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Philippine Travel Destinations |
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| Bacolod
City Philippines |
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The City of
Smiles
Bacolod, chartered city in the central
Philippines, on Negros Island, capital of
Negros Occidental Province. Sugar milling and
fishing are the chief industries in the city,
which is also a trade center in an area
producing sugarcane and rice.
Bacolod City is known as the the "City of
Smiles". The Bacolod, as they are called, are
proud of their culture as being strong willed
with a warm heart. Bacolod also boasts of
antique houses, old churches that dates back
during the Spanish time, and other cultural
sites.
Bacolod's biggest annual event, the Maskara
Festival, is a Mardi Gras-like celebration
that features masked and costumed street
dancers, with fairs and carnivals. This is
held on the third week of October, and
coincides with the city's Charter Day
celebration.
Bacolod’s most popular fiesta, is celebrated
on the third weekend of October closest to
October 19, the city’s charter day
anniversary. Festivities kick off with food
fairs, mask-making contests, brass band
competitions, beauty and talent pageants, a
windsurfing regatta, drinking and eating
contests, trade fairs and exhibits. The climax
is a mardi-gras parade where revellers don
elaborate mask and costumes and dance to Latin
rhythms Rio de Janiero style.
San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod, is made of
coral stones and lime quarried from nearby
Guimaras Island. The Chapel of Santa Clara ha
a unique mural mosaic of the Virgin Mary, made
up of 95,000 polished shells. The Chapel of
Cartwheels, in Manapla, was constructed using
old carabao cartwheels. |
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Neighboring City
and Town Festivals |
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Pasalamat Festival, La Carlota City; every
4th Sunday of April; based on the tradition of
giving thanks to the Gods of the elements
after a bountiful harvest by the ancients in "Buglas".
Characterized by the beating of drums,
maracas, congas, bongos and other percussion
instruments.
Kali-Kalihan Festival, Don Salvador
Benedicto, Negros Occidental; every December;
celebration of age-old practice showcasing
ancient skills in martial arts and beliefs in
the forces of nature; walking on live charcoal
is one of the highlights.
Pinta Flores Festival, San Carlos City;
every November; coined from the words "pinta"
and "flores", depicts the tradition of
welcoming visitors through dancing as in the "pintados"
during the coming of the Spaniards in the
Visayas. Flowers instead of tattoos are
painted on the bodies and costumes of the
dancers.
Cadiz Ati-Atihan, Cadiz City; every
January; festival in honor of the Sto. Nina,
patron of Cadiz City believed to have created
miracles protecting the city from the invading
pirates long time ago.
Sinulog Sa Ilog, Kabankalan, Negros
Occidental; every 3rd Weekend of January;
celebrates the war dance rituals of Datu Manya-bog
who ruled the valleys in Kabankalan. The
entire war dance commemorates the defiance of
Manyabog and his heroic stand to fight and
defend his tribe.
Sinulog Sa Ilog, Ilog, Negros
Occidental; every June; the Sinulog Sa Ilog is
original to the town of Ilog, the first
capital of Negros Island in 1632.
Lenten Season Passion Play, San Vicente
Ferrer Parish, Bgy. La Granja, La Carlota
City; every Good Friday (March); live
re-enactment of the 7 last words held on Good
Friday at the Hills of Bgy. La Granja.
Flores de Mayo, Bacolod City Proper;
every May 31; a parade of beautiful maidens
representing specific symbol of title and
authority of Saints.
Philippine Independence Day Celebration,
Bacolod City Public Plaza; every June 12;
celebrated by a display of Philippine flag and
a parade of various sectors of society.
Feast of San Sebastian, San Sebastian
Cathedral, Bacolod City; every January 19-20;
this date is the traditional Patron Saint Day
of Bacolod City. It commemorates the
evangelization work of Spanish missionaries.
Feast of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage,
La Carlota City; every January 24; these
features cultural shows and traditional fiesta
activities like procession, traditional games
and cultural presentation.
Bacolod Charter Day Celebration,
Bacolod City; every October 19; this is a
celebration of the founding anniversary of
Bacolod City. There are programs, float parade
and Masskara Festival.
El Cinco de Noviembre, Bago City; every
November 5; a celebration in commemoration of
the rebellion of local revolucionarios against
Spain.
Negros Annual Cultural Tour, Silay/Bacolod
City; December 5, 12, 19 & 26; a tour of
Bacolod, Silay, Bago and neighboring areas
showcasing Negros history and culture, arts
and attractions.
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