It was way back in October 2006 when I visited some cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental in search of old churches and cemeteries that I stumbled this one in Bago City, a Spanish colonial era cemetery that still retained its original entrance arch, portions of its perimeter fence and some interesting tombs inside.

The town of Bago was founded by Augustinian Fray Geronimo Marin on the Feast of St. John the Baptist, 24 June, 1575. It was only in 1800 that it became an independent town. By then, it was already administered by the Augustinian Recollects, like much of Negros and Siquijor.

I still have to do research on when this cemetery was built and by whom but like the one in FB Magalona (formerly Saravia), the cemetery arch and perimeter fence pillars are made of bricks while the fence is made of mamposteria. I have not seen any chapel within the area. The arch itself has no visible inscriptions, like a year or even other bas relief decors. Some of the perimeter fence pillars seem to have been added with bricks.

There are brick niches directly behind the fence adjacent to the entrance arch. Around the cemetery are a couple of art deco sepulchers, one with ornate scallop shell motif with an interesting well designed tombstone. There’s also an ornate marble monument bearing the name of a prominent person.

The entrance arch of Bago City’s old Catholic cemetery built during the Spanish era. The base has coral stones.

Entrance arch showing perimeter fence pillars

Back of the entrance arch

Detail of perimeter fence

Colonial era niches of bricks

Colonial era niche, unpainted bricks

An art deco style sepulcher

Ornate monument towering over the area

Detail of the monument dedicated to a prominent person

Beautiful design of tombstone

Art deco shell motif of sepulcher

Grave of a fallen WWII soldier