Bacolod City and Negros Occidental Province - Compiled Threads

[ashton]

wow, good for Davao for its first STARBUCKS ... :)

[kyle@1008]

oww, i thought it's the other way around, my ex Negrense gf always told me. :(


"Majority class "A" market of SM Iloilo comes from Bacolod."

i mean class A market will shop in Bacolod. :)

jsut do your own research man, search the net, the news mags and research firm archives.... and decide for yourself.. :)

[ashton]

^^ I will but Im afraid it will be a waste of time. Anyways, for me both cities are of the same level... :) but not at par with Cebu.

[Dinho]

^^ if bacolod woud sustain an SM.... it would be a purely "metro" bacolod market... it won't depend on the rest of negros ... take note that Kabankalan , Sagay, Victorias , Cadiz and San Carlos have their own independent shopping centers... bacolod would have to stand on it's own to sustain SM... aside from the fact that half the province faces Cebu... Negros occidental is a big province...with several epi- centers central negros would be SM's target market...


Thanks Kyle, that is what I've been saying all along. SM City Bacolod would be smaller because of all the factors you mentioned above. Of course Roxas and Kalibo has its own Gaisano Mall but I wonder how big these are and they are all outside of the province of Iloilo anyway.

What some people are saying about the empty subdivisions in Metro Bacolod is simply not true except in one case only. Lots at Ayala and Windsor are almost all sold out to the extent that both developers had to rush a Phase 2 and in Windsor's case Phase 2 had to be merged with Phase 1 to satisfy market demand. It may look empty because most of the homeowners buy several lots with the intention of building only one house. The pink house at Ayala Northpoint that Kyle has posted stands on 3 - 450 sq. m. lots plus a 4th lot that was bought to be used as a backyard. My parent's place sits on two lots with 3 vacant adjoining lots used as a backyard only. Multiply that by hundreds of lot owners. Some people have bought over ten lots just because they love to have some open space. Get the picture?

The only empty subdivision I had ever seen in Metro Bacolod is the one named La Herencia Negrense. No intelligent person would want to live there because of the presence of Napocor Transmission cables. The presence of these high tension cables through the subdivision is a hazard to health because it causes brain cancer according to some research. I am glad nobody built a house there. It just shows that the Negrenses are not ignorant. I wonder what happened to Iloilo's Puerto Real de Iloilo? Never heard of anybody residing at that place.

Kyle, how do you know that it is indeed a highrise that is going up in front of Robinson's Bacolod. It is good news - if only to prove the Ilonggos wrong. Tell you what, I think that Bacolod already has Condominiums. It is located behind Mayfair Mall. It is only about three storeys though, but the place was designed like a condominium with common parking and guarded gate. It looked beautiful.

I don't think that SM will need to put up a bus terminal at their mall though because Bacolod's & Negros Occidental's public transport system is good enough and also I believe that the city goverenment had already designated zones that are to be used as transport hubs. If SM were to do what it did in Iloilo, it would only create chaos because it will go against the traffic plan. What they will need is a very big parking lot because Negrenses are known not to go anywhere without their cars. Robinson's has a tremendous parking problem because of the sheer volume of cars parked at the mall even during lean hours of the day.

I was only concerned about the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel because I saw a news article about its being offered for sale to the City Government on Daily Star's Website. I hope it doesn't go through.

[daks2003]

With or without the traffic congestion...SM will eventually build a bus or a jeepney terminal in their premises. Its not that SM really cares about the traffic situation, they just want everybody to be dumped at their mall. SM wants all the traffic going to their mall. People with cars or not, they are all the same to henry sy.

Simple as that. More people...more money.


I don't think that SM will need to put up a bus terminal at their mall .

[daks2003]

ok :lurker:

^^ I will but Im afraid it will be a waste of time. Anyways, for me both cities are of the same level... :) but not at par with Cebu.

[blueguy]

Van, when you conduct your market study, what methods are you using to determine that a certain market would prefer high end stores or not? Are you relying on your own(SM's) perception or do you go down in the locale and ask people if they prefer or they can afford a certain "luxury" you plan to offer?


Well we have methods I cant tell you and we a have a group that specializes on that area...SM will not grow if we are just relying on our SM know-how..

Iloilo is a different market. Try to compare the two markets...I have noticed this when I'm at the NAIA Terminal 2. You can tell the difference already by just trying to check on the people queuing for Bacolod and Iloilo flights. That's just a simple observation...Iloilo is not keen on brand unlike Bacolod. Bacolod prefer the high end ones...I can tell, I have relatives and friends from both sides of the shore...

My father specializes in sociology and conducts studies on customer expectation, satisfaction, that is why I know...

[blueguy]

wow, good for Davao for its first STARBUCKS ... :)


Gloria Jeans will open in Iloilo, and soon Starbucks...and also in Bacolod..so watch for it

[blueguy]

Thanks Kyle, that is what I've been saying all along. SM City Bacolod would be smaller because of all the factors you mentioned above. Of course Roxas and Kalibo has its own Gaisano Mall but I wonder how big these are and they are all outside of the province of Iloilo anyway.

What some people are saying about the empty subdivisions in Metro Bacolod is simply not true except in one case only. Lots at Ayala and Windsor are almost all sold out to the extent that both developers had to rush a Phase 2 and in Windsor's case Phase 2 had to be merged with Phase 1 to satisfy market demand. It may look empty because most of the homeowners buy several lots with the intention of building only one house. The pink house at Ayala Northpoint that Kyle has posted stands on 3 - 450 sq. m. lots plus a 4th lot that was bought to be used as a backyard. My parent's place sits on two lots with 3 vacant adjoining lots used as a backyard only. Multiply that by hundreds of lot owners. Some people have bought over ten lots just because they love to have some open space. Get the picture?

The only empty subdivision I had ever seen in Metro Bacolod is the one named La Herencia Negrense. No intelligent person would want to live there because of the presence of Napocor Transmission cables. The presence of these high tension cables through the subdivision is a hazard to health because it causes brain cancer according to some research. I am glad nobody built a house there. It just shows that the Negrenses are not ignorant. I wonder what happened to Iloilo's Puerto Real de Iloilo? Never heard of anybody residing at that place.

Kyle, how do you know that it is indeed a highrise that is going up in front of Robinson's Bacolod. It is good news - if only to prove the Ilonggos wrong. Tell you what, I think that Bacolod already has Condominiums. It is located behind Mayfair Mall. It is only about three storeys though, but the place was designed like a condominium with common parking and guarded gate. It looked beautiful.

I don't think that SM will need to put up a bus terminal at their mall though because Bacolod's & Negros Occidental's public transport system is good enough and also I believe that the city goverenment had already designated zones that are to be used as transport hubs. If SM were to do what it did in Iloilo, it would only create chaos because it will go against the traffic plan. What they will need is a very big parking lot because Negrenses are known not to go anywhere without their cars. Robinson's has a tremendous parking problem because of the sheer volume of cars parked at the mall even during lean hours of the day.

I was only concerned about the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel because I saw a news article about its being offered for sale to the City Government on Daily Star's Website. I hope it doesn't go through.


Thanks for the info...but it has been part of every SM Provincial Malls to have one. And that sale of Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel is true, the owners I think are already experiencing financial difficulties....

[blueguy]

of course it will.... the reclamation area already has a transpo terminal ready built already near manukan,... but the central negros market will be it's main market.... people from other cities won't come in droves... Bacolod would sustain it's own... this SM can't be expected to draw the southern market from kabankalan , which has a Lopue's and Gaisano or from the north which has it's own range of gaisano's and lopue's and not to mention cebu within the same equi distance...:cheers:


If that's the case it will surely be a big challenge for the one who will be assigned in Bacolod...(I hope it would not be me...) I guess SM will surely capture some of that market. If you been to Iloilo, Iloilo Supermart has been doing the same...building their branches close to the population...and yet SM Iloilo still gets its market and still even increases it...Because people know the brand already...that when they speak of SM...its a total package...kaya nga "We've got it all for you!"

Anyway guys, SM City Bacolod is now accepting applicants...(both work and store spaces)

[blueguy]

So SM in Cebu should be somewhat considered 'high end' as we have those branded shops mentioned below ... :) (except for Lacoste)



You would consider a mall high end by the type of lineup it showcases and sells. (Ex. In SM Davao the best selling items at SM Appliance are the huge projection TV sets with home theater system and the best selling stores are the two La Coste shops.)

[daks2003]

Thanks Van

Well we have methods I cant tell you and we a have a group that specializes on that area...SM will not grow if we are just relying on our SM know-how..

Iloilo is a different market. Try to compare the two markets...I have noticed this when I'm at the NAIA Terminal 2. You can tell the difference already by just trying to check on the people queuing for Bacolod and Iloilo flights. That's just a simple observation...Iloilo is not keen on brand unlike Bacolod. Bacolod prefer the high end ones...I can tell, I have relatives and friends from both sides of the shore...

My father specializes in sociology and conducts studies on customer expectation, satisfaction, that is why I know...

[kiretoce]

Oh and by the way I'd like to share this lang Negros Occidental was once a Republic...
a real republic albeit a short lived one separate from the Philippine republic in malolos..
so technically it was independent.....

“Republica de Negros”
“In this plaza of Bago was proclaimed the
Republica de Negros by the Revolutionary
Forces led by general Juan Anacleto Araneta,
5 November, 1898. Witnessed by Anaias
Diokno, representative of the Central Revolutionary
Government. This Republic acknowledge
The authority of the First Philippine
Republic under Emilio Aguinaldo.”

Wow! I never knew about this? Was this even mentioned in our Philippine history textbooks?

[ashton]

SM Cebu has 2 or 3 stores selling large TV projection sets aside from the one sold at SM Appliance Center which are doing pretty well. For the high end shops, I dont have the figures but their Ayala counterparts would say that SM stores always or sometimes do better 'sales wise'. (e.g. the case of Starbucks SM Cebu/Starbucks Ayala Cebu).

I went to SM Davao but duh... juz like any other mall I've been to.. but its cute.
its juz there was too much hype bout it.


You would consider a mall high end by the type of lineup it showcases and sells. (Ex. In SM Davao the best selling items at SM Appliance are the huge projection TV sets with home theater system and the best selling stores are the two La Coste shops.)

[MarkiiBoi]

For the high end shops, I dont have the figures but their Ayala counterparts would say that SM stores always or sometimes do better 'sales wise'. (e.g. the case of Starbucks SM Cebu/Starbucks Ayala Cebu



Really? I have observed that it is starbucks ayala that is always crowded, plus it is bigger since it is a stand-alone.

newei good that you will also have your own fiestra strip.and it will also be across a hotel. i bet your starbucks will also be located there,just like the 2nd starbucks here in cebu. the very reason that they opened the fiesta strip here is to coincide with the opening of the adjacent Sheraton..

[slerz]

but starbucks SM Cebu is more inviting than Starbucks Ayala Cebu, marami talagang tao ang sa SM Cebu kaysa sa Ayala Cebu na Starbucks.

[chymera00]

US firm to open first call center in Bacolod City

BACOLOD CITY -- Customer relations management provider Teleperformance, one of the largest contact center outsourcing firms in the US, will set up the first call center in this city in the next four months.

Dave Rizzo, regional vice-president, said the firm will initially hire 300 workers. They will later expand the work force to 700 or 800.

"We are happy to be here. I do believe in the English capability of every Bacoleño. I’d been here several times and I am convinced of the comprehension [level] of the people here," Mr. Rizzo said in an interview.

Teleperformance Philippines operates a contact center in Metro Manila with over 1,000 workstations.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia welcomed the entry of Teleperformance.

"It will be a big help in advancing our program of income generation and poverty alleviation. It will put the City of Smiles in the global IT directory. This development augurs well with our thrust to make Bacolod the new IT center in the southern Philippines," he said.

He said other call centers were interested in putting up facilities here as well.

Mr. Rizzo said Teleperformance plans to provide inbound customer care and technical support services from the Bacolod facility. He said they will tie up with all the schools in Negros Occidental province to find qualified employees.

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, head of the IT Focus team, said there are 12,000 college graduates yearly in Bacolod and 18,000 graduates in Negros Occidental.

In the Western Visayas region, the Commission on Higher Education regional office reported that there are 34,000 graduates every year. -- Robert Leonoras

[Weina]

Deadline set for offers to Bacolod gov’t

BACOLOD CITY -- Property owners who wish to sell their lots and structures to the city government have until Jan. 21 to make their offer.

Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia said this was the deadline set by the committee that is evaluating offers from property owners.

