Historical Background
The historical events that gave birth to this barangay dates back to the 1800’s, during the Spanish era, when Granada was established as a parish by the friars. After the troops of Don Juan Araneta won Negros from the hands of the Spaniards in 1898, this place become a Municipality of Negros Occidental, a carry-over of the parish structure. The president Municipal of the Municipality of Granada in 1901 to 1902 was Aquilino Sausao. However, by circumstances, his descendants later changed their family name to Sause.
In 1902, under the American Rule, Jose Ruiz de Luzuriaga, a native of Negros Occidental who has then a member of the Philippine Commission, recommended the restructuring of Negros Occidental. According to him, this was necessary because the finances of the province could no longer support all the towns which were totally dependent on the subsidy of the provincial government. He recommended the merging of more populous areas.
On April 2, 1902, by the virtue of the Commission Act 716, the Municipality of Granada, along with 13 others including Sum-ag, was reduced into a barrio. Both Granada and Sum-ag were annexed to Bacolod. Alangilan, Estefania and Vista Alegre were formerly part of Granada.
The following served as the Barangay Head then and present:
1. BASILIO LABRADOR
2. BASILISO VILLANUEVA
3. REYMUNDO ALUNAN
4. PACIFICO HECHANOVA
5. BENEDICTO TANIQUE
6. LUCADIO VILLALUZ
7. MELECIO QUIACHON
8. MARTINIANO GENSOLI
9. ESCOLASTICO SAYSON
10. JOSE BALLESTEROS SR.
11. VICENTE MAKILING
12. FLAVIANO HECHANOVA
13. PEDRO AGUILAR SR.
14. JOSE SAYSON SR.
15. GODOFREDO TOLECO
16. COSTUDIO DELIG SR.
17. MARIO VILLANUEVA JR.
18. RAFAEL ALUNAN, SR.
19. ATTY. DINDO C. RAMOS
20. SALVACION P. SOMBILLA
21. ALFREDO P. TALIMODAO, JR.
Present area
Currently, the land area of modern Sum-ag is significantly smaller than the original town. Alangilan, Vista Alegra and Estefania were constituent territories carved our from Granada, leaving it as the most rural barangay of Granada.
Granada is home to some prominent business like San Miguel Brewery and a reservoir of the Bacolod City Water District, supplying a fraction of the city's water supply. Granada Public Cemetery also boasts of being the oldest continuously-used cemetery in Bacolod City, dating back to its inception as a town.
Educational
Emiliano Lizares National High School School and Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School serves the primary needs of the community, along with Generoso Villanueva, Sr. National High School. The La Salle Brothers supervises the Fr. Gratian Murray, AFSC Integrated School a charity, co-educational institution named after a former La Salle Brother and priest, operating adjunct with the Bacolod Boy's Home. While the sole tertiary institution is Maranatha Bible Baptist College, a Baptist seminary run by Maranatha Baptist Church.
Tourism
Sta. Fe Resort, a pre-war private rest house instituted as a resort in 1950, is found in Granada and is considered the oldest resort in Bacolod. It houses a zoo, olympic pool, shooting range and cabanas for overnight stays, with a reception hall for private events. The Bantug-owned Bantug Lake Ranch is partly-situated in the area, along with Brgy. Alangilan, surrounded by an artificial lake that once served as a reservoir for the family's farm.
Demographics
Being the former main parish of Bacolod, Granada residents are predominantly Roman Catholic, served by the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church. It also has a strong Baptist presence, with a seminary situated in the outskirts. Iglesia ni Cristo, a Mormon mission and other groups like the maintains a significant congregation in the area.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granada,_Bacolod
