Bacolod Welcome Marker from Megaworld

Bacolod City gets a new world-class tourist stop as a gift from real estate giant Megaworld. It’s the new Bacolod Welcome Marker at the Northill Gateway, located along the New Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road. What a wonderful collaboration between a national conglomerate and the local government!

• Related: Bacolod City Guide

The Conceptualization

Having an iconic Bacolod Welcome Marker was the idea of our chief executive, Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia. He got this inspiration from his many travels to the world-famous Las Vegas strip in Nevada, USA when he would accompany Senator Manny Pacquiao in the latter’s boxing matches there. Mayor Bing had always thought about having something like that in Bacolod where people can stop, have their photos taken, and just be refreshed from their journey.

The perfect opportunity came when Megaworld Corporation started developing a huge parcel of land along the New Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road. It is near the airport and it is where most vehicles pass by in going to and from the airport.

The Approval

However, the Bacolod Welcome Marker didn’t happen overnight. Harold Brian Geronimo, Megaworld Senior Assistant Vice President and head of public relations and media affairs, said that when Mayor Bing pitched the idea, he worked on having it approved. Geronimo is himself from Bacolod so he was just so happy to be able to do this for the city. Megaworld President and CEO Andrew Tan immediately gave the go-signal for the design and construction.

Despite that, the design and planning took two years, as Mayor Bing wanted everything in order. He was greatly involved, especially in the overall look. He decided on all the elements that were to be incorporated in the marker.

And I have to say, this marker is really beautiful and made of good quality materials. Even when it is lighted up, you can clearly see the details of the marker and nothing gets washed out because of the light. For sure, you will have nice photos there.

A Complete Bacolod Tourist Stop

The 7.2-meter Bacolod Welcome Marker is the first of its kind in the Philippines. While it is true that it is inspired by the iconic Las Vegas marker, it still has its own kind of uniqueness. Its design features colorful masks that will be illuminated at night, so it is symbolic of the city’s world-renowned MassKara Festival.

• Related: MassKara Festival Schedule

Moreover, Geronimo revealed that it’s not just a marker. It will have a parking space that can accommodate up to 30 cars and buses at one time. There were will cafes and rest areas as well as Bacolod pasalubong shops for travelers.

Plus, this tourist stop will have its very own McDonalds concept store. To make it more in tune with the locale, the McDonalds store will bear the design of the Bacolod Government Center. It’s unique and can only obviously be found here in Bacolod City.

Lighting Ceremony

The Bacolod Welcome Marker was ceremonially lighted yesterday, November 27, 2018. Megaworld executives came to visit the city for this particular occasion.

The lighting ceremony was also well attended by Bacolod City government officials headed by Mayor Bing as well as the pillars of the Bacolod business community. It was a happy and joyous occasion that was punctuated by a lively MassKara dance presentation and fireworks.

Megaworld Developments

Megaworld Corporation has believed in the potential for progress of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. They currently have two simultaneous township developments in the city — The Upper East and Northill Gateway.

We can really say that indeed, Megaworld is re-shaping the Negros landscape.

Check out the video of the ceremonial lighting of the Bacolod Welcome Marker:

With people coming back home for Christmas and going through the Bacolod-Silay airport, for sure, they will get to appreciate stopping here and having their photos taken. Thank you, Megaworld!

Bacolod City is the capital of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Find Bacolod City on the map.