Negros Tourism: Guintubdan Visitors’ Pavilion & Garden - La Carlota’s Pride (Last Part)

Blessed by nature’s paradise with rich natural resources and cultural heritage is La Carlota’s Pride, the Guintubdan Visitor’s Pavilion & Garden, a tourist attraction and destination of the Philippines. It is also a premier destination of nature trippers and a jump off point to Mt. Kanla-on.

It has a Magical Mountain Retreat cloaked by a canopy of centuries old trees and wide range of flora and fauna which are endemic to the place. Fresh, sweet smell of variety of wild flowers and orchids from botanical garden and ornamental plants. Among these are endangered species like the Negros Bleeding Heart and Visayan Warty Pigs.

From the inner recesses of Mount Kanla-on, a flow of pristine waters feed the streams and rivers going to the sea. Aside from the spring, there are beautiful waterfalls and rivers which are clean and unspoiled by human intrusions. The hum of the swinging trees, sweet twitter of the birds, whisper of the wind and the virgin forest with a captivating beautiful panoramic view in a cool and cozy atmosphere suitable for lovers.

Guintubdan was coined from the word “tubod” which means flowing water. Guin-tubdan means source of water. The abundant flow of sweet water coming out from the many springs.

It was discovered by a group of former Mayor Luis “Nonoy” Jalandoni Jr. as a Camping Site where the First National Boy’s Scout of the Phippines Jamboree was held in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City.

After that the place became the tourist attraction of nature hikers and campers because of its envigorating climate. Cock breeders aficionados began developing the area as a breeding farm for fighting cocks. Now it is the “Home of the Fiercest Fighting Cock Champions” and internationally known cock breeders.

In this city can be found breathtaking Twin Water Falls-Kipot Water Falls (Bu-say Mag-asawa) and a famous falls called by natives as the “Oro Water Falls” (Busay Oro). It was named after the award winning movie “Oro, Plata, Mata which stars actor, director and producer Joel Torre, a Negrense.

The split level structure was conceptualized in the year 1993, contructed in 1994 and was first inaugurated in 1996. It was built in harmony with the topography of the place and it was during the time of Mayor Juancho G. Aguirre that the area was reforested and the Guintubdan Pavilion was built to house foreign and local tourists. Beautiful cottages were also built in the high grounds by prominent families of La Carlota City and Bacolod City.

The newly renovated Guintubdan Visitors Pavilion and Garden started in June 2011 and it was undertaken by the City Engineers Office which include repair, remodeling and repainting of the pavilion, construction of two additional restrooms and other facilities and amenities. Concepts and design were made by the City Planning and Development Office.

The renovation is in line with the priority and long term program of Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer to boost the tourism industry of La Carlota City as come-on for local and foreign tourists. It has also a sentimental and spiritual value in the lives of each and every La Carloteño which every family will enjoy.

Negrosanons and La Car-loteños always say the slogan “Let’s Go, La Carlota!” it’s because La Carlota is dubbed as the “City of Lights and Music” and “Salad Bowl of Negros Occidental”. In this city can be seen remnants of the past like the Old Muscovado Mill, Brick Chimney, Our Lady of Peace Church, Two Decade-Old La Granja Experimental Stations, Model Farms, Number of Old Iron Dinosaurs and Central Azu-carera de la Carlota. It is also the birthplace of three World Boxing Champions Pancho Villa, Small Montano and Little Dado and national fame refugees of revolutionary peasant “Papa Isio”. Businessman Entrepreneur Eduardo Danding Cojuangco’s nursey of flowers, durian, jackfruit, mango and rambutan orchards, mulberry fruits can also be found there.

Corridista Martha Jalando-ni, Spanish poet Adelina Gurrea and international beauty queen Margie Moran Floreindo take off their shoes to enter the spotlessly clean public toilet.

The City won the title of the Cleanest and Greenest Component City and many more awards at present.*