12/09/2026
Modesto Palacios Sa-onoy (July 4, 1938 โ September 10, 2026) โ was born in La Castellana, Negros Occidental. He was a distinguished historian, journalist, educator, and civil servant, widely regarded as the foremost chronicler of Negros Occidentalโs history and heritage.
As Historian
- Authored 14 major books, including the definitive A History of Negros Occidental (1992, 2003), A Glance at Bacolod (1998), Against the Rising Sun: Guerrilla War in Negros Island 1941โ1945 (2011), and Church on a Hill: History of the Diocese of Bacolod (2008).
- Served as President of the Philippine Historical Association and Director of the Philippine National Historical Society, and was founding chair of the Negros Historical Foundation, preserving local heritage and archives.
- His works remain the primary reference for students, researchers, and institutions studying Negrosโ political, economic, cultural, and ecclesiastical history.
-he also authored the Sa-onoy Clan Genealogy (Modesto Sa-onoy was the second cousin of the father of Dr. Patricio H. Estoya Jr.).
As Journalist
- Co-founder of Visayan Daily Star; also established Today News and Views, which became SunStar Bacolod.
- Wrote the long-running column โTight Ropeโ, analyzing history, politics, and society; served two terms as President of the Negros Press Club (1982โ83; 1989โ90).
- Honored as Stalwart of the Negros Press Club and received the Media Lifetime Achievement Award.
As Civil Servant & Educator
- Served in government and consultancy roles; taught at La Consolacion College Bacolod (BA, MA) and contributed to cultural and historical preservation programs of the province and diocese.
- Key awards: Ang Banwahanon Award (Bacolod Cityโs highest honor, 2001), Outstanding Negrosanon (2015), and the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Pope St. Sylvester (Commander rank, 2008) from Pope Benedict XVI for his writings on Church history.
Legacy
Modesto P. Sa-onoy dedicated his life to documenting the story of Negros Occidental โ from its sugar economy and revolutionary past to its war history, church heritage, and cultural identity. His works saved from oblivion the memories, people, and events that shaped the province, earning him recognition as the memory keeper of Negros.
He passed away on September 10, 2026, at age 88, leaving behind a body of work that remains indispensable to Philippine local history.