Bearing its name as “City of Smiles,” Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental is one of the nicest places to visit in the province of Negros. The notable Masskara Festival which is held during the third week of October draws an influx of tourists to witness its colorful and lively festival. But aside from that, the city is also known for its original “chicken inasal” and the sweet delicacy piaya.

If you haven’t read yet the first part of our Negros Island Tour, click: Manjuyod White Sandbar Couple Getaway, the second part: The Beauty of Sipalay City, and the last:  Road Trip to Negros Island: Bais, Manjuyod Sandbar, Sipalay, and Bacolod City

My hubby and I were so grateful to see the amazing sandbar of Manjuyod, the quaint town of Bais City, and the stunning beauty of Sipalay. After a happy encounter with nature, pristine beaches, and islets, we set off to visit the famous tourist spots in Bacolod City which is the last leg of our Negros Island tour.

Our trip to Bacolod from Sipalay took us around six hours through Ceres Bus Liner with no room reservation. We were referred to Tamera Plaza Inn in Lacson Street. Upon alighting at Ceres Liner South terminal we boarded a pedicab and alighted at Lopez Jaena St. From there we took a walk in getting to the hotel.

Fortunately, there was available room when we inquired inside. We were given the standard room (two single beds) located on the fourth floor of the building. The rate was so affordable for P1,250 and it has free breakfast for two. 

The room was cozy and had a homey feel. It had a closet, a long table for our stuff, a led tv, a private bathroom, a cute lampshade, toiletries, and free Wi-fi. Among the rooms we stayed in the province of Negros, this is the best because of the window view, cool temperature and strong connection to the internet.

It was already 8:00 pm when we arrived at the hotel. After we put our stuff in our room, we went outside to eat dinner. Fortunately, all food establishments were closed. We just strolled around nearby and went back to the hotel for a snack. A little later we retired early to bed.

Tamera Plaza Inn
#79 Lacson Street, Bacolod City
Tel. No. (034) 4321708/Mobile No. 09423762189
Email: tameraplazainn#gmail.com
Please see their rate here:

The city tour

Since our flight going back to Manila is at 3:00 pm, we will only consume half of the day visiting Bacolod City. We will go back to Tamera after lunchtime to get our stuff. As such, we will be missing out on glimpsing the heritage houses in Silay and the museums. So after we ate our free breakfast in the hotel, we set off on our exciting and fast city tour.

THE RUINS

The remnants of the burned ancestral home mansion and the story behind it are the highlights when visiting The Ruins, the most photographed tourist spot in Bacolod City.

Also known as the “Taj Mahal of the Philippines,” this mansion house was built by the wealthy Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in loving memory of his wife, Maria Braga, a Portuguese from Macau. The mansion with its Italianate architecture was set fire by the guerrilla fighters during World War II to prevent the Japanese forces from using it as their headquarters.

My hubby and I were the first visitors of the day. Upon entering the mansion, we felt like we were being transported back in time. We were greeted by the main structure which was big and proudly standing still.  The roofs and ceilings were high and there were beautiful chandeliers.

Near the entrance were picture frames, clippings hanging on walls, and some important memorabilia worthy to look at. In one corner, there was a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) a beautiful backdrop for photo ops.

When a group of Korean group came in, a tour guide brought them to the briefing area where every one of them was seated on a one-sitter wooden bench. We listened for a while and later roamed the whole ground, from the restaurant, fountain, garden, wishing well, and the old train.

We left the mansion not only admiring the structure but also the enduring love affair of Don Mariano Lacson and her better half.

Location: Batulao Street, Talisay, Negros Occidental
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Entrance fee:
Adult: P100
Senior Citizen: P60
Student: P50
Children below 8 years old – P20

STARBUCKS COFFEE BACOLOD

Coming from the Ruins, we boarded the tricycle in getting back to the Pepsi-cola plant. The driver was so accommodating that he voluntarily brought us to the jeepney terminal. We boarded the jeep with the signboard “Bata”. My hubby wanted to sip coffee so we hopped out in Starbucks Coffee located in Lacson St. corner 18th St.

