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Whenever a barangay or town celebrates a fiesta, guests are welcome in a local's home for food and drinks. Yes, it is part of the Filipino hospitality. In our town (1.5 hours from Bacolod) we celebrate our town fiesta every 5th of April. So if you're traveling to Bacolod and would like to see my hometown, then you are invited to our place. Just let me know if ever. ;)
Every October 19, Bacolod Celebrates its charter day and a Masskara Festival is held. It is a week long celebration wherein the highlight is usually the weekend before the 19th. Be sure to book your flight and hotel months before October since plenty of people are sure to be joining the festivity. There are street parties, bands, organized presentation, etc., and a guaranteed fun for the said event.
Bacolodnons love to eat out and to be "seen". It's just a small city where a friend of a friend knows this and that. We have a variety of local restaurants which we patronize and recommend with Pride... They say, when you visit Bacolod, prepare your tummy for food tripping. ;)
Aside from their sincere and warm hospitality, guess what you’ll immediately notice about the people of Bacolod: their sweet way of talking in an indescribable melodious tone. You’ll also observe that they really love to entertain guests. They are eager to meet friends/relatives of friends and they enjoy conversation over food and/or dessert/drinks.
When crisis hit the sugar industry, many of the workers who were displaced didn’t wallow in self-pity. Rising above their misfortune of losing jobs, many took a chance to work abroad. The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) now send money to their families, thus improving their standard of living. The wife now shops in malls and works out in the gym; the children eat well, dress up well and go to good schools in cars. Don’t be surprised to see the family of the OFWs riding in expensive cars/SUVs. Banks through which remittances are made by the OFWs allegedly give them car loans without collateral.
Simple:Far from the aristocratic types I imagined, the affluent in Bacolod do not dress up to impress. In fact, many wealthy people don’t wear flashy clothes and jewelry in public; they dress up and act simply. Ilonggos enjoy a good life, but the affluent find time for socio-civic and religious projects.Slow And Easy:I gathered that there are many migrants from Metro Manila and Luzon who have learned to love living in Bacolod. The City has a lot of job/investment opportunities, and it has the amenities of modern living. The roads are nice without monstrous traffic on the way to work, so the migrants have learned to take their day’s tasks leisurely, albeit slow and easy, and not in a hurried, stressful way. Breakfast is between 9-10AM, lunch begins at about 1 or 2PM, and dinner is much later because they have siesta or afternoon coffee with friends/relatives. Siesta or afternoon nap is a...
I was told that when Aboy's Restaurant introduced the "Bibingka" and "Puto Bumbong", they became such a big hit to Bacolod diners. On the streets of Bacolod, you can also have the "bibingka". Cooked on the streets and packed on the streets, the "bibingkas" are bought and eaten by locals who probably can't resist the aroma of burnt banana leaves and cooked rice cakes. I saw a husband and wife team of street "bibingka" vendors as we walked to the Cathedral. The man cooked the mini "bibingkas", took the cooked ones out of the tins and placed them on a table where the woman took care of brushing them with margarine and sold them. I saw a man buy some for his kids. Business was brisk at P0.50 each.
Most clans/families get together on weekends. I had the occasion to witness the get together of the Garcia Clan. After a festive meal, I was happy to see such affluent families discussing not business matters but stories about their family members, their socio-civic involvements, travels, guests, etc. There is also time for joking and "entertainment". That time, we were amused by a cute, smart boy named Sancho. Dressed in a Bishop's costume, he rendered a declamation. He seemed to enjoy the attention of all the adults. But we were in for a big surprise! He passed the hat for his "talent fee". Who could refuse such a cute little boy?
I believe that the best way to learn about the culture of a place is by observing things and people around you; actually talking and mixing with the locals, and joining them in their festivals and fiestas. I did just that, and although the Bacolod residents often spoke their dialect (Ilonggo), I experienced the warmth, sincere friendship and hospitality of the people I met. I had very happy moments with my cousin and cousin-in-law's relatives and friends who were all so thoughtful, helpful and hospitable. They enjoyed showing us around, they fed us like there was always a feast and they always checked on our needs and schedule. I can vouch that Bacolod residents generally love to entertain guests, and they enjoy introducing them to their circle of friends and relatives.I also had wonderful moments with locals that I don't really personally know, and they showed me kindness and...
When you go to a restaurant serving native foods, you'll see already set on the table a bottle of "sinamak", a bottle of soy sauce, and ready to squeeze calamansi on a saucer. It seems that almost all grilled foods are usually eaten with the following condiments: soy sauce with squeezed calamansi (native lemon) and "sinamak" (mixture of palm vinegar, sliced ginger, sliced onions, chili, and sliced bell pepper). Sometimes, "sinamak" is mixed with soy sauce as dip. One may also squeeze the calamansi directly on the grilled food, then use the "sinamak"-soy sauce dip.
Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel Bacolod City
1 Review and 0 Opinions I had great time staying here.The accomodations were great and food is good.Very accessible to...
O Hotel Bacolod
76 Opinions
Circle Inn Bacolod
1 Review and 76 Opinions I had booked the Circle Inn online at a price of $18US per night for a standard room, which was well...
Reviews and photos of Bacolod City attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Bacolod City sightseeing.
Q: Hello, I`ll arrive to Bacolod in February 2012 for 6 days ( 4 whole days). I`ll arrive to Bacolod airport about 1 p.m. I`m...
A: did the above post answer your question? lol ... may i suggest that you look for buenababe here in VT as she is a local there and might be able to answer most of your...
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