Bacolod City , is the capital and largest highly urbanized Philippine city of the province of Negros Occidental , famous for its MassKara Festival held during October. Known for being a relatively friendly city, it bears the nickname "City of Smiles."

The city's name was derived from the Hiligaynon word "bakolod" – meaning "stonehill" – since the settlement was founded in 1770 on a stonehill area, now the district of Granada and the former site of the Bacolod Murcia Milling Company.

The city serves as the gateway to the sugar-rich cities and towns of the province. Visitors' facilities abound; modern means of in-land transport can take guests for business or leisure to any point in Negros Island .

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