7 Public Outdoor Resorts with Pools in Bacolod

7 Family-friendly Outdoor Resorts
near and within Bacolod City
(with swimming pools)
The last is a multi-awarded innovative mountain resort

DESTINATIONS

Are you searching for a place for family outing with a pool but near or within Bacolod City? 
Fret no more! Here are some public resorts that has swimming pools and activities that the family will do and enjoy. Here's your guide (with YouTube Video features)

1. Bacolod Splash Park 
Bacolod Splash Park is just within the city centre. It is the most accessible resort in the city as it is just in front of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), Megaworld The Upper East and beside Sixty Fifth Hotel along circumferential road. Inside are modern giant slides, train ride, playground, animal statues, food stalls, a JT Manokan Restaurant, and a Safari lazy river. At night, the place glows with beautifully-placed  lamp posts and light effects that adorn its garden landscape. Splash Park is one of the locations of the new Bacolod Masskara Festival 2024 official theme song's music video featuring Josh Collen of SB19 and Tiana Kocher.

WATCH: SPLASH PARK BACOLOD DURING THE DAY

WATCH: SPLASH PARK BACOLOD AT NIGHT

2. Bantug Lake Ranch 
A mountain resort, Bantug Lake Ranch is very accessible via the roads of Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City. Amenities include rooms for overnight stay, a large man-made lake where families can go boating or fish on it, two swimming pools, and a horse riding area. Cabanas for rent are spread all over beside its open air restaurant with a picturesque garden and playground. 

WATCH: BANTUG LAKE RANCH WITH DRONE SHOTS

3.Forest Park Resort

Located in Taculing, this resort boasts a large swimming pool with a giant mushroom scuplture in the middle and a bridge connecting the two corners of the cabanas. Forest Park is open from 9 am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays and 8pm to 7pm during Saturdays and Sundays. There's a mini zoo for the kids, a lazy pool river and a promenade.

4. Palmas del Mar (hotel seaside resort)
A seaside resort, Palmas del Mar has been serving Negrenses for decades already with its hotel and leisure amenities. Inside are three pools with different shapes and theme. One of the pools are adorned with cute cherubim angels. Next pool has a mini bridge. The main pool is the larget and features a slide and a kiddie pool beside it. Palmas del Mar's name is based on what you'll really find within its vicinity. Beside the sea are palm trees that add to the tropical vibe. On a good day, as the sun sets, one can see magical reflection hues on a man-made lake with an island connected via a wooden bridge..

VIDEO OF PALMAS DEL MAR  ON A GOOD DAY
UNTIL SUNSET (BLUE HOUR) 

5. Bocal Bocal Spring Resort Alangilan
As the name of the resort suggests, you will find two swimming pools that utilize fresh spring water. Thanks to Mother Nature, the unlimited flow of water replenishes the area's adult and kiddie pools with freshwater daily. Also inside are wooden huts for rent and wide barbecue grilling areas. There's not much activity this place can offer but swimming under a lush forest and sounds of birds around make your family outing a memorable moment. This resort is near the Alangilan town center where the Catholic church is located.

VIDEO OF A FAMILY WEEKEND OUTING AT
BOCAL BOCAL SPRING RESORT ALANGILAN

6. Mambucal Sanctuary and Wildlife Sanctuary

In our list, Mambucal, situated in the mountain ranges of Murcia town, is the oldest resort for the public that has been revamped many times. There was once restaurant where you can eat by the river and also a slide for life activity but these two were discontinued. But, many things stayed as usual in this resort owned by the Negros Occidental Provincial Government. It's the only tourist spot in Negros Occidental that has hot springs pools (Japanese onsen) and a massage spa beside the vicinity. With Mount Kanlaon's hot steam, boiling muds and sulfuric water, this destination has become a popular place for people who love dipping.in a hot spring and believe it can cure some ailments.

VIDEO: HIKING AT MAMBUCAL NATURE
AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY'S WATERFALLS

The cold pool and the river with man-made lake are popular amenities for families who are not used to bathe in hot sulfur water. Inside Mambucal's vicinity is a hotel, open cottages, mini cabanas for families and a contemporary restaurant. Large flying foxes and other faunas are present within the lush forest of Brgy. Minuyan in Murcia.
Mambucal has 7 Falls for trekkers to hike and bathe. Along the hiking area are zigzagging paths with lush forest and rare insect species.

