Doting over Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental

It was the perfect easy-like-Sunday-morning kind of joyride that will probably hold me spellbound for some time. En route to San Carlos City where my hosts, Jim and Minnie, along with their son, Migs, were taking me on a quick tour, the panorama that was unfolding before our eyes was captivating to say the least, reminding me of the stunning rarities and serpentine roads leading to Baguio, the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

A breathtaking vista of mountains, valleys, rice terraces and a river

A glimpse of Mt. Mandalagan while passing by Murcia

We had just emerged from a seemingly never-ending expanse of sugarcane fields with Mt. Mandalagan at the background as we passed by the town of Murcia. With cool aplomb, the SUV we were riding began slithering its way along a well-paved zigzag road that overlooks the lush valleys and lofty mountains of Negros Occidental, or Neg Occ, for short. Geez, I was speechless as I gasped in awe at the exhilarating wonders of nature that came into view!

A little over an hour down the road, my hosts told me that we were stopping over every now and then so that I could take pictures of the magnificent scenery up ahead. The photographer in me was thrilled no end! Mind you, the gracious couple had to rearrange their schedules that day so that they could take me on a tour to the northern part of the province—I can’t thank them enough for that!

In minutes, we reached the Lion’s Park View Deck along the highway where Jim pulled over—the perfect spot for capturing the view hundreds of feet below us. Minnie said I should take as many snaps as I can for posterity’s sake. So, armed with my smartphone and digicam, I hopped out of the SUV. Minnie followed me, offering to take my pictures.


Stretched out before us was a breathtaking landscape of verdant mountains blanketed by thick forests, fertile valleys planted with crops, a meandering river and a neat array of rice terraces in one part of the gently sloping terrain. To the right, I saw what looked like a small chapel surrounded by a garden—Padre Pio’s Garden—neatly tucked several meters down below.

Padre Pio's Garden

  

Truly a sight to behold, the picturesque scene is one of the natural treats that had me doting over that part of the province. Snapping out of my trance, I started shooting here, there, and everywhere—wary that I may not have another chance to go back and shoot such mise en scène. Minnie was also busy capturing my every move, telling me to pose once in a while.

Such was the awe-inspiring surprise that greeted me that day—the same wonder of nature awaiting motorists whenever they pass by the serene town named Don Salvador Benedicto a.k.a. DS Benedicto or DSB, for short. Dubbed as the “Summer Capital of Negros Occidental”, DSB is one of the 19 municipalities, along with 13 cities, that make up the sugar-producing province.

Pine trees adorning both sides of a highway in DSB

Perched at 675 m (2,214 ft) above sea level, the town in the highlands, situated 47 km away from Bacolod City, got its name after the province’s late Vice Governor Salvador Benedicto, who played a big role in creating the revolutionary government when Negros Island was occupied by Japanese forces at the height of World War II.

DS Benedicto, which came into being in 1983, was formed by merging the secluded villages of two towns and one city that weren’t given much attention given their distance and inaccessibility. From what I’ve gathered, these included two villages from Murcia (Pandanon and Igmayaan), three from San Carlos City (Kumaliskis, Bunga, and Pinowayan-Prosperidad) and another two from Calatrava (Bagong Silang-Marcelo and Bago-Lalong).

We continued with our sojourn until we reached a portion of the pothole-free highway with huge Norfolk pine trees lining both its sides. Jim again pulled over, giving me another chance to take some photos of the amazing landscape. From where I stood, I saw a nearby forest of evergreens. I walked towards it. Minnie followed me. Again, more pictures with the pine trees as backdrops.

Our last stop was at another view deck overlooking the cigarette-shaped Malatan-og Falls, another must-see in the province. As I stood there, the cold breeze caressed me, giving me the same chills I’ve experienced in Baguio and Tagaytay! I looked at my phone for the temp reading—a shivery 18 °C! No wonder everyone who’s made it to DSB before me was doting over the natural wonders of the “Little Baguio” of Neg Occ!

The cigarette-shaped Malatan-og Falls

I’ve barely scratched DS Benedicto’s surface. If given the chance to go back to Neg Occ, I’d certainly love to explore this amazing town to the hilt! When that time comes, I’d like to go on a trek to Malatan-og Falls; bask in the breathtaking rice terraces; take a bath in the alluring Talos River, explore the organic farm of Rapha Valley; commune with nature at Villa Ica; and much, much more! Geez, I can’t wait to do these stuff in the future! 😍😍😍