Ramon Hofileña, father of heritage conservation in Silay City, dies at 87

Ramon Hofileña explains the art pieces in his house to guests. (Photo courtesy of Ronnie Baldonado)

BACOLOD CITY — Ramon Hofileña, the father of heritage conservation in Silay City, Negros Occidental, passed away Thursday, July 29. He was 87.

Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said the Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledges Hofileña’s great contribution to heritage preservation and cultural tourism, especially in his beloved hometown in Silay.

“A trip to this heritage city would not be complete without a visit to the Hofileña Ancestral House where visitors used to be toured by sir Mon himself. The Annual Cultural Tour of Negros that he organized for 40 years instilled pride of place for Negrenses,” she said.

“We salute him for sharing his time and talent for the promotion of Filipino art, culture, and heritage”, she said.

Silay City Mayor Mark Golez said Hofileña had been awarded the “Tourism Lifetime Achievement Plaque” by the DOT for his excellent contribution to the tourism industry.

“A collector of more than 1,000 pieces of art, from paintings to antiques, sculptures, and engravings.  He was a man with a passion for the arts, culture, and history—an expert in his domain,” Golez said.

Hofileña first opened his family’s ancestral house to visitors in 1962, the 1st Heritage House in Silay City to be opened to both foreign and local tourists.

Since his return from the United States in the 1970s, he has been involved in a life-long campaign to restore and protect our Negrense Cultural Heritage.  He also spearheaded the Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental (ACTNO), the longest-running cultural tour in the world.

“We truly lost a legend here in Silay City… He is an inspiration to many and his legacy will surely remain forever,” Golez said.

Negros Occidental Board Member Ryan Gamboa said Hofileña was one of the pioneer founders of the Silay Heritage Foundation that advocated the preservation and cultivation of arts and culture in the City.

Hofileña also saved the houses of the Silay Heritage Zone from destruction due to road widening in the ’70s and the ’80s.