Bacolod: How A Canceled Flight Became The Best Twist Of All

Travel sometimes feels like a game of chance where the stakes aren’t just your money. Every trip demands an investment of your time, energy, and the fleeting moments that make up your life. Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. Those are the sunny days with million-dollar views and everything falling perfectly into place. On other days, it feels like you’ve lost everything. And then there are the wild-card moments when you think you’re winning, only for the wheel of fortune to shift at the last second. That’s exactly what happened to me in Bacolod. 

I thought I had everything in place.

I was ready to head back home with a more positive outlook and cameras filled with happy moments.

Sure, it hadn’t been a perfect weekend adventure, but all signs pointed to a happy ending.

Then, suddenly, the Universe had other plans, and it felt like I lost a bet.

What went wrong? 

Why had my trip gone off-script? 

Was it all worth the time, effort, and money?

As I waited patiently for the next moments to unfold, I thought it was a bad bet.

Little did I know, I was in for a surprise.

My Bacolod adventure 

Around 9:30 PM at Bacolod–Silay International Airport

Something was off.

Airports are supposed to be happy places, filled with the buzz of excitement or the quiet satisfaction of people fresh from a trip.

This time, the atmosphere was different.

As I waited for my flight back to Cebu from Bacolod, a strange tension filled the air.

At the boarding gates, there was a strange sense of unease. 

My eyes wandered across the departure area, and I saw the stress and anxiety painted on the faces of my fellow passengers.

Was it just me, or was there something truly wrong with this scene?

It felt like I stepped into the scene of the first installment in the Final Destination series.

And it felt like I just entered the Twilight Zone.

Shrugging it off as my playful imagination running wild, I stood up, determined to ignore the weird vibe. 

I walked closer to the boarding gate and prepared my travel documents

As I stared at the text notification from the airline, I was shocked. 

Could the day really end on such a sour note? 

Just hours earlier, the vibe was so much more different. 

Sunshine, smiles, and the promise of adventure had set the stage for what I thought would be a picture-perfect day.

08:03 AM At UrbanView at Lacson Street Bacolod City by RedDoorz

The day had started with so much promise.

With clear, sunny skies, it seemed like everything was falling into place.

“It’s going to be a day of smiles in the city of smiles,” I said to myself.

As I was waiting for my tour guide to arrive, I scrolled through social media and read stories of people who were addicted to online gambling.

Why can’t these people spend their money on experiences instead of wasting them on online gambling platforms, like Sc*tter?

Why would they spend countless hours staring at a screen, chasing a win that might never come, when they could be out there collecting memories? 

Yes, gambling gives you a quick thrill, but it’s over in seconds, leaving you with nothing but regret. 

Experiences, meanwhile, stay with you forever. 

They turn into stories you tell, lessons you learn, and moments you replay in your mind when life feels ordinary and lifeless.

Moments later, my tour guide, Alvin, arrived at the hotel, prompting the start of my Bacolod tri-city day tour.

Without wasting any moment, I hopped on the car, and went straight to the first stop of my Bacolod tour: San Sebastian Cathedral.

Afterward, we crossed the street and explored Bacolod Public Plaza.

Along the way, Alvin shared his local insights about this part of the city.

He shared tidbits about the city’s history and the role of the plaza in shaping Bacolod’s culture.

And though it was still early, the plaza was filled with life.

Wandering around the plaza, I felt alive in a way no jackpot in an online gambling platform could replicate. 

Every sound and sight reminded me that experiences like this are the real wins in life.

I just wish people who are addicted to gambling would see life through my lens.

I’m sure it will change their perspective.

Soon after, we explored the other attractions in Bacolod.

We stopped by Jojo Vito Gallery, Megaworld Bacolod, and the Bacolod City Government Center.

And so far, this Bacolod trip seemed like a big win

11:33 PM at Bacolod–Silay International Airport

My flight back home was canceled due to a technical issue.

At this moment, my Bacolod didn’t seem like a win.

I was exhausted, hungry, and longing to be home in bed.

To make matters worse, I was still recovering from an ankle injury sustained months ago in Mount Kalatungan.

Still, I’d rather spend my savings on meaningful travel experiences than waste them playing online casinos at home.

Here’s the deal.

I hate gambling.

It’s not just the idea of throwing away hard-earned money for a thrill that bothers me. 

It also bothers me to see the ripple effect that gambling has on people’s lives. 

I’ve seen how gambling eats away at people. 

I’ve seen how it turns joy into desperation and dreams into debts. 

It doesn’t just steal money. 

It steals time, energy, and the chance to build meaningful experiences.

Even worse, it has broken so many families and relationships.

I have so many uncles and aunts who are addicted to gambling, and until now, I couldn’t trust a word they say.

Moments later, I approached one of the airline employees to get some updates.

She said we had to wait at least 12 hours for the crew to check and fix the aircraft issue.

On the bright side, she said something that could turn this unfortunate situation into something more positive.

