Bacolod’s Masskara Festival
Posted in Events, Lifestyle, Travel on Oct 24th, 2009 | 14 commentsOne of the Best Festival of the Philippines is Bacolod’s Masskara Festival. Bacolod is popularly known for the city of Smiles and I never knew why till we attended the almost week long festival. We just learned it from our friends in Bacolod the story of the said city.
In 1980, an inter-island vessel Don Juan owned by the Negros Navigation Company collided with an oil tanker and sank on April 22, 1980. The tragedy claimed the lives of an estimated 400 passengers, most of whom were Negrenses, including several from prominent families in Bacolod.
Negros sugar industry was shaken by the much publicized crisis in the 1980s, 85% of Negros population fell below the poverty line. Since then, it was an uphill battle for the sugar stakeholders. Several sugar mills were eventually closed down.
The Masskara festival was first celebrated in 1980 to add color and gaiety to the Bcolod City’s celebration of its Charter Day anniversary, on 19 October. The symbol of the festival – a smiling mask – was adopted by the organizers to dramatize the Negrenses happy spirit, despite periodic economic downturns in the sugar industry and sea disaster.
Through the years, the MassKara Festival has evolved and gone beyond the street dance competition, music, food, colorful masks, costumes and parades. Every year, more activities are being held, attracting not only local tourists but foreign visitors as well.
And this year 2009 over all champion
Barangay Taculing
Bonggaba.com would like to thank the nice bongga people of Bacolod City especially Enrico Dee, Audrey Mecabalo and Fitz Villafuerte for making bonggaba.com’s trip in Bacolod City possible.
BONGGA!
14 Responses to “ “Bacolod’s Masskara Festival”
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amf.. andun aq sa event eh..hehe..
miss u papa dax and dad fritz! ingatz..
ay unga! taga negros ka pala!
until next time 😀 sa ati-atihan na naman. hay! hanap muna ng budget
pagkatapos ng Masskara at mag ligligan parul kahapon….
ati-atihan naman tayo!!!
Hi
when is the exact date of the masskara festival this year (2010) please email me details, like how many days will it run.
Thank you
sir randy, as of now wala pang official schedule po ang masskara festival for 2010. Masskara Festival is a week long festival that usually occurs on the second week of October, 3 days before the their Charter Day. October 19 is their Charter Day.
Hi Dax,
thank you for this info. atleast i can plan ahead. but if you have a definite date please do let me know.
thanks
ok no problem.
Do you have the exact dates of Maskara Festival for 2010 already? Thank you. Will it be on Oct 9-10 or 16-17? Appreciate if you can email me.
hi.. as of now po ba wala paring exact date ng festival?
as of now wala pa pero nag book na kami ng flight for bacolod ng safe days. we planned October 14 to 18. mahirap na mag book ng closer to the said dates eh its either maubusan ka o mapamahal.
Hi Sir, good day to you. I am going to Bacolod (work related), but there is no final schedule yet. I learned that MassKara Festival is happening and heard lots of wonderful and memorable experience about the festival. I wish to witness it and have video and photo opportunities as well. My problem is that I will only be given two days to stay in Bacolod. I hope you can help by informing me on what date is the best to experience the festival and some tips too. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you Sir. God Bless
Hi Gervin, you should go to Lacson Street on the night of October 14 and October 16. There’s the Electric MassKara happening there, but most specially, lots of food, drinks, mini concerts and other activities.
For the festival itself, the best day to watch is the Masskara Festival Streetdance Competition Barangay Category on October 16. It starts after lunch, but do check the final schedule a day before.
Best time to go there is while all the teams are preparing because you can go up to them and have photo opps. You can also shoot some “behind the scenes” video during this time.
However, if you want inside access, you would have to secure a MassKara Festival ID available at the city hall. Just say you’re a photographer and pay the fee for the ID (last year it was P500).
This will allow you to take photos in the middle of the street during the street dancing parade and go in front and up the stage during the group performances.
Lastly, as an alternative if you’re no longer available on the 16th, is the Masskara Festival Streetdance Competition School Category on October 15. It’s less energetic than the Barangay category, but it’s as colorful. Same tips above apply, go there early… while they’re still preparing.
hi just here to give an update for this year(2012) Masskara Festival
October 20- school category street dancing and arena competition
October 21- Barangay category
=)