7.Campuestohan Highland Resort
For years, Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay has attracted so many visitors, bringing arrivals in Bacolod, which is the jump point to this mountain destination. Currently, the resort owners are building the Biggest/Largest Rooster Hotel and the longest water slide race which they are trying to verified for Guinness Book of Records.


Here are two videos about Campuestohan's Night Light Tunnels and a General Activity Guide:

WATCH: Virtual Night Tour of
Campuestohan's Light Tunnels
(Amazing Sci-fi/Science Fiction, Romantic
and Christmas Holiday Light Effects)

WATCH: Campuestohan Activity Guide 

With its owner Bacolodnon Ricardo "Cano" Tan, it has received many accolades and multiple awards from different Tourism sectors for being a creative and innovative place for families to gather and enjoy. The place has many activities and it caters not only to the kids and adults, but even to the elderly. Activities include horseback riding, outdoor play place, swimming in its many pools especially in the wave pool near its outdoor cafe, overnight staycation, karaoke, selfies with many dinosaurs and other pop culture statues, foam bath, free gym, relaxing at a spa, strolling around its amazing areas, hamster wheel, bike in sky, walking along its hanging bridge, Life-sized dinosaurs, whimsical statues, giant chess game. New added attractions/amenities are bright light effects tunnel at night, and as earlier written, a giant rooster hotel (biggest in Asia and will be adjudged for Guinness Book Records), longest slide race and free use of its outdoor gym.

KTV and KARAOKE Lifestyle

The KTV Lifestyle:

Singing Karaoke songs Bring Family 
and Friends closer to each other 

  LIFESTYLE  

Karaoke is a very popular Japanese innovation. It's a type of interactive entertainment that changed the night lifestyle of partygoers. If swaying in the dance floor was the in-thing in the 90s, Karaoke singing has become the staple of restobar hunters these days.

For one, they can sing their heart out.
Karaoke systems are popular in clubs, bars and beach resorts or at home. People get to sing along to their fave pre-recorded accompaniment using a mic and imagine themselves they are the star and in a concert. In Asia, it became a staple entertainment system then spread worldwide. The Philippines is one country that took karaoke and made it a cultural element.

Here's Casa 2375 Bar and Restaurant with karaoke (KTV) rooms in Bacolod City, Philippines (CL Montelibano Ave, in front of Bascon Cafe, near Lasalle USLS):  
Google Maps direction (Click here)

Watch this YouTube Video from Manng Interesado

Through the years, Karaoke culture and lifestyle have evolved. There are private rooms catering to groups who just wanted to be with themselves. There are also public KTVs but deemed dangerous in the Philippines where some unlucky patrons were killed during Karaoke session. It's seemed to a a mystery, a phenomenon of some sorts. We may never know what's the real motive behind the KTV deaths but the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra is seen as the culprit. it's odd but it made headlines.

Here are some Karaoke Bar Etiquette to be followed (Subject to change). 9 Rules to follow: 1. R.E.S.P.E.C.T - When someone is singing, don't grab his or her mic. Even he or she sings in out of tune. Still respect to avoid problems esp if it's a public karaoke bar. 2. Don't force anyone to sing. Some people are shy and introvert. 3. Never Boo anyone (esp if there is a score system) 4. Don't stand in front of the screen when somebody is singing . This is a practice that is annoying. 5. Don't destroy equipment. These are not cheap. Don't throw mirophones or remote control. 6. Drink Moderately. Too much drinking can cause fights or misunderstanding in the bar. 7. Share the mic, Give others a chance to sing. 8. Don't brag if you feel you have a high score. It will make others feel low. 9. Don't sing "My Way" if you are in public KTV Bars. It's better to sing it alone at home.

