Escalante City

Escalante City was first populated by Negritos or Aetas that are living in the mountains because they were driven away by the Malayans that later occupied the plain part of the city.

Escalante city was not really rich with the pre-Hispanic history archeological findings. Escalante city before was also inhabited by some traders such as Chinese traders who could have brought the jars, celadon pieces, and stone wares during the Ages of Contacts and Trade with the East.

Escalante City was 95 kilometers away from the Nergros Island province capital, Bacolod City. The city was located on the Northeastern tip of Negros Occidental, facing the big island of Cebu City. It is also 49 kilometers from San Carlos City and it is bounded on the north and west by the city of Sagay, on the south by the town of Toboso and on the east by Tanon Strait. On February 28, 2001 Is the signing of City Charter and its subsequent ratification on March 31, 2001 solidified to make Escalante city is an official as one of the cities of Negros Occidental.

The wide variety of plants in the coastal environment of Escalante City is one of the richest in Negros Occidental. Its coasts include two surviving ecosystems: the mangrove, consisting of trees and shrubs that occupy the landward portion of its coastal areas. The marine waters of Escalante City are generally warm throughout the year, except for early mornings of the cool months of December, January and February.

Festivals

Manlambus Festival manifests the joys and sense of thanksgiving for all the blessings of abundance it has received through the years. The festival dance appeals to all ages, as movements are simple, easy and expressive. It is a wholesome form of entertainment. The compelling rhythm of the drumbeats, the expressive movement and vigorous actions of the dancers make it attractive to spectators.

Famous Landmarks

St. Francis of Assisi Church Ruins was built as part of the mission of the Augustinian Recollects in the late 19th century in the pueblo of Escalante (now Old Poblacion) when the parish separated from Silay in 1860. The church ruins are classified as historical structure by virtue of NHI Resolution No. 3, series of October 22, 1991.

A 1930-built Old Municipal Building, now turned into a City Museum, houses two galleries, Archaeological and Ethnographic, containing collections from the 21 barangays. It has a mini library with around 900 book holdings.

In between the City Museum and Gabaldon Building is the Plaza Complex consisting of Municipal Portal and Rizal Monument built in September 15, 1955, a bandstand and a skating rink constructed in September 28, 1935, with a drinking fountain erected in October 3, 1953.

As a “significant and irreplaceable historical and cultural heritage from the country’s American colonial past”, this 1912 building stood witness to the educational development of this part of the island. Linkages had been made through National Historic Institute (NHI) and Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) for a call to rehabilitate the two existing decrepit Gabaldon Buildings located at Brgy. Langub and Brgy. Old Poblacion. Those with deep sense of history will find this very interesting.

Located in Sitio Urbasa, Brgy. Mabini are quiet places suited for religious pilgrimage and frequented by the devotees and those with deep religious fervor. On the hilltop are gardens and religious images where one can seek solace and commune with God or nature.

Bonista Beach Resort in Brgy. Buenavista is 15 kilometers away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is an ideal place to unwind with its clean white sand beach and unique swimming pool. It has a restaurant and karaoke bar.

Jomabo Paradise Island and Beach Resort in Bag-ong Banwa Island, 6 miles away from the city. This white sand island resort offers challenging water sports like wind surfing, scuba diving, water bicycle, torpaulin jump, banana boat ride and leisure fishing.

Caving in Escalante challenges high spirited adventure seekers. Stalactites and stalagmites in all forms and sizes, cave pearls and diamond rays are imbedded in more than 50 caves.

Northwind Beach Resort has native cottages ideal for day excursionists.

Mt. Lunay also called Mt. Solitaire is about 308 meters above sea level. A trek to the mountain is a challenging experience.