City of Smiles - Bacolod

After three stressful days and sleepless nights in the the City of Smiles, I finally got the best day-off ever from the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet in Bacolod City. It's already my 5th time to visit Bacolod City but honestly, this is my first time to really take a good glimpse of its pristine beauty. I was captured by the warm, welcoming smiles of the Negrenses and I felt like I was never a visitor of their province. With a day and a half left from the meet, I took the chance to explore the city and here are the things I can suggest when you're around the City of Smiles:

1. CALEA CAKEHOUSE AND PASTRIES:

Door No. G1-4 Balay Quince Commercial Building

15th Lacson Street, Bacolod City

We indulged (Janice and I) to some mouth-watering-delicious-yummy chocolate cake and blueberry cheese cake and ate at our heart's content. I even forgot that I was on a diet. I was tempted and I couldn't resist. Thinking about the calories made me missed my running shoes...

2. CAPITOL LAGOON AND PARK

It would be best to visit here by night so you can see the fountain and the various lights complementing each other. Behind me is the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol. The park serves as the resting place for students doing their homeworks and for lovers who didn't even bother to give a damn care with all kinds of people around them. Kids love to play at the chilren's playground.

3. NEGROS MUSEUM 

Located just beside the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol

Entrance Fee for Students: Php 40.00

Entrance Fee for Adults: Php 50.00

(The picture on the left was the Aunt of the late Master Rapper, Francis Magalona who happens to be one of the pretiest ladies in Negros. The antique piano on the right was said to be given by Jose Mari Chan to the Negrenses.)

4. BACOLOD CENTRAL MARKET

Ask the locals on how to get here and you'll reach it without any problems. If you're in with Ukay-Ukay, then this place is for you. You can choose from shirts to bags depending on what perfectly suits you. There are lots of turo-turo and carinderia to choose from if ever you feel like your stomach is already on protest. Native products and dried fish of all kinds are in abundance in this area.

5. DECO'S LAPAZ BATCHOY

It's located just across the Bacolod Central Market. It has been in operation long before and the taste of their Lapaz Batchoy is far better than the ones I have tasted in Iloilo. At Php 59.00, I was superrr-satisfied.

 Good taste, that is!

(Tama lang ang  timpla! Sakto sa Pinoy na Panlasa!)

6. SAN SABASTIAN CHURCH/ BACOLOD CITY CATHEDRAL - CENTENNIAL BELFRY

After nibbling a bowl of Lapaz Batchoy at Deco's, I decided to walk around the area and finally found my feet in front of the San Sebastian Cathedral. I was amazed at how its structure managed to stand the test of time. The centennial belfry is still in existence over the years and its intricate designs  had me in captivity. 

7. ORGANIC MARKET

Located just across Negros Museum. This place is for the Go for Green Lovers. :)

8. GOLDEN FIELD/ FLOW/ MO2 ICE

For parteeey peeps looking fo a perfect chill at night, I would definitely recommend MO2 Ice at Lacson, Mandalagan. They've got great bands performing reggae and ska genres and the Dj's so cool to play great parteey music to groove the night away. Party's also fun at Flow but not on a Wednesday Night. :( If you're looking for Karaoke Bars and Pubs, check out the Golden Field.

9. MERCI PASALUBONG

And finally, before leaving Bacolod, I bought pasalubong at Merci's. I highly recommend Merci's Napoliones . The taste is really heaven. Plus, the butterscotch, the Food  for the Gods

Day-tripping Bacolod City had put a real SMILE on my face. Yes, there will be misadventures and lots of bloopers along the way (mga ka-jologans, ka-bukians and ka-shungaans) but that's part of a wonderful journey in discovering your strength and accepting some of your weak spots. Just Don't be afraid to take risks and never hesitate to approach the locals for directions. They are your best guides. 

You'll be surprised at the results.. 

Plus,  Never take a taxi when you're in a hurry. Walk barefoot and feel the warmth of the city -

 its people, its culture.