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Photo: Ceslou, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A big annual Mardi Gras-like parade event celebrated every 3rd week of October. Each of the city's barangays (districts) joins the fierce competition for the best-costumed groups, best in choreography, and many others. Lots of food and handicraft stalls, street dancing and an Oktoberfest-like event at the Bacolod Plaza area making the city for a span of a week, a city that never sleeps! "Masskara" means "Mask" in Hiligaynon and Tagalog. The use of colorful masks with large smiles represent the nickname for the city, "City of Smiles", the masks are usually the icons for the festival and sometimes of Bacolod itself.
The MassKara Festival is an annual festival with highlights held every 3rd Sunday of October in Bacolod, Philippines. The festival sites include the Bacolod Public Plaza, the Lacson Tourism Strip and the Bacolod City Government Center.
The Bacolod version of Central park but smaller; fountains are scattered around the plaza and a gazebo stands in the middle. The Unknown Soldiers Monument (also known as Theodore Vinther Monument) is found here. The plaza is used for events like the MassKara Festival and for activities such as Arnis (Filipino martial arts). It is also a hub for joggers and people doing aerobics during the morning.
The official seat of the provincial government and perhaps the most impressive building in Bacolod City. It served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The Romanesque-style building stands in landscaped grounds with a park and lagoon, and features Ang Paghimud-os ("The Struggle" in Hiligaynon), a sculpture by Eduardo Castrillo, as well as The Man and the Carabao sculpture by Felix V. Garzon.
New Government Center
A modern civic building with a neoclassical-style facade, including prominent columns and a large fountain in front.
The park surrounding the stadium is filled with eucalyptus trees.
Bacolod’s main Catholic church, begun in the late 19th century and completed in 1894. Built of coral stone and later covered with cement, it is one of the city’s key landmarks. The cathedral is also known for its Centennial Bells and the nearby Palacio Episcopal.
This relatively new church is dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of lost causes. It is notable for its richly decorated, gold-toned Baroque-style altar, ceiling mural, and Divine Mercy shrine.