Yes, the announcement of the canceled flight hit me like a bad bet gone wrong. 

But even then, I knew this trip, with all its ups and downs, had been worth every second.

And now, there was another twist to this rollercoaster journey in Bacolod.

And as I sat there, waiting for the next update, my mind wandered back to another moment on this trip when things didn’t go as planned. 

Earlier in the journey, the skies had betrayed me with an unexpected downpour.

It was the kind of rain that could wash away even the most carefully crafted plans. 

But like all gambles in my adventures, the real question wasn’t what I lost. 

The real question was what would I learn from this experience.

Around 1:00 PM at The Ruins Bacolod

I kind of knew it was going to rain that day.

Days earlier, I checked the weather forecast and said it was going to rain the whole day.

Still, I refused to cancel my Bacolod trip.

Not even the rain could keep me from seeing the iconic Ruins and the other captivating attractions in the Bacolod area.

Standing before The Ruins in Bacolod, I felt more than just a historic site.

It was a metaphor and an invaluable life lesson. 

It’s a place built out of love, a kind of love that doesn’t exist in the 21st century.

Although it was destroyed during the war, it was never reconstructed. 

Still, it stood tall, reminding me that even if it was incomplete, it carried beauty, history, and meaning.

While exploring The Ruins, I realized they symbolized much more than resilience.

The place exuded self-love. 

The Ruins Bacolod faced loss and destruction but didn’t hide its scars. 

Instead, it turned them into beauty and poetry. 

It didn’t need to be perfect to be admired and loved.

It just needed to exist, as it was, which is something we should learn.

The rain ruined (no pun intended) for picture-perfect moments. 

Yet, it gave me something deeper: clarity. 

I’d been chasing perfection, thinking happiness came when everything was perfect. 

But The Ruins showed me life doesn’t have to be flawless to be fulfilling. 

It reminded me to embrace my own scars and imperfections. 

And it reminded me of the importance of self-love.

This is why I invest a ton of time and money in travel.

Travel, to me, is not about exploring gorgeous places or collecting postcard-worthy shots. 

Travel challenges you, strips away comforts and expectations, and makes you confront yourself in new ways. 

It teaches lessons about life, love, and resilience that no book or 4-wall classroom can.

While exploring the Ruins, a thought about money and gambling came into mind.

What exactly can we learn from Sc*tter and online gambling?

Nothing!

Gambling is a mindless, fruitless pursuit of temporary highs, offering no growth or meaning.

While The Ruins reminded me to love myself more, gambling has only left people I know feeling empty and lost. 

I’ve seen the effects of gambling on people. 

Some have never recovered, while others have spent their whole lives living in lies.

So, if you’re planning to spend your money on gambling, always keep this thought in mind: travel enriches your soul, while gambling drains it.

The rain didn’t stop on my visit to The Ruins in Bacolod.

My photos weren’t stunning, but my heart felt lighter. 

I’d learned something no jackpot could offer. 

The Ruins, in all its imperfect glory, gave me a great win: a reminder to live, love, and embrace every part of the journey, rain or shine.

Earlier that day, I visited Campuestohan Highland Resort. 

The skies turned gray, but I wasn’t about to let the storm dampen my spirit.

10:30 AM at Campuestohan Highland Resort

As the skies turned gray, it was clear a heavy downpour was on its way.

Throughout the week, I was looking forward to my Bacolod trip.

I was excited to see The Ruins and the other Bacolod attractions.

But with overcast skies and inevitable downpours, I was certain Bacolod’s attractions wouldn’t be at their best.

And that’s okay. 

Travel has taught me to focus on the things I can control. 

Can I control the weather? 

Heck no!

So, there was no point in letting it ruin my mood or my adventure. 

Instead, I chose to embrace the moment, rain or shine, and remind myself that sometimes the best experiences happen when plans don’t go as expected.

That’s what I just did.

And I saw people living there too, enjoying life and escaping their daily grind.

I hate crowds, but this somewhat brought a smile to my face.

At least, they are spending their hard-earned money on experiences, and not on online gambling platforms.

At least, they are sending a message to the Universe that they want to live and enjoy life.

I once read a book about sending signals to the Universe.

It said that if you keep living and enjoying life, the Universe will provide more opportunities to do what you want.

Watching families and visitors at Campuestohan, I couldn’t help but reflect on the choices we make to find joy. 

That’s when it hit me: maybe this is why people trapped in gambling can’t escape the rabbit hole.

They keep sending the Universe the same desperate signals. 

They continue chasing fleeting highs and empty victories. 

They’re stuck in an endless and hopeless loop because their actions reinforce their struggles.

It’s a never-ending cycle, and until they choose to live differently, the Universe won’t send them a way out.

11:33 AM at St. James the Greater Church and Bacolod City Welcome Marker

I came to Bacolod mainly to see two attractions: The Ruins and Campuestohan.

And this trip, thus far, had many surprises. 

