Five Things to Do in Bacolod City

It’s been two years since my first and only trip to Bacolod and looking at my few pictures, the memory brings a smile to my face which is but apt as Bacolod is called the city of smiles.

The city is known for its Masskara Festival and sugar industry but for most people, there is not much else which is unfortunate. When a friend found out I had been to Bacolod for leisure, he wondered, “What’s there to see?” He himself is a frequent business traveler to the city which probably explains why he keeps missing what Bacolod has to offer---all work and no play. Although to be honest, I didn’t have much expectations when I went there because I, too, was one of those unfortunate people. But thanks to our young hosts, Tom and Mac, my friends and I saw what others keep missing.

1. Climb up the John Paul II Tower.

Image source: Bacolod City Government

I never even knew there was a building to commemorate the late Pope John Paul II’s visit to Bacolod in 1981. I didn’t even know he had visited the city where he “celebrated a Eucharist on this actual site before an assembly of almost a million people.”

The building is sort of a museum that has mostly pictures of the papal visit.

The tower is a steep climb with no elevator but it’s worth going all the way up as an aerial panoramic view of the city awaits. Just breathe through your mouth and pause every now and then.

2. Visit the Manuel Severino Hofileña Ancestral House.

I just love old houses so I was excited when Tom and Mac brought us to the Manuel Severino Hofileña Ancestral Home.

We were told that walk-ins were allowed but we will be left on our own to tour the house.

But when we got there, there was its current owner, Ramon Hofileña, conducting a tour with teachers from Manila so we just mingled with the group---quietly.

Mr. Hofileña proudly showed us a picture of an attractive-looking young man who turned out to be him.

Other than the house being eighty years old, it is almost an art museum. I was not able to take good pictures as the group was too big for each room to get a good angle. Being conscious of my freeloading status, I would be over-stepping if I asked the legits to step aside. Anyway, I found somebody else on the Internet who was more fortunate to have a private tour.

3. Visit the Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral House.

Another old house that we crashed in---The Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral House.

But this time, we were legitimate as there’s an entrance fee to be paid. I can’t remember how much but I think it was between P30-P50 to help maintain the property.

The Gaston House depicts the lifestyle of the wealthy at the turn of the 20^th century.

The Gaston family history chart

4. Visit the Ruins

And then we come to the most famous Bacolod attraction of them all---the Ruins.

But I will not say anything about it. I will just let Roger Lacson, the funny tour guide, do the honors:

5. Pig out on Chicken & Seafood

Bacolod is famous for its grilled chicken, the Bacolod chicken inasal.

Image credit: Trip Advisor

Nena’s Rose was so good that it forever ruined my Bacolod chicken experience in Manila.

As to be expected, seafood is cheaper in the provinces so we lapped it up. I mean, where else can you get a regular-sized bucket of fresh oysters for only P25?!

My friends and I can still remember the taste of Hyksos’ scallops! Yum-yum!

Reliving my Bacolod trip for Philippine Flight Network has made me miss the city so much that I think I might just give Tom and Mac a call….

--THE PARANOID TRAVELER

Traveller's Notes:

Where we Stayed: Business Inn
Cellphone Signal for both Smart and Globe: Excellent

7 comments:

AnonymousAugust 24, 2014 at 6:44 PM
i missed Bacolod!!! Hmmm... i can smell that chicken inasal photo in Nena's Rose resto! LOL
AnonymousAugust 24, 2014 at 7:26 PM
Visit Mambucal, Campuestohan, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Sipalay the next time you're in the island (Negros Occidental) :-)
AnonymousAugust 30, 2014 at 7:25 PM
Miss ko na rin ang Bacolod! Btw, one of the chicken inasal restos in Manokan Country (Aida's, where I had my lunch together with my mom and aunt during our visit in the city), has a branch in Makati Cinema Square.

Try also to visit Victorias City, home to Victorias Milling Corporation and the St. Joseph the Worker Chapel (famous for its "Angry Christ" mural), nasa loob siya nu'ng VMC compound.
UnknownOctober 13, 2014 at 2:13 PM
hi, i am planning to have a day tour in bacolod on december can you suggest some tips for me where and what to do for i am planning to travel to dumaguete by nighttime after my bacolod day tour...thank you
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Five Things to Do in Bacolod City

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