San Carlos, Philippines

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San Carlos, Philippines

Region: Negros Occidental

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Geographic Coordinates: 10.492900, 123.410000

Climate: Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.

Population: 132650

Language: Tagalog

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San Carlos is a bustling city located in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is situated on the northern coast of Negros Island and is known for its beautiful beaches, Rich history, And vibrant culture. The city has a population of around 140, 000 people and covers an area of approximately 451 square kilometers. San Carlos has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The wet season runs from June to November while the dry season lasts from December to May. One of the main attractions in San Carlos is its stunning beaches.

The most popular one is Punta Bulata Beach Resort which offers crystal clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Another must-visit beach is Palampas Beach which boasts fine white sand and picturesque views. Aside from its natural beauty, San Carlos also has a rich history that dates back to pre-colonial times. Visitors can learn about the city’s past by visiting historical landmarks such as Fort San Juan de la Cruz which was built by Spanish colonizers in 1602 to protect against pirate attacks. San Carlos also has a vibrant cultural scene with various festivals held throughout the year.

One of these festivals is Kali-Kalihan which celebrates the city’s fishing industry through street dancing competitions and seafood feasts. In terms of economy, San Carlos’ main industries include agriculture (sugarcane production), Fishing, Tourism, And manufacturing (electronics). The city also recently became known for its renewable energy initiatives with several wind turbines installed in nearby areas generating power for both local consumption and exportation. Overall, San Carlos offers visitors an excellent mix of natural beauty, History, Culture, And economic development making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking adventure or relaxation alike.’

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1. Sipaway Island – a stunning island off the coast of San Carlos that boasts beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.
2. Tinuy-an Falls – a three-tiered waterfall located in Barangay Borboanan that is often referred to as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines.
3. Mabua Pebble Beach – an exceptional beach made up entirely of smooth pebbles instead of sand.
4. Bolinao Cave – a natural cave system situated near Barangay Codcod featuring stalactites and stalagmites.
5. Mt. Kanlaon National Park – a protected area covering over 24,000 hectares that includes Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano.
6. Gawahon Eco-Park – an eco-park positioned in Barangay Prosperidad offering hiking trails through lush forests and scenic views.
7. Don Salvador Benedicto Wind Farm – a wind farm located on top of rolling hills with panoramic views overlooking Negros Island.
8. The Ruins – Located at Talisay City which is 30 minutes drive from San Carlos City where you can witness one of Negros Occidental’s most iconic landmarks – The Ruins mansion which was built by sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his Portuguese wife Maria Braga in memory after her death during childbirth.
9. Bacolod Public Plaza- A historical landmark situated at downtown Bacolod where you can find various shops selling local products such as souvenirs or pasalubong (gifts).

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1. Agriculture – San Carlos is renowned for its agricultural production of sugarcane, rice, and corn.
2. Renewable Energy – The city houses numerous renewable energy projects such as wind farms and solar power plants.
3. Manufacturing – There are manufacturing companies in San Carlos that produce steel products and other industrial materials.
4. Tourism – The city has several tourist attractions such as beaches, hot springs resorts, and historical landmarks.
5. Education – San Carlos has a number of schools and universities that cater to local students as well as international students.
6. Healthcare – The city has hospitals and medical clinics that provide healthcare services to residents and visitors alike.
7. Retail industry – Various retail stores in the city offer different items like clothing, groceries etc., for purchase by people.
8. Transportation – The transportation industry is thriving in the city with buses plying different routes around the region while tricycles serve as a means of transportation within the locality itself.

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1. The establishment of San Carlos as a town in 1960.
2. The construction of the San Carlos City Hall and Public Market in 1965.
3. The opening of the University of San Carlos – North Campus in 1977.
4. The appointment of former Mayor Julier Resuello as Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice in 2016.
5. The election of former Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. as congressman for the First District of Negros Occidental in 2019.
6. The establishment and growth of various industries such as sugar cane farming, fishing, and manufacturing.
7. Notable people from San Carlos include: Gerardo Valmayor Jr., Julier Resuello, Nicanor Tiongson (writer), and Lino Brocka (film director).

