My first free-of-charge ticket goes to Bacolod! Even if we just stayed less than 24 hours in the city and some of its nearby town, we pretty much did everything in our bucket list. Together with my PAL colleagues, Vianca and Mel, we explored the Negros Occidental's capital, Bacolod City!
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We took the first flight so the chance of being bumped off would likely be lessen (Glad we made it). Around 0400 we board the aircraft and before I can say Chicken Inasal, the plan took off. Since it's too early to travel, we pretty much slept on board after nibbling our biscuits and drinking our tea. After an hour, we landed smoothly on Bacolod Silay Airport. Thanks to the pilot and crew aboard PR 2913, we arrived safe.
Got a window seat!
I quickly called Tito Albert to fetch us at the airport. Tito Albert is my mom's good friend and when I told him we'll be going to Bacolod, he eagerly offered to tour us. What a relief! While waiting at the airport, I can't help but wonder the tall sugar canes outside. Tito Albert welcomed us with warm smile and asked how was our flight.
We headed at the Capitol where Tito works. The structure reminds me of UST buildings, just replace the fountain of knowledge with an infinity pool like fountain.
Since it's Tuesday weekday, the Capitol was quite busy working so did Tito Albert. He told us he had work to do but he will catch up on lunch so he let us borrowed his car! What adds to that, he let his friend, Kuya Badong, drove us everywhere we want. We were so grateful we felt giddy lol.
Vianca, Me and Mel wanted to have a groufie in the infinity pool like fountain
BCD excursionists!
With Kuya Badong :)
Our first destination: Campuestohan Park
Dubbed as the town's mini- Tagaytay, Campuestohan Highland Resort is located between the mountain ranges of Bacolod and Talisay City. It's a perfect summer getaway if you're looking for a budget and family friendly destination. You can take photos with super heroes, disney characters, basketball and hollywood stars. My favorite was the biggest gorilla I've seen!
The main reason I add this place to our bucket list is because of Sky Biking. Yes you read it right, Sky biking up in the air! For only Php100 per person you can conquer your fears by cycling in the air. I was so confident that I can make it but upon riding the bike, I almost want to cry. It took us half an hour to bike to the other side. I thought I need to balance myself since It's been a while since I've rode a bike again but hell no, you don't need to balance yourself, just need to pedal/peddle it and swoosh, you're cycling in the air! That was the scariest 10 minutes of my life so far. We were very proud of ourselves for doing such thing lol.
Before 12 noon, we left Campoestuhan with big smiles on our face and headed to the city proper where Tito Albert was waiting for lunch. What's for lunch? The ever famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal in Manokan Country. I was surprised on how big the chicken was-- and the taste? It's heaven! I've requested to have some pasalubong for my friends and family in Manila. We went to Bongbongs Pasalubong and bought my favorite piaya, barquilos, tart and butterscotch. I saw La Consolacion Bacolod so I took pictures too.
La Consolacion Bacolod :)
Chicken Inasal.. Namit gid!
Tito Albert went back to work while we went to Mambukal Resort. It's siesta time, we fell asleep inside the car and by the time we reached Mambukal, Kuya Badong did wake us up. We're still sleepy walking along the big stones of Mambukal when a tour guide offered us to accompany to 7th falls. And so our dizziness went away! The Resort lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. We had a hard time trekking since the trails are so slim and steep, there were big stones everywhere. We reached 5 falls in a row. It's my first time to see a falls so I quickly fall in love with the place. Upon going back to the downtown, we met locals in a quaint town. Kids smile brightly on us. No wonder Bacolod is known as The City of Smiles.
Carefree ^^
Kuya Badong was waiting in the car when we arrived, he was shocked as we share our stories on how we trekked the mountain up until the 5th falls. My legs were very sore and my running shoes' sole got broken. But overall, It was a fulfilling moment for us for climbing such a steep trail. Kudos to Vianca and Mel too!
We had Batchoy during merienda with Tito Albert. If my memory serves me right, that was the first time I ate a legit Batchoy. I only knew Batchoy thru cup noodles so I'm quite happy that I'd be able to taste a real one.
We went to Gun Club Bacolod where Tito Albert is a member. He told us that we're the first outsiders he brought there, such a sweetie tito! I thought we'd just watch him shooting but he put a box full of bala in the table. We'll gonna learn to shoot. I was so excited I've never placed a finger on a gun before. We had four rounds to shoot different aims. I excelled in the third round, I shot all the aim in a row.
It's 1800/6pm already I can't believe how time flies so fast so we headed to the famous The Ruins also in Talisay City.
Amidst the tall sugarcanes and awestruck tourists, a historic mansion stood still. Welcome to The Ruins!
The mansion was built in the early 1900’s by the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson
(1865-1948) and was home to his unmarried children with his first wife, Maria Braga Lacson (+1911), a Portuguese from Macau.The mansion met its sad fate in the early part of World War II when the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East), then guerilla fighters in the Philippines, burnt the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from utilizing it as their headquarters.
Today, it is a favorite location for prenup and shoots. Such a beautiful structure and interesting history like Taj Mahal.
The Ruins
It's already dark when we headed to our last destination before reaching the aiport. Bacolod is like Manila at night, there's SM, Robinsons, tall buildings like in Makati, call centers, bars and restaurants. There is one particular highway that resemble Quezon Ave so much.
Our last stop: Calea Dessert Shop
You shall not leave Bacolod without tasting their premium pastries. What are sugarcanes for? I bought the famous international chocolate cake. I would have loved to buy more but my budget won't allow me.
Kuya Badong and Tito Albert dropped us at the airport. Words were not enough to express our deepest gratitude for them. Without them, that tour could have been different. I suddenly became thankful of my job perks, I can go back to the beautiful city anytime I want so instead of being sad, I was happy and positive to plan my next trip there probably with mom and Sub.
We board the aircraft of PR 2910 heading back to Manila!
Thanks to the big heart of Bacolod locals, I had so much fun in my first FOC.
Thanks to Vianca and Mel for being efficient buddies, walang arte- arte
Thanks to mommy for letting me go there lol
Thanks PAL for letting me visit Bacolod for free
Thank you, Bacolod and See you soon! <3
*Will update pictures soon
**Be ready cause I'll bring you to the most northern part of the country, Batanes Islands!
