The Bacolod Food Hunters is the go-to source for Bacolod food reviews, and its creator, Martin, is one of my best friends. The funny thing is, we didn’t exactly hit it off at first.
Before my first trip to Bacolod, I reached out on Facebook, asking for recommendations. Everyone pointed me to Martin, saying he was the guy to talk to. His blog was packed with insights, and he’d worked with food blogger Mark Wiens. I messaged him, excited to collaborate. His response? A polite but clear “get bent.” He was too busy.
Not one to give up, I posted on Reddit. A helpful stranger offered advice and tips for Bacolod, guiding me to spots I never would’ve found on my own. Turns out, that stranger was Martin, using an alias. By the time I arrived in Bacolod, we were inseparable. That’s who Martin is. He’s the guy behind The Bacolod Food Hunters, a blog that’s built on honesty, dedication, and a love for the city’s food scene. And this story is my way of showing just how much his work, and his friendship, mean not only to me but to the hundreds of thousands of people who use websites and social media pages for all things Bacolod.
Table of Contents:
- About The Bacolod Food Hunters
- The Influence of The Bacolod Food Hunters
- The Man behind the Bacolod Food Hunters
- Martin’s Collaborations with other Food Creators
- My Collaborations with The Bacolod Food Hunters
- The Friendship Beyond the Blog
- Bacolod Food Reviews: Conclusion
About The Bacolod Food Hunters
The Bacolod Food Hunters is one of the longest-running, continuously active food blogs in the Philippines. Martin started the blog back in 2006 while studying at De La Salle University in Manila, documenting his food experiences before food blogging became mainstream. What started as a personal passion project turned into Bacolod’s most trusted source for Bacolod food reviews, helping locals and visitors discover the best eats in the city.
Mission and Vision
Unlike many food influencers today, The Bacolod Food Hunters operates with a strict no paid promotions and no free food policy. Martin pays for every meal out of his own pocket, refusing sponsorships that could compromise the integrity of his reviews. He lives by the motto:
“Support small businesses, not influencers.”
His approach ensures that every recommendation is based on authentic experiences rather than brand deals and/or marketing gimmicks. Martin doesn’t just focus on popular restaurants, he actively seeks out underrated local spots, small eateries, and home-based businesses, giving them the recognition they deserve. I should also mention that Martin had built all of this as a hobby.
Reach and Influence
Over 2.6 million visitors have turned to The Bacolod Food Hunters website for food recommendations. The website’s growth reflects the demand for honest, no-nonsense reviews that aren’t influenced by sponsorships or free meals.
On Facebook, Martin has built a following of over 110,000 people, with several reels and posts reaching more than a million views. Martin’s work has directly resulted in helping small businesses gain the exposure they deserve.
You’ll also find Martin sharing his food finds on YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, and X, bringing Bacolod’s food scene to people well beyond the city.
Community Engagement
Martin doesn’t just post reviews and move on though. He stays involved, answering questions, responding to comments, and joining discussions about Bacolod’s food scene. His posts spark conversations, whether it’s people debating a dish or restaurant owners reacting to a review.
He doesn’t chase trends or try to build a personal brand. He shares what he finds interesting and keeps the focus on the food. That’s why people trust what he has to say.
Related Reading: The Ultimate Cebu Street Food Tour
Where to Stay in Bacolod City
Luxury Accommodations: – Stonehill Suites – Modern comfort meets elegance at Stonehill Suites. With spacious rooms, a rooftop bar, and a prime location, it’s a top choice for business and leisure travelers alike.
Mid-Range Accommodations: – Park Inn By Radisson – Stylish, comfortable, and centrally located, Park Inn by Radisson offers modern rooms, top-tier amenities, and easy access to Bacolod’s best shopping and dining.
Budget Accommodations: – The Suites at Calle Nueva – The Suites at Calle Nueva offers modern air-conditioned guestrooms with free Wi-Fi. It is a short 3-minute walk from City Hall, City Plaza and San Sebastian Cathedral.
Looking for other great places to stay in Bacolod City? Use the search bar below to find more options!
The Influence of The Bacolod Food Hunters
Impact on Local Businesses
When The Bacolod Food Hunters features a spot, people take notice. Small eateries that most people would overlook have seen a surge in customers after being highlighted. Batchoyan ni Lina and Chay Letty’s Native Chicken Inasal are two spots that gained recognition because of Martin.
Larger businesses also benefit. Aida’s Chicken Inasal was already one of Bacolod’s most famous names before Mark Wiens visited, but it was Martin who organized the entire trip. Today, Aida’s uses footage from that visit in their advertising.
Bringing Bacolod’s Food Scene to a Larger Audience
Martin has worked with some big names, including Mark Wiens, Mikey Bustos, Bhen and Yuri, and The Chui Show, organizing food trips that introduced Bacolod’s food to a much wider audience.
He has also set up food trips for yours truly, which gave me the chance to experience Bacolod’s food scene firsthand.
What Readers Have to Say
People rely on The Bacolod Food Hunters when looking for places to eat. Whether they’re locals or visitors, they turn to Martin’s reviews to find spots worth checking out.
- “I explore Bacolod’s food scene vicariously through you. Even when we are not on the same taste page.”
- “Ethical blogging, this I like! I always follow your posts so when we go to Bacolod, we pick amongst them that appeal to us. Padayon!”
- “Thank you for sharing this! I wouldn’t have known about this place otherwise.”
