If there is one thing about the multi-billion township developments of Megaworld Corporation around the Philippines, is that it doesn’t fail to pay homage to the heritage, history, and culture of the place. Recently, they unveiled The Upper East House Historic Gallery in Bacolod City, an event that coincided with the city’s celebration of the MassKara Festival 2023. The gallery is a nod to the glory days of the old ‘White Mansion’ inside the Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company complex, which is now the location of Bacolod’s modern central business district.

First Lady Liza Marcos Unveils The Upper East Historic Gallery

Located inside its 34-hectare The Upper East township, Megaworld continues to celebrate one of the most distinguished icons of the former Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company (BMMC). It recently unveiled The Upper East House Historic Gallery, graced by no less than First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, whose father used to be connected with BMMC.

The gallery showcases a variety of photos and memorabilia that pay tribute to the Executive Guesthouse that once stood inside the sprawling former BMMC complex where The Upper East now stands today. The story of this iconic structure was eventually brought back to life through Megaworld’s The Upper East House, the company’s three-story Township and Information Center in Bacolod.

The First Lady was joined by Kevin L. Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI), Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, CEO of Megaworld, and Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez.

The Upper East House Historic Gallery Collection

Among the historic items that form part of the gallery include photos of some of the hacienderos of Negros, who are acknowledged as BMMC founders.

Also in the gallery are old photos of the Sugar Central from the early 1900s, as well as the original BMMC Executive Guesthouse, which hosted some elegant gatherings participated by people who figured prominently in the rise of the sugar industry in Bacolod. There’s also a photo of the century-old Murcia train, which was used to transport sugar canes from the plantations all the way to the sugar central back in the day.

Occupying a prominent space in the gallery is a preserved portion of one of the windows of the original guesthouse.

The historic gallery is the latest addition to Megaworld’s The Upper East, a sprawling township development that continues to take shape as Bacolod’s modern and iconic central business district.

What to Expect from Megaworld in Bacolod City

Just before the colorful MassKara Festival 2023 unfolded, Megaworld announced its fifth residential condominium development inside The Upper East–the 26-storey, two-tower Kensington Sky Garden. This new development is envisioned to be another iconic landmark that will redefine Bacolod’s growing skyline, as both towers will feature illuminated crowns that dazzle at night. Kensington Sky Garden will offer 643 ‘smart home’ units and will rise at the corner of Upper East Avenue and Bentley Street. It will just be across the newly-opened Landers Superstore Bacolod.

In addition, Megaworld will soon begin constructing the 12-story Kingsford Hotel Bacolod under Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the country’s largest owner and operator of 100% Filipino homegrown hotel brands. Offering almost 300 room keys, it is poised to become Bacolod’s biggest and most iconic hotel to date. It boasts the most number of spacious suites in the city, including a Presidential Suite. It will also feature a huge ballroom that can accommodate up to 700 people, as well as Bacolod’s first-ever Executive Lounge facility for VIP guests.

Meanwhile, Megaworld will also begin construction next year for the Upper East Mall to be operated by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. Featuring a gross floor area of 24,200 square meters, the mall will have state-of-the-art cinemas, top-notch retail outlets, and restaurants. Moreover, it will be directly connected to Landers Bacolod via a walkalator.

Over at Northill Gateway along the Bacolod-Silay Access Road, Megaworld recently unveiled the redesigned master plan for its 2.4-hectare retail and commercial development, Northill Parade. Inspired by the free-standing retail development concept in the United States, Northill Parade will be home to standout international shopping and dining brands. Among these are five (5) first-in-Bacolod casual dining brands from The Bistro Group: namely, Denny’s, TGI Friday’s, Randy’s Donuts, Texas Roadhouse, and Olive Garden.