San Sebastian Cathedral: The Seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod

The San Sebastian Cathedral is a late 19th-century Roman Catholic church in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod.

I went here at 10:10 a.m. on August 29m 2013 with my old office mates, Chenie and Lindsay. This was during my first time in Negros Occidental, the 24th province on my list.

San Sebastian Cathedral

Understand

The San Sebastian Cathedral was built as a small chapel in 1876, upon the initiative of Bishop Mariano Cuartero from coral stones of Guimaras Island and became a cathedral in 1933. At 137 years, it is one of the oldest churches found in the province of Negros Occidental.

It is described as “a church in a hill” in the book of the same title by Modesto Sa-onoy. The hill or the bakulod was the reason why its called as such by the Spanish Recollects who established the church.

Inside San Sebastian Cathedral

NHCP Marker

The cathedral is considered as a national treasure by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). A historical marker was placed in the cathedral with the following words:

Cathedral of Bacolod
Originally a church founded by Bishop Mariano Cuartero, O.P. Cornerstorne laid, 27 April 1876. Inaugurated, 20 January 1882. Fray Mauricio Ferrero, first Parish Priest. Became a Cathedral, 23 June 1933. Repaired and improved, 1936, by Msgr. Casimiro M. Lladoc, D.D., first Bishop, 1933-1951.

Patron saint

The church is named in honor of its patron saint, Saint Sebastian (known in the Philippines as San Sebastian).

How to get to San Sebastian Cathedral

San Sebastian Cathedral is located in downtown Bacolod City.

From Bacolod-Silay International Airport, ride a tricycle going to downtown Silay City and then take either a jeepney or a bus going to Bacolod City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Rizal Street in downtown and walk your way to the church.