Filled with masks and banners of different colors, bright lights, loud sounds and beats of music, one of a kind food and tourist destinations, and the genuine smiles of its people, Bacolod City invites everyone to experience its annual world-class MassKara Festival celebration with this year’s theme, “One Rhythm. One Bacolod. A Million Smiles.”
City Mayor Monico Puentevella said that the festival is one of the best because of the “cooperation of everybody.”
The 19-day festival which kicked off last Oct. 1 has a series of events and activities specially prepared for its people, visitors and tourists, led by the organizing body Kasadya Bacolod Foundation Inc. (KBFI) headed by Mr. Rhoderick K. Samonte.
Everyone is looking forward for the street dance parties, giant masks and colorful parades, but MassKara Festival is much more than that. Though highlights will be on Oct. 17-19, the Masskara vibe is very much alive and already being felt by Bacolodnons.
Fun and unity on the first day
For Vice-Mayor Greg Gasataya, “Masskara Festival is for all of us.”
A Fun MassKa-Run, Jog, Walk, Bike and Skate activity participated in by hundreds of Bacolodnons made a start for the most-awaited city festival. It was then followed by the ZumbassKara wherein people flocked to the public plaza wearing their masks and dancing to music.
The giant official Masskara 2014 icon was also unveiled during event. After the declaration of the official start of the festival by the city mayor, KBFI gave a dance number followed by the introduction of the 11 MassKara Queen candidates.
More activities came after the program including the 1st Banda sa MassKara (Elementary Category) wherein Corazon Locsin Montelibano ES was hailed as champion, while a Thanksgiving Mass and opening program for the Elderly Week was held at the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports Center. In the evening, the city’s very own Gerhard Krysstopher, Joanne Bernal Sapphire Dela Pena , Bacolod Souljaz and PAGCOR artists - K Menn entertained the people during the MassKara PAGCOR Night.
Four major sites for all
The festivity is already being felt everywhere in its four major sites - Bacolod City Public Plaza, People’s House, SM City and the Lacson Tourism Strip, all surrounded by hundreds of stalls, various activity booths and traditional Filipino carnivals. Moreover, there are nightly live bands as people dine, drink and party until the wee hours of October 20.
MassKara Night sa Barangay
The people who are far from those sites will still have a chance to participate in the MassKara Festival via the MassKara Night sa Barangay.
The event aims to bring the festivity closer to the people as well as discover the talents of those who are far from the city.
Ten barangays are covered by this event wherein residents in far flung areas will experience the festivity through games, a feeding program and a talent competition.
MassKara Queen- beauty, brains and cause
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the Search for MassKara Queen (MQ) who would represent the beauty and value of a Bacolena. This year is going to be a much tougher quest because each candidate has to carry advocacies with a strong sense of purpose.
Eleven lovely candidates who are vying for the perpetual crown are Arriana Montealegre, Cate Antoinette Pirote, Maria Danielle Diaz, Riah Angelica De Ocampo, Kristine Kaye Necir, Sweetzel Lima, Melresa Tiu, Sheen Cuenca, Jian Tsukada, Raxel Gonzales, Christine Joy Madamba.
MQ Pageant will be on Oct. 10 at St. La Salle Coliseum.
MassKara Food Village & MassKara Village
Bacolod is very well-known for its piaya and chicken inasal. However, there are more things that people should know about the great tastes in the city. MassKara Food Village offers a venue for the people to experience the Bacolodnon kind of food.
On the other hand, 39 smiling masks made of various recyclable materials like staple wires, soda openers, vials, egg trays showcased the resourcefulness and creativity of the Bacolodnons. The masks on exhibit in the 18th ABS-CBN MassKara Village located in the 2nd floor of Robinson’s Place.
More than masks
MassKara Festival also aims to focus on areas like Sports, Civic Action, Education and Fashion.
In sports, there are activities such as the Mayor Monico Karate Cup, Regional Autocross Championship, 1st Mayor Monico Cycling Competition and Volleyball Good will Games (PWD and City Employees) to name a few.
A Bacolod Bayanihan was held last Oct. 4 wherein students and different groups and sectors in the city showed heroism by volunteering in the clean-up drive in the different parts of the city. At the end of the day, volunteers celebrated through a GK Bayanihan Night.
In Education, activities like the MassKara Teachers’ Night and quiz bees were conducted. In fashion, MassKara Fashion Week was launched at the People’s House last Friday. Wardrobes were designed by renowned fashion designers in the city.
There were also competitions held on the first week of the festivity to exhibit the talents and skills of Bacolodnons such as the Search for the Batang Bida and On-the-Spot Mask making contest.
Best things are yet to come
Things are getting better and better. Each day is jam-packed with activities that portray the positive attitude of Bacolodnons. People should also mark their calendars for more exciting activities – MassKara Street Dancing School Category on Oct. 17, MassKara Street Dancing Barangay Category on Oct. 18, Electric MassKara and MassKaraland on Oct. 19.
More surprises and activities are coming still coming. MassKara Na, Kari na, Magsinadya Kita! - KBFI-KPanganiban