The city government is scouting for an ideal property for a new city hall building.

"We need to set a deadline so we can make a decision as soon as possible. We need to have a new city hall because our government center is outmoded," he said.

He called on the city council to cooperate with the executive department, represented by city administrator Lorendo Dilag, to fast-track the decision-making process.

Among the properties offered to the city government were the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel for P285 million and a three-storey building owned by Maybank for P60 million. -- Robert Leonoras

[Weina]

Negros Occidental city launches 10-year mango dev’t program

San Carlos City in Negros Occidental is set to become "mango country" in a decade with its Mango Development Program.

The program forms part of the 20-year (2000-2020) San Carlos master development plan crafted by the city government headed by Mayor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson and Vice-Mayor Gerardo P. Valmayor Jr.

The plan envisions to convert the city into an agro-industrial center. A unique feature of the master plan is the active participation of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs living in the barangays.

While agriculture remains an important component of the plant it also promotes and emphasizes high-value commercial crops, among them mango.

The mango program aims "to develop, promote, and sustain the mango industry and elevate San Carlos as a major mango-producing area."

It was prepared by Los Baños scientist Dr. Rafael Creencia and Joselito Payot of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.

The two were commissioned by the San Carlos Development Board chaired by Dr. Ramon Y. Valmayor to study the prospects of commercially producing mango in the barangay level.

The mango program has three groups of beneficiaries: small farm owners, sugarcane planters, and forest reservation dwellers, who actually constitute the majority growers of mango in the city.

San Carlos has a land area of 49,150 hectares with good agro-climate suitable for mango production. By classification, only 11% are non-agricultural lands, 20% of which are forest-covered and the rest for agricultural enterprises.

About 8,400 hectares of the city’s land with zero to 18% slope and 12,500 hectares with 18% to 30% slope can be used for mango production.

There are now 646 backyard and commercial mango growers; some claim steady income, particularly through contract-sharing arrangement with buyers from Cebu.

"There is good indication that farmers would expand production on their own best effort given the appropriate technical and financial support," Messrs. Creencia and Payot said in their report.

The plan projects to expand the city’s mango areas at 90 hectares per year.

At this expansion rate, a multipurpose processing plant for mango is expected to be built in the city soon after the 10th year of program implementation.

Mango varieties and selections will be introduced to San Carlos from the National Mango Research and Development Center in Guimaras.

Mango growers and prospective mango planters will be trained. -- Agriculture, Fisheries R&D News

[sugarboy]

but starbucks SM Cebu is more inviting than Starbucks Ayala Cebu, marami talagang tao ang sa SM Cebu kaysa sa Ayala Cebu na Starbucks.

Everytime I'm in a Starbucks branch in Cebu, I can't resist having to tell the barista taking my coffee order that my name is Dodong or Dudong. The idea is that when the barista calls out my alleged alias, more than one of us in the room will come to pick up the order as most guys in Cebu have the name "Dodong" as an endearment.

This is great fun. You should try it some time :)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/starbai.jpg

[kyle@1008]

The only empty subdivision I had ever seen in Metro Bacolod is the one named La Herencia Negrense. No intelligent person would want to live there because of the presence of Napocor Transmission cables. The presence of these high tension cables through the subdivision is a hazard to health because it causes brain cancer according to some research. I am glad nobody built a house there. It just shows that the Negrenses are not ignorant. I wonder what happened to Iloilo's Puerto Real de Iloilo? Never heard of anybody residing at that place.

Kyle, how do you know that it is indeed a highrise that is going up in front of Robinson's Bacolod. It is good news - if only to prove the Ilonggos wrong. Tell you what, I think that Bacolod already has Condominiums. It is located behind Mayfair Mall. It is only about three storeys though, but the place was designed like a condominium with common parking and guarded gate. It looked beautiful.

I don't think that SM will need to put up a bus terminal at their mall though because Bacolod's & Negros Occidental's public transport system is good enough and also I believe that the city goverenment had already designated zones that are to be used as transport hubs. If SM were to do what it did in Iloilo, it would only create chaos because it will go against the traffic plan. What they will need is a very big parking lot because Negrenses are known not to go anywhere without their cars. Robinson's has a tremendous parking problem because of the sheer volume of cars parked at the mall even during lean hours of the day.

I was only concerned about the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel because I saw a news article about its being offered for sale to the City Government on Daily Star's Website. I hope it doesn't go through.

well, it's a condominium that's all I know, they're currently in the fourth storey, I don't know how high it will be.. as for hotels Sylvia manor a new 7 storey hotel has just been finished.Ill take pics and post it here.. later.and I know bout the condo behind mayfair..

and oh la herencia maybe empty, but it's lots are sold already, my old highschool batchmate owns it.. their doing well, despite the shortage of people building houses,.... most of the lotowners tend to keep it :) for investment purposes , :)

[kyle@1008]

^^ Ill try that sugarboy,... I'm going to cebu at february 14

[rustyboi]

Everytime I'm in a Starbucks branch in Cebu, I can't resist having to tell the barista taking my coffee order that my name is Dodong or Dudong. The idea is that when the barista calls out my alleged alias, more than one of us in the room will come to pick up the order as most guys in Cebu have the name "Dodong" as an endearment.

This is great fun. You should try it some time :)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/starbai.jpg

Sounds fun! i might use the name "GWAPO" when i go there. i'm pretty sure i'd be the only one to pick up the order when called! :lol:

hey, i never had the chance to see the Starbucks SM Cebu branch. i should go there next time when i'm in Cebu :D

[kyle@1008]

Wow! I never knew about this? Was this even mentioned in our Philippine history textbooks?

only the thicker ones.... the first president Gen. Juan Araneta,.. is the patriarch of the Yulo, Araneta and Torres clans that has produced leaders in the business and political life of the nation...

[slerz]

Sounds fun! i might use the name "GWAPO" when i go there. i'm pretty sure i'd be the only one to pick up the order when called! :lol:

hey, i never had the chance to see the Starbucks SM Cebu branch. i should go there next time when i'm in Cebu :D

so wa jud diay ka ka dalikyat sa shoebox mall @Rusty katong naa ka dri.hehe

[sugarboy]

^^ Ill try that sugarboy,... I'm going to cebu at february 14

YODE! LOVE NI KYLE,....TAGA CEBU! YODE!

[slerz]

Everytime I'm in a Starbucks branch in Cebu, I can't resist having to tell the barista taking my coffee order that my name is Dodong or Dudong. The idea is that when the barista calls out my alleged alias, more than one of us in the room will come to pick up the order as most guys in Cebu have the name "Dodong" as an endearment.

This is great fun. You should try it some time :)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/starbai.jpg

oh nice, it's really a fun...:)
btw, what's the story of the phone? looks like it's my phone... :jk:

[ashton]

^^ and advise them that the stress is in 'dong'... :)

[Sinjin P.]

So SM in Cebu should be somewhat considered 'high end' as we have those branded shops mentioned below ... :) (except for Lacoste)

Ayala Center should be considered more high end even with Rustan's alone (it carries the brands, Ferragamo, Dolce and Gabbana, Christian Dior, etc. etc. etc.). There are also 3 Lacoste Shops, Marks and Spencer and those Linea Italia, Prima Linea, etc. shops.

[blueguy]

Ayala Center should be considered more high end even with Rustan's alone (it carries the brands, Ferragamo, Dolce and Gabbana, Christian Dior, etc. etc. etc.). There are also 3 Lacoste Shops, Marks and Spencer and those Linea Italia, Prima Linea, etc. shops.

Well in Cebu, no doubt that it is Ayala that is high end...it depends actually on the location

[sugarboy]

oh nice, it's really a fun...:)
btw, what's the story of the phone? looks like it's my phone... :jk:

no story to the phone. it was just there when i took the photo.

[slerz]

Well in Cebu, no doubt that it is Ayala that is high end...it depends actually on the location

how about in other cities? what are the high end malls?

[c0kelitr0]

Ayala Center should be considered more high end even with Rustan's alone (it carries the brands, Ferragamo, Dolce and Gabbana, Christian Dior, etc. etc. etc.). There are also 3 Lacoste Shops, Marks and Spencer and those Linea Italia, Prima Linea, etc. shops.

in Bacolod, Linea Italia is a stand-alone store... :D

is it still open?

[kyle@1008]

^^ yes.... its earning well... its location is great,.. think bout it Lacson street in itself,... is more like champs elysee

[kyle@1008]

Grabe sugarboy bah... all caps gid?? :colgate:

[sugarboy]

yes all caps GID. hehehe

[blueguy]

Everytime I'm in a Starbucks branch in Cebu, I can't resist having to tell the barista taking my coffee order that my name is Dodong or Dudong. The idea is that when the barista calls out my alleged alias, more than one of us in the room will come to pick up the order as most guys in Cebu have the name "Dodong" as an endearment.

This is great fun. You should try it some time :)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/starbai.jpg

Have you ever tried ordering and tell the barista or the store personel your name is "FREE"

Actually what I love at Starbucks is their Caramel Frappuccino...Grande

[blueguy]

some pictures of Guintubdan, La Carlota, Negros Occ.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/van1975/Guintubdan4.jpg

[blueguy]

Sunset viewed from the deck of the Guintubdan Mt. Resort

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/van1975/P1230071.jpg

[c0kelitr0]

^^ yes.... its earning well... its location is great,.. think bout it Lacson street in itself,... is more like champs elysee

yeah, i love that street...

BTW, what are they going to replace Bar 21 with?

and is the "meat market" Cyber Asia still open? :D

[sugarboy]

I never knew Cyber Asia was a meat market. Ikaw talaga Coke, saludo ako sa yo. You know a lot about Bacolod :)

[c0kelitr0]

^^ lol...jav and i went there once so he could prove to me that's there's an underground meat market thriving in Bacolod :lol: it was a pretty much straight bar...but indeed guys keep on staring at each other (you know eye contact negotiations :D) ...jav told me that those who know better don't hang out there coz it has such a bad reputation already...

[kyle@1008]

^^ nah coke it's closed.... it's now divided between coffee beanery and space burger....

.. but hey goldenfields, has many types of biz.. ... btw you can also try downtown

[kyle@1008]

oh and Bar 21 didn't close they just renovated it...

[c0kelitr0]

^^ oh okay, but is it still gonna be called Bar 21 when it reopens?

[kyle@1008]

... It already re-opened and yes, its still bar 21

[Dinho]

well, it's a condominium that's all I know, they're currently in the fourth storey, I don't know how high it will be.. as for hotels Sylvia manor a new 7 storey hotel has just been finished.Ill take pics and post it here.. later.and I know bout the condo behind mayfair..

and oh la herencia maybe empty, but it's lots are sold already, my old highschool batchmate owns it.. their doing well, despite the shortage of people building houses,.... most of the lotowners tend to keep it :) for investment purposes , :)

Thanks for the information Kyle. Could you also post pictures of the construction site at the front of Robinson's Place together with the Sylvia Manor Hotel? Hope you could do it soon. If the columns are over 750mm x 750mm wide, it would probably be a high rise. If it is below that, I think it'll not go over 6 storeys. Does it have an elevator shaft?

[Coffee]

Do you think we could make another thread titled "Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental"? Just like in real life, the Oriental side of Negros is getting vastly overshadowed by the Occidental side. :|

[Dinho]

Yes. Dumaguete is a nice quaint city. Why don't you start one?

[Sinjin P.]

^So, we'll ask a moderator to rename this thread as
BACOLOD CITY AND NEGROS OCCIDENTAL THREAD III

And create a new one
DUMAGUETE CITY AND NEGROS ORIENTAL THREAD I

[thomasian]

Did it already... :okay:

[Sinjin P.]

^Lotsa thanks!

[TJ]

well, it's a condominium that's all I know, they're currently in the fourth storey, I don't know how high it will be.. as for hotels Sylvia manor a new 7 storey hotel has just been finished.Ill take pics and post it here.. later.and I know bout the condo behind mayfair..

and oh la herencia maybe empty, but it's lots are sold already, my old highschool batchmate owns it.. their doing well, despite the shortage of people building houses,.... most of the lotowners tend to keep it :) for investment purposes , :)

the manor is six storeys tall not seven... and it's the tallest hotel in bacolod... yeahhhh!!!! :)

[TJ]

Also to add SM bacolod's area was kinda quite bigger than everyone expected... i really haven't figured this out but it could be as big or close to SM iloilo's size. But only two storeys.. i wish they would change their plans and make it a 3-5 storey.

