Years ago, my excitement of spending my Christmas vacations in my hometown would be ruined by the sight our historic city hall horribly painted green and white that made it look like it was missing some wrapped gifts for it to be mistaken as a Christmas corner (read blog here).
I later wrote about this in my blog in November 2019 when I featured the history of the município in the chapters I wrote about the History of Victorias City (read blog here). I remember when I was kid I sort of enjoyed looking at its ivory-colored walls that gave out red-orange hues when it was struck by the setting sun as the município's orientation was to the northwest. It was a beautiful sight then; nature taking part in beautifying the elegant município. Today, the tall trees in the plaza, and probably a few structures to the west are blocking the last afternoon rays of the sun before it sets for the day.
So, how was its old glory restored?
Fortunately for the city of Victorias and its people, its new mayor, Javier Benitez, listens. And I, for one, am glad he does.
In February 2023, the repainting of the city hall began with the white paint replaced by ivory, and the green replaced with "plum jam"color. That's the official label of the paint. It's like burgundy from afar.
Day by day, week after week, the walls, the columns, the sharp corners, and the statue of an eagle that symbolizes power, freedom, leadership and resilience gradually changed colors.
Since this restoration was bringing back the historical colors of the 1930s município, I chronicled the work and the workers through these photographs.
I am glad that the colors of the old municipio, the one built during the term of Don Felix Montinola with the help of then President Manuel L. Quezon and the people of Victorias during that time, are back. I pay tribute to Raymond and his fellow painters from Bacolod City. Don Felix and the workers who built and painted the município in the 1930s would have been proud.
