Travel Log: Bacolod City

...the city of smiles

Probably one of the most popular and highly progressive municipalities in Negros Occidental, Bacolod is aptly called the 'City of Smiles' because of its friendly and vibrant people.

HOW TO GET THERE...

By Air
Bacolod City is 45 minutes by air from Manila and 30 minutes by air from Cebu plus approximately 20 minutes of travel by land since the new airport is now located in Silay City.

By Sea
The Port of Bacolod is a major seaport and has daily ferry trips to Iloilo City. There are also access routes to Puerto Princesa City, Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City. By boat, Bacolod City is 18 hours from the Port of Manila and 1 hour from the Port of Iloilo.

By Land
By land-RORO-land, Bacolod City is approximately 3 hours from Iloilo City via Dumangas route. By land-ferry-land, it is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes from Cebu City via Toledo City-San Carlos City- Salvador Benedicto route. By land-RORO-land, it is approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes from Cebu City via Tabuelan-Escalante City route.

WHAT TO EAT...

Fresh lumpia is a delicately wrapped spring roll with vegetables, shrimp, and pork. Other delicacies you shouldn't miss are inasal piyaya and pinasugbo. If you want to try these and more just visit any of the restaurants they have in the list below. To sample the local cuisine, visit Bob's, Ting-Ting's, Quan, Jo's Chicken Inato, Imay's, and Aboy's.

WHAT TO SEE...

Mambukal Resort - Is the favorite destination of nature lovers, and the passage of time has only made it more attractive to new travelers. It is great for hiking and trekking, as the path will take you directly to Mount Kanlaon. The resort is also near some waterfalls and sulfur springs.

The Capitol Building - Any visitor to the site will take note of its design, which is strikingly different from the other historical buildings, as it is heavily influenced by Neo Classical architecture. During the war, the building was used by the Japanese Imperial Army as their base of operations.

Museum Negrense de La Salle - The only school-based museum in Bacolod City that was born out of a dream to preserve vital documents, photographs, cultural artifacts and the history of Negros.

Bacolod Plaza Bandstand and Gazebo - Right at the center of Bacolod Public Plaza, the bandstand was constructed in 1927 to complement the weekend cultural activities of the early Bacoleños, Names of world-famous composers like Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner circle the sides of the roofing, attesting to the early Bacolodnon's familiarity with European culture.

WHAT TO DO...

Masskara Festival - This is the most famous festival in Bacolod City. It is described as a thousand smiles per minute and is derived from two foreign terms. "Mass" is derived from an English word which means many while "Kara" comes from the Spanish term which means face. Translating it literally, the festival means many faces. While participants wear their masks, you could see the different faces of the people. It is a masquerade ball and beaming images of smiling masks street dancing and stomping to the frenzied beat of Latin sambas; depicts the Negrenses happy disposition despite adversities in life. This event is held every October.

The Panaad Festival - The Panaad sa Negros is a special fiesta held from April 14 to 21 in Bacolod City, and is meant to embody the spirit of the province. The Panaad Festival is a celebration of the festive nature of the Negrense, and commences with a mass, which is followed by banner and displays of every town and city. A fireworks show is also part of the festivities and a showcase of the finest delicacies of the province.

For more information, check out www.travelgrove.com, www.bacolodboard.com or www.experiencephilippines.ph