[TJ]

sorry sylvia manor was only 5 storey not 6.. hehe

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/sylviamanorhotel2.jpg

sorry sylvia manor was only 5 storey not 6.. hehe

It is six storeys as based on the picture I am attaching. The picture was taken while under construction. It has 52 guest rooms according to its website. Iloilo Business Hotel is 8 storeys with 58 guest rooms. Not much difference. TJ, why despair? Iloilo's only advantage is Sarabia Manor hotel with 184 bedrooms. And to think that Iloilo was already a city when Bacolod was a small village. We are catching up with Iloilo. Just wait and see.

The only reason why Bacolod is lagging behind a bit is because there are so many cities in Negros Occidental alone that investors have had to distribute their investments unlike in Iloilo where all the investments are placed in Iloilo City itself and nowhere else.

For example Gaisano built a slightly smaller Gaisano City here in Bacolod City because they were planning to invest in several other cities in Negros Occidental as well. They built one in Kabankalan and San Carlos and are planning several more in other cities.

Lopue's has not yet built a big mall like Limketkai in Cagayan De Oro or Iloilo Supermart in Iloilo because they had been investing outside Bacolod too. I am sure though that they could easily build one if they wanted to and that the Bacolod population is big enough to support it.

[rustyboi]

^^ bro do u have figures regarding Bacolod's hotel rooms? and maybe the occupancy rate? thanks!

[slerz]

HOTEL DON FILEPE of Ormoc City has 7 floors :D... how is that? Does buildings' floors really matters?

[rustyboi]

^^ u might wanna add the upcoming Crown Regency which has 40 floors hehe.

[slerz]

ay, bati manang crown regency oi matod pa ni kuan kay box type ra daw, nindot na para nako kung maka saka ko sa kinatas an :D

[Dinho]

HOTEL DON FILEPE of Ormoc City has 7 floors :D... how is that? Does buildings' floors really matters?

Exactly the point. What is important in the Hotel Business is the number of rooms and the "star rating" of the hotel. Some of the best hotels in the world are not over 4 storeys.

[slerz]

sakto ka jan. :okay:

[rustyboi]

Exactly the point. What is important in the Hotel Business is the number of rooms and the "star rating" of the hotel. Some of the best hotels in the world are not over 4 storeys.

yeah, that reminds me. does anybody here can provide figures of hotel rooms in the city, occupancy rate, "star rating"? and the target number of rooms in the coming years? thanks. :)

[Dinho]

I had been looking into that but I may have some blanks though as not all data is available on the net. Will do it soon as I can. I know though that Bacolod enjoyed a higher occupancy rate than Iloilo during up to 2004. 2005 data is not available yet though.

I think Kyle might have a more updated list and data as he seems to be working with the government. I wonder where he is. He hasn't posted anything for the past few days. He still has to post pictures and data on the rest of the cities in Negros.

[rustyboi]

ah ok no prob. thanks in advance!

[chymera00]

Also to add SM bacolod's area was kinda quite bigger than everyone expected... i really haven't figured this out but it could be as big or close to SM iloilo's size. But only two storeys.. i wish they would change their plans and make it a 3-5 storey.
According to the last report, Bacolod's SM City will be only 60,000sq.m2... They're starting construction now and they've already fenced a big chunk of the reclamation area, so I'm thinking it might be bigger ....

[TJ]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/sylviamanorhotel2.jpg



It is six storeys as based on the picture I am attaching. The picture was taken while under construction. It has 52 guest rooms according to its website. Iloilo Business Hotel is 8 storeys with 58 guest rooms. Not much difference. TJ, why despair? Iloilo's only advantage is Sarabia Manor hotel with 184 bedrooms. And to think that Iloilo was already a city when Bacolod was a small village. We are catching up with Iloilo. Just wait and see.

The only reason why Bacolod is lagging behind a bit is because there are so many cities in Negros Occidental alone that investors have had to distribute their investments unlike in Iloilo where all the investments are placed in Iloilo City itself and nowhere else.

For example Gaisano built a slightly smaller Gaisano City here in Bacolod City because they were planning to invest in several other cities in Negros Occidental as well. They built one in Kabankalan and San Carlos and are planning several more in other cities.

Lopue's has not yet built a big mall like Limketkai in Cagayan De Oro or Iloilo Supermart in Iloilo because they had been investing outside Bacolod too. I am sure though that they could easily build one if they wanted to and that the Bacolod population is big enough to support it.

The small shack over the top doesn't count as another floor to me so i will go with it as 5 storeys... also the number of floors indeed does matter many guests will like it more to reside in highrise hotels and enjoy the view from the sky from their hotel window and view the city landscape. Lowrise hotels meanwhile are not suitalbe in city centers they are more suited in resort panoramas not urban.

[chymera00]

I had been looking into that but I may have some blanks though as not all data is available on the net. Will do it soon as I can. I know though that Bacolod enjoyed a higher occupancy rate than Iloilo during up to 2004. 2005 data is not available yet though.

I think Kyle might have a more updated list and data as he seems to be working with the government. I wonder where he is. He hasn't posted anything for the past few days. He still has to post pictures and data on the rest of the cities in Negros.
What is the occupancy rate of both cities in 2004, and also years preceeding that?

[slerz]

The small shack over the top doesn't count as another floor to me so i will go with it as 5 storeys... also the number of floors indeed does matter many guests will like it more to reside in highrise hotels and enjoy the view from the sky from their hotel window and view the city landscape. Lowrise hotels meanwhile are not suitalbe in city centers they are more suited in resort panoramas not urban.

well for me as a "scraper fanatic person" would rather check in high rise hotels and I want my room to be on the top floor :D After all, I really love heights and highs, I have a phobia on lows and plains :D

[drfeelgood17]

^Lotsa thanks!
off-topic: great avatar Sinjin! :)

[wornout]

HOTEL DON FILEPE of Ormoc City has 7 floors :D... how is that? Does buildings' floors really matters?

yeah...tagbilaran city's metrocentre hotel has 7-8 floors, so does it make tagbilaran a better city? hehehehhe...i think it doesn't matter. I think cleanliness and a pulsating vibrant economy makes the difference. And both cities have it, so i think we should be happy about it.

[daks2003]

speaking of lopues...musta na ang lopues east and ang lopues square? can somebody post a pix of lopues here

[Weina]

Bacolod targeting $2-B IT investments

BACOLOD CITY -- The city’s so-called "IT team" -- composed of both government officials and private sector leaders who believe this city has all the qualities to become an IT center -- is targeting $2 billion worth of IT investments this year.

City councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, who chairs the team, said team members expect more call centers to establish facilities in this city after the local unit of Teleperformance announced plans to open in four months its contact center here.

Ms. Sigue said they hope to duplicate the success of Cebu in attracting call centers, other business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, and other information technology (IT) investments.

"Cebu is so immense. In 2000, the mayor of Cebu held an IT summit. Now, they have more than 20 call center companies. Even the Philippine Economic Zone Authority realized that there is a big thing happening in Cebu," she said.

The IT team has formed the Information Technology Schools Network to strengthen the partnership between the city government and the academe as well as to ensure that a huge pool of qualified English-speaking workers will be available for the IT industry. The network includes the Visayan Maritime Academy, La Saltech, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.

On the average, Ms. Sigue said Western Visayas produces nearly 35,000 graduates every year. In Negros Occidental province and Bacolod City alone, the Commission on Higher Education reported that there were 14,803 graduates last year.

Bacolod is among the key cities in the country that have been identified by the Commission of Information and Communications Technology as having a huge potential in hosting IT investments. Other cities are Legaspi, Tacloban, Davao, Baguio, Cabanatuan, Dagupan, Iloilo, Sta. Rosa, Taguig and Parañaque. -- Robert Leonoras

[sugbuanon]

wow good for bacolod..

[TJ]

yeah...tagbilaran city's metrocentre hotel has 7-8 floors, so does it make tagbilaran a better city? hehehehhe...i think it doesn't matter. I think cleanliness and a pulsating vibrant economy makes the difference. And both cities have it, so i think we should be happy about it.

Regarding cleanliness and economy the tall glimmering buildings does matter it adds to the city's skyline and panormic view. A city skyline is a tourist attraction itself as best as you can get other than the usual parks amuesments and landmarks. Look what made cities famous and recognizable example Los Angeles other than hollowood and it's other added attraction the other main thing that made it reconizable is the skyline. Same with new york, chicago, hong kong. Even the city of la paz bolivia and rio de janero brazil attracted tourists because of masking image of their glimmering skyline despite having one of the the highest crimes rates with sprawling favelass or squatter areas within the city. So don't disregard the aweing power of the city skyline as a major attritube to a city coz it is a great asset for a city to have and not a matter of small concern.

[slerz]

^^you are undoubtedly a skyscraper fanatic person ;)

[TJ]

^^you are undoubtedly a skyscraper fanatic person ;)

Thats why im in skyscrapercity... i belong here lolz..

[slerz]

me too but there are others before they joined here they have no idea about scrapers ;)

[eazyboy]

Bacolod targeting $2-B IT investments

BACOLOD CITY -- The city’s so-called "IT team" -- composed of both government officials and private sector leaders who believe this city has all the qualities to become an IT center -- is targeting $2 billion worth of IT investments this year.

City councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, who chairs the team, said team members expect more call centers to establish facilities in this city after the local unit of Teleperformance announced plans to open in four months its contact center here.

Ms. Sigue said they hope to duplicate the success of Cebu in attracting call centers, other business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, and other information technology (IT) investments.

"Cebu is so immense. In 2000, the mayor of Cebu held an IT summit. Now, they have more than 20 call center companies. Even the Philippine Economic Zone Authority realized that there is a big thing happening in Cebu," she said.

The IT team has formed the Information Technology Schools Network to strengthen the partnership between the city government and the academe as well as to ensure that a huge pool of qualified English-speaking workers will be available for the IT industry. The network includes the Visayan Maritime Academy, La Saltech, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.

On the average, Ms. Sigue said Western Visayas produces nearly 35,000 graduates every year. In Negros Occidental province and Bacolod City alone, the Commission on Higher Education reported that there were 14,803 graduates last year.

Bacolod is among the key cities in the country that have been identified by the Commission of Information and Communications Technology as having a huge potential in hosting IT investments. Other cities are Legaspi, Tacloban, Davao, Baguio, Cabanatuan, Dagupan, Iloilo, Sta. Rosa, Taguig and Parañaque. -- Robert Leonoras

this is right. follow cebu. and dont get intimidated on what "those people across the straits" are saying about bacolod. cebu would be a better model than them. at least cebu's track record speaks for itself, unlike them, who went from nowehere to being no.2 then back to nowhere again. heh!

[daks2003]

I think someone here just got his allowance from dear old dad. :sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy:

[eazyboy]

hmmmm, i could slap someone here with bundles of money!!!

[c0kelitr0]

ginapiko guid kwarta huh :D

[slerz]

why is that kwarta is ginapiko kag gina pala? wa jud na nako na gets storyaa...

[c0kelitr0]

lols @slerz

iloilo and negros used to be very rich that the story about money being just "ginapiko and ginapala" became a legend...

[slerz]

wooo, how I wished I have lived there once ..hehe

[daks2003]

BUNDLES OF MONEY

http://tinypic.com/mbsvpg.jpg

OK ... I think this is more than enough to buy me dreams :sleepy: :sleepy: :sleepy:

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/LopuesEastExtension.jpg

Daks, Here is a rough 3d rendering of the proposed extension of Lopue's East. I hope they don't go ahead with it. I really like the design of Lopue's East with its big columns that give it an exotic look. They should extend at the back. I know for a fact that they still have an open parking lot at the back. I could not find a picture of Lopue's East and South Square on the net though.

[Askal82]

^^ Wow, is this a mall? How big is this going to be?

[TJ]

Yaaayyy!!! Manny pacqiuao knocked out erik morales, and morales ended up in the hospital. Barrera is next.... =)

[Askal82]

^^ I thought Pacquiao defeated Barrera already.

[TJ]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/LopuesEastExtension.jpg

Daks, Here is a rough 3d rendering of the proposed extension of Lopue's East. I hope they don't go ahead with it. I really like the design of Lopue's East with its big columns that give it an exotic look. They should extend at the back. I know for a fact that they still have an open parking lot at the back. I could not find a picture of Lopue's East and South Square on the net though.

wow is that a highrise building over the side there??? yayy!!!! :)

[TJ]

i remember when gaisano city was being built they put up a big billboard picture of it along with a tall highrise at the side but it was never built.

