Travel destination Philippines

MANILA- The capital of the Philippines, a grouping of twelve cities and five municipalities, is technically known as Metro Manila but usually referred to simply as MANILA, home to 9.5 million people. Manila will never be a serious tourist destination until the authorities deal with the twin evils of traffic and pollution; most tourists are in the capital because they have a day or two to kill either at the beginning or the end of a trip to the rest of the country. In its favour, Manila has friendly people, some excellent nightlife, a few historical sights that are worth the effort, plus some of the most cavernous shopping malls in Asia. At first sight, the city may seem clamorous, unkempt and rough around the edges, but what it lacks in architectural sophistication it makes up for with an accessible chaotic charm. The way to enjoy it is to step into the fray and go with the flow, which is exactly what Manileños have learned to do.
Manila started life as a tiny settlement around the banks of the Pasig River. The name comes from the words may ("there is") and nilad (a type of plant that grew near the Pasig). With Spanish colonization, it grew into an important port. King Philip II of Spain called Manila Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad (Distinguished and Ever Loyal City). Images of the city in the eighteenth century show grand merchants' houses and schooners moored in the Pasig. The area around Binondo, later to become Chinatown, was alive with mercantile activity. Nineteenth-century travellers arriving in Manila were enchanted. Manila's population was 150,000 and there had been one murder in five years.
But it was a doomed city. At 7pm on June 3, 1863, an earthquake struck and Manila crumbled, burying hundreds in its ruins. The new Manila that grew in its stead was thoroughly modern, with streetcars, steam trains and American-style public architecture. This was one of the most elegant and cosmopolitan cities in the Orient, but when the smoke cleared at the end of Japanese occupation in March 1945, it was once again in ruins, having undergone relentless shelling from American howitzers and been set alight by retreating Japanese troops. The Battle of Manila lasted 29 days and claimed 100,000 civilian lives. Rebuilding was slow and plagued by corruption and government inertia. As a consequence, the city that greets visitors today is one of emotional counterpoints, with areas of extreme poverty encroaching on frothy mansions, glass skyscrapers and designer boutiques.The capital of the Philippines, a grouping of twelve cities and five municipalities, is technically known as Metro Manila but usually referred to simply as MANILA, home to 9.5 million people. Manila will never be a serious tourist destination until the authorities deal with the twin evils of traffic and pollution; most tourists are in the capital because they have a day or two to kill either at the beginning or the end of a trip to the rest of the country. In its favour, Manila has friendly people, some excellent nightlife, a few historical sights that are worth the effort, plus some of the most cavernous shopping malls in Asia. At first sight, the city may seem clamorous, unkempt and rough around the edges, but what it lacks in architectural sophistication it makes up for with an accessible chaotic charm. The way to enjoy it is to step into the fray and go with the flow, which is exactly what Manileños have learned to do.
Manila started life as a tiny settlement around the banks of the Pasig River. The name comes from the words may ("there is") and nilad (a type of plant that grew near the Pasig). With Spanish colonization, it grew into an important port. King Philip II of Spain called Manila Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad (Distinguished and Ever Loyal City). Images of the city in the eighteenth century show grand merchants' houses and schooners moored in the Pasig. The area around Binondo, later to become Chinatown, was alive with mercantile activity. Nineteenth-century travellers arriving in Manila were enchanted. Manila's population was 150,000 and there had been one murder in five years.
But it was a doomed city. At 7pm on June 3, 1863, an earthquake struck and Manila crumbled, burying hundreds in its ruins. The new Manila that grew in its stead was thoroughly modern, with streetcars, steam trains and American-style public architecture. This was one of the most elegant and cosmopolitan cities in the Orient, but when the smoke cleared at the end of Japanese occupation in March 1945, it was once again in ruins, having undergone relentless shelling from American howitzers and been set alight by retreating Japanese troops. The Battle of Manila lasted 29 days and claimed 100,000 civilian lives. Rebuilding was slow and plagued by corruption and government inertia. As a consequence, the city that greets visitors today is one of emotional counterpoints, with areas of extreme poverty encroaching on frothy mansions, glass skyscrapers and designer boutiques.

