HUBIN Magazine No. 2 | Page 169

Probably one of Silay’s best kept secrets, the Old Port of Silay or pantalan in the local dialect was once the longest wharf in Asia. This grand structure can be seen stretching out into the horizon from a little known barangay called Mambulac which is a five minute drive from the city center. The old port was once the gateway for international commerce into Negros Occidental. Its 1.7 kilometer wharf allowing large galleons to dock off of the so called ‘Paris of Negros’ and bring in foreign performers & imported goods to Silay which was considered to be the hub of art and culture in Negros at that time. old port of silay Now, the ruins of the old port stand as an eternal reminder of a blissful yet by-gone era. Luckily, these local kids still make use of the old port as a place for them to play, fly kites and fish during the idle summer months. A little warning though, the streets leading to the beachfront of the old port are a bit narrow, muddy and sometimes filled with trash. But aside from that, the locals are very friendly and are used to local adventurers who want to spend a moment in awe in front of this landmark.