MassKara Festival Guide For First Time Travelers
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:
Address: Gatuslao St., Bacolod City
Address: Between 5th and 8th St., Bacolod City
Address: Rizal St., Reclamation Area, Bacolod City
MASSKARA FESTIVAL
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
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.
Type: Cafe, Pasta, Burger
Type: Cakes and Pastries
Type: Cafe
Type: Bar, Restaurant
Type:Eatery, Chicken Inasal
Type: Cafe
Type: Bakery, Snacks, Meals
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
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
Contact Number: (034) 433 4096
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
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
Source: bacolodpages
INNS BY THE ORIENTALSORIENTALS
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.
Address: 119 Alunan St., Bacolod City
BONGBONG’S DELICACIES
Address: Bangga Pauline, Alijis Rd., Baccolod City
Contact Number: ((034) 434-2626|0922 850-5761
MERZCI PASALUBONGPASALUBONG
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: Brgy. Minoyan, Murica
Reference: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
Comments
Post a Comment