BORACAY- Geographically speaking, Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan, which is located in Panay, one of a cluster of islands that constitute the central section of the Philippine archipelago. Boracay can be reached from Manila by daily flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air. Caticlan is nearer the island, but the airstrip is short and narrow, and only the smaller planes of Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air can land on it. The larger aircraft of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines fly to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. From Caticlan it takes about 15 minutes by boat to Boracay; from Kalibo, an hour and a half by bus plus the 15-minute boat ride. Once on the island, you will find out that getting around is simple and easy. There are three categories of transport: pedicabs and motorized tricycles shared with other passengers; individually rented bicycles and motorbikes; and the shuttle service offered by some hotels. Taxis are not available. However, since everything is more or less within walking distance, you will most likely join the majority of visitors in moving around the island on foot. Boracay is seven kilometers long and divided into three barangays, or communities. Yapak lies in the north, Balabag in the center and Manoc-Manoc in the south. Within these barangays are smaller villages such as Angol, Manggayad and Bolabog. Yapak is spread out over hilly terrain situated some distance away from the main tourist beat, but the shoreline is dotted with beautiful, uncrowded beaches and coves such as Puka Beach and Balinghai Beach. The island's only golf club, the 18-hole par-72 course at Fairways & Bluewater, is also located in Yapak. The Bat Caves, a popular destination for nature lovers, can be found at the barangay's northeastern tip. White Beach, Boracay's biggest tourist attraction, stretches some four kilometers on the western side of the island, mostly within the barangay of Balabag. It is largely because of the pristine, white powdery sand of White Beach and the crystal-clear blue water of the surrounding sea that Boracay is often called "the world's most beautiful tropical island." While White Beach takes up most of the western shoreline, Bolabog Beach dominates the eastern coast. Bolabog (sometimes spelled "Bulabog" or "Bulabug") belongs to the barangay of Balabag (with very little difference in spelling, Bolabog is often confused with Balabag by newcomers to the island). Normally the boat trip from Caticlan terminates at White Beach, but during the monsoon season when the western side of the island is lashed by strong winds, visitors are brought to a docking area in Bolabog. The waters here are also considered to offer ideal conditions for windsurfing. A small dirt road takes you from Bolabog to the foot of Mount Luho, the highest point on the island. Understandably hotels on White Beach attract the most number of guests. The northern end of the beach is "lorded over" by Fridays, the southern end by Lorenzo South. In between you will find all kinds of accommodations, from native bamboo-and-nipa bungalows to Western-style concrete buildings. White Beach extends into Manoc-Manoc, but the barangay features its own share of beaches worth visiting and exploring, including one named Manoc-Manoc Beach. The barangay also encompasses the Boracay Beach & Yacht Club and Crocodile Island, a popular destination for picnics, diving expeditions and marine excursions. The Dead Forest, a scenic spot believed to be populated by elemental spirits, is likewise located within the boundaries of Manoc-Manoc. White Beach Path runs along White Beach but is set back from the shore by rows of coconut trees. Hotels, eateries, bars, stores and dive shops line the entire length of the meandering footpath. This is where visitors to the island come to see and be seen. You will find hotels like the longstanding Red Coconut Resort and more recently constructed Boracay Regency Beach Resort on White Beach Path, and likewise the Tourist Center, a handy one-stop shop for all kinds of travel needs (airline reservations, postcards, stamps, film, souvenirs and so forth). Thai Castles, True Food, Steakhouse Boracay, Gorio's, La Reserve Restaurant, Banza and La Capannina are among the better known eateries. Bars include Bom Bom, Tawo Bar, Summer Place Bar & Restaurant and Bazura. Victory Divers and Aquarius Diving are just two of the many dive shops (there are more than 20 such outlets on the island) scattered along the path. Retail stores range from Paulo Collection Body Wear to Lonely Planet. The stalls of Talipapa Market, Boracay's main shopping area, are massed in a network of alleys between White Beach Path and Boracay Main Road. Tricycles ply Boracay Main Road and a handful of side streets but are not allowed on White Beach Path. Except for Jony's Beach Resort, the town square (where the church and DOT Office are located), Beachcomber Bar & Disco, Moondog Shooter Bar, Pink Patio Resort and a few other establishments, there are not many places geared toward tourists on the main road. You may, however, ride a tricycle on the road to get to a hotel or an eatery on White Beach Path; just get off at the nearest stop and walk the rest of the way. To facilitate locating an establishment on the island, the nearest boat station is often specified in its address. Here a word on these stations is in order: Numbered 1, 2 and 3, they are used as stopping-off points by boats ferrying new arrivals from Caticlan. Do not, however, expect some well-constructed structure with a welcoming jetty for you to conveniently step on. To disembark, you can go for one of two options: Jump into the water and wade ashore or allow yourself the luxury of being borne aloft the shoulders of some hapless porter. Happy landing!


