Exploring the Philippines and Asia - About Bacolod City

First of all, let me say that we enjoyed our 5 nights stay in Bacolod City.  Here are bits and pieces about Bacolod City:

1.  LD Pensionne where we stayed for two nights for Pesos650 per night for a large room with private bath and aircon is ok but could be better if only housekeeping is given attention to by the owner.  It is not being cleaned properly and beddings and towels are really old and should be retired.  There is no elevator to this 4 storey building.  I ate sotanghon guisado and it was good.

2.  King's Hotel for Pesos650 a night with private bath and aircon is smaller room but you'll feel better because it is cleaner.  There is also no elevator in this hotel.  We stayed here for 3 nights and 3 mornings we ordered room service for breakfast.  Hubby ordered beef tapa with egg, plain rice and coffee while I had plain rice, egg and crispy danggit.

3.  The first time I saw the busy Luzuriaga Street I was excited.  There is all kinds of street food being fried, meats being grilled, all kinds of fruits, all fastfood restaurants are represented, local eateries are everywhere.

4.  We've found 3 restaurants within walking distance of both LD Pensionne and King's Hotel with live singers/bands every night.  The more decent one is the Tower Bridge.  We went and watched for 3 nights out of 5 nights we were in Bacolod.  We liked the Saturday band a lot.

5.  We had dinner once at the old Pala-pala (there is obviously a new Pala-pala).  We chose the old venue because here they said I will do the shopping at the nearby market.  We bought 1 kg of fish (4 pcs) and 1 kg of shrimps.  We had the fish fried and the shrimp steamed with just salt.  I finished 2.5 fishes and hubby had 1.5 but he ate lots of shrimps while I had just a little.  I knew we can't finish both so I was reserving the steamed shrimps for tomorrow's breakfast.  Cost of dinner:
180 fish
240 shrimps
120 cooking charge
  50 rice and drinks
590 total

It was our most expensive meal during our entire trip but since I want to eat shrimps ever since Boracay, it's worth it.  You gotta eat what you wanna eat, right? 

6.  Bacolod has a plaza where old and huge trees are giving coolness and shade to circular benches under it is where all kinds of people hang out and rest.  Here manicurist practice a thriving business here, shoe shine does too, boys sleep on the benches and little girls play.

7.  Buffet dinner was very cheap at Pesos160 per person.  They served a salad, soup, beef dish, chopsuey, kikiam, chicken balls, tofu with sauce and fruit salad for dessert.  It was simple but ok.

8.  SM (Shoemart) is heavily patronized.  You would think all of Bacolod's population are here.

9.  Felicia's chocolate cake at Felicia's is the best choco cake I have ever had.  Pesos80 per slice.

10.  Across from the Provincial Capitol is a huge plaza/park.  People actually visit this park to play, skate, sit and relax, date, convene, etc.  It is a wonderful thing for a city to have this space for their people.  I did live in Paranaque and Las Pinas, suburbs of Manila for 14 years and I don't know of a city park or plaza meant for the citizens to enjoy.