Bacolod

This is my birthplace and where i grew up. It is the capital city of Negros Occidental; an island in the visayas region of the Philippines. It is ranked as one of the livable place in the Philippines with low crime rates. 

Travel time from Manila: Airplane- 45minutes to 1 hour, passenger ship: 18-24 hours.

Airline tickets ranging from USD 42-106 back and forth with changing rates depends on the availability and season. Business class ranges from 106-212 USD.


Brief History:

Originally known as "Buglas" by its natives. This fourth largest island in the Philippine archipelago was given the name "Negros" by the Spanish navigators when Esteban de Rodriguez discovered the island in April, 1565 and found its earliest occupants to be dark-skinned natives belonging to the Negrito ethnic group. The natives then, occupied initially most of the southern portion of the province, being Binalbagan and Ilog. Two of the earliest native settlements which officially became towns in 1572 and 1584, respectively. Other settlements were Hinigaran, Bago, Marayo (now Pontevedra), Mamalan (now HImamaylan) and Candaguit.

Language: Hiligaynon 

Weather: There are only two seasons in a year: Rainy mostly on June-October and mostly sunny. Summer starts on March-May.

Known for: Sugarcane industry.

Average Temperature: 23-32 degrees

Religion: Roman Catholic, other sectors of Christianity, Muslim

Other information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacolod

October and summer time are usually the peak season for this place, so better book your airline and boat tickets about more than a month.

Masskara festival:

October is the month most bacolodnons are looking forward for Masskara Festival. Usually this happens every third weekend of October. 

The word "Masskara" is a portmanteau coined by the late artist Ely Santiago from mass (a multitude of people), and the Spanish wordcara (face), thus forming MassKara (a multitude of faces). The word is also a pun on maskara, Filipino for "mask" (itself from Spanishmáscara), since a prominent feature of the festival are the masks worn by participants, which are always adorned with smiling faces.

Street dancing happens in the morning while at night street party and Electric Masskara parade are being held.

Lacson Street is usually closed wherein the night street party are being held. There are several kiosks in the sides of the street serving beer and different food but mostly the most-known delicacy of bacolod "Chicken Inasal" (barbecued chicken marinated with local spices).