CEBU- Like many Philippine cities, CEBU, nicknamed the "Queen City of the South", has become something of an urban nightmare in recent decades, with jeepneys taking over the inadequate road network. There's history and architecture in there somewhere, but you have to look hard for it among the clutter, the exhaust fumes and the malls. The good news is that it's not half as bad as Manila. It's possible to get from one side of the city to the other in less than thirty minutes and the excellent airport and ferry connections might make you want to consider using Cebu as your base. Hotels are cheaper than Manila, taxi drivers are less confrontational, and while gridlock is not unknown, it's much less common that in the capital. The big annual attraction in Cebu City is the Sinulog Festival, which culminates on the third Sunday of January with a wild mardi gras street parade and an outdoor concert at Fuente Osmeña. The Sinulog Festival, in honour of Cebu's patron saint the Santo Niño, is almost as popular as Kalibo's Ati-Atihan and hotels are usually full, particularly for the climax of the festivities during the third weekend of January.

TAGAYTAY- 70km south of Manila, perches on a 600-metre-high ridge overlooking Taal Volcano, and because of its cool climate – on some days it even gets foggy – is a popular weekend retreat from the heat of the nearby capital. Unfortunately, rash development and abuse of building restrictions have rather turned Tagaytay into the tourist town from hell, with congested roads and menacing shoals of tricycles. Thankfully, you don't actually have to go as far as Tagaytay itself to enjoy spectacular views of the volcano. The views are best if you get off the bus near the Taal Vista Lodge Hotel, where you can visit the gardens (free admission) and get a good Filipino buffet lunch. Taal Volcano is still active, and there are occasional rumblings that force the authorities to issue evacuation warnings to local inhabitants. The volcano last erupted in 1965 without causing major damage, but when it blew its top in 1754, thousands died and the town of Taal was destroyed and had to be moved to a new location on safer ground. If you want to climb it, the jumping-off point is the small town of Talisay on the shores of Taal Lake. The best way is to hire a boat and guide in Talisay for around P1000. If you make an early start, you can climb to either the new crater or the old crater (both are active) and be back in Talisay in time for a good fish lunch at one of the many native-cuisine restaurants along the shore. There is not much shade on the volcano and it can get hot, so don't go without sunblock, a good hat and plenty of water. You can find out more about Taal Volcano and other volcanoes at the Taal Volcano Science House, 5km west of Talisay in Buco, next to the Buco Resort.

BAGUIO- also known as City of Pines or City of Flowers, lies on a plateau 1400m above sea level. It was built by the colonizing Americans as a recreational and administrative centre, from where they could preside over their precious tropical colony without working up too much of a sweat. Baguio is also etched on the Filipino consciousness as the site of one of the country's worst natural disasters, the earthquake of July 16, 1990, in which hundreds died. Most of the damage was to shanty towns, which have either been cleared or rebuilt.
Although for many visitors it's little more than a stopping-off point en route to Sagada and the mountain provinces, Baguio, with its pine trees and rolling hills, has a few secrets worth discovering, such as its parks and bohemian cafés, and the climate is a pleasant respite from the searing heat of the south.

