The new Manokan Country will be a fusion of tradition and progress in Bacolod City, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) said on Monday, August 19.
To further boost tourism and the local economy, the city government has partnered with SMPHI for the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project.
This initiative aims to modernize the Manokan Country at Father M. Ferrero Street in the Reclamation Area, while preserving its cultural identity, ensuring it remains a beloved culinary landmark for generations, SMPHI said in a press release.
With its exceptional design and state-of-the-art facilities, Manokan Country is poised to become a world-class destination, attracting tourists and investors from around the globe, it said.
Set to open in 2026, the Manokan Country Redevelopment Project is committed to provide an enhanced dining experience, transforming the area into an iconic tourist destination. This project is expected to add significant value to the city’s progress, stimulate the local economy, boost business activities, and create new job opportunities, SMPHI said.
“At SM Prime, our vision is to create innovative, sustainable developments that serve as catalysts for a better quality of life. Our commitment to revitalizing Bacolod’s Manokan Country aligns with our broader mission to contribute to the nation’s robust growth,” Steven Tan, SM Supermalls president, said.
The new Manokan Country located adjacent to SM City Bacolod is designed by DSGN Associates.* Upon entering the open-air plaza, customers are greeted with dozens of tables and chairs for outdoor conversing, eating, and relaxing. And inside, one can also explore a two-level beer garden, numerous hawker stalls, a hypermarket, and various retail shops.*
“We partnered with SM Prime for this redevelopment project not only to preserve a cultural landmark but also to ensure its evolution to meet future needs, thereby making a significant contribution to the sustainable development of Bacolod City,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a street food scene near the Bacolod Public Plaza led to the creation of the Manokan Country.
The Manokan Country was established by the local government at the Reclamation Area in 1980s evolving into a renowned destination for Bacolod Chicken Inasal that welcomed locals, celebrities, and tourists.
Manokan Country is now poised to enter a new era as it evolves into a dynamic marketplace for dining and specialty concepts, the SMPHI said.
This transformation honors the city’s proud history while embracing modernity, offering an exciting fusion of the past and present that resonates with today’s Bacolodnon way of life, it said.*