I was able to visit the city of Bacolod twice, one in 2017 and the
latest was last week of March this year. At a glance, the city, like any other
highly urbanized cities in the country, presents a vibrant environment that is
highlighted by both commerce and tourism, a common identity for chartered
cities that represents as capital hub of a certain region or province, in its
case Negros Occidental.
As a gateway to Western Visayas, Bacolod very well denotes a healthy
locality, evident of which are the remarkable citations it gained such as “Best
Place to Live in the Philippines,” and “Center of Excellence for Information Technology
and Business Process Operations,” by the Department of Science and Technology,
among others. It was also previously
considered as the “Most Livable City in the Country,” in year 2012.
Although it is often dubbed as the “City of Smiles” but I have yet to
really discover the character of the people of Bacolod why they are being called
with such a friendly nickname. The Masskara Festival, which became a very
popular event in the country, is perhaps a culmination of the friendliness of
the Bacolod people.
Other than the aforesaid, I discovered several good places which can
be worthy stopovers in Bacolod and nearby cities. The most dominant structure
is The Ruins Mansion. Although located in Talisay City, the Ruins Mansion is
associated into Bacolod’s collection of tourist attractions and is an integral
component of its tour packages. The Ruins was built in 1900 by the family of Don
Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Maria Braga Lacson.
The Ruins as well embodies that Negros Occidental is the sugarcane plantation
capital of the Visayas as it was erected in a huge sugarcane plantation in
Talisay City.
Inspired by an Italian architecture, The Ruins is considered as the
Taj Majal of the Philippines, and is very evident that its interior designs are
relics of significant events and facts worthy to be preserved for the next
generations to witness.
Bacolod also boosts of its delectable variety of foods. In my recent
visit there I was brought to Diotay’s Famous Paluto Restaurant, an
establishment that offers range of sea foods items everybody should not miss
dropping by especially for sea foods lovers. It is located in Gatuslao St.,
Bacolod City Proper.
Bacolod 18th Street Palapala Seafood Grill is another
must-visit food house in Bacolod. While seafood items are typical dishes here,
I cannot get over with its Pork Sinigang and Tinolang Manok, perhaps the best
tasting tinola in the country.
If you are stuck in the heart of Bacolod City and have no option for
an overnight stay, I recommend Check Inn Pension House located in Ponce
Building, Luzuriaga St., just walking distance away from the old Bacolod City
Hall. It is a cheap inn that is very accessible to the city’s commercial
district.
Want some more instagrammable sites in Bacolod?
Try visiting the new City Hall complex along its national highway. The
Provincial Capitol Building is another worthy site for a quick visit.