DAVAO- There is more cultural diversity in DAVAO than anywhere else in the Philippines. This immense city – one of the largest in the world in terms of land area – is home to the ethnic Bagobo, Mandaya, Manobo, Tiboli, Mansaka and B'laan tribes, whose ancestors were first to arrive in Mindanao across land bridges from Malaysia. Catholics mix freely with Muslims, and churches stand alongside mosques. The name Davao was derived from the word "baba-daba", which evoked images of fire-breathing mythical figures and rituals of fire carried out before tribal wars. Other early settlers on the banks of the Davao River were tribes from the neighbouring provinces of Kotabato, Zamboanga and Jolo. Conquest by the Spaniards failed repeatedly until the mid-nineteenth century, when invaders were finally able to overrun the Muslim enclaves. Christian settlers arrived soon afterwards and the heady mix of cultures and beliefs was complete. The city was no stranger to armed struggle, but the violence that took place in the 1980s almost brought Davao to its knees economically. This black decade, marked by violence from the MNLF and the NPA, earned Davao the notorious title of "Gun Capital of the Philippines." Davao became a haven for the underground movement and a laboratory for urban guerrilla warfare. The emergence of an anti-communist group known as the Alsa Masa (Rise of the Masses) began in Davao, and this military-backed civilian defence force ultimately drove the NPA and MNLF away from the city. Davao today is a peaceful city, home to one million people and growing in stature as an investment and tourist destination. It's the gateway to Mount Apo, at 2954m the highest mountain in the Philippines and a magnet for trekkers and climbers. Sun, sand and sea are also on the city's doorstep at the many islands just off the coast. The biggest popular of these is Samal Island, where there are many resorts.


CAGAYAN DE ORO- 785km south of Manila, is on the north coast of Mindanao, on the opposite coast of the island to Davao. Cagayan is the starting point for trips to Camiguin and the wild countryside of Bukidnon, and also gives overland access to Siargao in the far northeast of Mindanao. Because of its position below the typhoon belt, Cagayan is generally sheltered from strong winds. What's more, it has no record of major earthquakes, something of a rarity for the Philippines. The city itself is of bulk standard Philippine design, with malls and concrete dominating. There are few memorable sights, apart from San Agustin Cathedral, which stands in the south of the city next to the Cagayan River. The Museo de Oro (Tues–Sun 9am–5pm; P20 minimum donation) at Xavier University gives an interesting overview of local culture stretching back thousands of years. As you pass through the eastern suburbs of Cagayan on the road to Balingoan (for Camiguin), you'll notice a sweet smell of pineapple in the air. Pineapples from enormous plantations inland, mostly owned by Del Monte, are brought to Cagayan for canning.

DUMAGUETE- The City of Gentle People lives up to its name. DUMAGUETE, capital of Negros Oriental, lies on the southeast coast of Negros, within sight of the most southerly tip of Cebu Island. It's off the traditional tourist track, but it's hard to understand why because it has exquisite architecture, mile upon mile of sandy beach, and pleasant piazzas where residents promenade every evening or indulge in a spot of al fresco ballroom dancing. It's close to the marine sanctuary of Apo Island where the scuba diving is superlative. North of the city is the small coastal town of Bais, where you can hire boats to go whale- and dolphin-watching. Dive outfits such as Cocktail Divers, based at Yhalason beach west of the city, organize scuba courses and trips to Apo.
The small airport is a few kilometres northwest of the city centre. Tricycles make the airport-to-city trip for about P30. The alternative is to fly to Cebu and get the fast ferry from Cebu City. WG&A Superferry (tel 035/225 0734–35) and Negros Navigation both have regular sailings to and from Manila. WG&A also sails from Dumaguete to Cagayan de Oro and Tagbilaran, while Negros Navigation sails to Tagbilaran. The pier in Dumaguete is at the end of Rizal Avenue, a few minutes by jeepney or taxi from the city. Delta Fast Ferries (tel 035/225 6358) has daily departures to Cebu, Siquijor and Dapitan. Buses arrive at terminals at the far south of Perdices Street, on the far side of the Benica River. A jeepney into the city from the bus terminals costs P10. Buses for other destinations on Negros also leave from these terminals.
The tourist information office (Mon–Sat 8.30am–6pm; tel 035/225 0549) is in the City Hall complex on Colon Street and the immigration office, which can arrange visa extensions without going through Manila, is at 38 Dr V Locsin St. The post office on Santa Catalina Street offers poste restante, and for internet access the cafés around the Silliman University complex, at the northern end of Hibbard Street, are a good bet; try Surf Station Internet Café on Katada cor. Hibbard Avenue. The Music Box on Rizal Avenue is Dumaguete's premier expat hangout and a good place to find out what's going on locally. It offers internet access and transport to local beach resorts.
In Dumaguete there is plenty of budget accommodation around the main plaza. Theresa's Lodge (tel 035/225 4827; under $5) on San Juan Street has fairly spartan but clean rooms, with shared facilities. Vintage Inn (tel 035/225 1076; $5–10), on Legaspi Street opposite the public market, has singles and doubles, with air-con. Overlooking the sea on Rizal Boulevard is Bethel Guest House (tel 035/225 2009; $15–20), a modern four-storey building with clean studio rooms and doubles. Plaza Maria Luisa Suites Inn (tel 035/422 7382; $15–25) on Legaspi Street is an attractive little family-run hostel with twenty rooms, a pool and a coffee shop.
South of Dumaguete is beach-resort country, with a good range of clean and affordable accommodation close to the sea, often with dive schools attached. DAUIN, a popular port of call, lies twenty minutes' journey by bus or jeepney from Dumaguete. El Dorado's beach resort (tel 035/225 7725; $15–25) is comfortable, has a good restaurant, a popular bar and offers diving at Apo Island. About 45 minutes' bus ride north of Dumaguete sits BAIS, a centre for whale- and dolphin-watching. One of the nicest places to stay here is La Planta (tel 035/541 5755; $25–40), a colonial-style pension on the hill with wonderful views and a pretty restaurant.


