Bacolod City is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines, now tagged as “The Super City,” located on the northwestern coast of the island of Negros. It is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. The city is known for its vibrant MassKara Festival, which showcases colourful masks and costumes.

Historically, Bacolod was originally a part of the larger sugar-producing region in the Visayas. The area was inhabited by the Negrosanon people before the arrival of Spanish colonizers. In the 18th century, the community was established as a pueblo and later developed into a major sugar-producing area during the Spanish colonial period.

Since the community was formed on a stone hill location, now the district of Granada, in 1770, the name "Bacolod" was taken from the Ilonggo term "bakolod," which means "stone hill." By decree of Governor General Claveria in 1894, Bacolod was formally designated as the capital of the Province of Negros. When the Municipality of Bacolod was elevated to the status of city in 1938, it was renamed the City of Bacolod. Bacolod’s growth continued during the colonial era, with the sugar industry playing a significant role in its economic development. Over the years, Bacolod evolved into a thriving city with a rich cultural heritage and a strong connection to the sugar industry, contributing to its nickname as the “City of Smiles” due to the friendly and hospitable nature of its residents.