Bacolod marks 75th Charter Day

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – This city is celebrating its 75th Charter Day today, as one of the highlights of this year’s 34th MassKara Festival which will culminate tomorrow.

In today’s diamond anniversary rites, business tycoon Manuel Pangilinan will be officially proclaimed as the city’s “adopted son” by Mayor Monico Puentevella. 

Pangilinan, as guest of honor, will address the anniversary program at the public plaza at 5 p.m., following the Charter Day parade.

Accompanying Pangilinan are showbiz personalities Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Aga Muhlach and Ogie Alcasid, according to a City Hall statement.

Also as part of the MassKara festivities, there will be a grand reunion of all of the city’s former officials at the Government Center, and the National Dancesport Competition at the Pavilion Convention Center tonight.

Tomorrow, 20 barangays will compete in the street dancing competition. Ten schools vied in their category yesterday.

This year’s MassKara Festival has the theme “Rediscover and Celebrate Bacolod.” 

The Cable News Network (CNN) named the MassKara Festival last year as “one of the 12 best things in the Philippines.”