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1. San Carlos City Museum: This museum features exhibits and artifacts that showcase the history and culture of San Carlos.
2. Sipaway Island: A beautiful island located off the coast of San Carlos, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach.
3. Fort San Pedro: A historic fort built during the Spanish colonial era that served as a military defense against pirates and invaders.
4. Tinabuay Festival: An annual festival held in San Carlos that celebrates the city’s rich cultural heritage through music, dance, food, and other festivities.
5. Malatan-og Falls: A stunning waterfall located in nearby Valencia town that is a popular spot for hiking and picnicking.
6. Mount Kanlaon National Park: A protected area that includes Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano with hiking trails and scenic views.
7. Negros Museum: Located in Bacolod City (about an hour’s drive from San Carlos), this museum showcases the art, culture, and history of Negros Island.
8. The Ruins: Also located in Bacolod City is this iconic mansion ruins turned tourist attraction known for its romantic ambiance especially at night time when it is lit up with lights around it creating a picturesque scene.
9. Balay ni Tana Dicang Heritage House – One of the oldest houses found in Negros Occidental showcasing how people lived during olden times
10. Bagacay Point Lighthouse – A lighthouse built during Spanish colonial times which still stands until today as a historical landmark

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1. Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a cultural celebration that takes place in June. It aims to showcase the rich heritage of San Carlos and Negros Occidental through street dances, parades, traditional games, and other cultural activities.
2. Buglasan Festival is an annual week-long event held in October to promote the best of Negros Oriental’s culture and tourism industry. The festival includes street dancing competitions, beauty pageants, food fairs, and other exciting events.
3. Sinulog de San Carlos is a religious festival held every January as a tribute to Sto. Niño (Child Jesus). The festival features colorful processions, street dancing competitions, and other religious activities.
4. Karansa Festival is an August dance festival that celebrates St. Nicholas de Tolentino’s feast day with a street dance competition featuring dancers in vibrant costumes.
5. Kawayan Festival promotes environmental awareness by promoting bamboo as an alternative resource for sustainable development in San Carlos City and nearby areas.
6. Rondalla Festival showcases local musicians playing traditional Filipino string instruments like banduria or laud among others.
7. Sarok Festival gives thanks for bountiful harvests during summer season where farmers display their produce through parade floats decorated with agricultural products.
8. Feast Day Celebration honors each barangay’s patron saint annually through mass celebrations followed by parades showcasing local traditions such as Ati-atihan or Higantes festivals among others.

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• Inasal na Manok – grilled chicken marinated in a mixture of vinegar, calamansi juice, garlic, and other spices.
• Kakanin – traditional Filipino rice cakes made from glutinous rice and coconut milk.
• Pancit Molo – a soup dish made with dumplings filled with ground pork or shrimp.
• Lechon Baboy – roasted pig served as a centerpiece during special occasions and celebrations.
• Adobo – a stew made from chicken or pork marinated in soy sauce and vinegar.

Some popular restaurants in San Carlos that serve these dishes include:

1. RML Restaurant – known for their affordable Filipino dishes such as Pork Sinigang and Grilled Chicken Inasal
2. Kusina ni Nanay – serves authentic Filipino home-cooked meals such as Adobo Flakes and Kare-Kare
3. Sizzling Plate – specializes in sizzling dishes like Sizzling Pork Sisig and Beef Salpicao
4. L’ Fisher Hotel’s Cafe Leonora – offers an extensive selection of local delicacies including Pancit Molo, Chicken Inasal, Lechon Kawali among others
5. Jollibee San Carlos – the famous fast-food chain that serves classic Pinoy favorites like Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti

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1. San Carlos City Plaza is a public park situated in the heart of the city, offering visitors a playground, fountain and gazebo to relax and enjoy.
2. Panaad Park and Stadium is a sports complex with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, soccer fields, basketball courts and tennis courts for sports enthusiasts.
3. San Carlos Eco-Park is an eco-tourism destination that provides hiking trails, bird watching areas and camping facilities for nature lovers.
4. La Fortuna Nature Park is a nature reserve featuring waterfalls, natural pools for swimming or fishing and picnic areas perfect for family outings.
5. Campuestohan Highland Resort offers adventure seekers ziplines, rope courses, horseback riding trails and more to get their adrenaline pumping.
6. The Negros Forests & Ecological Foundation Inc (NFEFI) serves as a wildlife sanctuary home to various endangered species of flora & fauna like Philippine spotted deer (Spelaphus cebuensis), Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons), Rufous-headed hornbill (Aceros waldeni) etc
7. Bantug Lake Ranch provides horseback riding activities at their ranch resort for those who love horses or want to try something new.
8. Mt Kanlaon Natural Park is a protected area featuring hiking trails with scenic views of the mountain range ideal for hikers seeking breathtaking views while exercising.
9. Bulawan Falls located in Barangay Codcod boasts clear blue waters perfect for swimming or lounging around enjoying nature’s beauty making it an excellent spot to unwind from city life.
10. San Carlos Golf Club offers golfers 18-holes of play on their course located in Barangay Rizal providing them with the opportunity to practice their swing while taking in stunning scenery surrounding them.

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