion, furniture and other local products. It is more than a marketplace; it is a glimpse of the creativity and stories of the region.
Old and new
Perhaps that is what Bacolod teaches me. A city is not defined only by how much it builds, but by what it chooses to preserve, share and care for.
As Bacolod continues to grow, I hope it remains a place where the old and the new can stand together, where heritage and contemporary architecture can coexist, and where progress does not come at the cost of identity.
Because perhaps the real challenge of sustainable development is not simply building a better future. It is building that future without erasing the past.
The author is a LEED Fellow, ASEAN Architect, UAP Fellow, and educator with over 25 years of professional practice in architecture and sustainability
