It's More Fun in Sipalay City
Sipalay City is located south of Negros Occidental. The name Sipalay was coined from the words “sipalay,” which means there is rice. During the Spanish era, Chinese merchants came to barter their wares with staple food, particularly rice, which was commonly called by the settlers as “paray.” Due to the difficulty of pronouncing the letter “R,” it was the changed to “palay” and later on called as SIPALAY.
Under the leadership of Basilio Debuyan, the village slowly took its form. Houses were constructed in rows of newly-built roads. A church and a plaza were likewise constructed. Debuyan became the first Cabeza under Capitan Mayor at Isio, about 52 kilometers north. The happy and prosperous condition of the community was short-lived. The Canman-og River , later changed to Naga River and presently called Sipalay River brought havoc and destruction through flood and inundation. Little by little, the place was swallowed up until the church and the plaza were likewise carried away by the flood. The people decided to transfer the place to a flat land across the river to the north. The selected area was a forestland. The former site is now known as Sipalay Diotay. It stands today, a sentimental reminder of a once happy and prosperous village.
The original inhabitants of the place were the “tumandoks,” perhaps with Malay or Bornean roots. Immigrants from Panay Island joined them later. These were families who ventured out to the sea to escape the oppressive Spanish feudal system and found a new home in the paradise that is today Sipalay.
Sipalay is also known for its rich in Minerals, specifically Copper and Gold. Agriculture and Fishing industries only come second. Now, the City is in full thrust in promoting the City’s Tourism, which can make a spread effect on its community by increasing employment for every Sipalaynons.
Population/ Language/ Area
Sipalay has a total land area is 379.78 km2 (146.63 sq mi.), with a coastline stretching some 45 kilometers long along its western side. Its population as determined by the 2010 Census was 67,403. This represented 2.81% of the total population of Negros Occidental province, or 0.93% of the overall population of the Western Visayas region. The people speaks Hiligaynon as their native language. There are also lots of natives who can speak English and Tagalog.
Sipalay is politically subdivided into 17 barangays, five of which comprise the poblacion area or the urban core of the City (Barangays 1 to 5). Surrounding the poblacion are the barangays of Nauhang, Gil Montilla, Mambaroto and Maricalum while the barangays of Cabadiangan, Camindangan, Manlucahoc and Nabulao form the hilly to mountainous outskirts. At the northwestern side of the City are the barangays of Cartagena and Canturay, which are traversed by the national road leading to Bacolod . The last barangay at the southwestern portion is Cayhagan, which is linked to the southernmost municipality of Hinobaan via the national road. Barangay San Jose, commonly referred to as the mining town, lies at the upper portion of Gil Montilla east of Canturay and Cartagena.
The City of Sipalay is the second to the southernmost town in the province of Negros Occidental . It is bounded by the municipalities of Cauayan in the north, Hinobaan in the south, and Candoni in the east. To its west is the Sulu Sea. The city lies approximately 178 kilometers from the provincial capital of Bacolod City and can be reached via the national road from Bacolod to Hinobaan within 3 to 4 hours.
Tourist Spots
- Sugar Beach – formerly called Langub Beach is a long stretch of sugary light brown sand with pristine blue waters. There are high quality standard resorts in this fine stretch of sand. They are the Taka-Tuka Beach and Diving Resort, Bermuda Beach Resort, Driftwood Village Resort, Sulu Sunset Resort and Langub Beach Resort. Sugar Beach is a 20-minute boat ride from the town proper.
- Tinagong Dagat – is a hidden sea surrounded by islets and green hills. Underneath are corals naturally-formed like fish cages.
- Punta Ballo Beach - found on the other side of Sugar Beach. This place boasts of first class diving resorts like Artistic Diving and Beach Resort and Easy Diving Resort. Nataasan Beach Resort and Robinson Beach Resort are also found in this side. This area is blessed with white sand and cool blue waters.Festivals and Celebrations
- Pasaway sa Sipalay – The festival name was coined from the word “SAWAY,” which means copper is celebrated every 20th December, marking the highlight of the Handuraw Festival. It features street dancing with costumes accentuated by copper and gold. Dancers dance along the street with upbeat music and perform in the arena for the final judging. This event shows how creative and talented Sipalaynons are.
- Handurawan Festival – an annual fiesta, held every December 18-20, to commemorate the official declaration of Sipalay as a town in 1948. This celebration, coupled with the yuletide season, provide Sipalaynons and visitors a time to enjoy.
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