[Dinho]

i remember when gaisano city was being built they put up a big billboard picture of it along with a tall highrise at the side but it was never built.

TJ, They always do that in Perspective drawings to avoid having to draw so many small buildings behind it. They also do it for other reasons. I don't think it would be possible to build highrises in the vicinity of Gaisano City Bacolod because it is right on the flight path. I do know that they were planning a Midtown Hotel at the back of Robinson's before the Asian Crisis during the last half of the Nineties. Notice the unfinished columns at Robinson's rear parking lot? That is part of the preparation for the hotel and mall extension.

The ASian Economic Crisis badly affected Bacolod because there were several big projects that got cancelled at that time.

One of the biggest is the Uniwide Harbor City Mall and an accompanying commercial & residential area. You can still see the core of the mall when you go to Talisay. Uniwide had so much foreign denominated loans that they were hit very hard when the US$ went up about 50% overnight.

Active Group was also affected because they have yet to build the a mall, a 5 star hotel and a big civic center at the Active Centre. So far they were able to build the roads. Another problem is the fact that some farmers raised a suit to prevent the area from being developed. They are so narrow minded to insist on having farms in Bacolod's prime commercial area. Sugarboy, I wonder how soon the project would resume. Been hearing of a high rise in front of Robinson's. I hope this is already part of it. This development would be the equivalent of the Pison's Iloilo Business Park.

SM was also being planned at around this time but was put on hold since most business people adopted a wait and see attitude. Good thing they've decided to build the Bacolod mall. I still believe they are also planning to build one at Talisay later on as there is no denying that Bacolod's development is going northward.

I've been hearing of plans of Lopue's planning a big mall at Mansilingan, but I guess that too has been put on hold because of the economic problems our country has been suffering. Its good to note that the ASian crisis has not deterred the Lopue's group from investing in neighboring cities in Negros Occidental.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/pnbbuilding.jpg

This is Region VI' tallest building for over two decades. It still is the among the tallest as far as I know because nobody has yet built over eight storeys in Iloilo due to their waterlogged earth.

Where are you Kyle? We are still waiting for the rest of the promised posts of the other cities of Negros. Could you also please post a picture of the construction site in front of Robinson's? Please!

[chymera00]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/pnbbuilding.jpg

This is Region VI' tallest building for over two decades. It still is the among the tallest as far as I know because nobody has yet built over eight storeys in Iloilo due to their waterlogged earth.

Where are you Kyle? We are still waiting for the rest of the promised posts of the other cities of Negros. Could you also please post a picture of the construction site in front of Robinson's? Please!
How many floors is this Dinho?

[Dinho]

How many floors is this Dinho?


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/c87e1e8c.jpg

It has eight storeys. But if you count from the outside, it seems to have nine storeys -with the last level dedicated to mechanical equipment. Why are you asking?

[chymera00]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/c87e1e8c.jpg

It has eight storeys. But if you count from the outside, it seems to have nine storeys -with the last level dedicated to mechanical equipment. Why are you asking?
Because its hard to count the no. of floors from the first pic. Is this the PNB building?

[Dinho]

Yup. It is the main Bacolod branch and probably the HQ for region VI.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/McDonalds20photo202.jpg

McDonald's Lacson - One of the buildings that surrounds the Bacolod Lagoon. It is the first McDonald's outside Luzon and still the biggest McDonald's in the Western Visayas. Jollibee has beaten McDonald's in the Philippines except in the Bacolod Metropolitan area where McDonald's has a strong presence and a bigger market share.

[MarkiiBoi]

ei if i may butt in, ano ba ratio ng jollibee to mcdo there in bacolod? dito kasi sa cebu if im right 20:4.

lamats...

[slerz]

trivia about me and Mc Donalds: I haven't eaten in Mc Donalds ever since... I swear. I haven't sat on one of their benches ever...

[MarkiiBoi]

trivia about me and Mc Donalds: I haven't eaten in Mc Donalds ever since... I swear. I haven't sat on one of their benches ever...


yan ang pinoy! maybe the owner of jollibee also has not ate in any mcdo, or vice versa. hehehe.

[slerz]

so sorry Mc Donalds... you haven't seduced my sense of taste, it's your loss :D

[Dinho]

Last I know is that there are McDonald's branches at Lacson, one at Lopue's East, 3 in Downtown Bacolod, and one inside University of St. La Salle. Jollibee has branches in most of the same areas except Lopue's East. Jollibee branches are less frequented by Negrenses as is evident when you pass by areas where both have a presence. Jollibee was able to corner Robinson's and Gaisano City. I don't know why McDonald's doesn't put up a branch at these malls. I know if they decide to branch out to the two malls, Jollibee would be less busy.

Slerz, so where do you eat if you are in a hurry? Jollibee? Find their burgers too soggy. I prefer Burger King but they don't have a branch yet in either Bacolod or Iloilo. If you don't like McDonald's I won't argue with you. It's just a matter of taste.

[slerz]

It's not that I don't like Mc Donalds infact I still dunno how their food tastes, yup I've eaten Jollibee many times but only when someone will pay for me but still no one brought me to MD... I haven't eaten sa Burger King too..hehe. Whenever I'm hungry, I only eat sa small stalls like Burger Machines, La Fortuna and others :)
I'm only sharing my uniqueness though :D

[MarkiiBoi]

^^ ?? unsa man jud bai nakakaun ka sa burger king or wala. hehehe

[slerz]

ay sorry
I only eat sa small stalls like Burger Machines:D

[MarkiiBoi]

brother's burger and gotham burger are the new talk-of-the-town.



ooops sorry for the OT guys.

[Askal82]

If i go for burgers and fries, Mcdo is the best. For chicken joy, ill go for jollibee :)

[slerz]

brother's burger and gotham burger are the new talk-of-the-town.

ay, di ko ma reach...hehe
cguro di jud ko maka kaon diha kung way mo dala nako...hehe

[MarkiiBoi]

^^ too bad, my workplace is sandwiched by both. so tempting. hehhe



sorry again bacolod peepz for the OT.

[c0kelitr0]

Has Bacolod got KFC already?

[rustyboi]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/pnbbuilding.jpg

This is Region VI' tallest building for over two decades. It still is the among the tallest as far as I know because nobody has yet built over eight storeys in Iloilo due to their waterlogged earth.

Where are you Kyle? We are still waiting for the rest of the promised posts of the other cities of Negros. Could you also please post a picture of the construction site in front of Robinson's? Please!

cool lighting! :okay: love the shot :D

[chymera00]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/McDonalds20photo202.jpg

McDonald's Lacson - One of the buildings that surrounds the Bacolod Lagoon. It is the first McDonald's outside Luzon and still the biggest McDonald's in the Western Visayas. Jollibee has beaten McDonald's in the Philippines except in the Bacolod Metropolitan area where McDonald's has a strong presence and a bigger market share.
I miss this place ... I used to play here all the time when I was a kid because they have a nice and big play place. After going to McDo, we used to go to the building next to it and place some arcades :D

When we felt like it, we stroll around the park near it ... and play some more, lol.

[TJ]

jollibee dominates more i guess in bacolod... coz when u go to malls either gaisano or robinsons there is jollibee but no mcdonalds.. and i heard malakas ang jollibee sa mga malls at sa SM i guess mauunahan na naman ng jolibee ang mcdo sa puesto.. heheh coz there is this kinda of rule or agreement in mall establishments that whoever goes in first either mcdonalds or jollibe the other cannot follow.

[TJ]

how about the hotel in small ville i think it is as tall also as pnb.. and also i have noticed this building the skygo tower.. also the riverside college highrise building it is supposed to be as tall as pnb but it was build in a riverbed so its kinda two storey shorter than pnb because of the base was much lower but it has like 10 floors.

[Dinho]

how about the hotel in small ville i think it is as tall also as pnb.. and also i have noticed this building the skygo tower.. also the riverside college highrise building it is supposed to be as tall as pnb but it was build in a riverbed so its kinda two storey shorter than pnb because of the base was much lower but it has like 10 floors.

IBH has eight storeys according to their own website. It has 58 guest rooms only. Where is Skygo Tower? Bacolod? Could you post a picture of it and the Riverside building you were talking about. Have you seen the construction site in front of Robinson's? Could you post a picture of it too?

Thanks!

[Dinho]

jollibee dominates more i guess in bacolod... coz when u go to malls either gaisano or robinsons there is jollibee but no mcdonalds.. and i heard malakas ang jollibee sa mga malls at sa SM i guess mauunahan na naman ng jolibee ang mcdo sa puesto.. heheh coz there is this kinda of rule or agreement in mall establishments that whoever goes in first either mcdonalds or jollibe the other cannot follow.

I never thought that the malls had such a policy. It clearly explains why Jollibee has branches at Robinson's and Gaisano. I guess Jollibee has a lead of 1 branch only since They don't have one yet at Lopue's East. I had observed that McDonalds branches located near a Jollibee branch tend to draw in more people. That is why I say McDonald's still has a bigger share in Bacolod because they have a bigger slice of the market.

One reason Jollibee gets to the malls first is because the franchise holders have more money compared to the McDonald's franchise holder. I know this because the franchise holder for McDonald's in Bacolod was our neighbor at Sta. Clara and the franchise holder for Jollibee is our family friend. There might be other franchise holders but as far as I know, these two families have a firm hold on each respective brand.

[LordCarnal]

^^

Yah I've noticed that in other places too, more Jollibee than Mcdo, though I find mcdo more palatable to my taste than jollibee..

[sugarboy]

jollibee dominates more i guess in bacolod... coz when u go to malls either gaisano or robinsons there is jollibee but no mcdonalds.. and i heard malakas ang jollibee sa mga malls at sa SM i guess mauunahan na naman ng jolibee ang mcdo sa puesto.. heheh coz there is this kinda of rule or agreement in mall establishments that whoever goes in first either mcdonalds or jollibe the other cannot follow.

that is not necessarily the rule. mcdonald's was also invited to be in the robinson's mall but the local mcdo owners decided not to go for it because of a very lopsided deal which was offered by Robinson's Land Corporation. if they weren't charged exhorbitant rent and a terrible percentage of sales by RLC, McDo would also have been in Robinson's Place Mandalagan.

on TJ's comment re jollibee dominating Bacolod, this is true, BUT, only recently when Jollibee started adding branches where McDo couldn't come in. Otherwise, a few years back, McDo surely outsold Jollibee even though JB was a head by 2 branches.

[sugarboy]

...One reason Jollibee gets to the malls first is because the franchise holders have more money compared to the McDonald's franchise holder. I know this because the franchise holder for McDonald's in Bacolod was our neighbor at Sta. Clara and the franchise holder for Jollibee is our family friend. There might be other franchise holders but as far as I know, these two families have a firm hold on each respective brand.

I don't think it's a money issue that the JB owners in Bacolod have more money than the McDo owners. It is just that the McDo owners are more prudent in evenly distributing the stores so that there wouldn't be a duplication in area coverage. At the end of the day, while the local JB store fights it out by way of brawn (money), McDo gains its edge through strategic and prudent moves.

[sugarboy]

^^

Yah I've noticed that in other places too, more Jollibee than Mcdo, though I find mcdo more palatable to my taste than jollibee..

I agree. Nothing comes close to McDo fries.

[TJ]

Skygo tower is in iloilo somewhere in downtown, the riverside college highrise is a school building... sorry but i can't post pics coz of my mobile it has a cam but has no bluetooth.. lol and i don't even know how to put pics here.. hehe

But to me i don't really care about jollibe or mcdonalds i think they taste the same. Coz i don't really think and compare them when im eating i only concentrate on the food. lol

[kyle@1008]

Jollibee is building a branch in Lopue's east....

@rusty... sorry bout not getting pics yet, I'm still kinda busy,... but Ill get down to it as soon as I can :colgate:

[Dinho]

Oh well, this just goes to prove that Bacolod is not like most other Philippine cities. I got this comment from a tourist who visited Bacolod a while back.

"We arrived in this lovely city. Why "lovely city"? Bacolod isn't, in my view, a typical Philippine city. Bacolod namely offers a lot of parks and green spaces, the traffic isn't that heavy, and there exists a sort of a centre, the City Plaza."

Bacolod is one of the few cities (I think the only other planned city is Baguio) in the P.I. that was planned by American city planners. That is why we have better parks, and well landscaped government institutional and private properties. I wouldn't trade what Bacolod has for the bragging rights to having more SM's, bigger malls, taller buildings than any other city in the region. I never crowded malls and public spaces anyway.

[kyle@1008]

^^ You should see the new forest park sa taculing....

