Masskara Festival 2012 - Fullybooked hotels

Thank you guys for reading my Masskara Festival 2011 post. As I've said, it wasn't a total blast, and it made me want more. I promised myself to join Masskara Festival this year, and God has been good. He provided me with everything at once - vacation leave from work, enough money, and amazing companies. 

life's really good in Bacolod City

Masskara Festival 2012 has a theme "Life's Good in Bacolod." Unlike its history, Bacolod City has grown to be one of the economic giants in the Philippines. According to Mr. Wikipedia, it's ranked no. 1 by MoneySense Magazine as "Best Place to Live in the Philippines." Wow! I didn't know this until I search the net. The city has a big land area, and recently, its business and tourism sectors are really booming. The theme is apt to describe the City of Smile these days. MoneySense, by the way, is a Filipino personal finance magazin published by MoneyTree Publishing Corp.

After an hour rest, we went to SM Bacolod City mall.

I spent four nights for Masskara Festival 2012.

• an overnight bound for Bacolod City 
• two night outs with party people
• another overnight ride home

We arrived in Bacolod City at 6:00 AM. We haven't booked any hotels, because two months before Masskara Festival, all hotels I contacted with were all fully-booked. We rode in a taxi cab. Unfortunately, he deceived us. We were speaking in Bisaya (a dialect in Dumaguete City), so he knew we’re not from that place. But that’s okay with us.

We roamed around the entire city stopping for a vacant hotel, but all were fully booked. I convinced them to stop in familiar food chain, so we could have breakfast. The taxi driver looked dismayed, because he was really eager to roam us around for his benefit. Our morning went well, but not perfect. We spent half day looking for a vacant hotel. Hotels in the city were fully-booked, especially in Lacson Street, where you found the street party. Our options were resorts outside the city. Expensive room rates were no longer our issue. As long as we won't end up sleeping in the streets, we would go for it. 

the sofa's not really that beautiful, but when you're tired? it's gonna be enticing. (lol exaj mode)

This are our beds. Manong Sherwin occopies the big one and me the small one.

The room is spacious.

Thank you so much, Check Inn hotel. All hotels were fully-book, because Bacolod is also hosting UNIvercity Game (UNIGAMES). Delegates and athletes from all around the country are staying in the city for a week.

This is Dos Palmar resort. We're four in a group, but our two friends are lovers, and they wanted to check in here. The place is really beautiful, but me and manong Sherwin don't want to spend our nights sleeping. That's gonna be boring. The resort is 10 km from the city/.

View from their room.

The place is really good for couples, but for the sake of pictorials, she post for emo mode. yikes!

It was almost 1:00 PM when we reached downtown just by walking. A familiar hotel caught my attention. I made a call a month ago, and they told me if I'd like to be put on their waitlist, but I declined. We decided to inquire even a big sign of FULLY-BOOKED was hanging outside their door. It was indeed fully-booked. Their lobby sofa was so enticing. Manong Sherwin asked me if I was okay, because I looked tired. The six-hour ride from Dumaguete City to Bacolod City was tiresome. I hate travelling night time. Plus, we spent almost three hours walking. Who would be okay if that's the situation. After 20 minutes of composing thoughts sitting the lobby, a miraculous call from the front desk woman telling us their vacant room. We go for it even if it's expensive. We didn't have a choice. 

L'Fisher's brewed coffee saves my afternoon from sleeping.

Of course, SM Bacolod City's theme is Masskara Festival.

There's a display of arts in the mall. The crafty arts are so beautiful. Many tourists post for a snapshot.

Wanna know more about MassKara Festival History? CLICK HERE.

Yuhum - a mask collection made by Jojo Vito. He's a known designer in Bacolod.

This is Maireen posing behind Jo Vito's mask collection.

I was attracted to this building with a cross at the top.

Capturing my photographer and his object.

We rested for an hour. The street dance would start soon, so we have to be ready before then. I'd love to tell you more about it, but it was like any another street dancing competition.

I belong ;-)

I really suggest that you guys experience Masskara Festival by yourself. I will tell you more about it on my next post. I hope I don't bore you with this post.

Just me, 

Phioxee 

P.S Thank you to Ryan and Sherwin for the photos. Credit to them.