Bacolod City
Originated from the Hiligaynon word “bakolod” which means stonehill, since it was founded in 1770 in a stony, hilly area, (the former site of the Bacolod Murcia Milling Company) now the district of Granada. The then Municipalidad de Bacólod (Municipality of Bacolod) was officially referred to as Ciudad de Bacólod (City of Bacolod) when it was converted into a city on June 18,1938.
With a land area of 16,145 hectares (plus 279 hectares of reclaimed land) it is home to a projected number of 600,000 Bacoleños aka Bacolodnons, and comprises approximately 25% of the total population of the province of Negros Occidental.
Population : 561,875 (2015 census)
Barangays : 61
Purok : 729
Website : www.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Festivals
The infamous City of Smiles, Bacolod is well known for its Masskara Festival which began in October 19, 1980. It’s a month long celebration with the highlight held every fourth Sunday of October. The term Masskara was coined by the late artist Ely Santiago. It’s a combination of the words mass (a multitude of people), and cara (Spanish word for face), thus forming the literal meaning - a multitude of faces. It is also a pun for maskara, Tagalog for “mask” (itself from Spanish máscara), since it is a major feature and motif of the festival and its contingents’ costumes.
The Masskara Festival embodies the happy spirit of the people, in spite of periodic economic downturn in the sugar industry in 1980. It was also the local government’s means to pull the residents out of the depressing atmosphere caused by the MV Don Juan Tragedy which happened in April 22 of the same year. The festival has then become a celebration of determination and resiliency of the Filipino people. Be it during merry occasions, more so with tough times, they will always face it with a smile.
Every April, Bacolod joins in celebrating Panaad sa Negros. It is a week-long celebration that showcases the history, culture and arts, best products and delicacies of the 13 towns and 19 municipalities of the Negros province. The term Panaad stands for “vow” or “promise”. The festival is a form of giving thanks to the Divine Providence and commemoration of a vow in exchange for a good life.
WHERE TO STAY
O Hotel
#52 San Sebastian Street, Bacolod City 6100
Tel.(6334) 433-7401 to 04
Email: info@ohotel.com.ph
www.ohotel.com.ph
L`Fisher Hotel
14th-15th Lacson Street, Bacolod City
Tel.(034) 433-3731- 39/433-0921
Email: l'fisherhotel@yahoo.com
www.l'fisherhotelbacolod.com/
Circle Inn - Hotel & Suites
Lopez Jaena Street, Capitol Shopping Center, Bacolod City
Tel.(034) 709-9111 OR (034) 709-9009
Email: bacolod@circleinnph.com
www.circleinnph.com
The Inns Bacolod by The Oriental
18 San Juan Street, Barangay 13, Bacolod City
Tel.+63-34- 7042756, +63-34- 7042757
Email: theinns.sales@theorientalhotels.com
www.web.theoriental-bacolod.com
Palmas del Mar Conference Resort Hotel
J.R. Torres Avenue, Bacolod City
Tel. +6334-434- 8987 (Direct Line to Sales)
+6334-434- 7971 to 72
+6334-433- 3587 to 88
www.palmasdelmarresort.net
WHERE TO DINE
Aboy's Restaurant
Liroville Subd., Singcang, Bacolod City
Open Monday to Saturday 9AM–10PM
Phone: (034) 435 0760
Email: info@aboysrestaurant.com
www.aboysrestaurant.com
Nena's Beth at Manokan Country
Stall No. 6 Burgos Extension along SM Northwing, Bacolod City
Open Daily 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Phone: (034) 458 1771
www.facebook.com/nenas.rose1960
Chicken House – Lacson
Lacson St, Bacolod City
Open Daily 11AM–2PM, 4–11PM
Phone: (034) 434 9405
www.chicken-house-lacson.business.site
21 Restaurant
21 Lacson St, Bacolod City
Open Daily 11AM-11PM
Phone: (034) 433 4096
www.facebook.com/21-Restaurant-174681132582731
Negros Museum Café
Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 9AM-10PM
Phone: 0916 908 6641
www.facebook.com/NaturalCulinaryArts
ACCESSIBILITY
By Plane
From Manila 1hr 20min away, with 11+ flights daily serviced by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacifc, Air Philippines, Zest Airlines and Sea Air.