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/DBP.jpg

This is the DBP building. It has about 4 storeys and a very big landscaped yard all around the building. Though the building is not as big as the neighboring PNB building, it still looks quite impressive because of its good location beside the park and its own spacious yard.

I always felt good whenever I drove thru this area because of the open spaces, stately buildings and a clean atmosphere. The old TRB building is also located in this area, about two blocks north of the PNB building. It really is a shame that the current owners of the TRB building decided to paint it white. They never should have done it because the old red bricks of the building was perfect and gave it the an established look.

[Dinho]

^^ You should see the new forest park sa taculing....

Is it a new residential estate? Or is it a real park? Good to find you here again.

[TJ]

riverside college was 8 storeys lang gali not 10.. hehehe sorry

[Dinho]

Has Bacolod got KFC already?

One KFC has already been operating at Robinson's Place when I left the PI mid 2004. I have no idea if they have opened more branches yet. How far back was last your last visit to Metro Bacolod?

[KulasKusgan]

interruption.

parati kong nakikita ang la carlota drum beaters here in davao. almost every important and not so important affair davao city is staging, the la carlota drum beaters are here to perform. sikat din ba sila sa bacolod and negros?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/fest/lacarlota2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/fest/lacarlota.jpg

[Dinho]

speaking of lopues...musta na ang lopues east and ang lopues square? can somebody post a pix of lopues here

DAKS, HERE IS A PICTURE OF A PORTION OF LOPUE'S SOUTH SQUARE.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/LopuesSouthSquare.jpg

THE BUILDING SHOWN HOUSES THE FURNITURE DEPARTMENT ONLY. THE GROCERY IS HOUSED IN ANOTHER AND THE DEPARTMENT STORE IS HOUSE IN YET ANOTHER BUILDING. THE GROCERY SECTION AND DEPARTMENT STORE ARE INTERCONNECTED THOUGH. I HOPE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A COVERED WALKWAY BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT STORE AND THE FURNITURE DEPARTMENT.

THE LOPUE'S SOUTH SQUARE COMPLEX ALSO HAS SPACES FOR RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, AND OFFICES. IT ALSO HAS AN AIRCONDITIONED GYM FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES LIKE WALL CLIMBING, TENNIS, BASKETBALL, & I REALLY DUNNO WHAT ELSE. IT IS A NICE PEACEFUL UNCROWDED MALL THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNED MORE LIKE A SMALL SUBURBAN AMERICAN MALL.

[Dinho]

THIS IS LOPUE'S SAGAY

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/LopuesSagay.jpg
THE ORIGINAL DESIGN LOOKS A LOT BETTER THAN THIS. I THINK THEY REVISED THE DESIGN TO REDUCE THE CONSTRUCTION COST. I HOPE THAT THE OWNERS WOULD NOT SACRIFICE AESTHETICS FOR THE SAKE OF REDUCING CONSTRUCTION COSTS IN THE FUTURE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH LOPUE'S VICTORIAS. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS VERY GOOD BUT THE PLANS WERE NEVER FOLLOWED TO SAVE ON COSTS. TOO BAD.

[sugarboy]

^^^i guess dominic diocson always shudders whenever his designs are reduced into these quaint little boxes.

[KulasKusgan]

interruption.

parati kong nakikita ang la carlota drum beaters here in davao. almost every important and not so important affair davao city is staging, the la carlota drum beaters are here to perform. sikat din ba sila sa bacolod and negros?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/fest/lacarlota2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/fest/lacarlota.jpg



follow-up question:

are they the same group "Grupo Tribale" and "Pasalamat Drum Beaters" of La Carlota City? just wondering. theyre good. one of the most sought after band here in davao. i saw them perform at the asean tourism forum held recently here. negros should be proud of them.

[daks2003]

Actually malls are more happy to have both mcdo and jollibee in their premises. Both brands command a sizeable market, so more money for malls like sm and robinson coz of the their % share from the gross sales which sometimes is much higher than the fixed rent...aside from that...theres a lot more common charges which are shared by the tenants...pati ngalan nila ginabaydan mo pa! hehehe its hard to beat jollibee coz you also have to deal with its co-brands like greenwich and chowking...

jollibee dominates more i guess in bacolod... coz when u go to malls either gaisano or robinsons there is jollibee but no mcdonalds.. and i heard malakas ang jollibee sa mga malls at sa SM i guess mauunahan na naman ng jolibee ang mcdo sa puesto.. heheh coz there is this kinda of rule or agreement in mall establishments that whoever goes in first either mcdonalds or jollibe the other cannot follow.

[TJ]

hmmm maybe the info i got about this policy was wrong but then but i don't know. If so mcdonalds is avoiding competition with jollibe in malls thats why when either of them gets there the other does not follow. Unlike in the outdoor areas where they chase each other up, anyway i don't really remember is there a mall with both jollibee and mcdonalds at close proximity??

[Dinho]

hmmm maybe the info i got about this policy was wrong but then but i don't know. If so mcdonalds is avoiding competition with jollibe in malls thats why when either of them gets there the other does not follow. Unlike in the outdoor areas where they chase each other up, anyway i don't really remember is there a mall with both jollibee and mcdonalds at close proximity??

I think Sugarboy has explained the situation very well already. McDonald's Franchisee in Bacolod is reducing their own overhead costs and is advoiding malls that charge exorbitant rental rates and percentages. I guess they don't have to chase down the customers in Bacolod like they would in other cities. You are right about Bacolod malls not having both brands in their vicinity. The only threat to McDonald's market dominance in Bacolod would be the arrival of other American fastfood chains like Burger King and Weny's.

[Dinho]

^^^i guess dominic diocson always shudders whenever his designs are reduced into these quaint little boxes.

Yup, I'm sure he does. Anyway, Sugarboy, would you know what is going on
at Active Group? When would they be able to resume the Active Business Centre in Bacolod. It seems that they have been concentrating on socialized housing at the other cities of Negros.

Guys, could you please post more pictures of Bacolod. I am very homesick and I had been the one posting most pictures lately while out of the country!!!

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/reclamation.jpg

This is an old picture taken while they were just starting to reclaim land at Bacolod's bay.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/seabreeeze.jpg

I was told that the Sea Breeze hotel was the best hotel of this period and that it had a lovely view of the sea and the sunset. Though it may never be able to have this back, I hope they can completely renovate Sea Breeze as it still is located in a prime location. The photo was taken in 1947 which should make it the oldest hotel in the city. It is a shame to allow such a place to be neglected.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/oldcityhallphoto_2.jpg

If they could not relocate the City Hall to the geographic center of Bacolod, I think the second best place would be in a central area at the reclamation. Government institutions and buildings should be designed to serve as a "terminating" point of major streets much like how the Provincial Capitol is positioned in both Iloilo and Negros Occidental as well as San Carlos' City Hall. The city hall should not be treated as an ordinary building like what Bacolod City has at the moment.

[Askal82]

^^ How old are these pictures? So some parts of Bacolod too are reclaimed?

[kyle@1008]

okay here are the few photos I promised,.. I was in a hurry since I had to travel far to get this... so it's a little blurred...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/Image109.jpg
this is the building under construction in front of robinson's place...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/Riverside.jpg
this the riverside college building... the trees were blocking the view.. couldn't help it bacolod's streets are always strewn with trees...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/Image103.jpg
Sylvia Manor Hotel at downtown

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/Image106.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/jpg88.jpg
Oh and this is Lopue's mandalagan extension...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/Image104.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/Image105.jpg
Lopue's east,... and the Villa angela cyber park beside it...

Now... it was kinda wierd taking this pics the police were eyeing me speculatively,.. akala cguro terrorist ako...

[kyle@1008]

follow-up question:

are they the same group "Grupo Tribale" and "Pasalamat Drum Beaters" of La Carlota City? just wondering. theyre good. one of the most sought after band here in davao. i saw them perform at the asean tourism forum held recently here. negros should be proud of them.

Yes, their very famous... been hailed as the nation's version of safri duo....

[kyle@1008]

More call centers
eyeing Bacolod
Another US-based call center is eyeing Bacolod City as a possible site, Bacolod Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said Friday.

Batapa-Sigue said the call center is interested to locate to Bacolod City although its representatives do not want to reveal yet the name of their company. She said last Friday, the group visited some of the schools and did random interviews with college students.

Batapa-Sigue said the group was impressed and for them it was something that made a difference in their decision. They said our students were quite shy but they were good in English, she said. "Although we have nice buildings and sites, their concern was our fluency in English," she added.

Hopefully, if ever they will be coming in, since they are looking at our city and another city in Mindanao, it will be within this year, Batapa-Sigue said.

She also said "one of the things the Bacolod City IT Focus Team presented to this locator is that Region VI, as a region, is comparable to Region 7 where Cebu and Dumaguete in terms of number of graduates, and almost comparable in terms of number of enrollment."

Batapa-Sigue said Bacolod is competitive in its IT related courses that is why the members of the IT Team advised the locator to choose Bacolod as its site.

Meanwhile, Batapa-Sigue said that last week, right after the media announced that the Bacolod IT Focus Team is accepting pre-screening forms or resumes for purposes of data banking, her office has been receiving an average of 200 resumes a day.

She said there was group of Negrenses that is doing a research on the viability of medical transcription that met with her Friday afternoon.

Batapa-Sigue said there is already a law on medical transcription in the US and whether hospitals and clinics like it or not, they have to outsource for these services. She believes there will be a very big demand for medical transcriptionists not only in Bacolod but even in Manila but the question is, whether we can supply the demand, she said.

The Negrense group said the job requires someone who is able to type 250 lines per day, has good English skills, wide vocabulary, good grammar and good listening skills, Batapa-Sigue said. She said she is appealing to all schools in Bacolod and Negros Occidental to intensify the usage of English.

"In the next several years, the demand for medical transcriptionists will bloat and we want to get a number of seats for Bacolod," Batapa-Sigue said.*CGS

[kyle@1008]

more pics of silay...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/34597575.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/34598032.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/34598551.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/kyle_Lark/34599083.jpg

[kyle@1008]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/pnbbuilding.jpg

This is Region VI' tallest building for over two decades. It still is the among the tallest as far as I know because nobody has yet built over eight storeys in Iloilo due to their waterlogged earth.

Where are you Kyle? We are still waiting for the rest of the promised posts of the other cities of Negros. Could you also please post a picture of the construction site in front of Robinson's? Please!

already posted it,... Dinho the PNB remains the tallest .... because of the PNB building's mezzanine area,..whose height is equivalent to three storeys,.. add to the fact that the floors are overbuilt , higher than normal floors... so its' equivalent height is actually that of an 11-12 storey building....

It is also well designed,... with a shock absorbing skeletal frame and rollers in the basement to allow it to swing in case of an earthquake.... btw it is the regional headquarters for PNB and the Bureau of Internal Revenue....

[Dinho]

okay here are the few photos I promised,.. I was in a hurry since I had to travel far to get this... so it's a little blurred...

Now... it was kinda wierd taking this pics the police were eyeing me speculatively,.. akala cguro terrorist ako...

Thanks soooo much Kyle. The building in front of Robinson's would probably have a maximum of seven storeys based on its structural components. At least you are in the P.I. Where I'm at, the police would just summarily confiscate your camera and wherever "Do not Photograph" signs are posted here, you better take heed cause you stand the risk of being shot at. Thanks so much for the effort.

[kyle@1008]

^^ nah,... they wouldn't dare>> oh btw,.. the city bought a bunch of new patrol cars during the sea games, to maintain peace and order... Ill take a shot of one if I can catch one they're kind of cool, so unlike the patrol cars of manila (no pun intended)

[sugarboy]

Yup, I'm sure he does. Anyway, Sugarboy, would you know what is going on
at Active Group? When would they be able to resume the Active Business Centre in Bacolod. It seems that they have been concentrating on socialized housing at the other cities of Negros.

Guys, could you please post more pictures of Bacolod. I am very homesick and I had been the one posting most pictures lately while out of the country!!!

From what I know, Active Group as a whole is not doing too well. The open property they have along Buendia, where they planned to build the Philippines' tallest is foreclosed by PNB. Furthermore, even the penthouse of the ACT Tower (home of the Active Group) is also foreclosed and up for sale by another bank. On the local front, I just don't feel that there is a strong business base to see the erection of highrises in the Active Centre. So I guess, it will be some time before we see anything there.

[Animo]

VALLADOLID CHURCH
Valladolid, Negros Occidental

The size of the church and the convent, which was built by the Recollect missionaries in 1851, support some views that the church authorities during those days were the most powerful in running the affairs of the government all throughout the country.

