TO CONTINUE our listing of recommended books and other historical publications started some 50 years ago when Negros Occidental Historical Council Inc. (NOHCI) was created by the provincial government, we will briefly share today in summary the latest fact book publication which we are recommending to various researchers and other readers interested in the history of the Province of Negros Occidental.
This book was published by the NOHCI in June 2006. In brief, the writers of the publication were led by the authors with the assistance of the Negros Occidental Historical Council Board and the editorial staff volunteers.
While this historical publication is not comprehensive in much detail, as far as the NOHCI Board is informed, this book is the most comprehensive coverage of Negros Occidental history from pre-Spanish times to the Spanish colonial period (1521-1898) followed by the American colonial administration (1899-1946) and finally the brief but tragic Japanese occupation (1941-45).
The last half of this publication included the general overview of notable historical events which included the post-World War II liberation period including the brief presentation of the different cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.
This fact book was drafted by the NOHCI Board during the administration of the late Governor Joseph G. Marañon and to quote his brief message, he sent his greetings and commendations to the NOHCI Board for drafting this publication which was useful as a basic research reference together with other related efforts for the provincial government to enhance historical and cultural promotions in the province.
Governor Marañon added that his administration was encouraging the NOHCI as well as other civil society organizations in the province to cooperate in the effort to work for the cultural and historical promotion as these values serve to strengthen the basic foundations of the socio-economic development of Negros Occidental.
The NOHCI Board of Directors at that time included: the chairman, Msgr. John Liu; this writer as the executive director; Asuncion Belzunce - director treasurer; and directors -- Teodoro Benedicto, Emolyn Corteza, Monsignor Guillermo Gaston, Rolando Espina, and Jhay Montelibano.
As envisioned by the NOHCI Board, this research writing project is another joint effort of the NOHCI and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in line with their common purpose in promoting the values of history and cultural consciousness for the welfare of the people of the province.
More particularly, this publication was drafted in response to the interest of the many researchers in Negros and other provinces in the country including foreign visitors who have research concerns provided by this publication.
Considering the need to limit the length of the materials consolidated in this book, the editorial staff decided to limit the materials in this compilation of the more notable historical periods which have been the main focus of researchers over the past years.
The editorial staff especially extended thanks and appreciation for the bulk of the references and other content provided by the earlier historical publication, “Negros Occidental between Two Foreign Powers,” written by Maria Fe Hernaez Romero which was also sponsored by the NOHCI with the support of the Provincial Government.
The NOHCI hopes that this publication together with other documents assisted by the provincial government will further serve the interest of various researchers in the province and country as well as visitors from abroad on the values of Negros Occidental history and culture.