Central Azucarera de La Carlota

Negros Occidental is known among locomotive enthusiasts as the “Steam Paradise of the Philippines.” The Central Azucarera de La Carlota sugar central in La Carlota maintain these machines in good working condition.

Each milling season, one may occasionally encounter one of these “dragons” creeping along the canefields like a mechanical caterpillar dragging along a host of canefield cars.

Founded over 85 years ago, Central Azucarera de La Carlota, Inc. (CACI) remains at the forefront of the sugar industry. It continues to be a key player in a fast evolving industry fueling the national economy.

Central Azucarera de La Carlota, Inc. traces its history to 1916 when it was estrablished by the Elizalde and Ynchausti families at Hacienda Esperanza in La Carlota, Negros Occidental at the south base of Mt. Kanlaon.

Prior to its establishment, there were already two sugar mills operating in the vicinity : Sta. Teresita and Kanlaon Mills. In 1920, CACI absorbed Sta. Teresita and Kanlaon and began its operations for crop year 1920-21.

Starting with two crushers and nine rolls, CACI expanded in 1925 to three mills. After WWII, it added another three mills in line with its philosophy of growth.

Expansion and modernization continued in the 70's with the installation of the Farrel Mill which increased milling capacity to about 10,000 tons cane per day, enabling CAC to become one of the biggest raw sugar mills in the Far East.

In 1995, Central Azucarera Don Pedro (CADP) under the Roxas Group took over the management of CACI, with substantial investments spent to rehabilitate and improve the mills, boilers, process house and other facilities. CADP is a leading sugar manufacturere with integrated manufacturing operations in Nasugbo, Batangas.

The improvements included the installation of shredder to increase capacity and sugar extraction, continuous vaccum pan, continuous vertical crystallizer and centrifugal equipment to improve boiling house recovery and the upgrading of laboratory facilities to enchance accuracy of sugar analysis and accounting and pollution control facilities.

The initiative resulted in higher milling efficiency and manufacturing recoveries which eventually led to the all-time high production of almost 3.4 milling Lkg bags in Crop Year 2002-2003. As a forward-looking and socially responsible corporation, CACI is gearing for the future with renewed commitment and hope.

CACI is part of and a 100 percent owned coporation of the CADP Group Corporation, a publicly listed sugar investment and management company.

CADP Group was a merget of leaders in the sugar industry - Central Azucarera Don Pedro (CADP) and the former Central Azucarera de La Carlota. The holding company was formed as a result of the corporate reorganization of its parent company, Roxas Holdings, Inc., which aimed to consolidate all the sugar business under the Roxas group.

CADPGC also owns the Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc., integrated milling and refinery complex situated in Nasugbu, Batangas which is the country's second largest sugar refiner. IT is also a substantial partner in a joint venture that acquired Hawaiian Philippines Company, a sugar miller located also in Negros Occidental.

It serves food and beverage manufacturers that product soft drinks, beverages, powdered juice drinks, milk and infant formula products and other processed consumer food. (Central Azucarera de La Carlota)

Masskara Festival

It is Bacolod City's biggest annual event, reflecting the city's love for fun, gaiety and "the sweet life" festivities kick off with food fairs, mask-making contest, brass band competitions, beauty and talent pageants, a windsurfing regatta, drinking and eating contest, trade fairs and exhibits.

When the sugar industry of Negros Occidental dived in the 1980s, economy was in bad shape and people were seriously dislocated. People raised their spirits by encouraging people to smile. The Maskara became the symbol of their unswerving smile.

Held every 3rd weekend of October, the Festival features food fairs, mask-making contests, brass band competitions, beauty pageants, a windsurfing regatta, drinking and eating contests, trade fairs, exhibits and a mardi-gras parade.

The Maskara is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry in Bacolod also known as the City of Smiles which sees teeming crowds of tourist converge in the city for a good time.

The carnival spirit fills the air as the festival climaxes to a Mardi gras parade where revelers don elaborate masks and costumes and dance around the city to Latin rhythms Rio de Janeiro styles.