LOCAL FILM FESTIVAL (WITH WINNERS LIST)

 
Ten local shorts filmmakers compete Bacolod Film Festival Boosts Local Creative Economy (BACOLOD FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS NIGHT RESULTS BELOW)

Filmmaking

The Government of Bacolod City finally made history by finally recognizing and celebrating emerging local filmmakers through a short film festival. The success of the Bacolod Film Festival (despite the stormy weather) did prove that Bacolod has rich creative talents that fits the film industry. It's great to note that boosting the creative economy is one of the projects of Mayor Albee Benitez and this endeavor is a big welcome and change for the City of Smiles. The awards ceremony was held on September 15 at SM Cinema 1 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The jurors were Joey Javier Reyes, Joji Alonso, Philip Cheah, Law Fajardo and Wanggo Gallaga. Winners of the first ever Bacolod Film Festival are:

BEST PICTURE - Sa Pwesto ni Pistong BEST DIRECTOR - Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna (Sa Pwesto ni Pistong)

BEST ACTOR - Dante Macam - Laragway sa Karon

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Rene Hinojales - Puli na, Diche Lesly

BEST SCREENPLAY- Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna (Sa Pwesto ni Pistong)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Rosco Cofreros - Aninaw

BEST EDITING - Xavier Nojas and Fahleen Fang - Laragway sa Karon

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN - Margaret Kathryn-Baynosa Entuna - Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - Poli Gonzales - Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)

BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Khyle Zedrick Anasta - A Flower in a Day

BEST SOUND - Rolf Baynosa - Chicken Inasal (Those Little Things)

BEST MAKE- UP - Alvin Belesario - Glub

JURY'S PRIZE WINNER - Milton Dionzon, Reynaldo Amagun and Louis Dormido - Aninaw

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD - Laragway sa Karon

GET TO KNOW THE 10 Entries:

1. A FLOWER A DAY

Directed by Chelsea Tasic

Produced by Dulaab Productions

🏆Award (1): BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Khyle Zedrick Anasta

A young woman finds solace amid the faded charm of a quiet, rundown café. She returns to the café routinely, drawing the attention of an intrigued barista.

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2. ANINAW

Directed by Charlene Mead Tupas

Produced by Zone Studios

🏆Awards (2): BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Rosco Cofreros JURY'S PRIZE WINNER - Milton Dionzon, Reynaldo Amagun and Louis Dormido - Aninaw

In pursuit of finding the place where their deepest desires will come true, three friends embark on a journey against the backdrop of an evolving city and their failing memory.

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3. BLIND DATE

Directed by Victor Villanueva

Produced by Juan Carlo Miguel for JCM Films

Two savvy social media stars get set up, and they struggle to meet up at all.

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As home to the authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal cuisine and its annual festival (video above), one of the entries is a story based on this tasty dish but with a futuristic twist.

4. CHICKEN INASAL (Those Little Things )

Directed by Poli Gonzales and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa

Produced by Massah Gonzales-Gamboa and Georgia Elardo for Kwentista Produksyon

🏆Awards (3):

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN - Margaret Kathryn-Baynosa Entuna

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS - Poli Gonzales BEST SOUND - Rolf Baynosa

Set in 2222 in the cyberpunk city of Bacolod, a teenager goes through her usual day with her father with no idea that the best surprise of her life was going to happen.

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5. GLUB

Directed by Zack Verzosa

Produced by Champorado Productions, Zol Films, Kantiaha Prod., Anggulo Community, and Playback Productions 🏆Award (1): BEST MAKE- UP - Alvin Belesario - Glub

An outcast who wants to have someone who understands him, meets a person who he thinks would be the one.

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6. LARAGWAY SA KARON

Directed by Pau Ortaliz Santos and Nina Aira Villanueva

Produced by Three Wheels Production in collaboration with Xouvenir Studios. 🏆Award (1):

BEST ACTOR - Dante Macam BEST EDITING -Xavier Nojas and Fahleen Fang

An old man aims to win a photography contest to solve his financial challenges. There, he meets a young and spirited photographer – unveiling an unexpected friendship full of colors.

The true story of the old Manokan Country (video above) inspired one of the entries in the Bacolod FIlm Festival

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7. MANOKAN COUNTRY

Directed by Banjo Hinolan

Produced by Banjo Hinolan Films

A determined restaurant owner in Bacolod City faces off against a ruthless real estate developer in a high-stakes Chicken Inasal cooking competition to save his family's eatery and preserve the heart of his community.

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8. PULI NA, DICHE LESLY

Directed by Willbryan Garcia

Produced by Salekula Dahlia Studios

🏆Award (1):

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Rene Hinojales

A bittersweet story of family ties and the things we do for love. A successful Filipino-Chinese artist drives home to her hometown of Bacolod for her father's heart surgery.