---

Can anyone post a picture of this church in the Philippine Churches thread or here? :)

[slerz]

Newest fast craft
service launched

The New Bullet Corp. yesterday launched a new fast craft to service passengers from Bacolod and Iloilo.

Luis T. Ong, NBC president, yesterday said Blue Sky is bigger and more comfortable than the Bullet Express, and offers an affordable fare rate -- P150 for economy class, P260 for tourist class and P290 for business class. He said the seacraft, which could accommodate 316 passengers, will start its operation next week.

The blessing of the vessel was held yesterday at the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. port at the Reclamation Area, in Bacolod City. Blue Sky is owned by local businessmen in the city.

Ong said "their company has one vessel for a start, and they are coordinating the schedule of Blue Sky with that of Ocean Jet, owned by a Cebu group." He said Blue Sky runs at 22 knots per hour or a travel time of about one hour and 10 minutes from Bacolod to Iloilo and vice versa.

"When they bought the vessel from Japan it was already named Blue Sky so they decided to retain the name," Ong said. He said the vessel was built for rough seas. Its schedule of trips from Bacolod to Iloilo is at 6 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m., and from Iloilo to Bacolod at 7:40 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.*CGS

[ferrersky]

Hey, does anyone of you have a picture for the site for SM? Can you post it here? They say its very big. Its near the seaport, right? That would be another booster for Bacolod and Negros' Economy. Go Philippines!!! (SEA Games motto!)

[blueguy]

jollibee dominates more i guess in bacolod... coz when u go to malls either gaisano or robinsons there is jollibee but no mcdonalds.. and i heard malakas ang jollibee sa mga malls at sa SM i guess mauunahan na naman ng jolibee ang mcdo sa puesto.. heheh coz there is this kinda of rule or agreement in mall establishments that whoever goes in first either mcdonalds or jollibe the other cannot follow.


Jollibee branches you see at an SM Mall especially in Iloilo are franchised by SM... there's no favoritism whatsoever with how these two tenants are treated...just look at an SM mall...you cannot see both McDo and a Jollibee store on the same side of the bldg...as well as pizza parlors on the same location...It is just too costly for McDo to expand because their overhead cost is bigger as compared with Jollibee... and Jollibee already has established commissary in the country...that is why it is easier for them to expand...

[blueguy]

Yup. It is the main Bacolod branch and probably the HQ for region VI.
The one in Iloilo is the HQ. (Location-wise)

[blueguy]

Also to add SM bacolod's area was kinda quite bigger than everyone expected... i really haven't figured this out but it could be as big or close to SM iloilo's size. But only two storeys.. i wish they would change their plans and make it a 3-5 storey.

SM City Bacolod is smaller than SM City Iloilo, it will only be a single story structure composed of two buildings with bridges attaching the two buildings... The two bridges will be its 2nd floor. It is a sprawling mall that sits on a 21 ha. land.

[kyle@1008]

^^ SM bought sea breeze... I wonder why??

[kyle@1008]

The one in Iloilo is the HQ. (Location-wise)
no it's not... regional financial institutions were moved during the 70's and 80's...

[Dinho]

The one in Iloilo is the HQ. (Location-wise)

Really? I wonder why PNB Bacolod is like 2.5 X bigger than the one at Iloilo and that PNB occupies the whole building?

[kyle@1008]

^^I said it already,.. HQ is the one in bacolod.... btw... PNB does not occupy the entire building... the 4th floor is the regional office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue...

[Dinho]

SM City Bacolod is smaller than SM City Iloilo, it will only be a single story structure composed of two buildings with bridges attaching the two buildings... The two bridges will be its 2nd floor. It is a sprawling mall that sits on a 21 ha. land.

We already know it'll be smaller because this SM will not be serving the whole of Negros Occidental. There are malls and department stores outside Bacolod City and people in Negros Occidental don't go to Bacolod just to shop like they do in Iloilo where all the malls are within Iloilo City itself (there are no malls or department stores even in the metropolitan area of Iloilo).

You are a bit funny though, you say that SM Bacolod is one storey only and then you proceed to say there'll be a "sky bridge". What would the bridges be connecting if there is no 2nd level? Then you wrap it up by saying the 2 bridges will serve as its 2nd floor. The design would be very strange if it really is as you described. There is no logic in building a sky bridge for two single level buildings. People will not go up the stairs just to cross over to get to the first floor.

It would be more logical to reduce the area of the ground floor by 50% and put it up on the 2nd level instead. By reducing the area or building footprint, they would have a significantly reduce the roofing cost. They would also reduce the need for more piling. I hope they would use piles for its foundation because they are building in the reclamation area.

[Dinho]

^^I said it already,.. HQ is the one in bacolod.... btw... PNB does not occupy the entire building... the 4th floor is the regional office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue...

Sorry, wasn't aware of that. But seven floors for PNB alone, that's quite a lot considering the 2nd biggest is only 3 storeys. So much for the myth of Bacolod not having some of the bank's regional offices. Does the same go for DBP? What other banks have their regional HQ in Bacolod?

[TJ]

I think they are going to demolish seabreeze hotel to make a gateway to SM city so that people don't have to come a roundabout way in the reclaimation area.

[Dinho]

SM City Bacolod is smaller than SM City Iloilo, it will only be a single story structure composed of two buildings with bridges attaching the two buildings... The two bridges will be its 2nd floor. It is a sprawling mall that sits on a 21 ha. land.

Van, are you from Iloilo City? You sound like you come from that city.

[kyle@1008]

Sorry, wasn't aware of that. But seven floors for PNB alone, that's quite a lot considering the 2nd biggest is only 3 storeys. So much for the myth of Bacolod not having some of the bank's regional offices. Does the same go for DBP? What other banks have their regional HQ in Bacolod?

yes... that includes DBP, (former republic planters bank)
Bank of Commerce (traders royal bank)
BPI, Equitable-PCI, and only branch of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in WV...
Land Bank of the Phil, RCBC and Phil Veterans Bank.... I aint sure bout Metro Bank,... I'll ask a friend of mine who works there...

and of course there are the numerous rural banks of negros,... which has their HQ in Bcd...

[TJ]

Van yeah i know iloilo has more malls and they are much bigger indeed than bacolod... but cagayan de oro can match iloilo pound for pound for it... hehehe why don't you go there and check it out... =P

[Dinho]

I think they are going to demolish seabreeze hotel to make a gateway to SM city so that people don't have to come a roundabout way in the reclaimation area.

That would be bad. I hope they don't do that to Bacolod's oldest hotel.

If they demolish the hotel, I would say that Gaisano is more respectful and sensitive to the locals since they were sensible enough to buy Tatsuo Hotel and finish it. Tatsuo didn't even have a history, it was merely an unfinished structure unlike Seabreeze Hotel which I think would have hosted important people who visited Bacolod between the mid 1940's til the 70's.

[FrancisXavier]

yup.. Cagayan de Oro has huge malls... It's even the home for Mindanao's largest mall and vismins 2nd largest... after ayala cebu... Btw, what is really the regional center for western visayas? Bacolod or Iloilo?

[Dinho]

Iloilo is the regional capital but Bacolod has some of the regional and even national HQ's of some of the biggest corporations in the country. Same goes for Iloilo.

I can't wait for the time that Vallacar Transport Company (Ceres, Bachelor Express, etc.), Negros Navigation (part of Metro Pacific), N.S. Ocana, Active Group (still based in MAnila but I sure hope they would relocate their regional office here since Bacolod is the Turralba's hometown), and VMC would build their own corporate headquarters here. I know that the Florete's already built their Corporate HQ in Iloilo. I hope that the major Negrense businessmen would do the same in Bacolod or other parts of Negros Occidental.

[FrancisXavier]

yeah i guess they should...for manila is just too crowded for all of them..

[kyle@1008]

^^ that's a little hard to do... can you imagine Danding Cojuangco moving San Miguel Corporation's HQ to Bacolod,..

[FrancisXavier]

^^ that's a little hard to do... can you imagine Danding Cojuangco moving San Miguel Corporation's HQ to Bacolod,..

y not? transfering the airport like structure in ortigas to bacolod... great for bacolod..

[Dinho]

^^ that's a little hard to do... can you imagine Danding Cojuangco moving San Miguel Corporation's HQ to Bacolod,..

Well, I didn't mention him. But it would be great if he does. I only mentioned companies that do not have their own office buildings in Manila. That was just wishful thinking but we never know what the future holds.

[FrancisXavier]

this is it... the san miguel's hq in ortigas... (lower left)
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/angeleslew/ortigas_full_moon.jpg

[kyle@1008]

y not? transfering the airport like structure in ortigas to bacolod... great for bacolod..

maybe a satellite head quarters will do..... hey it'll be more convenient for him... I wonder what will happen if he decides to build it in hacienda balbina.... the executives we'll most probably get heart attacks... think of it... a huge office building amidst the cane fields and rolling hills...:colgate:

[Dinho]

I know it is far out for San Miguel corporation to move its HQ to Bacolod, but I am sure a lot of their employees would be very happy to leave super congested Metro Manila for spacious Metro Bacolod. We have less traffic (it takes only ten minutes to get to the suburbs and Bacolod is like 156 sq.km.), crime rate is one of the lowest in the P.I., and inexpensive residential properties.

[FrancisXavier]

maybe a satellite head quarters will do..... hey it'll be more convenient for him... I wonder what will happen if he decides to build it in hacienda balbina.... the executives we'll most probably get heart attacks... think of it... a huge office building amidst the cane fields and rolling hills...:colgate:

y in hacienda? y not in Bacalod city proper. it would be an additional to bacolod's skyline... btw, i like the park in front of the capitol... i've been there lately.. im from cdo.

[Dinho]

Could somebody here post a picture of the old TRB Bldg. on Lacson Street?

[kyle@1008]

^^ because Mr. Chairman Danding Cojuangco lives in Hacienda Balbina,.. south of bacolod... :colgate:

but ditto... SMC does own the old Coca cola factory along Lacson,.. it could most probably be converted.... and it's the most upscale area in the city...

[Dinho]

y in hacienda? y not in Bacalod city proper. it would be an additional to bacolod's skyline... btw, i like the park in front of the capitol... i've been there lately.. im from cdo.

That is where Mr. Cojuanco resides. He own a lot of land in La Carlota City and the neighboring towns. I had been to his mountain retreat near Guintubdan, La Carlota City and it is marvelous!

[FrancisXavier]

y dont you post bacolod's skyline at Luzviminda skyline thread... i recently made... ako pa lang nakapagpost dun..

[Dinho]

^^ because Mr. Chairman Danding Cojuangco lives in Hacienda Balbina,.. south of bacolod... :colgate:

but ditto... SMC does own the old Coca cola factory along Lacson,.. it could most probably be converted.... and it's the most upscale area in the city...

Sounds like a good area for an imposing satellite office.

[kyle@1008]

....it's just waiting for development,... paging Mr. Cojuangco....

[Dinho]

Francis, what are the shopping malls in CDO? I know that Limketkai is quite big. How much bigger is it compared to the SM City there? Cagayan's SM city would be about the same size as SM City Bacolod. It is interesting because Bacolod has a bigger population compared to CDO and yet CDO and Iloilo City has more malls than Bacolod. It would only mean that Bacolod could absorb more malls even after they finish SM City.

[kyle@1008]

... CDO has a bigger population Dinho...

[FrancisXavier]

yep.. cdo has more than 700k now.. while Iloilo and Bacalod i guess 500k +...

[FrancisXavier]

Francis, what are the shopping malls in CDO? I know that Limketkai is quite big. How much bigger is it compared to the SM City there? Cagayan's SM city would be about the same size as SM City Bacolod. It is interesting because Bacolod has a bigger population compared to CDO and yet CDO and Iloilo City has more malls than Bacolod. It would only mean that Bacolod could absorb more malls even after they finish SM City.

cdo has SM city, Gaisano City, Lim ketkai Mall, Robinsons, and the proposed Ayala center... they would probably ground break anytime this year as what the ayalas said on recent press release..

[kyle@1008]

^^ same here on the ayala.... we don't have anything like Limketkai... Lopue's maybe but instead of building one big mall,... they have several mini malls within bacolod

[Dinho]

yep.. cdo has more than 700k now.. while Iloilo and Bacalod i guess 500k +...

