Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental

History

 

There are several versions how the city derived its name. The first, according to old tales, was attributed to a river flowing directly to the town proper from the main spring in sitio Anahaw, Barangay Nagsaha, hence the name “GUIPADULNGAN” which means the point where the river flows to an end.

The second is associated with the gruesome incident in the 19th Century when the Philippines was a colony of Spain. Men, women and children were said to be captured, beheaded and thrown into the sea, now known as Tañon Strait, by the Moros. Other accounts claim that the Moros dropped a bell into the sea when they found out that it was used by the lookout to warn the townsfolk of their coming. Since that time, the place has been called “GUIHULUGAN” which means, “Place where a thing was dropped”. But in the Spanish writing, “U” and “N” are similar, which is why it became commonly written and known as GUIHULNGAN.

Population/ Language/ Area

 

Total population as of 2010 reached up to 93,675, making it 240 people living within every square kilometer. The people speaks Cebuano as their native language.

Guihulngan City has a total land area of 388.56 km2 (150.02 sq mi), comprising mostly of hills and mountainous places. It also has a body of water where some of the people rely for a living.

Products and Services

 

Guihulngan has large forest lands and vast agricultural areas. Rice, corn, sugar, and coconut are the main products of the city. Fishing is also an important industry especially for the barangays near the coastal areas. The city has a thriving livestock and poultry raising industries.

Business Opportunity

 

Guihulngan has the potential to become an agro-industrial center. Investors can put up commercial farms for the production of high value crops such as malungay and other fruits and vegetables. Small and medium industrial plants for the production of processed foods, furniture, organic fertilizer, feeds, and other consumer goods can become winners in this town.

Festivals and Celebrations

 

  • Cara-Bell Festival – this festival is annually celebrated every 24th day of May. Legend has said that marauding pirates killed the natives of the town and dropped their corpses into the sea. The bell which was also used by the watchman to warn the local residences of the coming of the pirates are coming was also taken down and flung offshore. The site where something dropped (guihulugan) forms the backdrop for spectacular revelry to highlight the town fiesta.