Bacong, Negros Oriental: Smallest Town With Big Surprises

Bacong may be the smallest town of the province but it has a lot to offer.  First off, the church of San Agustin has the tallest belfry in Oriental Negros and has the oldest main altar with gold-leafing.  And inside the church is a pipe organ from Zaragoza, Spain which was installed in 1898 shortly before the revolution against Spain broke out in Oriental Negros.  It is said that the only pipe organ of similar origin is found in Bohol.  And it’s THE pipe organ that I saw in Baclayon Church last year, sadly it’s not working anymore. L  Another kilig-factor of the church is that it’s one of the 26 colonial churches selected for restoration by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.  And San Agustin makes 3…that leaves 23 more colonial churches for Pigafetta (that’s moi!) to see. J

Bacong also has its share of history as it is the birthplace of Oriental Negros’ hero and only Katipunero – General Pantaleon Villegas, aka Leon Kilat, whose birthday is celebrated every July 27.