EVERY place has a story waiting to be told. In the early 1970s, an island northwest of Panay captured the imagination of backpackers from around the world with its powdery white sand beaches.That story was Boracay.In Central Visayas, another island became famous for more than a thousand hills that turn chocolate brown during summer. That was the story of the Chocolate Hills.Travelers visit such places not only to admire their natural beauty, but also to discover the stories that shaped them.Escalante City has a different story — one marked by tragedy, resilience, and hope.On the eve of the Martial Law anniversary on Sept. 20, 1985, thousands of Negrenses joined the Welgang Bayan on the streets of Escalante to demand fair wages, better working conditions, and an end to human rights abuses committed by military and paramilitary forces in the region. The protest ended in bloodshed when government forces opened fire with high-powered rifles and machine guns, leaving 20 people dead and 24 others wounded.The incident became known as the Escalante Massacre.It later emerged as one of the defining moments in the struggle against authoritarian rule, galvanizing activists and ordinary citizens in their call for democratic reform. Just five months later, the People Power Revolution at EDSA brought an end to the dictatorship.A place once called ManlambusLong before it became a symbol of resistance, Escalante was known as Manlambus, a Visayan word meaning “to strike with a club.” The name referred to the abundance of fish in its coastal waters, where early settlers reportedly caught them using wooden clubs, or “lambus.”Archaeological findings by anthropologists from Silliman University indicate that the area was already inhabited as early as the 12th century by settlers engaged in trade and commerce with neighboring regions.On Nov. 28, 1856, Escalante and Saravia (now Enrique B. Magalona) were separated from the town of Silay and established as independent municipalities. The seat of government was placed in Nueva Sevilla, now Barangay Old Poblacion. Father Cipriano Navarro, the first Spanish missionary assigned to the area, renamed Manlambus to Escalante after his hometown in Spain.By the 1870s, Escalante had become an important link between Cebu and Negros through the establishment of postal and later telegraphic routes between the two islands.In 1958, the municipal government transferred to its present site in Barangay Balintawak to accommodate the growing population. In 2001, Escalante City was officially converted into a component city of Negros Occidental through Republic Act 9014.Getting thereEscalante is approximately 90 kilometers (km) from Bacolod, the provincial capital.By car, the drive takes about two hours via the Bacolod–Negros Occidental Economic Highway, passing through Silay, Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz, and Sagay.From Manila, travelers can fly to Bacolod-Silay Airport, then take a van or tricycle to Silay and connect to a bus bound for Escalante.From Cebu City, Ceres buses depart from the North Bus Terminal, traveling via Tabuelan before crossing by ferry directly to Escalante Port.Old PoblacionBarangay Old Poblacion is where much of Escalante’s history comes alive.At its center stands the original municipal building, constructed in the 1930s and now converted into a museum showcasing the city’s cultural heritage.Across from it is the Old Public Plaza, which still retains its original bandstand and skating rink built in 1935. The entrance is marked by the historic municipal portal erected in 1955, sharing the same design period as the Rizal Monument at the center of the plaza.Nearby are the ruins of the original St. Francis of Assisi Church Ruins. Built in 1860, the church was later damaged by natural calamities. A new church and museum now stand beside the ruins, preserving documents, artifacts, and photographs related to the parish’s history.Eat, pray, relaxBordering the rich waters of the Tañon Strait, Escalante is known for its fresh seafood.One of the best ways to enjoy it is to buy fish and shellfish from the local market and bring them to the floating cottages while island-hopping among the sandbars off Old Poblacion.Another must-try is Escalante’s famous Pan Bisaya, a wood-fired bread filled with sweetened shredded coconut, or bukayo.For a peaceful retreat, visit the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, built by Carmelite priests in 1963.Nature lovers can hike Mt. Lunay or explore the Kalanggaman Bat and Bird Sanctuary.Monuments of peace and progressEscalante has transformed its painful history into enduring symbols of remembrance and hope.The Three Fists Monument in Barangay Balintawak honors those who lost their lives during the Escalante Massacre. More than a memorial, it stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom and justice.At the city plaza stands “Tubo ng Pagkakaisa,” a sculpture by artist Stephen C. Francisco symbolizing the unity of Escalante’s people in times of crisis and change.More recently, the city inaugurated its modern government center known as the Pentagon. Designed as a cluster of buildings arranged in a pentagonal layout, the complex represents balance, unity, and progress.Today, Escalante stands as a testament to the resilience of its people — a community that has risen from the shadows of its past to build a future defined by peace, freedom, and hope.
