SM in Bacolod, The City of Smiles
MANILA, Philippines - Bacolod, built on the small shoeshaped island of Negros Occidental, Philippines, used to be a stone hill, its name taken from Bakolod, which was under the colony of the Spaniards. It’s now one of the most eco-friendly and livable places in the country, a city of extreme contrasts where north meets south and the latest technology and development is equally as important as local customs are. Known as the “City of Smiles,” its residents possess a lovable tone of voice when conversing with others.
Once you arrive in the city center from nearby new Bacolod-Silay Airport, located in Silay City, take a tour around the entire place so you can get your bearings and get a taste of this fantastic city’s atmosphere. Starting with its heart: be enchanted by the Capitol Park and Lagoon that represents the seat of provincial power, and hypnotizes visitors with its magnetic beauty during night, especially when a full moon sets atop the buildings. Aside from its beauty, smaller Kingdom Park also encourages local people to stay healthy by offering various activities around the lagoon including jogging, aerobics and others; and close to the enchanting lagoon is the stunning new infrastructure of the New Government Center, its sphere-shaped pool and dancing fountain mirroring the sky.
The alluring nature of Gaea is also visible in the city, coming from the south part of Bacolod, where a magnificent view of the sunset can be seen in Palmas del Mar, known to have calm crystal shores that provide magnificent amenities to both residents and tourists. If you feel that you have the blood of a pirate, then the Caribbean Waterpark Resotel is the answer to your prayers: with its sinking ship in the middle of a pool, you can enjoy you very own “Jack Sparrow” moment; and if not contented with the excitement of the ship, the sliding pool is an adventure for everyone, bringing you back to carefree days as a child. If you want to be part of nature and see some wildlife, the next destination would be in the east part of the city. Known as the oldest resort in the city, and long a part of the Bacoleños’ life, the Sta. Fe Resort is your next stop, with its various animals, irresistible fun, sporting facilities and other features.
For nightlife, Bacolod has it all, from the smallest karaoke bar to relaxing clubs. If coffee is your pleasure, then Oriental Café is still here, serving the old style of coffee mixes famous among the locals. However, if you are like the new coffee styles, then Café Bobs is the answer to your craving; Kuppa, Starbucks and other coffee shops offer even more.
Every October, Bacolod City celebrates its lively, world-famous and colorful Masskara festival that will make you dance in the street. The concept of the festival began in 1980 when Negros experienced a great crisis; to counteract the problem, the city decided to celebrate the Masskara, which derives from the word “mass” meaning many or a multitude of the people and “cara” from a Spanish word that means faces. The Masskara festival is a street party where different barangays compete by wearing artistic smiling masks, with rainbow-like colored dresses to match the lively, locally composed music. Aside from the usual Masskara street dancing parade during daytime, the Electric Masskara is a new innovation now starting to gain popularity among local and foreign visitors; it is held at night with luminous lights placed in the dancers’ costumes.
If you want to try different cuisines and check out the Fun Park, then the most fascinating infrastructure is near the public plaza, also beside the seaport and a newly erected shrine of Pope John Paul II. The nearby SM City Bacolod, divided into two directions, North and South, features two skyways connecting the two buildings — like two persons holding hands. SM is, indeed, like a city within a city, combining different foods, cultures, fashion and technology from all over the world. Bacolod has always been a happy place, but when SM was opened it brought excitement to every Bacoleño and an infinite variety of entertainment choices, quickly becoming a new shopping destination in the city.
The city’s uniqueness will only come alive if you experience the lifestyle of true Bacoleños and enjoy the cool, cyber-friendly zone of SM.
