MassKara Festival Guide For First Time Travelers

Bacolod, dubbed as the “ City of Smiles.” It is home of the renowned MassKara Festival. A colorful and festive celebration which is held every third week of October annually. Bacolod is a progressive city and the capital of Negros Occidental. This travel guide is not limited to the city itself. We will also featuring nearby towns and cities for your side trips. Among its neighboring cities, Silay is a notable one. It is known as the “ Seat of Art and Culture “ in Negros. It is also dubbed as the “ Paris of Negros.”

HOW TO GET TO BACOLOD

Bacolod is an hour away by plane from Manila via International Airport situated in Silay City. Air conditioned vans and taxis awaiting the airport parking lot to downtown Bacolod. An 18 hour ferry service is also regularly plies Manila to Bacolod.

GETTING AROUND DURING MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Jeepney is the main mode of transportation in Bacolod. Some tourist spots and venue during the festival celebration is a walking distance only. During the MassKara Festival, some of the main roads were close during daytime and Lacson Street mostly every night. Motorized tricycle and pedicabs ( trisikad ) were also available at the side streets. But I prefer walking to he heavy and bumper to bumper traffic.

WHAT TO DO IN BACOLOD
There are a lot of things to do in Bacolod. You can visit the San Sebastian Cathedral right in front of the public plaza where the MassKara Festival arena dance competition is celebrated. Also you can take a glimpse of Pope John Paul II tower just beside the SM Bacolod. Or maybe you can try to commune with nature at Mambukal Resort. But take note that during MassKara Festival several activities were lined up. So I guess it will be hard for you to do side trips if you have a limited time. Staying few days is highly recommended to do more exploration. Another thing is hiring or joining group tours for more organize and well planned trips. You can check the list of legit tour operators her:
MASSKARA FESTIVAL

MassKara Festival Bacolod












The most anticipated event every October is the MassKara Festival Street Dance Competition. Dancers lined the streets with their colorful and intricately designed mask inspired in Rio de Janiero of Brazil while dancing through the beat of Latin music. All walks of life gathered in public plaza to witness one of the happiest festivals in the Country.



SAN SEBASTIAN CATHEDRAL

San Sebastian Cathedral












Address: Rizal St., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 433-0261

NEGROS MUSEUM















Address: Gatuslao St., Bacolod City
Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Contact Number:
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM


CAPITOL PARK AND LAGOON














Address: Between 5th and 8th St., Bacolod City
Entrance Fee: Free


POPE JOHN PAUL II TOWER












Address: Rizal St., Reclamation Area, Bacolod City
Entrance Fee: PHP 20.00
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Daily
WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT DURING MASSKARA FESTIVAL
The famous chicken inasal is a must try during your visit in Bacolod. There are plenty of carenderia and restaurants along the metro that serves chicken inasal. Manukan Country, MassKara Festival Chicken are among the best tasting one. During Tue MassKara Festival several stalls and kiosk along the streets also serves Bacolod’s best. Not only the chicken inasal is what Bacolod’s famous of but also sweets and pastries were also a must try. As we all know Negros is the sugar bowl of the Philippines. Your visit would not be complete without tasting the local delicacies like piaya. Also cakes and pastries of Calea is famous for its taste. But wait don’t forget to dine in a homegrown restaurant of Bacolod – Bob’s.

BOBS'S CAFE













Type: Cafe, Pasta, Burger
Address: Lacs on Street, Corner 21st St., Bacolod City
Contact Number:

CALEA












Type: Cakes and Pastries
Address: Lourdes C Bldg., Lacson Street., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 433-8664 | (034) 433-314

BASCON

Bascom Cafe












Type: Cafe
Address: Lacson St., Bacolod City
Contact Number:

BAR 21











Type: Bar, Restaurant
Address: Corner 20th Lacson St., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 433 4096

MANOKAN COUNTRY

Manokan Country












Type:Eatery, Chicken Inasal
Address: Father M. Ferrero St., Bacolod City

OLD PALA PALA

Type: Dampa Style, Sea Food
Address: San Juan St., Corner North Capitol, Bacolod City



MELY'S GARDEN

Type: Restaurant
Address: 6th Street, Bacolod City

ABOY'S

Type: Restaurant
Address: 

CAFE 1925

Cafe 1925 Silay City











Type: Cafe
Address: 14 J Ledesma St., Silay City
Contact Number: (034) 714-7414

EL IDEAL BAKERY












Type: Bakery, Snacks, Meals
Address: 118 Rizal St., Silay City
Contact Number: (034) 495-4430


THE RUINS

Type: Restaurant
Address: Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City
Contact Number: 


WHERE TO STAY IN BACOLOD
There are various inns, hotels and lodgings located at the heart of the city. I would suggest L' Fisher Hotel for first class accommodation. L' Fisher is the only premier hotel on the locale. There are also plenty of cheap accommodations for travelers and backpackers available around. Make sure to book ahead because during the festival most of the hotels were fully booked and above minimum is being charged. You can check the list of hotels below.

