From Wikitravel

Bacolod [1] is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental.

[edit] HISTORY

The city's name was derived from the Hiligaynon word "bakolod" – meaning "stonehill" – since the settlement was founded in 1770 on a stonehill area, now the district of Granada and the former site of the Bacolod Murcia Milling Company.

Due to Muslim raids in 1787, Bacolod was transferred away from the shoreline. The old site was called "Da-an Banwa," meaning "old town".

In 1894, by order of Governor General Claveria, through Negros Island Governor Manuel Valdevieso Morquecho, Bacolod was made the capital of the Province of Negros. Bernardino de los Santos became the first gobernadorcillo and Fray Julian Gonzaga the first parish priest.

The success of the revolution in Bacolod was attributed to the low morale of the local Spanish detachment, due to its defeat in Panay and Luzon and to the psychological warfare waged by Generals Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta. In 1897, a battle in Bacolod was fought at Matab-ang River. A year later, on November 5, 1898, the Negrense "Revolucionarios," armed with knives, bolos, spears, and rifle-like "nipa" stems, and pieces of "sawali" or "amakan" mounted on carts, captured the convento where Coronel Isidro de Castro y Cisneros, well-armed "cazadores" and platoons of civil guards, surrendered. Two days later, on the 7th, most of the revolutionary army gathered together to establish a Provisional Junta and to confirm the elections of Aniceto Lacson as president, Juan Araneta as war-delegate, as well as the other officials.

On March 1899, the American forces led by Colonel James G. Smith occupied Bacolod, the revolutionary capital of the Provisional Republic of Negros.

By virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 326, enacted by the National Assembly, Bacolod was made a chartered city on October 19, 1938.

In World War II, Bacolod City was occupied by the Japanese forces on May 21, 1942. It was liberated by the American forces on May 29, 1945. It took time to rebuild Bacolod after the liberation. The city's public markets and slaughterhouses were rebuilt during the administration of former mayor Vicente T. Remitio from 1947 to 1949.

A large percentage of the local population speaks English. It being one of two official languages of the Philippines.

The current population is around 450,000. It has 61 barangays. Its first foreign visitors arrived in 1565.

Visit for the warm atmosphere, climate-wise and people-wise (the city's catch phrase is "city of smiles"). Also for beaches, great food and history.

For local news while in Bacolod, buy a copy of the English daily paper, the Visayan Daily Star.

[edit] Get in

Bacolod is located 45 minutes South of Manila by plane. Commercial flights are available daily. If flying in to the Ninoy Aquino international airport in Manila you will have to change planes for the 45 minute hop to Bacolod. You will land at the new Bacolod-Silay Airport of international standards, and could use the bus to get to the city proper.

[edit] Get around

Transportation within the city and to adjacent towns is by taxi or jeepney (local equivalent of a bus). Bus liners as well as rental cars are also available for travel.

[edit][add listing] See

• Negros Museum. Located in the old agriculture building close to the capitol building. View artifacts related to the sugar industry that began as the the main industry of the province in the 1800s. It also houses an international doll collection. The building is close to a large park, locally referred to as the "lagoon" because of an artificial pool within the park, on Lacson street.

[edit][add listing] Do

Join the festivities during the Masskara Festival (masskara, the Ilonggo word for mask). A big annual Mardi Gras like event celebrated every 3rd week of October. Each of the city's barangays (districts) joins the competition for the fiercely competitive best costumed group. Lots of food and handicraft stalls, street dancing and beer at the Bacolod city plaza area.

Go bowling or play billiards at Negros Superlanes and Entertainment Center at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Handicraft stores sell locally crafted goods. The ANP Showroom on 9th, corner Lacson Streets has a large selection and is conveniently located.

• Local artwork; paintings, etc. See "The Monk" by local artist Dennis Ascalon.

• Check out the fresh flower stalls. Vendors are clustered in front of the San Sebastian cathedral at the Bacolod city plaza.

• Check out the Robinson Mall. Most of the merchandise there is cheap or the same price in the US.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• A must-eat dish is the fresh lumpia (fresh spring roll; not fried). A delicately exquisite treat wrapped in a paper thin translucent crepe filled with fresh coconut tree heart (ubod), pork and shrimp with a garnish of scallion.

• Other local delicacies batchoy, piyaya and pinasugbo are all worth sampling.

