Is Negros Occidental a Province Worth Revisiting?

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

According to wikipedia.org, “Negros Occidental is a province in the Philippines located in the Negros Island Region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half. It is known to be the "Sugar bowl of the Philippines" because produces more than half the nation’s sugar output”.

So what are we waiting for, let’s start our journey to Negros Occidental! Well, I have visited Negros Occidental last November 20, 2015 right after my Tagaytay – Manila trip and here are the things I did during my 2 days and 2 nights visit in the province…

First Destination – TALISAY CITY
I took the first flight from NAIA to Bacolod –Silay Airport around 4am of November 20, 2015 and reached the Bacolod city proper around 6:30am. Then, I went directly to my classmate’s pension house somewhere along Gonzaga Street to rest for a while before we start our adventure. By the way, even though we stayed in Bacolod City, we chose to visit first those top destinations of the province away from Bacolod –well that’s our style! Around 12pm right after we had our lunch, we visited first The Ruins of Talisay City! From Bacolod Plaza it took us 40-60 minutes to reach the Ruins, 2 rides for just about 25 pesos.

#TheRuins: It is considered as one of the 12 most fascinating ruins in the world. It is an ancestral house of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. He built this in the early 1900’s as a memory of his wife and during that time, this mansion was the largest residential structure in the whole province. 

Review: Well, I must say I was absolutely fascinated and it made me realized that not all ruined things are worthless; some may even become famous around the world. This is a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list!

Second Destination – MURCIA TOWN

We left The Ruins around 2:30pm and went back to the city proper to find another cab that will take us to our next destination –the Mambukal Mountain Resort of Murcia Town, some 31 km east of Bacolod City. Supposedly, going to this resort from Bacolod City proper will only take about 45minutes but due to crazy traffic we faced along the way to the terminal from Talisay City, we reached Mambukal around 4:30pm!

Mambukal Mountain Resort is a government owned resort and it is not only a perfect haven for adrenaline junkies but also for those people who want to see the golden-crown flying fox, the world's largest and heaviest species of bats which are endemic or can only be found in the resort!

They also offer hot springs, overnight stay, lagoon, man-made swimming pools and good food!

Review: This is one of a kind resort and a great place for some unwinding. Although because of the limited time we had, still we were very grateful to have visited such kind of resort! I would be glad if I’ll be given another chance to visit this place in the near future.

After 1.5 hours roaming the resort and ate our dinner, we went back to Bacolod City and spent my first night there! BTW, the last trip of the cab from Mambukal to Bacolod is around 6pm, otherwise if one can’t make it –it’ll be huge problem.

Third Destination – BACOLOD CITY

On the second day, we woke up early and started our adventure around 9am. We visited first those public places such as churches and plazas… 

Visited San Sebastian Cathedral

San Sebastian Cathedral is located in the heart of Bacolod City, in front of City Plaza; it was just a walking distance from Gonzaga Street where we stayed. It was originally a chapel and was only declared a cathedral when Bacolod became a diocese in 1933.

I may not be a very flamboyant pious man but yes, I believe in God and I go to church!

Visited Bacolod Public Plaza

Right across San Sebastian Cathedral is the Bacolod Public Plaza constructed way back in 1927 and such a perfect place for recreational activities and a way of knowing the history of Bacolod.

Dropping by at the Capitol Grounds and Lagoon

Actually, it is just a park located along Lacson St. in the heart of Bacolod City but what makes this special is that it serves as the Kilometer Zero Marker or the point of distance reference of the city is located. Personally, this is such a perf place for jogging during early evening or late afternoon or to just hang around.

Visited Pope John Paul II Tower

There's a bronze statue of the Pope (now a saint) in front of the building. Visitors can climb all the way to the top of the building where every floor you can see some memorabilia of the said event. Entrance fee is only 20 pesos.  

This building was constructed to commemorate the event that happened when the late Pope John Paul II visited Bacolod City.

Karting at Bacolod Baywalk

At the top of Pope John Paul II Tower you can view the whole Bacolod Skyline and as well as the Bacolod Baywalk, a very walking distance from the building, that’s why you should not dare to miss this place!

It's more fun #Karting in Bacolod City! Day 2: Bacolod City - Capitol Grounds and Lagoon, malling, San Sebastian Cathedral, Pope John Paul Tower and Bacolod Karting Zone!

Entrance fee is 20 pesos. Here you can go karting for only 250 good for 2 persons. Swear it’s worth a try! Though I made a real mess... haha

Malling, Food trip and Buying Pasalubong

Never leave Negros Occidental without bringing home some pasalubong, roaming around their malls and eating there’s most famous chicken Inasal.

I know there are still so many other places worth visiting in the province of Negros Occidental especially outside Bacolod City but with my 2 days and 2 night’s experience I therefore conclude, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL IS A PROVINCE WORTH REVISITING FOR!

November 20, 2015 – time to leave Bacolod City with happy faces! Thank you Negros Occidental, I’ll be revisiting you very soon…

Note: Going to the airport is only 500 pesos through taxi, so if you are a group of 2 or more, it is advisable to take the taxi going to the airport.

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