Located just across the astonishing and historic San Sebastian Cathedral is the Bacolod City Plaza. It is a 2 hectare land, probably one of the less maintained but cleanest and most peaceful plaza in the Philippines. Adults and children alike recreates in this large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property. Passersby, cheesy dating lovers, strollers and vendors are the people you often see inside the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Although the Public Plaza is considered as one the less attractive tourist spots in Bacolod, here you can find a lot of weird people that can talk to you and help you in a few ways such as directions and they even entertain you with their own ways.
To the northwest of the Bacolod City Plaza, along San Juan St. is the Tourist Information Office, here you can ask for almost any information regarding the city’s tourism and activities and they have a few brochures. Alongside the Tourism Information Office is the Police Station. A little more to the northwest along Rizal St., Extension is SM City Bacolod where one can experience a mall that looks like a big Star Wars enemy ship because of its two rectangular buildings interconnected by a skywalk.
Bacolod City Plaza's War Memorial
To the southwest of the City Plaza is Araneta St., comparable to Colon St., the oldest street in Cebu, but not as congested (yet). Here you can find some fastfoods, drugstores, banks, among many other establishments. The City Hall is just about 300 meters away from the Plaza. About a hundred meters to the south is the public market, along Gatuslao St.
Stage of Bacolod City Plaza
The Bacolod City Plaza, constructed in 1927, has a small memorial for the unknown soldiers who died in war during their battle for Bacolod’s peace and democracy. A small gazebo on top of the stage, used as performance area during crowd gathering events such as concerts and variety shows can be seen in the middle part of the plaza. Inscribed along the sides of the roof of the gazebo are the names of Western classical music composers Beethoven, Wagner, Haydn, and Mozart. Benches and fountains can be found near the big trees that surround the stage.
The plaza is the heart of the MassKara Festival celebration. The MassKara Festival is a week-long celebration held each year in Bacolod City every third weekend of October nearest October 19, the city’s Charter Anniversary. The Bacolod public plaza is the final destination of MassKara street dancing competition which is the highlight of the celebration
In the midst of your perspiring but pleasurable stroll around the awesome city, you may try spending some of your time relaxing in this peaceful area.
Pond with stone design
Fountain with no water
Main Entrance of the Plaza
Araneta St., Bacolod
Bacolod City Hall in Araneta St. corner Luzuriaga St
Luzuriaga St., Bacolod
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About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.