• Bob's on North Drive for the friendly service and local fare. One of the oldest family-favorite restaurants.

• Carlo Restaurante Italiano (at the Goldenfield's complex). Italian, steak. Try the garlic smothered steak.

• Also try the famous local barbecue chicken called inasalliteral translation "cooked over the fire".'. Lots of good local restaurants specialize in local fare. ;one of the most local area that has been the most oldest restaurants is the "manokan coutry" Try Aboy's' for its inasal. Imay's for a wide variety and open-air dining.

• Jo's Chicken Inato is a great choice for fantastic chicken inasal served in a very native style...the food is served on a large banana leaf and typically silverware is not provided unless requested. This is truly a great place to eat for someone who doesn't want to eat something too exotic, but wants to try a native flare.

• For the non-gastronome, there's always the local McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts.

• For a western taste locals, expats and tourists visit "IMBISS" near Lopues east mall. Famous for German sausages, Fish n chips and other local and international specialities.

• Seafood is good at Ting-Ting's North Drive.

• Take Inasal to-go at Bacolod Chicken House Singcang. You can call them ahead and specify to have them wrap it good especially if you plan to take food on the plane. They're inasal doesn't lose its juiciness and is not that oily. Reheating using microwave for inasal is not recommended, instead use a steamer.

• Favorite Japanese restaurant is Kaisei along Lacson Street. The prices are reasonable and has a relaxed atmosphere. But if you want to go with Japanese Buffet, try out Inaka, Lacson Street. The food is good, has a wide variety of choice and priced favorably.

• For local native delicacies, Quan is a must with their famous Cuchinta and Puto

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Try the local San Miguel beer served at almost any restaurant.
• You might also try Tanduay, a very famous rum.
• The local tuba would give you the best of a local exotic drink from fermented coconut juice.
• Bar hop at Goldenfield Commercial Complex and party at MO2 Restobar!

[edit][add listing] Sleep

All are 2 to 3 star type hotels by Western standards.

• * Casino Filipino Hotel Bacolod, Casino Filipino Hotel and Casino Goldenfield Commercial Complex,Singcang, Bacolod City, Philippines, ☎ +63(034)434-8901 up to 10 (chf@info.com.ph, fax: +63(34)434-4433), [2]. Rooms are airconditioned, with cable television, private bath, and refrigerator Average rate is $73.  edit

• Grand Regal
• Kundutel
• Sugarland
• L'Fisher, the old reliable.
• The Sea Breeze, closer to the main city area.
• The Sylvia Manor[3]. The Sylvia Manor is a 52 room boutique hotel located in Bacolod's throbbing business district with the SM Shopping Mall and Bacolod City Hall just around the corner. They have excellent Wi-Fi coverage within the premises.
• Circle Inn[4]. Along Lopez Jaena Street in a quiet compound, the hotel is clean, modest and near the bus terminals. The prices are competitive to Business Inn rates and the first hotel to have complimentary in-room high-speed internet connection as well as Wi-Fi access in the lobby and coffeeshop. Its Executive Wing rooms are comparable to higher star hotels.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

Bacolod is a lot safer compared to Manila. As always common sense is the rule when travelling. Be weary of "Shopping - Libertad" jeepneys, especially "TOUCHMOVE LINES", "UYTIEPO LINES", "GUSTILO LINES" and "MADRE DE GRACIA LINES" for they can get you late when traveling or give you a heart attack when they're in a hurry. Drivers are driving like in a post apocalyptic world pretending to be Mel Gibson in "Mad Max", so better be careful. Most of the jeepney drivers in Bacolod City are from Iloilo City.

[edit] Get out

• Visit Balay Negrense in neighboring Silay city for a tour of a 19th century house, now a museum. While in Silay check out the local Catholic church building circa early 1900s and old ancestral homes. Also the great local pastry shop, El Ideal, that has been around since the 50's.

• Mambucal resort located in adjoining Murcia town. The resort is on a higher elevation that the city hence having a cooler average temperature. It's main attraction are its natural hot springs

• Mt. Canlaon National Park.

• Salas Park located a few minutes from Mambucal Resort. Best to see during the night, where it overlooks the City of Smiles. The trip to the park is what locals call, little Baguio with all the zig-zag and steep roads. You would also be surrounded with old pines, mahogany and the cool air. Best for hikers too. A local guide is available to bring you to various springs and falls. Come to discover.

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