eatstraveltime; What to do and see in Bacolod City

BY TOOTS B. JIMENEZ JR.

In October 1980, the first MassKara Festival was born. It was the first festive mood that Bacoleños experienced. Hundreds of revelers paraded in colorful tribal-like attires and creative masks.

While there was the tragedy of the M/V Don Juan where hundreds of Bacoleños and Negrenses lost their lives, there was also a slump in the sugar industry in the province and city. Forty years on, Bacolod today is a pleasant destination enjoyed by both domestic and foreign travelers.

Bacolod City has been the gateway to the sugar lands and historical landmarks in Negros Occidental until the national airport was expanded and relocated to the northern part of Silay City – just a 19-kilometer drive to that “Paris of the Philippines” tourist city.

Bacolod is known for its culinary delights. Several dining and delicacy places have sprouted.

Most famous on delicacies are Bongbong Villan and Jonathan Lo of Merzci. Their products are pasalubong favorites.

Culinary treats attract travelers to the City of Smiles. pasalubong yummies like the napoleones, piaya, lumpia, panara, barquillos, empanada, and  ensaymada are just a few.

To experience how the world-famous piaya is done is a marvel.

One must not forget to taste, too, the heirloom recipes of the families of the sugar barons and hacienderos –  chicken/pork adobo, chicken flakes, kadios-baboy-langka (KBL) trio soup, pancit molo, chicken dinuguan, and the world-famed chicken inasal.

Today, travelers fly to the province of Negros Occidental for several destinations.

Talisay City – just seven kilometers north of Bacolod – carries with pride the world-famous The Ruins and Campuestohan Resort.

A little to the north is Silay City with its Patag hills, now a famous adventure drive that complements its historical landmarks and heritage sites. The new Magikland brings delight, too.

Down south of Bacolod is Bago City where several flowing spring water and falls are a must to enjoy. And there’s the Bantayan Park and museum, too.

The city has a vast land dedicated to sugar farming and rice fields. Nearby Murcia town boasts of its Mambukal Resort and farther is a hilly drive to the cool Don Salvador Benedicto town, dubbed as the Tagaytay-Baguio of the province.  

It is never a regret to travel around Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. Culinary and heritage experiential moments will surely fill your eyes and imagination, and your tummy for sure./PN