Earlier, I saw a bunch of Bacolod attractions that I didn’t know existed.

After exploring Campuestohan, I saw a bunch of other unique attractions in the area.

This is one of the joys of travel.

It gives you unexpected moments that no guidebook or itinerary can fully prepare you for.

Travel, at its core, satisfies our innate curiosity and sense of adventure. 

From uncovering local secrets in a new city to stepping outside your comfort zone, the experiences gained through travel are irreplaceable.

02:30 PM in Silay City

I was fully satisfied with my Bacolod adventure after my pit stop at The Ruins.

To me, everything after The Ruins was a bonus.

But as it turned, Silay City became a highlight and one of my memorable experiences on my tri-city tour.

I admit. 

I didn’t do a lot of research about Silay City prior to my trip.

I knew it was a historic city close to Bacolod.

But I didn’t do any research about its attractions, and history.

I’m the kind of traveler who loves surprises and wants to be blown away by unexpected discoveries.

And Silay City was the unexpected discovery that I craved.

It was a unique experience that gave me a deeper insight into the history of Negros Island.

I’m not a scholar or a historian, but I always crave trips that enhance my knowledge and wisdom.

And that’s something you can’t get from gambling.

While both travel and gambling involve spending money, travel often provides a more predictable return on investment in the form of experiences, education, and personal growth.

On the other hand, gambling carries a risk of financial loss without guaranteed rewards.

After exploring Silay City, we went back to the city and stopped by a store to buy some Bacolod delicacies.

Then, we visited a hidden local coffee shop where Alvin and I talked about life and Bacolod.

Quite a day, I must say.

It was indeed a day of smiles in the city of smiles.

Day 2 at 09:00 AM at a hotel in Bacolod

I wasn’t planning on extending my Bacolod getaway.

I wanted to go home, relax, and prepare for the upcoming week.

Furthermore, having a short trip means I could save money on food and accommodations.

Yet, in an ironic twist, my flight got canceled, and I had to spend an extra night in Bacolod City.

And the best part is, everything was free and was covered by the airline company.

I even got a flight voucher and 500 pesos for transportation from the hotel to the airport.

The previous night, I, along with a Japanese hiker, and a policeman, were sent to this hotel.

Like me, these men were also bound for Cebu the previous night.

The policeman, who wasn’t familiar with ride-hailing apps, asked if we could go together to the airport.

Of course, I said yes because it would also help us save money on transportation.

At the airport, we also got another free hot meal.

While eating, the policeman shared insights about the places I should avoid when traveling.

Once again, it was a bonus and one of my wins in this wonderfully strange Bacolod adventure.

5 months later 

My fascinatingly bizarre Bacolod trip happened months ago.

And yet, here I was in Albay, enjoying the ripple effect of a canceled flight from Bacolod City.

Thanks to that canceled flight, I got free round-trip tickets to any local destination of my choice.

And I used these tickets to fly to Albay and see the legendary Mayon Volcano.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see Mount Mayon in her full glory that day. 

But then again, not every journey needs a perfect view to leave a lasting impression. 

As I’ve said, there’s no sure-fire bet in travel.

At the end of the day, I’d rather take the gamble of missed flights and unpredictable itineraries than sit in front of a screen chasing empty thrills.

Because while gambling might give you a rush, travel leaves you with something far greater. 

It gives you memories that stay long after the game is over.

As for my Albay story, it reminds me that life’s best moments often come from detours we never planned.

It didn’t turn out the way I wanted, but I’m sure there’s a reason for it.

Even though Mayon remained shy, the journey to Albay reminded me that sometimes the beauty we seek lies not in the destination but in the detours that lead us there.

I just have to trust the Universe and let him do his magic.

What is Bacolod known for?

Bacolod, nicknamed the City of Smiles, is known for its MassKara Festival, a spectacularly vivid Mardi Gras-like festival. Furthermore, the city is famous for its rich culinary heritage.

Why is Bacolod called the city of smiles?

Bacolod is often called the “City of Smiles” because of its warm and friendly locals. Also, it’s called the city of smiles because of its famous MassKara Festival, a celebration featuring colorful masks with smiling faces. The festival was introduced during a challenging time in the city’s history. The smiling masks are a symbol of hope, resilience, and positivity, reflecting the spirit of Bacolod’s people. 

What is the famous delicacy in Bacolod?

The most famous delicacy in Bacolod is Chicken Inasal, a mouth-watering grilled chicken dish marinated in a mix of calamansi (local lime), vinegar, garlic, ginger, and spices. It’s known for its smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor. Bacolod is also famous for its sweet treats, like the Piyaya and Napoleones.

Why should we visit Bacolod?

Besides its rich culinary heritage, Bacolod also has a variety of attractions to please all types of travelers.

How to tour the Bacolod area?

The best and most convenient way to explore Bacolod and its neighboring cities is to get a tour guide. It’s convenient, easy, and best of all, affordable. If you prefer to take this route, reach out to Sir Alvin.