Bacolod wins five ATOP Pearl Awards for tourism
By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY — The city government secured five awards at the 2026 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards, winning three grand winner titles and two first runner-up honors for its tourism initiatives, festivals and promotional campaigns.
The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Ormoc Development and Training Convention Complex in Ormoc City on Oct. 21.
Secretary to the Mayor Marty Go represented Mayor Greg Gasataya at the ceremony, together with Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili.
Bacolod was named grand winner for Best International Event Hosting for Terra Madre Asia and Pacific and Best Local Event Hosting for the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival.
The city also won the grand prize for Best Tourism Promotions Brochure for “Bacolod City: Your Pocket Guide to Experience the City of Smiles.”
It also placed first runner-up in two categories: Best Tourism Event — Cultural Festival for the Bacolod MassKara Festival 2025 and Best Sports Tourism Event for MassKaraLympics 2025.
Bacolod competed against entries from local government units (LGUs) nationwide, with 606 entries from 201 LGUs vying for recognition across 15 categories.
The ATOP Pearl Awards recognize outstanding tourism programs, initiatives and practices of local governments nationwide, particularly those promoting cultural heritage, destination development and sustainable tourism.
Gasataya attributed the city’s achievements to the dedication of the City Tourism Office, local artists, festival organizers and Bacolodnons who continue to welcome visitors with the city’s world-renowned smiles.
“You are the true architects of this success. You have proven that the vibrant spirit of our City of Smiles is not just something we talk about, but something we live and share with the world every single day,” the mayor said.
He expressed hope that the recent achievements would inspire further innovations in tourism programs and create more opportunities for the city.
The recognitions also highlight Bacolod’s efforts to promote its culinary heritage, cultural celebrations, international event-hosting capabilities and sports tourism.
The city government said the achievements would encourage it to strengthen the local tourism industry and further establish Bacolod as a premier destination in the Philippines.
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