Bago, Negros Occidental

Bago, officially the City of Bago, is a component city located in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is recognized by multiple epithets, including the "Home of Historical and Natural Treasures" for its significant contributions to the history of Negros Occidental and the Philippines, as well as its rich natural landscapes. It is also known as the "Boxing Capital of the Philippines" due to the number of prominent boxers it has produced and is a critical habitat for one of the Philippines' three known populations of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.

Etymology

The name "Bago" is derived from two possible sources. One account, supported by the writings of Spanish historian Diego de Povedano, states that the community was named after a large tree called "bágo" (Gnetum gnemon) under which a native prince named Mapagic died. An alternative version suggests the name originated from the shrub, "bago-bago," which grew abundantly along the riverbanks.

Historical Significance

Bago's recorded history began on September 6, 1571, when it was allotted to Juan Gutiérrez de Cortés as an "encomienda" by Spanish Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. The community's founding is traditionally dated to June 24, 1575, coinciding with the feast of St. John the Baptist, who later became its patron saint. During the Spanish colonial era, Bago endured oppression, leading to a significant revolt on November 5, 1898, where General Juan Anacleto Araneta rallied his people and proclaimed the Republica de Negros, acknowledging the authority of the First Philippine Republic. The city also played a role during World War II, serving as the temporary capital of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from February 27 to March 18, 1942, when President Manuel Quezon and his companions sought refuge there.

Geography and Demographics

Located south of the provincial capital Bacolod, Bago covers a substantial land area and is traversed by the Bago River, the widest in the province, originating from Kanlaon Volcano. The city is politically divided into 24 barangays. Its population predominantly speaks Hiligaynon, with Roman Catholicism being the majority religion.

Modern Recognition

Bago was officially granted cityhood on February 19, 1966. In recent years, it has been recognized for its disaster risk reduction and management efforts, receiving an award at Gawad Kalasag 2018. The city's commitment to preserving its natural heritage is underscored by its role in protecting the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin population.