PUERTO GALERA- It may be touristy and the hawkers can wear you down, but there's no denying PUERTO GALERA on Mindoro's northern coast has a stunning natural harbour, some quiet coves, cheap accommodation and excellent scuba diving. There are dozens of dive outfits in the area making it a good place to strike a deal and get yourself a discount on the going rates. The point of arrival is officially known as Poblacion, though most people refer to it and the surrounding areas as Puerto Galera. From the harbour, jeepneys depart for the area's many beaches. Sabang is the busiest beach, with a mind-boggling variety of accommodation dotted haphazardly along the shoreline, some above-average restaurants and a couple of tawdry girlie bars where single men can choose to "take out" a girl for P350 a night. Neighbouring Small La Laguna and Big La Laguna are rather more laid-back and family-oriented. Twenty minutes by jeepney on the other side of Puerto Galera harbour, to the east, is White beach. Accommodation here is strictly of the bamboo-hut variety and for meals you'll have to eat what you are given: it might be catch of the day or a tin of sardines. Five minutes beyond White beach by jeepney is Talipanan beach: both are good bases for trekking in the mountains. One of the many locals who earn a little bit extra as guides will gladly take you to Talipanan or Aninuan falls, or to bamboo villages in the foothills that are home to the Mangyan people.

PALAWAN- is situated in the Southwest part of the Philippine Islands chain. It is bounded on the north and west by the South China Sea and on the east by the Sulu Sea. Its southernmost tip points to the island of Borneo. It is widely believed that Palawan was once a land bridge that connected Borneo and Mindoro. Malays from Borneo probably used this land bridge, and later the sea, to settle in Palawan. Before the Spaniards came, the inhabitants of Palawan had already attained a fair degree of civilization, with their own alphabet, a form of government, and relations with China and other Asian countries. There are several versions of the origin of the name. There is the Chinese word "Pa-Lao-Yu," meaning "Land of Beautiful Harbors"; the Indian word "Palaws," meaning territory; a plant the natives called Palwa; or the Spanish word paragua because the main island's shape resembles a closed umbrella. The Spanish first organized the northern island into a province known as Calamianes. The southern portion including Paragua (now Palawan mainland) was then part of the Sultanate of Borneo.
In the early 18th century, the Spaniards gained a northern foothold in Taytay, where they later built a fort. In 1818, it was known as the province of Calamianes with its capital in Taytay. In 1859, it was divided into two sub-provinces, Castilla and Asturias. At the turn of the century, Palawan was again divided into three districts: Calamian, Paragua, and Balabac.
In 1902, the Americans established the province of Paragua, with Cuyo as its capital. In 1905, the name was changed to Palawan and the capital transferred to Puerto Princesa, pursuant to Act No. 1363. The provincial capital PUERTO PRINCESA is the only major urban sprawl in Palawan, with 120,000 residents and an area that actually makes it the second- biggest city in the Philippines after Davao. Puerto Princesa is also clean, green and gun-free, thanks partly to local mayor Edward Hagedorn, a larger-than-life character who has firmly nailed his flag to the environmental mast. Residents and visitors alike are fined for spitting and littering. Throwing your cigarette butt on the pavement brings swift justice in the form of a P200 fine, a small fortune to many locals and therefore a significant deterrent. The town's main artery is the narrow Rizal Avenue, which runs from the airport on Puerto's eastern outskirts to the cathedral and the wharf in the west. The distance from end to end is only 3km, and tricycles and jeepneys run the length of it, making transport within the town easy.
