Overview

Aside from the historical landmarks that one ought to visit when in Bacolod, there are also several other Bacolod destinations that can help one have a really good holiday. The beaches in Bacolod are beautiful and cater to a lot of water sports but aside from these there are other Bacolod destinations that are simply too enticing to pass on.

Sipalay Beach

If it sounds familiar, it’s because the Bacolod destination of Sipalay Beach is very well known. From Bacolod City, getting to Sipalay Beach entails a short jeepney ride and one can even ask a tricycle to bring one there. Because this Bacolod destination is just a short distance from the city itself, it’s not just tourists who frequent this area, locals also spend weekends here to unwind. Sipalay Beach is in Sipalay town and once there, one will realize that it’s not just one beach that one is going to but several stretching for kilometers on end. The waters of Sipalay Beach are pristine and there is a diverse marine life that is any diver’s dream. One does not have to take up diving lessons though and become a certified diver to be able to enjoy the marine life, snorkeling is an option. This Bacolod destination is very convenient for those who feel that one day is not enough time spent at the beach because there are several small resorts there where one can spend a night or two. The cottages that offer lodging at Sipalay Beach are well maintained and they have good facilities so one never feels that the modern necessities are amiss. Another good thing about the resorts at this Bacolod destination is that they equipment for rent for water sports such as snorkeling and diving.

Sipaway Island

The other name for Sipaway Island is Refugio Island but no matter what name one decides to call it, this is also good Bacolod destination if one wants to spend a day or two at the beach. The attraction to Sipaway Island lies in the many activities that can be done at this Bacolod destination including several water sports. While there, take time to ask about the Sipaway Island legends and visit the several centuries old Balete tree which is where most of the stories started. Among the things that are on Sipaway Island are recreational facilities, a couple of resorts and a wharf. The inhabitants of Sipaway Island are also very warm and friendly and speak a little English so feel free to ask them what life is like on the island.

Just like all the highly progressive cities and municipalities in the Philippines, Bacolod City offers students good quality education and unforgettable learning experiences. As part of the extensive Bacolod education system, these universities and colleges offer young individuals wonderful opportunities to grow, learn and develop into mature, morally responsible and competitive professionals in the future.

University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos

People can find University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos along Lizarez Avenue, which was established in 1941. This school offers interesting scholarship programs for financially challenged individuals with very good grades. Its academic programs are very good including that of its College of Arts and Sciences. Under this, students can enroll in various courses like Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication. It also has the College of Engineering, the College of Business and Accountancy and the College of Information Technology. Additionally, it also features the College of Nursing, which is definitely one of the most popular these days.

University of Saint La Salle

Founded in 1952, the University of Saint La Salle is a private educational institution situated along La Salle Avenue. It promises academic excellence through its various programs including the Graduate School of Management, College of Nursing and College of Medicine. Under the College of Engineering and Technology, the university offers Electronics and Communications Engineering, Computer Engineering and Chemical Engineering. Meanwhile, the College of Business and Accountancy offers courses like Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Information Management and Business Economics. For those who want to enter the College of Arts and Sciences, they can enroll in courses such as Mass Communications, Inter-Disciplinary Studies and Computer Science.

Riverside College Inc.

Established in 1961, Riverside College Inc. is a highly regarded medical school for training and educating students in preparation for careers in the field of medicine. It offers non-degree courses like Certificate in Special Education, Certificate in Practical Nursing and Certificate in Live-In Caregiver Program. It also provides baccalaureate degrees such as Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology, Bachelor of Science in Psychology Major in Special Education and Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. It also runs a Graduate School for nursing students.

La Consolacion College-Bacolod

Established by Augustinian sisters in 1919, La Consolacion College-Bacolod is definitely one of the oldest colleges in Negros Occidental. People can find this prestigious private college at the corner of Gatuslao and Galo Streets, which offers new academic programs, all with outstanding quality. These include the English Functional Course, the Call Center Pre-Employment Training Course and the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program. More importantly, it provides students with highly convenient services that are highly beneficial in their learning such as the Speech and Science Laboratory, the Learning and Resource Center as well as the Guidance Service Center.

A highly industrialized city in Negros Occidental, Bacolod aims to improve tourism in the area by featuring different attractive and inviting shopping places. Local tourists and foreigners can easily purchase their needs by visiting the famous and enticing malls in the city. To purchase the products that were developed and manufactured by the residents in the area, visitors can go to souvenir shops and dry markets situated in the heart of the city. Aside from these commercial establishments, tourists are also encouraged to take a look at the merchandises offered at the workshops and showrooms of local exporters.

