10 Essential Phrases to Learn Before Visiting Bacolod

The friendly city of Bacolod is located in the Negros Occidental region of the Philippines. Bacolod is a popular holiday destination for locals and tourists alike, noted for its delicious cuisine and welcoming ambiance. Before going to Bacolod, brush up on a few key phrases so you can get around the city and connect with locals. 

1. "Kumusta ka?": This friendly greeting means "How are you?" and is a great way to start a conversation with locals.
2. "Palihug": This polite phrase means "please" or "excuse me" and is a way to show respect and consideration to others.
3. "Salamat gid" means "thank you very much" and is an important phrase to show gratitude to the friendly locals.
4. "Maayong adlaw" means "good morning" and is a great way to start your day with a smile. Replace adlaw with hapon or gab-i to mean "good afternoon" or "good evening," respectively.
5. "Pwede ko ka-ayo?" means "Can I get a discount?" and can be a helpful question when shopping or negotiating prices, but remember not to haggle too much. Please show respect for the seller and their hard work.
6. "Kitaay ta liwat" means "see you later" and is a great way to say goodbye to new friends.
7. "Tag-pila ni?" means "How much is this?" and is a helpful phrase to use when shopping or bargaining for goods.
8. "Diin ang CR?" means "Where is the bathroom?" and is a helpful question when freshening up. Replace CR with other places to ask where the location of that place is.
9. "May ara ka sang _____?" is a helpful phrase to learn when shopping or looking for something specific. It means, "Do you have _____?" Fill in the blank with the item you're looking for. This statement can be helpful when seeking a particular item or buying something from a nearby retailer.
10. "Namit!" means "delicious!" and is a common phrase to express your enjoyment of the local food. Bacolod is known for its delicious cuisine, including the local favorite, napoleones, so feel free to use this phrase often! 

Learning these essential phrases will help you navigate Bacolod more quickly and show the locals that you appreciate their culture and language. So start practicing and enjoy your stay in Bacolod!