Bacolod City, situated on the northwestern part of the island of Negros, is bounded by the Guimaras Strait on the west, the municipality of Talisay on the north, the municipality of Murcia on the east, and Bago City on the South.

The City has land area of 156.1 kilometers. In 1970, it had a population of 187,300. It has a cool invigorating climate with abundant rainfall. The majority of the people speak Ilonggo and the rest speak Cebuano.

Bacolod, the "Sugar City in the Philippines," is one of the most progressive and elite cities in the country. Along its highway, sugarcane plantation is a typical scene; coconut and rice are also grown. The people are engaged in livestock, fishing and pottery.

Bacolod was derived from the Ilonggo word "bakolod" meaning "stonehill" since the settlement was founded in 1770 on a stonehill area, now the district of Granada and the former site of the Bacolod Murcia Milling Company.

A land where the old is preserved and the new is embraced, where genteel yet strong-willed people tilled and nurtured fertile soil and turned it into the country's 'sugarland'.

Places to Visit in Bacolod City

San Sebastian Cathedral: Built in 1876 upon the initiative of Fr. Mauricio Ferrero, a Recollect friar. It became a cathedral in 1933 is one of the century -old churches found in Negros Occidental.

Bells of San Sebastian: The centennial bells of San Sebastian Cathedral were brought down from their places in the belfry and mounted at the right side of the churchyard in 1976, the 100th year anniversary of the Cathedral.

Palacio Episcopal: Older than the San Sebastian Cathedral by approximately 50 years, the Bishop's Palace was built by Fr. Julian Gonzaga but was eventually finish only in the 1890's. During and after the revolution of 1898, the Palacio served as refuge for the Spanish military and civic officials.

Bacolod Plaza Bandstand and Gazebo: Right at the center of Bacolod Public Plaza, the bandstand was constructed in 1927 to complement the weekend cultural activities of the early Bacoleños, Names of world-famous composers like Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner circle the sides of the roofing, attesting to the early Bacolodnon's familiarity with European culture.

Barangay sang Virgen Chapel: The Sta. Clara Subdivision chapel features a unique mural mosaic measuring a 9 ft. x 21 ft. of the lady of the Barangay Sang Virgen done on a collage of 95,000 pieces of shells of various sizes, shades and colors.

San Antonio Abad Church: This crown-shaped church features stations of the cross done by Bacolod's top artists. It also features an altar sculpture "The Risen Christ" done by a national Artist, Solomon Saprid.

Fountain of Justice: In front of the Bacolod City Hall, the former site of the old City Hall where the formal signing of the Spanish surrender to the local forces by Gen. Aniceto Lacson tool place - Col. Isidro Castro, Spanish governor of Negros, signed in behalf of he Spanish forces on November 7, 1898.

Yulo's Park: The park is the site of the ancestral home of the prominent Yulo family. The Yulo's belong to a clan of politician's that helped shaped the status of Negros Occidental. - a premier province of the south. The Park used to be the center for social and recreational affairs in Bacolod at the turn of the century.

Negros Occidental High School Alumni Promide: Fronting the Negros Occidental High School along Araneta Street. The promenade used to be a sidewalk renovated and beautified by the city to honor the school alumni who are now prominent civic and government leaders.

Rizal Centennial Park: Fronting the Rizal Elementary School along Araneta Street. The city's contribution to the Centennial Celebration. Inaugurated in December 30, 1996, the park is the tribute of Bacolod to the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and provides an oasis for many city commutes, students and professionals during early morning and late afternoons.

Negros Museum: The Negros Museum is a unique historical and humanities museum in that in does not collect antiques but stories about the people of Negros Occidental. It showcases important historical events which made Negros as 'The Sugarbowl of the Philippines". Thus, the museum is sometimes referred to as 'The Sugar Museum'. Open from Tuesday to Sunday. from 10:00 A. to 6:00 PM. / Tel. No. 433-4764.