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9. SA PWESTO NI PISTONG (The Barber's Chair)

Directed by VinJo Entuna

Produced by Maragtas Film Productions 🏆Awards (3): BEST PICTURE BEST DIRECTOR - Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna

BEST SCREENPLAY- Vincent Joseph "VinJo" Entuna

A humble barber navigates a tumultuous era while serving a diverse array of customers including a prominent haciendero and an idealistic nephew.

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10. THE MANSION

Directed by Alvin "Swoop" Diaz and Oscar Villanueva

Produced by T3 Studios

A videographer accidentally meets someone while doing his job, leading him to a rude awakening.

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From out of 33 entries screened for the Bacolod Film Festival, ten finalist made it. These entries are visions of Bacolod residents Chelsea Taisc, Charlene Mae Tupas, Juan Carlo Miguel Araullo, Georgia Mari Elardo, reginald Amador Zack Versoza, Mary Pauline Santos, Rodolfo "Banjo" Hinolan Jr. Willbryan Garcia, Vicent Hoset Entuna, and Oscar Villanueva. Filmmaking is a dynamic and intricate art form that demands creativity, resilience, and collaboration at every stage.

The grantees received 300,000 pesos each to fund and finish their films.

Trailers of their films were launched via the Bacolod Film Festival Facebook page on September 1. All 10 short films were screened on September 12-15, 2024 at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central and SM City Bacolod Cinemas.

Meanwhile, the official poster for the Bacolod Film Festival captured the essence of the festival's spirit. The iconic smiling eyes from the logo seamlessly morph into ten dynamic waves, each symbolizing the fresh and powerful visions of Bacolodnon filmmakers. These waves serve as a striking metaphor for the boundless creativity and visionary storytelling that these filmmakers will bring to Philippine cinema. Their collective energy, symbolized by these fluid forms, reflects an unstoppable force of artistic expression.

Tambayan Restaurants and Coffee at Bacolod's Buri Road (MANDALAGAN)

Buri Road (GM Cordova Avenue): 
From a Lonely Path to a site of Vibrant Progress

  LIFESTYLE  

To many Bacolodnons, Brgy, Mandalagan's famous Buri Road in the 90s was a dark, secluded and lonely road. The only thing that comes to mind about this less known path is that it's a shortcut point to the Lady of Mercy Hospital and Eroreco subd or to the Circumferential Road that also connects to Brgy. Bata. Buri Road was known also for being the road to one of Bacolod's elite subdivisions, the Mountain View Subdivision.
At night, nobody seemed to dare to pass by this area unless it's an emergency situation or if you live within the area. 

  WATCH THIS VIDEO  

However, with the transfer of the Vallacar's Ceres Bus Terminal and other small transportation players to the North Terminal at Bata area plus the opening of the Bacolod-SIlay Airport access road, Buri Road eventually became, not only a shortcut, but one of major arteries for transport traffic in the north of city which helped spawn the rise of business establishments like SME (Small to Medium Enterprises). Nowadays, there are clear signs of massive development in the area - a far cry back decades ago.  

CitiMall Mandalagan is the first major landmark that signals you're already at this road. Driving along, you can find some car wash, resto bars, cafes, subdivisions, grocery stores, water refilling stations, a FastWest gasoline station, laundry hubs, pet shop and more like Tawhai Spa. If you are entering from the circumferential road, the landmark you'll see first is Home Improvement Mandaue Foam and Furniture's showroom.

But what makes Buri Road, a modern stopover and destination are the presence of major property developers and popular local cafes and restaurants. 

First, there's the flagship of Vistaland - Camella Homes Subdivision which dominates other small subdivisions like Estancia Subd. Then beside is the high-rise condo apartment the Camella Manors Olivera and Vistaland's affiliate AllValue establishment which has AllHome (homebuilder depot), All Value Supermarket, Coffee Project, All American (Pizza),  Chicken Deli in its vicinity. 

  WATCH THIS VIDEO  

At the adjacent side, you can find Rockwell's Nara Residences. Just in front of the entrance of this condominium development is The Pavilions at Nara. This lifestyle hub has stores like UCC Cafe Terrace (coffeeshop), Mitsuyado Sei-Men (Japanese Ramen - Tsukemen noodles resto), Coco Ichibanya (Japanese Curry Rice Toppings) diner, Firehook Boulangerie Et Patisserie (Artesan bakery restaurant) and soon Buri Road Coffee.

