For the last part of our B.I.G. Adventure, we headed to Bacolod to explore the City of Smiles.


From Iloilo, we took a 1-hr ferry ride to Bacolod. Upon arriving, we went straight to the hotel for early check-in since we don’t want to go around with our bags. After eating and resting for a while, we decided to start exploring Bacolod.
The Ruins
At first, I don’t want to visit The Ruins because this is often compared to Taj Mahal, which I also compare to Cebu’s Temple of Leah. I don’t want to go because of the history but upon reading more about it, I thought it doesn’t seem to be that creepy compared to Temple of Leah (I haven’t been here, and I don’t want to). Also, I kinda don’t want to go anymore because of my Guisi Lighthouse experience, knowing it’s also ruins.






Thankfully I decided to go because The Ruins is really beautiful. I can say this is the highlight of our B.I.G. Adventure. Even though it was very hot that day, we managed to stay for 2 hours!


We’ve been taking photos and videos a lot but it seems like it’s not even enough!
I think it’s also nice to visit during night because the view would be as magnificent and it wouldn’t be really hot. Haha I could imagine a night performance just like in http://sessions.guitarcenter.com/saint-motel/.
San Sebastian Cathedral
After staying in the hotel for a few hours (because it was really hot outside haha), we finally decided to go out and go to SM Bacolod for the air-conditioning haha but the mall isn’t really cold enough. Haha So we just proceeded to walk our way to San Sebastian Cathedral.


Finally, a church that’s open when we arrived, but there’s an ongoing mass. Though I could understand a bit, Gerald won’t be able to understand the mass because of the dialect, but we still went inside to say our prayers. We always include visiting a church during our travels, not necessarily to attend a mass, but just to say our prayers for gratitude and guidance.
Plaza
Right in front of the cathedral is a plaza, which we don’t know the name of. If anyone knows, please inform me so I could update this post. :)
We just passed by and walked around, wishing we could stay longer because it looked like it’s good to just sit, talk and see around.
Manokan Country
Who eats dinner as early as 5pm? Haha We looked for Manokan Country to try the famous (and legit of course) Bacolod Chicken Inasal.


The place was decorated with colourful masks because Bacolod is also famous for the Masskara Festival. I hope someday I get to attend the festival! Hehe
Calea
And last but not the least, we tried sweet treats from Calea. For a few minutes, I was faced with one of the most difficult decisions in life. How could you pick just one out of these? But just had to, since I already felt embarrassed for looking at the cakes for too long. Haha.


Back to Manila
And just like that, our B.I.G. Adventure ends. Back to Manila, back to reality!
Overall, this is probably the most spontaneous and laid-back trip I ever had. Despite the fact that we impulsively booked our flight just weeks before, the accommodation just days before, and going there with no definite itinerary, everything just amazingly went into place.
I now have a new standard when it comes to travelling. Haha I might be blogging this one on a separate post so I could elaborate it more. :) IN the meantime, here’s a travel vlog:
It’s your turn!
- Have you been to Bacolod? What is your favorite place in the province?
- Do you know any good restaurants in Bacolod that we must try non our next visit?
- Have you attended Masskara Festival? How’s the experience?
Melissa
I just watched your vlog earlier and I loved it. You and your boyfriend are so cute (especially when he complains lol). Please continue to do more this new year!! :)
Mei
Hahaha pareho kaming daming reklamo sa buhay haha Hopefully, pero slow down na kami sa travel this year. Let’s see :) Thanks Melissa! :)
Kya
So awesome! The photos look amazing and that food… mmmmm. *drool*
Mei
Thanks Kya! :)
Karen
I’ve never been to Bacolod! :( maybe my favorite place in a province is the beach! Though if given the chance, I want to visit different churches too (not that I’m looking for a place where to get married! Haha. Joke :P). I enjoyed watching your vlog! I can imagine how fun your trip was.
Mei
We also like beaches! I think this is one of the few city tours we did. It also feels good to just roam around and get lost. Haha
Clarisa
You guys are so cute! ^-^ I hope to visit more provinces in the PH, too! Hopefully, when I get back!
Mei
Yes! Tapos sama kami sa adventures mo dito sa Pinas hehehe
Clint
Sis naiinggit ako. Buti pa si Gerald mahilig sa travel. Yung partner ko ayaw sa araw promise. Gusto kapag aalis, wala nang araw. Huhu.
Mei
Nako te ganyan si gerald dati. Unang out of town namin Baguio kasi ayaw sa mainit. Hahaha nung nag Ilocos kami sobrang aburido kasi sobrang init hahaha pero nadaan sa pilitan hahaha hanggang sa ayun na sya na mismo may gusto magtravel, ako naman ang may ayaw hahaha
Flora Fallue
Really great impressions!
Love, Janine
http://www.florafallue.com
Yshy
Ganda!!! I’m only able to taste Calea through pasalubongs haha! Would love to visit Bacolod one day! :)
Mei
It’s really good! First time ko narinig Calea actually haha hopefully you can go! :)
Anne
Did you go to Pendy’s? They have the best Napoleones in Bacolod. Trust me, it’s like no other.
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Mei
We actually went but quite disappointed since the delicacies are just the same with the ones with bought in Iloilo. Also, they ran out of Napoleones! We couldn’t buy the next day because we have an early flight. We just bought Napoleones from Bongbong’s in the airport haha
Anne
Yup. I wasn’t too keen on the other delicacies they had except the Napoleones. You should try it next time. I find them better than Bongbong’s and Mercy’s. :)
Dems @ Electrick Cities
The Ruins! Its the first time I’ve heard of it but it looks so beautiful!! ♥ And I just watch all of your vlogs, Mei and I love all of them hihi looking forward for more!
Dems // Electrick Cities
Mei
Really? You should go next time. It really is beautiful!!! :)
Thank you Dems :) Hopefully, more vlogs to come hehe
Jonine G.
Your boyfriend looks like he’s into vlogging , too haha so cool.
Enjoyed this post, Mei. So cute to see couple travelling together :) one day, *ako rin. Lol.
Hope too see more ??
Mei
Haha actually I asked him to vlog with me but he said he’s too shy. But look, sya na nagvavlog nya mag-isa hahaha Thank you Jonine, hopefully more travels, but we’re slowing down this year. Hehe Someday, you’ll travel with your partner din! I’m looking forward to that! :)
Kai
Does The Ruins have an entrance fee or something? The Ruins is so beautiful and majestic! Seriously, this place is one of my goals to visit someday!
Kai
http://www.kairafanan.com
Mei
Yes, it has Php 100 entrance fee. We’re actually surprised because based on our research it’s less than that. Nag-taas na ng presyo. Haha. And yes, you should go someday! :)
Elaine
I haven’t been to Bacolod and I want to visit The Ruins someday. It’s on my bucketlist. :)
Mei
Looking forward to that Elaine! :) What else is in your bucketlist? :)
kacamata hitam pria
Does The Ruins have an entrance fee or something? The Ruins is so beautiful and majestic! Seriously, this place is one of my goals to visit someday!