Bacolod, Philippines
Region: Negros Occidental
Geographic Coordinates: 10.676500, 122.951000
Temperature Range: 24.0°C to 33.0°C (75°F to 91°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
Population: 600783
Language: Filipino
Bacolod is a picturesque city situated in the western region of Negros Island in the Philippines. The place is renowned as the City of Smiles because of its friendly and hospitable people who always welcome visitors with a smile. Bacolod boasts of its rich cultural heritage, Which reflects on its architecture, Festivals, And cuisine. The Ruins is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bacolod. It was built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson to honor his wife Maria Braga’s memory. The mansion now stands as an iconic landmark that draws tourists from all over the world.
Visitors can explore The Ruins and learn about its history while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding gardens. Another must-visit attraction in Bacolod is MassKara Festival that takes place every October. This colorful festival celebrates Bacolod’s resilience and optimism despite facing challenges such as natural disasters and economic hardships. During MassKara Festival, Locals wear elaborate masks adorned with vibrant colors and dance through the streets to lively music.
Bacolod’s food scene is also something not to be missed, Particularly their famous chicken inasal – grilled chicken marinated in vinegar, Calamansi juice, Garlic, Ginger, Lemongrass, And annatto oil – which can be found at many local restaurants like Aida’s Chicken or Manokan Country. For nature lovers or outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure activities nearby there are several options available including Mambukal Mountain Resort where you can trek up to see seven waterfalls or visit Campuestohan Highland Resort where you can enjoy zip lining across lush greenery while taking in stunning views from above.
If you’re interested in learning more about Bacolod’s history and culture then head over to Negros Museum where exhibits showcase various aspects including art pieces depicting life during Spanish colonial times; costumes worn during MassKara Festival; and artifacts from ancient times. Bacolod offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget. From luxury hotels like L’Fisher Hotel and Seda Capitol Central to budget-friendly guesthouses like Ong Bun Pension House, Visitors can easily find a place to stay that suits their needs. Overall, Bacolod is an exciting city with something for everyone.
Whether you’re interested in history, Culture, Food or nature trips – there’s plenty to discover in this charming city. With its friendly locals and welcoming atmosphere, It’s no surprise why Bacolod is known as the City of Smiles.’
- The Ruins is a popular tourist destination that showcases the remains of a mansion built in the early 1900s.
- San Sebastian Cathedral is a historic church located in the heart of Bacolod City.
- Campuestohan Highland Resort is an amusement park and resort that offers various activities such as zip-lining, horseback riding, and swimming.
- Negros Museum showcases the history, culture, and art of Negros Island.
- Mambukal Mountain Resort is a nature park with hot springs, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
- Bacolod Public Plaza is a public square that serves as a venue for various events and gatherings.
- Panaad Stadium is home to one of the biggest sports events in Negros Occidental – the Panaad Festival held annually during summer season.
- Balay ni Tana Dicang Museum showcases antique furniture and memorabilia from olden times.
- Bacolod City New Government Center (NGC) is a modern government building with landscaped gardens.
- Bacolod is known as the Sugar Capital of the Philippines and has many sugar plantations and mills.
- The city has a thriving food processing industry, with companies specializing in meat, seafood, and baked goods.
- Bacolod has become a hub for IT outsourcing services with several BPO companies operating in the city.
- Tourism is popular due to Bacolod’s rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches. The city has hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses.
- Manufacturing includes textiles, furniture-making, ceramics production and handicrafts.
- Retail sector is thriving with malls like SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Robinsons Place Mall among others which houses both local and international brands.
- Real estate market continues to grow with more condominiums being constructed by developers such as Megaworld Corporation, Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., among others.
- Education plays an important role in the economy of the city with several universities like University of St.La Salle, La Consolation College-Bacolod among others.
- The Negros Revolution – In 1898, the Negros Revolution broke out in Bacolod, marking the end of Spanish colonial rule in the region.
- Manuel Roxas – A prominent political figure and the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines, Roxas was born in Capiz but grew up in Bacolod.
- Sugar Industry – Bacolod is known as the Sugar Capital of the Philippines due to its thriving sugar industry that has been a major economic driver for decades.
- MassKara Festival – This annual festival held every October is one of Bacolod’s most popular tourist attractions, featuring colorful masks and costumes and lively street parties.
- Rafael Salas – A former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Salas was born in Bacolod and played a key role in global efforts to promote family planning and population control.
