Bacolod is a city in the Philippines. It is located in Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is part of the Bacolod Metropolitan Area. It is the capital of Negros and the biggest and most populous city in Western Visayas.

It is loved by people as a destination for travelers in the Philippines. There are kind people, attractions, and delicious foods. Let’s see the simple information about Bacolod and the places that you should not miss while you are visiting there.

About Bacolod

▪ History

The name ‘Bacolod’ is derived from ‘Bakolod’ which means Stone hill in Ilongo. The city was occupied by Spain, Japan, and America and became independent on 29 May 1945.

▪ City of Smiles

Bacolod is famous as a city of smiles. The city ranked number 1 as the best place to live in the Philippines in a survey by one Magazine in 2008. In practice, people who live in Bacolod look peaceful. While on walking the street, I smiled when I met people’s eyes and they also smiling without looking at me strangely. Their smile faces make other people feel happy and comfortable. That is probably the reason that Bacolod is called the city of smiles.

▪ Public Transportation

There are many kinds of transportation in Bacolod, Philippines. Among them, I will introduce three different types.

The first is the Jeepney. The Jeepney is a common form of transportation in Bacolod. As many people take jeepney in the Philippines as people take busses in Korea. Jeepney's colors and design patterns are incredibly varied and reflect the personality and taste of their owner/operator. A jeepney can accommodate about 15 to 20 people and the seats are set up to face each. Both window sides and the back side are usually opened so it is easy to be exposed to exhaust fumes. It is better to use water tissue or a handkerchief for filtering out exhaust when you are taking the Jeepney.

The next type of transportation is the taxi. Taxi is also a form of transportation people use often. In front of hotels or malls, you can take a taxi. It looks similar to taxis in Korea. There are different size cars but the cost is the same.

The third form of transportation I will introduce is the tricycle. A tricycle is modefied motorcycle. It can accommodate about 3 to 5 people. It is relatively smaller than a jeepney, so people use them in places where the road is narrow.

Hotspots to Visit

▪ Old Pala-Pala Market

Pala-Pala is a small old market. It is famous for fresh seafood. We can buy various seafood and some fruits. In the market, some merchants are selling seafood and some people are lying under the table. Its atmosphere is really familiar and natural.

In Pala-Pala market, the price is not exactly set so you can see that people bargain. If you are a traveler I recommend you check the usual price by searching the information before purchasing food. After buying food, people can have them cooked at a restaurant which is nearby the market.

Although Old Pala-Pala market is not as big as the mall in downtown, it is good enough to enjoy fresh seafood and feel a familiar atmosphere.

▪ Bacolod City Government Center

It is the city government center of Bacolod. It is also called NGC (the New Government Center). It offers various services. It is one of the famous destinations on the Bacolod city tour. In front of the white government center building, there is a wide lawn and a pool. People walk around the esplanade and take pictures in front of the big pool. If you go to NGC when the weather is nice, you can see the pool reflecting the blue sky.

▪ San Sebastian Cathedral

The San Sebastian Cathedral is located in downtown Bacolod. The Cathedral is a late 19th-century church in Bacolod city in the Philippines. It is one of the oldest buildings in Bacolod. It was originally a small chapel and became a cathedral in 1933. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod.

The structure was made of coral stones so it looks comfortable and stable. The inside of the cathedral is so calm and comfortable while outside of the building is crowded with people. When I entered the cathedral, I felt a holy atmosphere. There is a wide and long hallway. While walking there, you might see people praying while on their knees. At both sides of the cathedral, there are gates connecting with the outside. In the outside, there is a place that you can light a candle in front of a picture of a catholic saint. People light the candle and then they pray by gathering their hands. Next to there, you can also buy various accessories and souvenirs.

▪ Calea Pastries and Coffee

‘Calea Pastries and Coffee’ is one of the places you should go when you visit Bacolod. The store is located on 15th street Lacson st. Bacolod city. It is a popular dessert cafe in Bacolod. The store serves sandwiches, cakes, and pies. Among them, the most famous thing is cake. The cakes of Calea are not only really delicious and pretty but also various. The store is colored white and sky-blue and looks as pretty and sweet as the cakes are.

Bacolod, there are a lot of places to enjoy delicious food.

▪ Lord Byron’s Back Ribs

Lord Byron’s Back Ribs is always crowded with people. It is one of the most popular restaurants in Bacolod. You can enjoy delicious back ribs at a cheap price. Around the entrance, you can see a cute drawing on the wall. When you enter that the restaurant, there are seats under the tent decorated with lightbulbs. People eat outdoors. If you go at night, you can also enjoy a romantic feeling with the lights, the sky view, and delicious food.