Gaisano Mall

Gaisano Mall is one of the latest shopping centers that were established in Bacolod City. Many tourists go to this place because it features various fine dining places and fast food stores. Some of the popular dining establishments inside the mall where shoppers like to relax and eat are Chicken Deli as well as Bigby’s Café and Restaurant. Within the premises of the shopping center, customers can find apparel stores and shoe shops. To help the people who have limited budgets, Gaisano Mall has a department store where shoppers can purchase cheap clothes, bags and accessories. For only 500 pesos, customers can buy several items available at this Bacolod shopping center.

Robinson’s Place

Robinson’s Place is considered as one of the biggest Bacolod shopping malls. For the recreation and entertainment of customers, this commercial establishment features six state-of-the-art cinemas where people can view different local and foreign films. Aside from the cinemas, it has a gaming center where children and young people can have fun. Parents who want to buy high quality toys can visit the popular store Toys R Us. Families can also have a nice time inside this establishment since it features several dining facilities, which include Pizza Hut and Jollibee.

Negros Showroom

Tourists who like to see the local products and treats in Bacolod City should spend some time at the famous Negros Showroom. This establishment offers handicrafts that are made from bamboos as well as coconut husks. Aside from the handicrafts, customers can also buy home decorations, rugs and bags at the showroom. To promote the products of Bacolod City, the establishment has a food section where tourists can taste different sweet treats. Buying products offered at Negros Showroom contributes a lot to the economy of Negros Occidental because all the items that are available in the place are produced and exported by the Association of Negros Producers. The prices of merchandises usually range from 100 pesos to 500 pesos.

The City of Bacolod boasts of facilities that addresses the medical needs of its residents. Here is a guide to Bacolod hospitals and health care.

Riverside Medical Center Hospital

One of the most prominent hospitals in Bacolod City is Riverside Medical Center Hospital. Established by Dr. Pablo O. Torre, Sr., it started out as an 8-bed clinic and slowly developed and is currently a 300-bed medical facility located at B.S. Aquino Drive. It does not only provide excellent and quality medical and health care to Bacolod residents but also to the people of nearby provinces.

Riverside Medical Center Hospital specializes in diagnostics and treatments. Its facilities and hospital equipment has been upgraded in order to provide patients with quality medical and health care service and has emerged as one of the top hospitals in Bacolod City.

Bacolod Adventist Medical Center

With its 120-bed capacity, 300 employees, and over 200 in-house and visiting doctors and medical consultants, the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center is the lone ISO 9001:2000 certified medical facility in the entire Central Philippines. It provides both acute care and general medical services and is operated by the Adventist Health System in Asia.

Bacolod Adventist Medical Center is one of the top medical and health care facility in Negros Occidental. It provides state-of-the-art medical and diagnostic equipments designed to provide comprehensive, reliable, and quality medical service to their patients.

This Bacolod hospital is fueled by their mission to provide health services not only within the confines of the hospital but also outside the community. Bacolod Adventist integrates total medical and dental services in their charity work and outreach programs.

Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH)

Located in the heart of Bacolod City, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital is the only government-owned tertiary hospital in the whole Negros Occidental. With a 400-bed capacity, it has become the main end referral government facility for critical condition and complicated patients in the province.

As it is owned by the government, 7 out of its 10 patients are charity and indigent. The biggest problem of the hospital is that most of the time it does not have enough personnel to serve the influx of patients requiring medical treatment at an affordable price.

Due to the lack in government funds and because majority of the charity patients lack the ability to settle their medical bills which in turn will help the hospital get the revenues to upgrade its hospital facilities, the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital does not have the latest medical and health care facilities when compared with private hospitals in Bacolod City.

Although they cater to general health services , they do not have medical and laboratory facilities and equipments for special cases. Thus, Bacolod hospitals and health care require much improvement.

Bacolod is popular among Filipinos as the City of Smiles. Found in the Visayas group of islands more particularly in the Panay Island. This quiet and unassuming city is just an hour’s flight away from Metro Manila. However, its nearest airport is in its neighboring city of Silay, Bacolod is just thirty minutes away by private car.

Once you reach Bacolod, you are welcomed by the warmth of its inhabitants. A walk along downtown Bacolod can bring you just about anywhere. Its plaza is a great place for musings as you admire the city’s simple landscaping. Malls are just a stone’s throw away as well as localized tiangges to satisfy the bargain hunter within.

