Culture, commerce and connectivity in the City of Smiles
Amid the warmth of its residents and its rich cultural scene, Bacolod City’s charm goes beyond friendly faces, as it is also a marvel of exceptional transformation.
Stone hill
The name “Bacolod” is derived from the Ilonggo word “bakolod” which means stone hill, referring to the stone hill area where the first settlement was founded in 1770. It was made the capital of the Province of Negros in 1849, then converted into a city during the Philippine-American War in 1938.
The sugar industry has been the island’s constant since the 1800s and has become a fundamental part of its history and culture. This is why the city owes its title as the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines” to its sugarcane plantations.
Today, it is a highly urbanized capital and the center of communication, trade, and service in Negros Occidental.
Attractive destinations
Bacolod City, which touts proximity to the mountains and beaches of the island, offers an interesting mix of attractive tourist destinations that are not limited only to its historical sites and famous landmarks. Some of the city’s best places also include the Bacolod Public Plaza, the scenic Capitol Park and Lagoon, and the solemn San Sebastian Cathedral.
Art enthusiasts won’t be disappointed as well. Bacolod is a vibrant hub for visual, literary, architectural, and performing arts. Local film and theater groups regularly stage short films and plays for the public, while independent galleries showcase works by both emerging and established artists.
Signature festivals
The city’s signature festivals add to its charm. The most famous of these celebrations is the MassKara Festival held every October, wherein smiling masks and bright costumes flood the streets in colorful parades and lively dances. The MassKara Festival, in particular, stands as a powerful symbol of the Bacolodnons’ ability to “smile again” after the sugar crisis and the 1980 sinking of the MV Don Juan—signaling the city’s resilience, recovery and movement towards progress.
Also notable about the city is its people, known for being exceptionally warm and friendly by way of their sweet manner of speaking. But make no mistake—their “malambing” or charming qualities are not merely because of their accent but also of their affable character.
Economic growth
Bacolod has made remarkable feats as well in terms of economic progress.
In 2024, it ranked 19th among the most competitive highly urbanized cities, according to the Cities and Municipalities Index. This means that with its recognized competitiveness, Bacolod City attracts more businesses to the city.
Attesting to Bacolod’s growth is its participation in regional economic growth. In 2024, Bacolod’s economy contributed to the 5.9 percent growth of the Negros Island Region, which is among the four regions with growth faster than the national level of 5.7 percent.
In 2021, the capital city of Negros Occidental was named the most business-friendly local government unit under the category of highly urbanized cities outside the National Capital Region by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was the second time Bacolod City won the top honors after clinching the same award in 2007.
Bacolod’s business process outsourcing (BPO) landscape also continues to thrive, as can be seen from the substantial
demand for office space. Some major BPO companies like Teleperformance, IQor, Inte -Logix, Transcom, Teletech, Ubiquity, and Panasiatic Solutions have also been operating in Bacolod.
Infrastructure buildup
Several game-changing public projects are meanwhile underway in the city.
Among these is the P188-billion Panay-Guimaras-Negros Inter-Island Link Bridge, a 32.5-km bridge that will connect Panay Island, Guimaras Island, and Negros Island in Western Visayas.
Alongside providing connectivity to and from the city, the link bridge is also seen to raise land and property prices in Bacolod. As of March 2025, it is on track to completion, with the construction of the first segment set to begin in July 2026.
Other ongoing initiatives include the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay International Airport Road and the Bacolod-Negros Economic Highway, which is expected to facilitate more convenient access to the city’s key tourist destinations, business districts, and transport hubs.
Bacolod’s property market
The city’s real estate market has also since been expanding, with developers launching residential condominiums and horizontal projects within mixed-use estates and townships.
While the condominium market is relatively small, price growth was still observed from 2016 to 2023, making it one of the fastest in Visayas and Mindanao.
Given its people, culture, progress, and continued dedication to growth, there is no doubt that Bacolod remains a highly attractive destination that will continue to bring all people smiling.
Sources: Inquirer Archives, pna.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, visitbacolod.com, bacolodcity.gov.ph, negrosocctourism.wordpress.com