Ah, sorry didn't know that. It must have grown by about 400k between 1990 and 2005. Are you referring to Cagayan's metropolitan area or just CdO city itself? Metro Bacolod has about 850,000. Bacolod City itself is about 450,000. Iloilo City itself is 336,000. I don't know what Metro Iloilo's population is since I don't know what towns would comprise Metro Iloilo. Van, could you name the towns that comprise metro Iloilo?

[Dinho]

^^ same here on the ayala.... we don't have anything like Limketkai... Lopue's maybe but instead of building one big mall,... they have several mini malls within bacolod

...and Negros Occidental...

[FrancisXavier]

Ah, sorry didn't know that. It must have grown by about 400k between 1990 and 2005. Are you referring to Cagayan's metropolitan area or just CdO city itself? Metro Bacolod has about 850,000. Bacolod City itself is about 450,000. Iloilo City itself is 336,000. I don't know what Metro Iloilo's population is since I don't know what towns would comprise Metro Iloilo. Van, could you name the towns that comprise metro Iloilo?

Cagayan de Oro alone... the metro area is more than 800k too... and the density in the city proper is 11k something..

[FrancisXavier]

^^ same here on the ayala.... we don't have anything like Limketkai... Lopue's maybe but instead of building one big mall,... they have several mini malls within bacolod

and we're very proud of limketkai.. actually limketkai looked dull before... when the sm wasn't there still. the entry of sm motivated limketkai to renovate and beautify... about ayala, maybe they're just making us expect to the fullest... it was said b4 that they are starting the construction in cdo in 2003. but till now wala pa rin.

[Dinho]

Francis, What are the taller buildings of Cagayan De Oro? How many storeys does it have? Cagayan is like the 3rd major Ilonggo city right? I know that there are a lot of Negrenses and Ilonggos living there.

[kyle@1008]

^^ I have friends who come from CDO.... batchmate ko sa masscomm ang isa...

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/Image104.jpg

Kyle, just wondering what and where this building is.

[FrancisXavier]

Francis, What are the taller buildings of Cagayan De Oro? How many storeys does it have? Cagayan is like the 3rd major Ilonggo city right? I know that there are a lot of Negrenses and Ilonggos living there.

polymedic= 11storeys in height
maxandrea= 9 storeys
these two are the tallest of all buildings in cdo.. the next are 8 storeys down.. there are many ilonggos here but people here predominantly speak cebuano...like davao and cebu..

[kyle@1008]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/Image104.jpg

Kyle, just wondering what and where this building is.

It's besides Lopue's East,... it's meant to be a cyber park... you know with all the call centers coming in....

[Dinho]

mispost

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/seabreeeze.jpg

This is the only aerial picture I have of Bacolod City. This was taken during the late 40's. The only major building then is the Cathedral and Sea Breeze hotel (at the bottom center). Today Bacolod has two medium rise buildings which are PNB and Riverside College (medium rise buildings would be between 7 to 12 storeys). So, I think Bacolod, Iloilo, and CDO has no real skyline to speak of as yet.

[Dinho]

It's besides Lopue's East,... it's meant to be a cyber park... you know with all the call centers coming in....

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/Image104.jpg

Is this part of the complex that is shown on the poster? Is Lopue's East part of the complex or is it an entirely new one?

[kyle@1008]

It's separate from Lopue's east....

[Dinho]

Francis, how many guestrooms does Pryce Hotel have. What are the other major hotels in CDO? How big are they? I have read somewhere that it is already a 5 star hotel? Is this true? I hope they would upgrade L'Fisher Hotel to 5 star status too. I believe L'Fisher is one of the best hotels outside Manila and even beat other hotels for some awards. The only disadvantage of L'Fisher is its tiny swimming pool that is smaller than most residential swimming pools in Bacolod.

[rustyboi]

Francis, What are the taller buildings of Cagayan De Oro? How many storeys does it have? Cagayan is like the 3rd major Ilonggo city right?

CDO is the fourth highly urbanized city in the country after Davao right? :dunno:

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/LFisherHotel.jpg
Exterior view from Lacson St.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/Lfisherlobby.jpg
The hotel lobby

This is L'Fisher Hotel. It has been awarded Best hotel during the late 90's back when I was able to follow news reports. I don't know if it has garnered any awards lately. Kyle might know. It has about 105 guestrooms and a relatively big ballroom. It is usually the place where the more important people stay when they visit Bacolod. The hotel has several restaurants and has its own small shopping mall. The only disadvantage of this hotel is that it has a tiny swimming pool and know workout facilities yet. It is interesting to note that according to one of the Hotel websites, the 3 star hotel got a 3.6 rating while the four star Sarabia Manor Hotel of Iloilo only got a 2.57 guest satisfaction rating. 5 would be the highest rating according to the website.

Here are some comments from Guests who've stayed at the hotel:

1. This is probably the best hotel in Bacolod - ambiance, decor, food, pricing, service, location, etc are all very good. In comparison the next best - often touted as the best - my previous hotel doesn''t come near it in quality (the food in particular was dreadful). The only major criticism of L''Fisher is the swimming pool, which is a small pond at the side of the dining area. The other hotel has a large pool in a big garden and is infinitely more pleasant to use (though the showers and towel service could be improved). L''Fisher restored my faith in Philippine hostelry after a grotty experience at the hotels I stayed in earlier.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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2. The hotel provided a very pleasant atmosphere with all the staff including the security guards at the entrance always greeting with smiles. The restaurant service staff was good enough to remind us to use our breakfast coupons, otherwise we would have been additionally charged for our breakfast. One night, we forgot to lock our door properly, the door was ajar and the door latch was not closed. We are very happy that nothing untoward happened.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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3. The only complaint I had was that the door to the room is not very secure. It has no deadbolt, and would be very easy to break into. Otherwise, the accommodations were good.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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4. A jewel in the outback. Classic Philipine hospitality. Classy yet relaxed ambience and intimate scale. Attentive, friendly staff. Comfortable room. Great room service food in authentic local cuisine (superb seafood). Convenient downtown location.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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5. The hotel was excellent by Phillipine standards. I would return there. I would like to see coffee making facilities in the room though. They however did give two free bottles of water each day, while it is a little gesture, does count.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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6. Their hotel is my choice of a hotel whenever am in Bacolod. In fact I''ve there for maybe 5 times on varous ocassions. I will recommend L''Fisher to my friends.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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7. I would recommend L'Fisher as a home away from home. The entire staff was extraordinary in every way, including Ana, Joel, and James Calderon, just to name a few. My only suggestion would be the addition of a workout facility. Otherwise, I was very happy and will return again.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005


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8. I was very happy with the hotel and when I return to the Philippines next year I am looking forward to staying there again.

Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous.
07-Sep-2005

[Dinho]

CDO is the fourth highly urbanized city in the country after Davao right? :dunno:

I guess Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan are clamoring for that spot. Thing is Iloilo was the 2nd most important city in the Philippines then but now it is demoted to either 4th, 5th, or the 6th spot.

[boybleauXx]

hello Dinho

where can we find the web link containing that data you mentioned above?

[Dinho]

http://b2b.hotelclub.net/

Now that I mentioned it, please do not go tamper with the reviews of the guests. I know some people would go there and add up their own reviews even though they've never stayed there.

[boybleauXx]

did not find any data in the link you provided

[TJ]

Dinho where did u get get the info bacolod has 850,000 population??? lol I think bacolod's accurate population is 420,000 something within the 150sq km area... and we don't have a metropolitan area.

Iloilo is 360,000 but is three times smaller than bacolod only 50sqkm something so iloilo population density is much concentrated which makes it a compact city while bacolod is a sprawling city.

I can't believe the highlands of alangilan is still part of bacolod... it is already on the top of mountain or hill and my friend has a 3 stroey house and on the rooftop you can see the whole bacolod area... Hard to imagine that this remote far far away area is still part of the city.

And cagayan de oro's pop is not 700,000 it somewhere near 500,000.

[ferrersky]

I heard that Bacolod's electrical wiring will be placed underground, like that of Cebu and Makati. Can anyone confirm if this is true?

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/SugarlandHotel.jpg
Sugarland Hotel

This is probably the 2nd oldest hotel in Bacolod. It used to have 120 guestrooms, which made it the biggest hotel (based on number of guest rooms) for about two decades. This is the hotel where Pres. Jimmy Carter, Bobby Fisher and some of the country's presidents have stayed at while in Bacolod. It also had a small swimming pool but due to need for more banquet space, the swimming pool has been converted into a courtyard. I hope that they would be able to expand the hotel upwards later on with the transfer of the airport to Silay City.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/sugarlandballroom.jpg
Ballroom

[ferrersky]

Anyway, the ranking will not really matter, even though it can be a very good determinant for the economy's succes. Bacolod is such a beautiful, peaceful and unique place. The achievements alone makes it the number one.

[KulasKusgan]

polymedic= 11storeys in height
maxandrea= 9 storeys
these two are the tallest of all buildings in cdo.. the next are 8 storeys down.. there are many ilonggos here but people here predominantly speak cebuano...like davao and cebu..

yes, like davao, majority of the people in CDO speak cebuano.

CDO is the fourth highly urbanized city in the country after Davao right?

yes, i think its CDO.

[ferrersky]

One big reason why a part of that part of the city doesn't have any high-rise buildings is because of its proximity to the airport, don't you agree? BTW, the airport can be converted into a business park of complex after the transfer, since its near to the many important buildings in Bacolod. Oh, how I love to see our country propelling forward...

[KulasKusgan]

Anyway, the ranking will not really matter, even though it can be a very good determinant for the economy's succes. Bacolod is such a beautiful, peaceful and unique place. The achievements alone makes it the number one.

also, the character it projects. my impression for bacolod: clean environs with gentle people.

[boybleauXx]

http://b2b.hotelclub.net/

Now that I mentioned it, please do not go tamper with the reviews of the guests. I know some people would go there and add up their own reviews even though they've never stayed there.

hmmm looks like its a "lifestyle" site.

I found this site from the Philippine Census and Statistics office, their census was done last 2000....though its the latest this country has got...its the official and hence can somehow provide the 'real' meat.

though done up to 2000, we can somehow do an estimation for the current city population based on the annual growth rates provided by the 2000 data that can be as closer to accuracy

http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/datapop.html#report

[Dinho]

Dinho where did u get get the info bacolod has 850,000 population??? lol I think bacolod's accurate population is 420,000 something within the 150sq km area... and we don't have a metropolitan area.

Iloilo is 360,000 but is three times smaller than bacolod only 50sqkm something so iloilo population density is much concentrated which makes it a compact city while bacolod is a sprawling city.

I can't believe the highlands of alangilan is still part of bacolod... it is already on the top of mountain or hill and my friend has a 3 stroey house and on the rooftop you can see the whole bacolod area... Hard to imagine that this remote far far away area is still part of the city.

I said Metro Bacolod would have a population of 850,000, Bacolod City itself is 450,000 with some stats saying 550,000. The 850,000 metropolitan population is based on this:

Bacolod - 450,000
Bago City - 145,000
Murcia - 60,000
Talisay City - 80,000
Silay City - 110,000
Pulupandan - 25,000

You are right about Bacolod being a sprawling city. I'd rather live in a sprawling, green city than a grey and congested city.

[Dinho]

Dinho where did u get get the info bacolod has 850,000 population??? lol I think bacolod's accurate population is 420,000 something within the 150sq km area... and we don't have a metropolitan area.

Iloilo is 360,000 but is three times smaller than bacolod only 50sqkm something so iloilo population density is much concentrated which makes it a compact city while bacolod is a sprawling city.

I can't believe the highlands of alangilan is still part of bacolod... it is already on the top of mountain or hill and my friend has a 3 stroey house and on the rooftop you can see the whole bacolod area... Hard to imagine that this remote far far away area is still part of the city.

And cagayan de oro's pop is not 700,000 it somewhere near 500,000.

Bacolod's land area is about 156 sq. km., Iloilo's is 56 sq. km., Dumaguete is about 50 sq. km. The densest community in Negros Occidental is Pulupandan.

[boybleauXx]

i guess 500,000 plus would be the my current daytime estimate for Bacolod territorial limits

[boybleauXx]

yep.. cdo has more than 700k now.. while Iloilo and Bacalod i guess 500k +...