The primary means of transportation in the city is via the jeepney. Although its jeepneys look a little bit different from those seen in Metro Manila, these jeepneys are pretty much the same. It wouldn’t take you minutes before you learn the vernacular as to how to stop the jeepney or to give your payment.

One must try in Bacolod is its chicken inasal. Why the Ilonggos, those in Bacolod are commonly called, even have their own haven of chicken inasal that they fondly called Manukan Country. Manukan is the Ilonggo term for chicken.

Feast your eyes on a series of simple stalls all serving chicken inasal. Chicken inasal is barbecued chicken with the Ilonggos own kind of marinade. These are served on a banana leaf with white rice mixed with garlic. And if you should try the chicken inasal, you might as well try it the way the Ilonggos try it! Drizzle chicken oil generously on your rice and dip your chicken in a mixture of sili (local chili), vinegar and soy sauce. It is absolutely delicious.

Sampling the chicken inasal in Manukan Country is definitely better than any other commercialized representation of the inasal in Bacolod. Its simplicity is what gives it that edge.

Just an hour away from Bacolod’s city proper is Mambukal Resort. The resort is located on a mountain. Hot springs could be found all over the resort. It is said that these springs have a therapeutic effect on those who try it. Be careful though because the resort also offers several safety measures to visitors.

Another sidetrip that one can try at the resort is a trek to visit the seven falls. As the name suggests, seven falls can be seen during the hike. These falls offer cool and calming water to every Bacolod visitor.

These are just some of the attractions one could find in Bacolod. Of course, all these are best enjoyed among the Ilonggos who never seem to fail to smile.

Ever wondered living in a place called 'The City of Smiles'? Bacolod City, is dubbed to have that description. Bacolod City is in the Visayas Region in the Philippines, particularly at the northern part of Negros Occidental. 'Stonehill' was the literal meaning of the word 'bacolod' (from 'bakolod' a Hiligaynon terminology). The place was established on a literally mound-like terrain and it was stony. The place is now of Granada District. Muslim raids during those days forced the new settlement to be pushed along the shoreline in 1787. The old site was regarded as the 'old town' or Da-an Banwa.

Bacolod's Economic Competency

Sugar plantations have been the archetypal scene along the main roads of Bacolod. This has been the source of the natives' bread and butter and as of the present moment, almost 9000 hectares of agricultural or rural land are dedicated for sugarcane planting. Other source of income and livelihood are fishing, pottery and being engaged to livestock. Knocking in at the doors of international competency in economy, local government established some language centers catering foreigners. This type of business scheme has been giving English tutorials and instructions especially to Koreans. Other subjects and courses are also being offered. The usual colleges and universities around the city are also offering English language instruction for foreign students presently residing at Bacolod City. The onset and the emergence of the so-called business process outsourcing or BPO in most companies had changed the international market big time. In order for most business ventures to survive, they have to adopt this type of market scenario. The city of Bacolod is one of the cities in the Philippines that implemented this business wave. For this reason, there are distinguished BPO companies working in the city like, TeleTech, Transcom, Focus International Teleperformance and Convergys.

Tourism in the City of Bacolod

The city is highly regarded as the most livable city in the Philippines. Bacolod City is the province of Negros Occidental's capital city. The city prides itself as the only city in the Philippines to achieve a grand slam award for being the greenest and the cleanest highly urbanized city. Traffic jam is never a problem in the city because of the wide roads that prevent congestions. Bacolodnons, the natives of Bacolod, really love to enjoy life and that is the fact behind the moniker the 'City of Smiles'. Their noted festivities are the Pana-ad Sa Negros Festival and Maskara Festival. Making arrangements with some notable travel agencies would make the trip and stay to Bacolod City a reason for tourists to smile. T3 (Trips, Tickets and Tours) Centre is one of the tours agencies of Bacolod located at G/F Bargain Square Mall. Décor Travel Agencia situated at Goldenfields Commercial Complex also provides travel related services. For accommodations and travel needs, SN Travel House and Tours could make special packages for visitors (located at G/F Sea Breeze Hotel, San Juan St.). Mariton Air Travel is another office for tourists' itinerary and lodging needs. These travel agencies have served a lot of tourists who really and literally 'smiling' after their Bacolod adventure. As a travelers' tip, always check the internet for updated information regarding these travel agencies. As a final note, for a lovely vacation, always wear a smile.