Bacolod: Sweeter the 2nd Time Around

Since I came back to Cebu, I make it a point to meet up with three of my high school classmates over lunch.  Sometimes it is an occasion to welcome a visiting classmate from abroad. Sometimes it  is to celebrate a milestone. But most of the time, it’s a time to just let our hair down and be silly happy to be in each other’s company.

In one of those lunches, one of us suggested going away for a short trip.  We set the following criteria for that perfect all-girl outing:

·         Accessible: not too far that it would entail getting a visa, or entail a long travel time

·         Affordable: reasonably priced plane fare, hotel, and meals

·         Appealing: food and shopping trip worthy

·         Awe- Inspiring Attractions—a bonus

We put the following destinations on the discussion table: Vigan (no direct flights from Cebu) , Bicol (always that possibility of cancellation due to typhoon), Camiguin (too many hops and limited flight days), and Davao (security concerns).  There were pros and cons for each destination.  But these places paled in comparison to our final choice.

Bacolod City.  The four of us had visited Bacolod at some point in the past and had fond memories we wished to revisit.

Indeed, it rated the required 4 As. 30 minute flight out from Cebu. A variety of hotels offering special rates.  A good number of restaurants and pastry shops to whet the appetite of any foodie. Plus the experience of travelling back to a gentler, relaxed and privileged period in time. All this made easier with transportation service and travel tips offered by a dear friend, former work colleague and resident of Bacolod. 

I must admit that there were hiccups in the trip—like a 4 and a half hours flight delay out of Cebu. But we made the most of it by diving straight into food tripping mode with the meal coupons issued by the airline. 

Not to forget that a very late arrival meant there was hardly any restaurant opened to receive us. But we got the chance to chill with some beer and pizza and our first sweet taste Bacolod is famous for— pastries.

Cafe Bob's

Our hotel, Circle Inn, was slightly off the center of activities on Lacson Avenue but that meant quiet and restful nights. The hotel was a good place to rest our tired tourist bodies but came short with providing adequate water for bathing. Good thing the attentive staff ensured we were fresh and clean before the start of our adventure. This also made for a good laugh.  We all agreed that there are always two ways to handle a bothersome situation: deal with it head-on with a good dose of humor or turn blue in the face by complaining and sulking.

Circle Inn

Not stressing ourselves out with these inconveniences, our revisit to Bacolod was truly sweeter. We managed, in the three days- two nights excursions, to be enthralled by:

The Ruins – located in Talisay.  What remains is a shell of what once was a magnificent edifice built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his Portuguese wife, Maria Braga Lacson. But even so, the very sight took our breaths away and our imaginations went wild with possible scenarios.  I love that there was constant love songs played by a distinguished looking elderly pianist. He humored us by playing some of our requested songs.

The Negrese Heritage House (Gascon Residence)- This is one of the best ancestral homes located in Silay.  A guided tour made the visit into a past era even more endearing.

Campuestohan Highland Resort  A 5-hectare property located between the boundaries of Bacolod City and Talisay. A cool plateau that sits below the mountain ranges of Mt Mandalagan and Mt Patag. Thick clouds hovered over the mountains and I was glad to have brought a wind breaker.  Now how to describe the feel of the resort? Think Disneyland meets Hollywood meets Universal Studio with Pinoy kitschy fair.  But no matter how my friends and I laughed at the mishmash look of the resort, we could not ignore the fact that it drew in the crowd—even on a slow weekday. The owners do know what they are doing. So we did what any tourist would do and had selfies with as many concrete characters scattered around the resort. 

Jojo Vito Design Gallery  A tiny jewel of a design gallery is tucked in a side street close to the Metrodome Center, Bacolod City.  At first, I was rather dismayed at the clutter and dusty displays. But remembering that this was an artist’s domain, my eyes took in the many creative items.  I found more than the usual masks in this unassuming shop.

Bantug Lake Ranch A surprise find and not on our original itinerary, we were drawn by the wide open space, a couple of horses grazing peacefully, ducks and geese gilding gracefully on a lake.  We were not disappointed to have stopped for a breather at Bantug Lake Ranch.

Rooster Haven- If you are a true blooded Pinoy, you would think you died and gone up to Rooster heaven. As far as your eyes can see, roosters roosters roosters.  Many of these breeding farms can be found along the road going to Talisay.

In a short span of time, we visited a note-worthy restaurants, several pastry shops and even a seaside eatery.

21 Restaurant- a bit of a formal affair with their white tablecloth and napkins. But really, the staff quickly will make you feel at home and it’s like dining at your grandma’s house—only better.  Not only do you get a taste of Bacolod cuisine but their bartender, EJ, can come up with the best tasting cocktails. We had a very memorable evening— and this is an understatement.

Delectable Boquirones (marinated anchovy fillets)

Tama Plaza Restaurant- along barangay Balaring coastline in Silay. No frills, just good food. Sea breeze a bonus.  A down-to-earth goodness break after a tour of the grand and imposing ancestral home in Silay.  

And the pastry/coffee shops: Bob’s Café, Calea, Pendy’s, and Ideal Bakery. These are just a few of the many shops we visited. Had I decided to stay longer, I could have found myself in Sugar Heaven. So be warned, sugar is just as dangerous as cigarettes—but without the ugly smell and sigma.

Bacolod. Worth not only a second visit but a multiple of returns.

Namit gid!!