"Bacolod: More than the City of Smiles" Philippines Things to Do Tip by theguardianangel

INTRODUCTION

Bacolod is located in the Western Visayas Region and being the capital of the Negros Occidental province.

It’s popularly known to be the “City of Smiles” because of the friendly people living in this highly urbanized area. I wasn’t aware that it’s also known to be called as the “Football City of the Philippines” until I have talked to some locals that the city hosted the Asian footballs since 2005 and in 2012 AFC Challenge cup qualification was held where the AZKALS (Phils. Representative) won against Mongolia.

Bacolod gained its popularity also of its MASSKARA FESTIVAL which is celebrated every 3rd weekend of October. The climax of which is the mardi-gras parade where people in costumes and masks dance to Latin rhthyms like the Rio de Janiero style.

Like the other Visayan People, the people here talk with a tone… in a sweet tone resembling the Iloilo folks speaking the dialect- Hiligaynon (different from what the Cebuanos’ dialect). I had a chance to talk to a local from Bacolod (he happened to be the taxi driver I rode from the airport), being curious I asked if they have the same language with the Iloilo people but the man said that they only have a few similarities but way too different. He also said that they use deeper Hiligaynon words than the people from Iloilo.

I really find these people very admiring on how the way they speak… it’s really sweet even if they get angry, the tone’s still the same. It’s really very odd.

Food is never a problem in this town! There are lots of restaurants that you definitely musn’t miss- Pendy’s, Bacolod Chicken House, Aboy’s are just one of the best!

Address: Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philipines