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You don’t have to sacrifice your budget with these entertaining activities this Christmas.
With all the Christmas prep and gift shopping, your credit card sure would feel hot after all the swiping. It’s no fun if you feel like you can’t afford something lovely this holiday break, so listed below are some inexpensive activities that you can do without breaking the bank. Even if you are on a budget, you can master the art of entertaining and have a nice Christmas vacation in Bacolod that won’t cost you a lot of money.
From having Noche Buena in a time-tested place to experiencing snow in a tropical country, these budget-friendly activities will keep you and your wallet happy. Read on and get tips on how to have a merry budget-friendly Christmas vacation in Bacolod.
1. Have a Bacolod favorite for Noche Buena at Manokan Country.
Inasal is a favorite all year long!
Noche Buena is a traditional meal shared by the family on Christmas Eve. Most Filipino families gather after mass to share a meal, but for some, being busy during the holidays means not having time to prepare. If you are one of the busy bees, bring your family to Aida’s Manokan Country and treat yourselves to one of the tastiest and original meals in Bacolod, the chicken inasal (grilled chicken). Nothing beats a delicious and affordable dish with the family on Christmas Eve! Holiday break activity with family doesn’t have to be costly. Better yet, have it for take-out and feast in the comfort of your home.
How to get there: Take a Fortune Towne-Central Market PUV heading west along with Burgos Public Market. Get off at the North wing of SM City Bacolod in front of Manokan Country. Find Aida’s Restaurant’s chicken statue; it is in front of the diner’s entrance, so when you locate it, you’re there.
2. Have a movie night with the family at Jitaku Private Resort.
The “Home Alone” sequel is a decent family movie during Christmas.
Make a simple night special with a classic movie with the family. But instead of holding it in your home, level it up by bringing everyone to Jitaku Private Resort, a private house in the city that you can rent for special occasions. Spend the day swimming in the custom-shaped pool, then at night, throw in some thick blankets and pillows on the floor, build a fortress, and heat some popcorn in the microwave for a movie. If you have kids around, avoid sweets and give them bathroom breaks ahead of time to keep the movie marathon undisrupted.
For inquiries, call them at 0956 8391454/ 0928 9068564 / 707 0206 / 434 0715 or send a message at their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Jitakuprivateresort/.
How to get there: From Robinson’s Place Mandalagan, take a Bata-Libertad jeepney in front of the mall’s entrance. Ask the driver to drop you off on 25th Street Lacson (between Mimi’s Restaurant and ABS-CBN Bacolod Station) and then find a pedicab. Ask the pedicab to bring you to the Jitaku Private Resort. It has a black gate and a logo in front of the house.
3. Plan a Christmas-themed game night with the gang at East Villa Private Resort.
Play something to break the ice and encourage guests to start socializing.
For a night of friendly and entertaining competition, plan games that include everyone, but set the event in a place where everyone can let their hair down, like East Villa Private Resort. To keep everyone engaged, provide prizes to the winners and small gifts to everyone who participated. A game like “Never Have I Ever”—a drinking game where participants have to drink every time they’ve done something mentioned—is a good starter. But if you are planning this game night for the family, incorporate past family practices and child-friendly activities instead. Heat the barbeque grill, throw in some meat, and play background music on East Villa’s jukebox to engage the audience. Have the best Christmas vacation with your family this year!
How to get there: From Lopue’s East Centre, get on a Fortune Towne-Central Market PUV going east. Ask the driver to drop you off at Villa Angela Subdivision and take a pedicab. Tell the pedicab driver to drop you at the corner of Cyprus and Banyan Street in case the driver doesn’t know about East Villa Private Resort. The house’s gate color and rooftop is gray.
4. Go on a holiday light tour with the children at Jerry Sy’s Annual Christmas Village.
Neon lights, artificial snow in the air, it’s winter-wonderland in Bacolod!
Image: Alearce Nosgnit NylammeEnaj
A Christmas village tour is a budget-friendly activity that easily entertains children and the young at heart. Visit a place where twinkling lights and brightly decorated streets portray the holiday spirit, like Jerry Sy’s Christmas Village. This attraction brings a glimpse of Disneyland through the displays of iconic Disney characters, a Mickey Mouse Ferris Wheel, Santa’s workshop, and, best of all, a bubble foam dispenser that fills up the sky with snow! The exhibit is free, so all you have to do is bring the whole family.
How to get there: From Bacolod Public Plaza, ride a Bata-Libertad or Mandalagan-Libertad PUV bound north. Get off at BPI Lacson, corner of 17th Street, and walk a few meters to reach the first corner of the street to your left. You will find the exhibit in front of Stonehill Suites Hotel.
5. Sing the night away with friends at a karaoke bar at Wat Ever Family KTV.
Ready your vocal cords and sing the whole Mariah Carey playlist!
Another option for low-cost entertainment is getting together with your friends for a karaoke night to sing songs of joy and cheer. Order some drinks while enjoying your three-hour stay at Watever KTV Bar, and boost the crowd’s energy with a holiday carol the next time you’re up at the microphone! You can also substitute some of the lyrics for inside jokes—make sure everyone can relate! As of August 2021, they are open daily, from 12:00NN to 9:00PM.
How to get there: If you are from Lopues East Centre along Burgos Street, find a Homesite-Central Market jeepney bound west. Tell the driver to drop you off at the corner of Burgos-Lacson Street. Then, take a Bata-Libertad jeepney and get off in front of the O Residences building beside Robinsons Place Mandalagan. Cross the street to reach the building and walk on the right side to find the main entrance to Watever Family KTV.
You don’t have to overspend to be entertained. Be creative and most of all, enjoy the evening without letting the holiday season take a bite out of your savings. Go to Yoorekka Consumer Magazine to discover more things to do in Bacolod and Negros this December!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions wherever you go. For now, keep safe!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on December 12, 2019.
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