From Cebu 40min away, with 4+ flights daily, serviced mainly by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
From Davao 1hr 10min away, with 4 flights per WEEK, serviced by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and CebGo
From Clark 1hr 15min away, with 4 flights per WEEK, serviced by Philippine Airlines only
By Boat - Banago and BREDCO ports are the vessels entry point.
From Manila 20hr cruise via 2Go and Super Ferry.
From Iloilo 55min away via fast crafts.
By Sea and Land Trips
From Cebu City via RORO
Cebu North Bus Terminal to Bacolod South Terminal via Don Salvador – travel time is 7-8hrs, with 8 scheduled trips daily via Ceres Bus.
Cebu North Bus Terminal to Bacolod North Terminal via Escalante – travel time is 9-10hrs with 7 scheduled trips daily via Ceres Bus.
From Cebu City via private car - If you’re traversing to Bacolod with your private car, you may take the route Cebu-Balamban-Toledo-San Carlos-Don Salvador Benedicto-Bacolod.
From Dumaguete City
6hr land trip via Ceres bus traversing from Mabinay
4hr land trip via private car traversing from Mabinay
TOURISM DESTINATIONS
Travel back in time and discover the origin of the Bacolod City. Learn its history, get to know not only its culture but as well as it ecological condition. These are top 10 places you should visit when you’re in Bacolod.
Negros Museum - Gatuslao St, Bacolod City
It is not your typical museum that houses that usually houses memorabilia from the olden times, but rather it features contemporary arts and reproductions that focuses on showing the story of Negros Province a hundred years ago.
San Sebastian Cathedral - 1755 Rizal Street, Bacolod City
Is a late 19th-century Baroque architectural style church, known to be the seat of Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod.
Dizon-Ramos Museum - Burgos Ave, Bacolod City
Features the after-war life in 1950s, and the lifestyle of an upper-middle class Negrense family
Laguerta House of Vintage Glasses Museum - Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City
The first of its kind in Bacolod, it houses an eclectic collection of vintage glasses and depression glasses, and you’ll be personally accommodated by its owner for FREE.
Museo Negrense de La Salle - University of St. La Salle, Gate 1
Is the only school-based museum in Negros, located within the campus of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod
Bacolod Public Plaza - Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
The most notable landmark in Bacolod city and is the heart of the MassKara Festival celebration.
Capitol Park and Lagoon - Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
While taking a stroll to this tree-lined park, you will also get to visit nearby establishments such as the Capitol Hall, Negros Museum and the Provincial Library.
Jojo Vito Designs Gallery - Araneta Ave, Bacolod City
This is an art gallery/souvenir shop and a home to world class creations, with the masks as the centerpiece of the place. Dubbed as the House of Masks, and is owned by the Master Mask Maker Jojo M. Vito.
Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation, Inc. - South Capitol Rd, Bacolod City
Houses a breeding center for the most threatened species, majority of them found only in Negros and Panay.
Bantug Lake Ranch - Granada Alangilan Road, Bacolod
Enjoy horseback riding, boating, fishing, and swimming all in one place. A perfect getaway for the whole family without too much damage to your pockets.
CONTACTS
| CITY TOURISM OFFICE | Bacolod City Government Center, Carlos Hilado Highway, 6100, Bacolod, Negros Occidental | (034) 432 1997 |
| BACOLOD CITY POLICE HEADQUARTERS | Magsaysay Ave, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental | (034) 432 1865 |
| BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION | Lopez Jaena St, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental | (034) 434 5021 |
Panaad Sa Negros 2017