November 5, 1898- marks Bacolod and Negros Island’s liberation from Spanish occupation. Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta are household names in the province’s rich history. Both generals were responsible for the island’s liberation, making the Spaniards admission of defeat with only knives, bolos and lifelike replicas of firearms and cannons on carts. The end of the Spanish occupation was the beginning of American colonization which began Bacolod’s firm growth and economic prosperity.
As the city grew and started to mold itself into becoming the capital of Negros Occidental, two of the busiest streets in the city were named after the generals, Lacson and Araneta. Both main thoroughfares connecting the north and south, starting out as non-concrete streets lined with vintage houses and establishments that slowly grew to becoming Bacolod’s main downtown and uptown roads.
The sugar industry boom was the city’s life-blood transforming Bacolod into modern city of style and luxury to cater to the sugar barons lavish lifestyles. The Provincial Capitol Building reflected the province’s status as the wealthiest at that time due to the boost in the sugar industry, regarded as one of the most beautiful landmarks in the country. The 60’s and 70’s was an era where both streets saw significant infrusture development. The towering 7-storey Philippine National Bank structure along Lacson Street stood as the highest building in Negros for over three decades. The first Coca-Cola plant also rose along the fabled street along with multiple commercial buidlings to serve the thriving local economy.
Araneta Street also provided the southside with landmarks which had historical value and contribution to Bacolod’s growth. The old Bacolod City Domestic Airport was the premier gateway to the city while Sugarland Hotel offered a luxurious hacienda-style ambiance to tourists and locals alike and it has been serving Bacolod since they opened doors in 1973. The Sugar Regulatory Administration Buidling is one of the few national government offices with headquarters in the city with the sole purpose of promoting growth and development for the sugar industry. However, in the ealry 80’s with the quota decrease of US imports of Philippine sugar, fluctuating global prices, and the monopolization of the Marcos administration, the sugar industry fell, ending a bittersweet era of Negros sugar boom.
The city’s resilience to bounce back from the hardships of the 80’s saw the birth of the Masskara Festival, which was meant to uplift the people’s spirit. Slowly, Bacolod begun to see new opportunites and investments coming in. Lacson Street not only became a busy road for the city but transformed into a business strip for startup companies and national players looking to invest in the city. Robinsons Place Bacolod became the shopping destination of Bacolodnons in the mid-90s, the very first McDonalds that used to have one of the largest Playplace in the Philippines and had a happy meal museum that exhibits toys from around the world. During this time L’Fisher Hotel became the most modern and elegent hotel in the city along with countless restuarants and business that lined up Lacson St.
Fastfoward to the present and both streets are still at the forefront of investments and development in the city. BPO centers, condominiums towers and modern mixed-used high rise towers can be seen sprouting along the two most busiest streets in the city.
The Lacson and Araneta streets have greatly contributed to the development of Bacolod City, connecting the north and south, swaggering numerous landmarks which still stand today, and allowing business enterprises to rise and flourish. Since the growth of Bacolod was imminent, advertising was a must for national business players. Steel Art Billboards have been serving the city for more than 20 years bringing Bacolodnons their daily update of what’s next and keeping the community well-informed. Now with over 50 billboards within the city especially in Lacson and Araneta, your message will surely be delivered to the people of Bacolod. Years past and these two streets have stood the test of time watching the city grow and change to what it is today; filled with high- rise condominiums, shopping malls, coffee shops and restaurants and a few ancestral sites that still balances the urban vibe with its vintage charm. A heartwarming welcome awaits those who visit the city with the expanse of what Lacson and Araneta streets have to offer.