Whenever we are on a provincial trip we will surely drop by in this famous coffee shop to sip our favorite frappes and to buy his collector’s item, the Starbucks Icon Tumbler. Unfortunately, there was none in the store. Anyway, we just enjoyed the quiet moment in the café and head off to our next destination.

THE CAPITOL PARK AND LAGOON

Coming from Starbucks Coffee we just took a walk in getting to one of the notable places to visit in Bacolod, the Capitol Park and Lagoon. It was easy to find as it is located along the main highway. We passed by the children’s playground and entered the main entrance. The park’s main landmark which is facing the lagoon is the Provincial Capitol Building, the official seat of the governor of the province.

It was so hot by the time we came. We went to the golden carabao being pulled by the man. There were old couples busy feeding the tilapia in the lagoon. On the other end is another golden carabao being reared by a woman. The park is perfect for families who would like to go on picnics on weekends. It is also a perfect spot for jogging, Zumba sessions, school dance rehearsals, taichi exercises, or simply walking around.

SAN SEBASTIAN CATHEDRAL

Located right across the Bacolod Plaza is the imposing religious tower, the San Sebastian Cathedral. It is named in honor of San Sebastian, commonly known in the Philippines as San Sebastian. The facade of the church reminded me of the many churches I visited in Iloilo.

THE BACOLOD PUBLIC PLAZA

We just walked in getting to this notable landmark which is found in the center of the downtown area. This is near to the City Hall, Central Market, SM City, and Plaza Mart and is right across from the San Sebastian Cathedral.

The plaza which is a trapezoidal park has a beautiful rectangular and a square-patterned mosaic of the stone floor that paved the whole area. It has four fountains and at the center is the Pavilion where its sides are inscribed the four classical music composers Beethoven, Wagner, Haydn, and Mozart. This is used as a bandstand during concerts and events.

During the Masskara Festival (an annual festival with highlights held every fourth Sunday of October) the plaza serves as the final destination of the street dance competition. 

LION’S PARK GRILL HAUS

After our fast but enjoyable Bacolod City tour, it’s time now to munch the famous and authentic Chicken Inasal. My hubby had been to Bacolod twice so he already tasted this original dish. But still, he was ecstatic to taste it and so do I.

Since my hubby had been to the popular open-air food complex Manokan Country, he brought me to Lion’s Park Grill Haus Manokan Country to try their Chicken Inasal. It was easy to find as it was near Bacolod Plaza and is just across SM City Bacolod. Lion’s Park serves inasal dishes at an affordable price. We ordered one pecho each (P80), garlic fried rice (P22), and bottled calamansi juice (P35). It took around twenty minutes before our food was served. We were already starving that I don’t want to stand and stroll around anymore.

But the chicken had saved the day! There’s no need to dip it in soy sauce and calamansi as it was so juicy and flavorful. It was grilled just right.

Operating hours:  10:00 am to 11:00 pm

BONGBONG’S

We ended the day buying pasalubong for our loved ones and colleagues in Bongbong’s, the number one pasalubong center in the region. We bought barquillos, piaya, Biscocho and t-shirts for my mother, for me and for my daughter (P280 each).

Buy your pasalubong goodies here because prices are much higher at the airport. Souvenir items are much cheaper outside so we bought key chains (P35) and ref magnets (P50) in street vendors just outside Bongbong’s.

In getting there:

Bacolod City is the entry point to Negros Occidental. By air (Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airways), it is 45 minutes from Manila. From the airport (Silay Airport) board a shuttle van in getting to the city proper.

Tip for the city tour:

I suggest you start your tour of The Ruins. From Bacolod City take a jeepney ride (Bata-Libertad) and ask the driver to drop you at the tricycle terminal in front of the Pepsi Cola plant. The two-way fare for the tricycle is Php300. After touring The Ruins, you will go back to the terminal. From there, cross the main road and you will see the jeepney terminal in getting to Capitol Park and Lagoon. From there, start roaming around.

Related posts:

Road Trip to Negros Island: Bais, Manjuyod Sandbar, Sipalay, and Bacolod City
Manjuyod White Sandbar Getaway
The Beauty of Sipalay City

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