Museum Negrense de La Salle: The only school-based museum in Bacolod City that was born out of a dream to preserve vital documents, photographs, cultural artifacts and the history of Negros. The museum can accommodate 40 visitors at one time. Large groups are requested to call the Museum at least 48 hours before the visit at Tel. No. 435-5998. It is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Marapara Golf and Country Club: Golf is one of the most popular sports attractions in Bacolod today as local golf course - The Bacolod golf and Country Club provides challenging 18-hole adventures for amateur and professional golfers, with panoramic views of scenic Mounts Marapara and Patag.

Negros Forest Ecological Foundation & Biodiversity Center: A breeding and rescue center for endangered and endemic animals found in Negros Island as well as other places in the Philippines Visayan spotted deer, Luzon bleeding heart pigeon, Philippine Visayan Tarictic hornbill, Philippine hawk-eagle, monitor lizard, Philippine serpent eagle and the sailfin lizard. Tel. No. (034) 433-9234.

Bacolod Western Visayas Clonal Nursery: The Bacolod Western Visayas Clonal Nursery lies on a one-hectare flat and gently rolling grassland terrain located 2.5 kms. away from Barangay Alangilan which is about 17 kms. from the city proper of Bacolod. The only one of its kind in the Province of Negros Occidental, this nursery has been put up in order to provide continuous supply of quality planting stocks for the reforestation and greening program of the city. It has an orchard of hedge plants for vegetative propagation, a nursery for seeds and planting stocks; a hardening shed and a potting area for rooted cuttings to pots. Visits to the nursery is by appointment through the City Environment Office; the City Mayor's Office or the City Tourism Office.

The ANP Showroom: Considered as the country's number one trade house and pasalubong center, the Showroom is an alternative giftshop that houses arts and crafts that Negros island had to offer - from furniture to furnishings, ceramics, scented candles, pottery, novelties, ladies/children's garments, fashion accessories, souvenir t-shirts as well as indigenous foods. Open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Tel. No. (034) 434-0717 / 434-1000.

Recuerdos de Bacolod: "Recuerdos" (souvenirs) is know for its collection of excavated items and heirlooms, wooden saints, furniture and pottery pieces as early as the 7th and 9th century. These antique items were taken mostly from Bohol and Panay.

Panaad Park and Stadium: Located in Barangay Mansilingan near the boundary of Barangay Alijis, this 25-hectare sports complex and park is known to be one of the best in the country and has already been host to a lot of national sport events. It has a rubberized oval tract, an Olympic-size swimming pool and other sports facilities. Its unique feature is the replica of the landmarks of the 13 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.

Fort San Juan: Was constructed in 1888 mainly thru the initiative of Don Ramon Pastor, the governadorcillo at the time and with the cooperation of Recollect Friar, Fray Mauricio Ferrefo, who designated and constructed the Fort San Juan, with Fernando Cuenca, also built the San Sebastian Cathedral. The Fort served as the jail for prisoners during the Spanish era. After the Negros Revolution in 1898, thirty six (36) Spanish friars were ordered in incarcerated. Today, the fort serves as the Provincial Jail.

Provincial Building: An imposing structure of Romanesque neoclassical architectural design, is the official seat of the government of the Province of Negros Occidental. It served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II.

Paghimud-os Provincial Capitol Park: "Ang paghimud-os " which literally means "The Struggle" is a fine sculpture erected at the east entrance of the Capitol Lagoon Park. This magnificent work of art was done by one of the country's noted sculptor, Eduardo Castrillo.

Provincial Park and Lagoon: It is located In front of the Capitol Building. To the north and south ends of the rectangular lagoon stand the statues of a woman and female water buffalo and a man and a male water buffalo, respectively. The woman standing beside the female water buffalo is a massive sculptural work said to have been done by a French artist whose work was never been duplicated until a Negrense artist who finished Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines duplicated the Frenchman's work of art by coming out with a man and male water buffalo. Presently, the lagoon grounds is a favorite jogging area of Bacolod residents.

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