- The Ruins – This iconic landmark located on a sugar plantation just outside Bacolod is all that remains of a grand mansion built by a wealthy sugar baron during World War II.
- Silay City – Just a short drive from Bacolod lies Silay City, home to some of the best-preserved heritage houses from Spanish colonial times in all of Southeast Asia.
- Negros Museum
- San Sebastian Cathedral
- The Ruins (Talisay City)
- Bacolod Public Plaza
- Balay Negrense Museum
- Panaad Stadium and Sports Complex
- Capitol Park and Lagoon
- Dizon-Ramos Museum
- Pope John Paul II Tower
- Bacolod City Government Center
- Ceres-Negros FC is a professional football club based in Bacolod City, established in 2012. The team has won several domestic and international titles, including the Philippines Football League (PFL) championship and the AFC Cup.
- The Bacolod Master Sardines is a professional basketball team that competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). Established in 2018, it has quickly become one of the most popular teams in the league.
- The University of St. La Salle Green Booters is a collegiate football team representing the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. The team has won multiple championships across various collegiate leagues such as National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA).
- The Negros Slashers was a professional basketball team that played in various leagues throughout its history, including Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.
- San Sebastian Recoletos Golden Stags represents San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Bacolod as a collegiate basketball team competing across various leagues such as NOPSSCEA and NCAA South-Bacolod Division.
- Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts is a high school basketball varsity program which competes annually at NOHSAA games along with other schools from different cities around Negros Occidental.
- MassKara Festival is a lively and colorful event held every October, featuring street dances, parades, and music.
- Panaad sa Negros Festival is a week-long celebration held in April that showcases the diverse cultures of Negros Occidental through dance performances, food fairs, and exhibits.
- Bacolod City Charter Day is celebrated every June 18 to commemorate the city’s charter anniversary with various activities such as concerts, parades, and fireworks displays.
- Sinulog sa Kabankalan is a religious festival celebrated every third Sunday of January in Kabankalan City featuring street dancing and religious processions.
- Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival is an agricultural-based festival held every March that highlights Bacolod’s rich harvests through various activities such as trade fairs and farm tours.
- Cinco de Noviembre or Bonifacio Day Celebration commemorates the victory of Filipino revolutionaries led by General Aniceto Lacson against Spanish colonizers on November 5th 1898.
- Tandayag Festival is a cultural event celebrated annually by Barangay Tandayag located in Silay City which features street dancing showcasing their local culture with colorful costumes accompanied by traditional music instruments.
- Hugyaw Kansilayan Festival is held annually during December at Silay City where locals showcase their culture through street dancing competitions with vibrant costumes along with food bazaars showcasing local delicacies.
- Chicken Inasal – a grilled chicken dish that’s marinated in vinegar, calamansi, garlic, ginger and annatto oil.
- Batchoy – a noodle soup prepared with pork organs and topped with crushed chicharon (pork cracklings).
- Piaya – a sweet pastry stuffed with muscovado sugar.
- Napoleones – a layered puff pastry filled with custard cream and glazed with sugar syrup.
- Kansi – a sour beef soup similar to bulalo but flavored with batwan fruit.
Several popular restaurants in Bacolod serve these renowned dishes, including:
- Aida’s Chicken Inasal
- Manokan Country
- 21 Restaurant
- Bob’s Restaurant
- Calea Pastries and Coffee
- Bacolod City Public Plaza is a historic park located in the heart of the city. It features a fountain, children’s playground, and outdoor fitness equipment.
- Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation is a conservation area that offers hiking trails, zip lining, and animal encounters.
- Capitol Lagoon Park is a scenic park with a man-made lagoon for boating and fishing, as well as picnic areas.
- Panaad Stadium Complex is a sports complex with facilities for football/soccer, athletics, swimming, and tennis.
- Bantug Lake Ranch is an equestrian center that provides horseback riding lessons and trail rides in picturesque countryside surroundings.
- Mambukal Mountain Resort is an eco-tourism destination that offers hot springs pools, waterfall hikes & camping sites.
- San Sebastian Cathedral Grounds are public spaces surrounding the San Sebastian Cathedral where people can relax or take part in events hosted by the church or local government.
- Rizal Park is a large park situated near Bacolod City Hall where people can engage in recreational activities such as jogging or biking while enjoying views of the cityscape.
- Bacolod Baywalk- A seaside promenade that features food stalls selling local delicacies like grilled seafood while enjoying view of sunset over Guimaras Strait.
- Negros Museum showcases various artifacts from different periods of Negros history including pre-colonial period to contemporary times.