I think thats an over estimate

I found this site from the Philippine Census and Statistics office, their census was done last 2000....though its the latest this country has got...its the official and hence can somehow provide the 'real' meat.

though done up to 2000, we can somehow do an estimation for the current city population based on the annual growth rates provided by the 2000 data that can be as closer to accuracy

for Cagayan de Oro:
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2002/pr02147tx.html

if my mathematics serves me correct, based on annual average growth provided by the link above, we should place the closest approximate/estimated current daytime lean population for Cagayan de Oro around 499,519 to 550,000 ++/-

[Dinho]

According to the NSO data taken in 2000 the population of the following are as follows:

Cagayan De Oro +/- 460,000
Bacolod City +/- 430,000
Iloilo +/- 340,000

Each city has a substantial metropolitan area which is open for dispute so we'll just have to refer to the actual city population. Iloilo does have a very big daytime population as it serves as the sole educational & commercial for the whole of Panay with only 2 universities and 2 malls outside Iloilo City located in Roxas City and Kalibo?

[Dinho]

i guess 500,000 plus would be the my current daytime estimate for Bacolod territorial limits

450,000 would be a more realistic 2005 figure for Bacolod City alone. I am actually surprised that Cagayan de Oro has overtaken Bacolod in population. If I am not mistaken, Cagayan had a population of 280,000 during the early nineties.

[boybleauXx]

I guess the proper term to use here is not the term 'metropolitan area' as the word metro strictly implies another geographically contigous/continous urbanized area in lieu of the main urban area pointed.

the term should be CATCHMENT AREA

[boybleauXx]

450,000 would be a more realistic 2005 figure for Bacolod City alone. I am actually surprised that Cagayan de Oro has overtaken Bacolod in population. If I am not mistaken, Cagayan had a population of 280,000 during the early nineties.

everything is possible in this ever changing world... Rome was once the most populous city during Christ's time. Beijing was once China's most populous city until Shanghai overtook it in early nineties.

as they say...bilog ang mundo...today, one is higher.....tommorow one may be higher than the other one :sleepy:

[Dinho]

Dinho where did u get get the info bacolod has 850,000 population??? lol I think bacolod's accurate population is 420,000 something within the 150sq km area... and we don't have a metropolitan area.

Iloilo is 360,000 but is three times smaller than bacolod only 50sqkm something so iloilo population density is much concentrated which makes it a compact city while bacolod is a sprawling city.

I can't believe the highlands of alangilan is still part of bacolod... it is already on the top of mountain or hill and my friend has a 3 stroey house and on the rooftop you can see the whole bacolod area... Hard to imagine that this remote far far away area is still part of the city.

And cagayan de oro's pop is not 700,000 it somewhere near 500,000.

A metropolitan area would be the immediate cities and towns located next to a major city. In addition to that, towns and cities where a majority of the residents work in the capital or major city could be also included. Communities which are about half an hour away by car could also be included.

The definition of a metropolitan area is this:

The word is also used for a metropolitan area, a set of adjacent and interconnected cities that function together as a metropolis.

Pulupandan is included since it serves as a secondary port for Bacolod. A large percentage of Pulupandan's and Bago's population work in Bacolod.
Bago is included since this is where some of the main industries that serves Bacolod are located. Silay, Talisay and Murcia serve more as the dormitory communities for Metro Bacolod, though, soon enough Silay will be the air transport hub and Talisay will soon become one of the commercial centers for Bacolod. Murcia is the primary rest & recreation area. The open space at the border between Bacolod, Talisay and Silay is fast being built up. What do you think?

[Dinho]

Its interesting to note that between the three cities, Iloilo had the most number of houses made of nipa, and other less permanent building materials and Cagayan de Oro had the least while Bacolod City was in the middle. The figures were not in percentages so if they report it as a ratio, Iloilo would have a lot of poor people, while CDO would have the least considering that both CDO and Bacolod are a lot bigger in population.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/bcph.jpg
Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/bcphlobby.jpg
the hotel lobby

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/bcphpoolside.jpg
swimming pool and garden area

This sprawling hotel, located near downtown Bacolod is currently the biggest convention facility in Western Visayas. The main ballroom can accomodate 2,300 people comfortably. It has a swimming pool, tennis courts, a shopping arcade, and other facilities found in most four and five star hotels. The hotel has 112 guest rooms.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/gh.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/cfhotelfacade.jpg
Casino Filipino Hotel Bacolod

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/cfhotellobby.jpg
the lobby

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/cfhotel.jpg
swimming pool and garden area

It is the first and only casino-hotel in Western Visayas. The casino was originally located across the street but was transferred to the hotel when the casino bought the hotel several years ago. The old hotel was very modern and sleek. The Casino-Filipino Hotel interiors now look like a huge Antillian mansion. The hotel has 94 guest rooms and probably has no ballroom anymore because it might have been converted into the gaming area.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/sylviamanorhotel3.jpg
Sylvia Manor Hotel

Currently the newest hotel in Bacolod City. This six storey hotel has 52 guest rooms and some conference facilities business facilities. The property is the first foray of the N.S.Ocana group into the hotel industry.

[MarkiiBoi]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/cfhotellobby.jpg
the lobby



where could jack and rose be in this pic? hehehe it sure do looks like that of the titanic... :D

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/grandregal.jpg
Grand Regal Hotel

Construction on this hotel was started in the early nineties. It was originally named the Tatsuo Hotel but it was never finished. Thanks to Gaisano, the hotel was finally opened last year with a different name. I can vaguely recall that the original hotel had expansive glass walls and was aesthetically pleasing. The Grand REgal Hotel looks so ordinary. The interiors are more pleasing and makes up for its rather ordinary exterior. The hotel is located in front of Gaisano City Bacolod. It has 50 guest rooms.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/palmasdelmar2.jpg
Palmas Del Mar

One of the two sea side resort-hotels in Bacolod City. It is located near the airport and inside a residential subdivision. The hotel had 29 rooms as of the latest with new rooms being built now and then. The facility has several swimming pools and other recreational facilities.

[Dinho]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/natureshotel2.jpg Natures Resort & Hotel

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/hatonson/natureshotel.jpg
hotel building

This facility was initially designed as a driving range only. The facility, located in Talisay City, now features a horseback riding area, a swimming pool, driving range (for golf), conference facilities and restaurants. I do not have any idea how many guest room it has as of the moment because I could not find any data on the net. It is the only resort hotel in the Western Visayas with this type of recreational facilities.

[TJ]

I feel talisay can be considered a metro part of bacolod even today despite the farms and agricultural area between them... but i think it is seemed far fetched for silay in being a part of metro bacolod even with the new intl airport and also bago, murcia and pulupandan. It will take bacolod to reach at least a minmum of 1.5 - 2 million population to expand it's urban area to reach and to absorb with bago, murica and silay and even more if it wants to absorb pulupandan. Currently the urban area of Bacolod on the south ends the airport beyond that are residential areas with mostly farmlands. If go the north the urban area ends in bata and in the east it ends in lopues east. Beyond those limits are not yet urban maybe semi urban with industrial and resdential areas and mostly farms.

Also if anyone of you has an encarta in the computer you can see the ubran areas of cities shown in brown color on the map. And you can take a look at bacolod in there and it shows the ubran area. The bacolod city detail it is up to date to 2003.

[Dinho]

TJ, it is true that there is still much open space between the cities but by definition, these towns and cities are already part of Metro Bacolod. If you've been to the USA, you would notice that there are open spaces between the main cities and it suburbs. You wouldn't call any community a suburb if it is already overbuilt and congested. Urban means built up with a high density. Suburban means a residential region around a major city; the environs. A major city and its suburbs therefore makes one metropolitan area.

[Dinho]

I feel talisay can be considered a metro part of bacolod even today despite the farms and agricultural area between them... but i think it is seemed far fetched for silay in being a part of metro bacolod even with the new intl airport and also bago, murcia and pulupandan. It will take bacolod to reach at least a minmum of 1.5 - 2 million population to expand it's urban area to reach and to absorb with bago, murica and silay and even more if it wants to absorb pulupandan. Currently the urban area of Bacolod on the south ends the airport beyond that are residential areas with mostly farmlands. If go the north the urban area ends in bata and in the east it ends in lopues east. Beyond those limits are not yet urban maybe semi urban with industrial and resdential areas and mostly farms.

Also if anyone of you has an encarta in the computer you can see the ubran areas of cities shown in brown color on the map. And you can take a look at bacolod in there and it shows the ubran area. The bacolod city detail it is up to date to 2003.

What farms are you talking about? I am only aware of one farm left on the right side going to Talisay right before the Honda car dealership (already in Talisay territory). The left side is occupied by an abandoned commercial and residential development, and one industrial complex. Are you basing your observation on Metro Manila? Metro Manila is already a megalopolis with over ten million people in its vicinity.

[FrancisXavier]

Francis, how many guestrooms does Pryce Hotel have. What are the other major hotels in CDO? How big are they? I have read somewhere that it is already a 5 star hotel? Is this true? I hope they would upgrade L'Fisher Hotel to 5 star status too. I believe L'Fisher is one of the best hotels outside Manila and even beat other hotels for some awards. The only disadvantage of L'Fisher is its tiny swimming pool that is smaller than most residential swimming pools in Bacolod.
Pryce Plaza Hotel= 80 guest rooms. 1 presidential suite. 5 star
Koresco Hotel= 85 guest rooms. 2 presidential suites. 5 star
Dynasty Court= 90 guest rooms. 3 star
Country Village= 60 guest rooms. 3 star
Vip Hotel= 85 guest rooms. 3 star
Marco Hotel= 50 guest rooms. 4 star
Philtown Hotel= 40 guest rooms. 3 star
Maxandrea Hotel= 60 guest rooms. 3 star

Malberry suites=120 guest rooms. 4 star (u/c)

These are tha major hotels in CDO. There are about 15-20 standard/economy hotel in cdo with an average of 80 rooms each... but i dont have the exact data about them.. i got these data from our local news paper..

*guest rooms include: Suite, deluxe, and standard room type.

[FrancisXavier]

CDO is the fourth highly urbanized city in the country after Davao right? :dunno:

in terms of # of hotels, # of huge malls, # of industries, infrastructure advancement, local gov't income....from data i've seen... i guess it's CDO.

[c0kelitr0]

CDO is more progressive than Bacolod now...

[Askal82]

CDO is 4th right after Davao. In fact CDO seems to have more economic activity going on than Davao city. Mas konti ang malls ng Davao city pero infrastructure wise mas develop ang Davao and there are 9 flights between Manila and Davao city everyday.

[FrancisXavier]

CDO is 4th right after Davao. In fact CDO seems to have more economic activity going on than Davao city. Mas konti ang malls ng Davao city pero infrastructure wise mas develop ang Davao and there are 9 flights between Manila and Davao city everyday.

yup.. cdo has only 7 flights to manila..
3 of w/c are PAL,
3 for CEBU Pacfc,
1 Airphil.

1 daily flight to Cebu by Asian Spirit..
And 1 CDO-Iloilo Airphil(don't know if they still have that flight.)

The CDO-Davao flight was closed due to less ridership.

[c0kelitr0]

but Bacolod has developed beautifully...it's clean, relatively wide and excellent roads, strong upper-middle and upper classes...

[slerz]

I agree, CDO is the 4th after Davao...

[slerz]

but Bacolod has developed beautifully...it's clean, relatively wide and excellent roads, strong upper-middle and upper classes...

and that's the advantage of Bacolod from other cities.

[FrancisXavier]

but Bacolod has developed beautifully...it's clean, relatively wide and excellent roads, strong upper-middle and upper classes...

yes. bacolod is beautiful.. excellent parks.. esp the one in front of the
Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol...

[Askal82]

Bacolod has a strong potential. Yeah one thing I noticed about the city is its wider roads. Been there 3 years ago.

[slerz]

I haven't been to bacolod but how wide wre their boulevards? how many lanes in each sides?

[Coffee]

I haven't been to bacolod but how wide wre their boulevards? how many lanes in each sides?

The major roads can be 2 or 3 lanes wide, even with cars parked along the curb.

Here's a picture of Lacson Street, taken from the overpass in front of Robinson's Place:
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2142/lacsonstreet6aw.jpg

[FrancisXavier]

The major roads can be 2 or 3 lanes wide, even with cars parked along the curb.

Here's a picture of Lacson Street, taken from the overpass in front of Robinson's Place:
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2142/lacsonstreet6aw.jpg

what is the yellow fence thing? is that to separate the service road? the boulevard has 4 lanes... 2 each bound.

[slerz]

but this kind of road is obviously very narrow for MM...:D
how bout 4 lanes? are all roads in Bacolod have more than 4 lanes?

[FrancisXavier]

but this kind of road is obviously very narrow for MM...:D
how bout 4 lanes? are all roads in Bacolod have more than 4 lanes?

yes.. i guess for a city like bacolod, the major thoroughfare should have at least 6 lanes...