  WATCH THIS VIDEO  

Meanwhile, local coffee and cake shop Quino's, restaurant Masskara Chicken Inasal, At Ani Building, you can find Steamin' Cup, Romantic Baboy, a Baan Thai Homm (a Resto that offers authentic Thai cuisine), Edibowl, Sizzling Station Mandalagan, Kapehan ni Roney, and Keeka. 

In front of All Value is a marketplace with establishments like Cafe Milan, Taste Station pop up cart, Community Clinic, Two Spot restobar, Carbin Seafood, Wash Buddies laundry station, Aqua Touch Water Refilling Station, Kakao Chicken Korean Grill Restaurant, and Ninik's Kandingan.
 
If you and your friends are in this area of Bacolod and hunters of great tasting food and tambayan, Buri Road  is more than a path but a prime destination that has lots to offer. 

BER MONTHS SPECIAL: Christmas time is always early in the Philippines

Pinoys Celebrate BER Months:
Jose Mari Chan Memes, Jollibee Kiddie Meal Collection, Mall Dancing Lights, Christmas Decoration Hunting and More

  SEASONAL  

It is time of the year when everything becomes colorful, full of excitement and a meme-filled fun! 
Well, in the Philippines, the last day of August means the eve for BER Months. This modern celebration is a traditional expansion or evolution of Christmas where in Filipino Christians get to celebrate the season as early as September. Why it's called Ber Months? Well,it's actually an imaginative wordplay made by someone that spread to the Filipino lingo. All months from September leading to Christmas Eve on December has BER letters at its end.

But new fun practices emerged from this contemporary tradition. Usually, on August 31, or even early as July, fun memes of Jose Mari Chan, a popular Filipino producer/composer/singer turned businessman, spreadlike wildfire to Social Media. The memes are teasers and reminders that BER Months are coming. 

Funny Holiday Memes

Here is a video of JMC's Memes Special Collection:  

 WATCH THIS VIDEO 

These meme ideas were based from another Ber Months tradition that have been practiced ever since.  As early as August 31, we get to hear Christmas Music or Paskong Pinoy OPM sounds like Jose Mari Chan's Christmas in our Hearts and Perfect Christmas being blasted from loudspeakers in malls, jeepneys (modern transport buses), parks, resorts or in homes. On the foreign side, Maria Carey's I'll be Home for Christmas also is dominating yuletide playlists after playlist in the streaming platforms like in many Spotify, Amazon Music or YouTube Music in this time of year.

 Paskong Pinoy is a different cultural heritage based on Western Christmas celebration and Spanish traditions but with twist of barrio style fiesta.

JOLLIBEE KIDDE MEALS

Every Ber Months, Jollibee toy collectors are getting busy visiting branches if there are new Kiddie Meal toys.

 WATCH THIS VIDEO 

Christmas Lights Extravaganza

Malls in the Philippines becomes more festive and colorful in BER Months, blasting Christmas OPM and Traditional Xmas music:  

 WATCH THIS VIDEO 

Giant Christmas Trees in malls lure and spread magica on
families and barkadas as early as September

This cultural phenomena was embraced by many Filipinos as they get to enjoy Christmas earlier than other in the world. For many, Ber Months means different Local Government Agencies (LGUs) get to have grand launching of their Christmas villages or giant Christmas trees. Some get to have switching of light ceremonies. Mall take advantage of this early months for them to easily magnet buyers in purchasing Christmas decors, lanterns and lights. Online shops like Lazada and Shoppee are also in line with this tradition.

Decoration Hunting

Decors you might need this coming Christmas/BER Monts fro your house or office
(for members of Landers Superstore):  

 WATCH THIS VIDEO 

Christmas Village

Some rich Filipinos get to share the Christmas Spirit by giving free tour of their Christmas decorations  to other people who love the magic of Christ's birth. 

 WATCH THIS VIDEO 

Well, the usual culprit of these new traditions is the commercialization of Christmas. Creatives from advertising agencies and marketing managers of malls and grocery stores are putting their heads hard on thinktank tables to make interesting adverts and promotional materials so people will spend more during the holidays. Getting the buyer's attention is one great element of why Rodolph the Reindeer was created. 

Television companies are also sources of making the holidays evolve drastically by introducing new Company Christmas IDs with their talents singing a new Christmas song that they wish would somehow become viral.
Nonetheless, Christmas Spirit should still be anchored with faith, peace, love and hope which are the primary factors that the Bible wanted to convey for us to spread to our fellow men, believers or non-believers.