 During World War II, Bacolod City was occupied by the Japanese forces in May 21, 1942 under the command of Lieutenant General Takeshi Kono, the Japanese commanding officer of the 77th Infantry Brigade, 102nd Division.The House of Don Mariano Ramos, being the tallest building in the city, was seized by the Japanese, and used it as the watchtower over the city.His family was forced to retreat at the Municipal of Murcia, where they spent most of their time during the war era.