 L' FISHER HOTEL
L Fisher Hotel Bacolod








Source: bacolodpages
Address: 14th Lacs on St., Bacolod City
Contact Numbe: (034) 433 3731
Website: L' Fisher


 INNS BY THE ORIENTALSORIENTALS











Address: San Juan St., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 704 2756
Website: Inns By The Oriental

 BUSINESS INN











Address: Lacson St., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 433 8877
Website: Business Inn

 GRAND REGAL HOTEL











Address: Araneta St., Sincang, Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 708-5888|708-5588
Website: Grand Regal Hotels

 SALTIMBOCA TOURIST INN










Address: 15th Lacson St., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 432-3617|(034) 433-3179|(034) 432-1145
Rates:

WHERE AND WHAT TO BUY IN BACOLOD

There are a wide array of souvenirs and "Pasalubong" that you can buy in Bacolod. Your visit is not complete without buying one for your loved ones. For souvenir items you can visit Jojo Vito Mask Design Gallery. Also Negros Showroom offers a wide selection of the "Best Products of Negros Province." The showroom houses products like garment, gifts, decors,furniture and furnishings, natural and organic foods. For food pasalubong Bonbong's and Merzci Pasalubong Center were best places to go.


JOJO VITO GALLERY
Jojo Vito Mask Design Gallery


Address: 119 Alunan St., Bacolod City
Contact Number: (034) 433-8833
Website: Jojovito.com


BONGBONG’S DELICACIES

Bongbong' Piaya


Address: Bangga Pauline, Alijis Rd., Baccolod City
Contact Number: ((034) 434-2626|0922 850-5761


MERZCI PASALUBONGPASALUBONG
Merzci Pasalubong















Address:
Contact Number:

SIDE TRIP

When visiting a certain place most especially having extra day or days, side trip is recommended. It could definitely maximize your tour experience. When visiting Bacolod, there are nearby towns and cities that you could include in your side trip. Silay City is recommended. This heritage city is one of the 25 tourist destination in the country. Also it is next to Vigan for most numbered ancestral houses. Thus, it is called a "Museum City." Another town you can enjoy is Talisay City. It houses the most photograph Ruins, also known as the Taj Mahal of Negros. For nature adventure side trips you can visit Mambukal Resort in the first class municipality of Murcia.

SILAY CITY

 BALAY NEGRENSE MUSEUM












Address: Cinco de Noviembre St., Silay City, Negros Occidental
Contact Number: (034) 714 7676
Entrance Fee: PHP 40.00

BERNARDINO JALANDONI MUSEUM











Address: Rizal St., Silay Cit, Negros Occidental
Contact Number: (034) 495 5093

Hofilena Museum












Address: 14 Cinco de Noviembre St., Silay City
Contact Number: (034) 495 4561
Entance Fee:

SAN DIEGO PRO CATHEDRAL















Address: Rizal Cor. Dr. Montinola Street, Silay City, Negros Occidental
Contact Number: (034) 495 0840

TALISAY CITY


THE RUINS














Address: Had. Sta. Maria, Talisay City
Contact Number: (034) 476 4334|0917 832 6003
Entrance Fee: PHP 95.00

MURCIA


MAMBUKAL RESORT – SEVEN FALLS














Address: Brgy. Minoyan, Murica
Entrance Fee: PHP 50.00
Contact Number: (034) 710 0801

Reference:

Location: Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Konnichi-WOW: Win a Free Trip to Japan with TravelBook.ph!

Image
In celebration of their 4th year anniversary, TravelBook.ph , the leading local hotel booking website in the Philippines, is sending three (3) lucky winners to Japan for free! To join the promo, simply make a hotel or resort booking through TravelBook. ph   from March 11 to May 31, 2017. Both check-in and check-out dates should be within the said period to qualify. In addition, only customers who complete their stays (must check in and check out) are eligible to join. Please note that all rooms are subject to availability. Each of the three winners will win roundtrip plane tickets to Japan for two, free hotel accommodation, and pocket money. One (1) winner will be drawn at random each month for April, May, and June 2017, which will be announced on TravelBook.ph's website and its official Facebook and Instagram accounts. The winners will be notified via phone call and e-mail from TravelBook.ph's customer service representatives and will be given instructions on how t
Read more

Jomax Peak: Experience Sea Of Clouds In Negros

Image
Imagine yourself sipping unlimited cup of coffee while enjoying sea of cl ouds in Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Negros Occidental. Or Maybe watch the sunset and moonrise right on their balcony and mountain ranges as your backdrop! It is really possible if you can pay a visit to Jomax Peak . The place will surely give you a memorable and indelible experience. Although it is not as spectacular as Mt. Pulag and Sagada but it is great alternative. The place is very accessible. Its picture perfect location is very promising and the place is a sight to behold. The cold weather and the scenic view is a great way to commune with nature and spend quality time with family and loved ones. Jomax Peak is a place for you to relax and get rid from the pollution of the metro. Find peace and serenity while enjoying a panoramic view of the lush mountains and say hi to Mt. Canlaon from afar. This new haven is must visit place whenever you're in the province. Happened to be placed in
Read more

MassKara Festival Schedule Of Events 2022

Image
One of the most anticipated festival not only in the city of Bacolod but also in the Province and the country as well will once again celebrate Masskara Festival. It is an annual celebration every fourth Sunday of October based on the ordinance authored by Councilor Em Ang . Photo: Masskara Festival Being dubbed as the " happiest and most colorful festival in the Philippines " is a month-long celebration with different events and activities. Masskara Festival draw thousands of visitors both local and foreign during the festival. The word "Masskara" is a portmanteau, coined by the late artist Ely Santiago from mass (a multitute of people), and cara (face), thus forming MassKara (a multitude of faces). The word is also a pun on maskara, Filipino for "mask" (itself from Spanish mascara), since it is a prominent feature of the festival and are always adorned with smiling faces, giving rise to Bacolod being called the "City of Smiles"
Read more