- “Your reviews have become my go-to guide for exploring new eateries in Bacolod.”
The impact goes beyond just views or shares. People trust what Martin has to say, and that trust keeps them coming back for reliable Bacolod food reviews they know aren’t influenced by sponsorships or paid promotions.
The Man Behind The Bacolod Food Hunters
Martin was born and raised in Bacolod City. His love for food started early, leading him to create The Bacolod Food Hunters as a way to document his thoughts. At first, the blog wasn’t focused on Bacolod, but after returning from university, he turned his attention to his hometown’s food scene.
Today, Martin does more than just write about food. He works as a food and health safety inspector for the local government and is an accredited tour guide with the Department of Tourism. His experience in these roles gives him a deeper understanding of the restaurant industry, which adds to the credibility of his Bacolod food reviews.
Martin’s Personality
Martin is eccentric, unfiltered, and hilarious. He has a sharp sense of humor and strong opinions, and he doesn’t hold back when something deserves a reaction. On a personal level, he is also someone who goes out of his way for the people he cares about. He will probably hate me saying that, but it’s true. When he isn’t working his regular job or creating content, he spends his time gaming. Food may be his main passion, but he knows how to step away and have fun.
Martin’s Collaborations With Food Creators
Martin has helped some of the biggest food vloggers experience Bacolod the way a local would. He takes them to places that matter, whether it is a roadside eatery or a longtime local favorite. His involvement in these collaborations has given more people a real look at Bacolod’s food scene.
Mark Wiens
Few food vloggers have the reach of Mark Wiens, and when he visited Bacolod, Martin made sure he got the full experience. He guided Mark through Manokan Country, where they filmed at Aida’s Chicken Inasal, one of the city’s most well-known spots for Bacolod’s signature grilled chicken. Martin also introduced him to Eron’s Kansi House, known for serving some of the best kansi in Bacolod.
Mikey Bustos
Filipino-Canadian vlogger Mikey Bustos is known for blending comedy, culture, and education. Instead of a food vlog, Martin took him to Negros Forest Park, a conservation area dedicated to protecting the region’s native wildlife. Mikey Bustos’ visit to Negros Forest Park introduced his audience to something beyond food. Instead of the usual food tour, Martin guided him through the conservation park, giving him a closer look at Bacolod’s native wildlife and the efforts being made to protect it.
The Chui Show
When The Chui Show visited Bacolod, Martin made sure they didn’t just scratch the surface. He took them to spots that locals love, making sure they got a real feel for Negrense cooking beyond what most tourists see.
Martin also worked with Bhen and Yuri during their time in Bacolod. He made sure they got to try spots they might have otherwise missed, giving them a deeper look at the local food scene.
Read Next: Lechon in Cebu
My Collaborations with The Bacolod Food Hunters
On that first trip to Bacolod, I arrived with a plan. I had my locations mapped out and was ready to tackle the city’s food scene on my own. Then I mentioned my first shoot to Martin. The place I had chosen was five minutes from his house, so he stopped by. That’s where everything changed.
What started as a casual first meet up turned into something much bigger. Martin wasn’t just familiar with Bacolod’s food scene, he was connected to the people behind it. The chefs, the vendors, the restaurant owners and everybody in between. This gave me access to the some of the most creative culinary minds in Bacolod
On my trips to Bacolod, we filmed 10 videos together. Covering everything from the region’s famous soups and fresh seafood to local sandwich shops, Chef JP Anglo’s restaurant, the best halo halo in the philippines and a spot serving nothing but rabbit meat dishes. Whether it was BBQ stalls, mountain coffee in Bago City, or young chefs shaping the local food scene, Martin made sure I saw and tasted it all.
Most visitors only scratch the surface of Bacolod’s food scene. With Martin leading the way, I was stepping into kitchens and meeting the people who make it happen. None of this would have been possible without him.
Martin has spent years building relationships with Bacolod’s best in the culinary scene. He’s not just a guy with a blog, he’s someone the food community respects. If there’s one person who understands Bacolod food reviews better than anyone, it’s him. There is no way to list all of the videos we made together, so you will need to head over to YouTube if you want to see them all, but here are a few of the videos Martin and I made together
The Friendship Beyond the Blog
Martin is the kind of guy who never asks for anything, even when he probably should. He’s independent, stubborn, and brushes off things that would piss off anyone else. He’ll go out of his way to help people, even when they don’t deserve it. That’s just who he is.
The people around him don’t always see it, but Martin carries more weight than he lets on. He’s the first to step up when someone needs help and the last to make a big deal about it. Whether it’s his friends, the food scene, or the city itself, he always gives more than he takes.
My time in Bacolod gave me a lot, but nothing more valuable than my friendship with Martin. The food, the filming, the long days running around the city, none of it would have meant as much without him in it. I have met a lot of amazing people during my travels, but nobody quite like Martin.
Bacolod Food Reviews: Conclusion
Martin has spent years building The Bacolod Food Hunters into a trusted source for Bacolod food reviews. He’s helped small businesses gain exposure, connected food lovers to places they wouldn’t have known about, and done it all without sponsorships or free meals.
His work keeps Bacolod’s food culture real. Every recommendation comes from firsthand experience, with no outside influence shaping his reviews. That’s why people trust what he has to say. And more than anything, he is someone I am proud to call a friend.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, let me know in the comments. Have you followed The Bacolod Food Hunters for food recommendations? What are some of your favorite Bacolod food spots? Drop a comment below, or reach out on YouTube and Instagram.