Many see Puerto as a one-night stop on the way to Palawan's coves and coral reefs, but it's not as if there's nothing to see or do. The Palawan Museum (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am–noon & 2–5pm), in Mendoza Park on Rizal Street, gives a good overview of the history, art and culture of Palawan. At the Crocodile Farming Institute (Mon–Sat 10am–5pm) in Barangay Irawan, 12km from the city centre, scientists conduct research into crocodile ecology, biology, nutrition and biochemistry, pathology and physiology. The local name for crocodile is buwaya, which means "greedy". To get to the farm take a jeepney (P15) from the terminal in Malvar Street on the northern outskirts of the city. A farm of a rather different kind, a Butterfly Farm, owned and operated by Rowell Rodriguez, is located at 27 Bunk House Rd, Santa Monica (tel 048/433 5343), and is a haven for hundreds of indigenous species. You can see the stage-by-stage metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Jeepneys go here hourly from Malvar Street.
Don't miss the Iwahig Penal Colony, also known as the Prison Without Bars. Prisoners live here as if in a normal village, fishing and cultivating rice and root crops. The "inmates" are identifiable by their prison T-shirts and ID badges, returning to the prison halls only for meals and sleep. Some long-term residents – those deemed least likely to make a run for it – are allowed to stay in small nipa huts with their families. Tourists are also welcome at the souvenir shop which sells handicrafts made by the prisoners. Prison officials say the rate of recidivism by offenders at Iwahig is significantly lower than among those incarcerated in the country's traditional jails. Iwahig is 23km north of Puerto Princesa; jeepneys leave Valencia Street every day at 9.30am.
Just ten minutes by tricycle from Puerto is the Vietnamese Refugee Centre, where the refugees have established a community away from home, supported by the United Nations. Some choose to earn a living baking the excellent bread which is sold in the city. You can visit the camp any time free of charge but with clearance from the guards, so take your passport for identification. There are shops where you can buy handicrafts and dozens of small restaurants serving the cheapest and tastiest food in town.In the far northwest of Palawan is the small coastal town of EL NIDO, which is the departure point for trips to the many islands of the Bacuit archipelago. This is limestone-island country, with spectacular formations rising from the sea everywhere you look. Its beauty has not gone unnoticed by developers, who have established a number of exclusive and expensive resorts on some of the islands. If US$200 a night for a taste of corporate-style paradise is too much for you, then you can stay in rustic El Nido itself – where electricity cuts off at midnight – and island-hop by day.
Buses and jeepneys from Taytay arrive in El Nido along Rizal Street, which terminates at the shore. You'll find a tourist information counter at the post office, beyond the church, on Calle Real. Tourism has resulted in the establishment of a few moneychangers, and the friendly El Nido Boutique & Art Shop in Palmera Street is a good place to drop in for unsolicited advice on where to stay and what to do. There's no shortage of accommodation. Lally and Abett Beach Cottages ($25–40), at the northern end of town on Calle Hama, has beachfront cottages. Cheaper options include Bayview Inn, Marina Garden Resort and Tandikan Cottages, all in the $5–15 range and all on the beach within walking distance of each other. Roughly in the middle of the beach, Marina Garden Beach Resort ($10–15) boasts some of the nicest nipa huts, many with a balcony.
El Nido is at the northern tip of mainland Palawan, but it is possible to continue north from here across Linapacan Strait to Culion and then to Busuanga. A ferry leaves El Nido pier every morning at 6am (P200) for the four-hour trip, weather permitting. It arrives in Busuanga at the pier in Coron town.

BACOLOD- The city of BACOLOD on the northern coast of Negros is another testament to the wonders you can perform with concrete. It's big, it's hot, it's noisy and there's not much to see or do. The Old Capitol Building is one of the few architectural highlights and houses the excellent Negros Museum, which details 5000 years of local history. During the third week of October everybody who is anybody attends the flamboyant Masskara Festival, a mardi gras jamboree of street dancing and beauty pageants. The street-dancing participants wear masks, hence the name Masskara.