It’s the time of the year again, when the streets of Bacolod City will once again come alive with the colors and sounds of people celebrating the Masskara Festival.
With the theme “Rediscover and Celebrate Bacolod,” 2013’s festival was memorable, as it also celebrated Bacolod’s 75th year as a chartered city.
The Masskara, from the word “mass” which means “many people” and “kara” meaning “face,” is one of the most awaited festivals in the Philippines, and one of the most attended, with thousands of local and foreign tourists alike observing it every year. In 2014, it will be celebrated from October 17 to 19.
Streetdancers in the Masskara Festival.
Masks sold on the streets remind me of Venice.
Masskara started in 1980, when Bacolod was hit by low sugar prices and the tragic sinking of a ship that killed around 700 Negrenses. Faced by the double crisis, the city decided to hold a festival of smiles, to signify the people’s determination to pull through the tragedy and survive. Bacolod’s dark times have passed, but the celebration continues year after year.
I observed the Masskara in 2011 with Couchsurfing and travel blogger friends, and we had a spanking good time observing the streetdancing, going around the city, and eating our way one dish at a time.
Streetdancers vie for the top prize.
Masskara is held every 3rd week of October and is characterized by groups of streetdancers wearing colorful costumes, elaborate headdresses, and smiling masks.
If you like taking photographs, the whole city becomes a photographer’s dream, with colors bursting out from every shot. Most of my shots were blurred though (#fail).
Hamming it up for the crowd.
The highlights for this year are the streetdancing competitions on Friday, October 18 (School Category) and Sunday, October 20 (Barangay Category). However, a lot of other activities are held throughout the city, from sports tournaments and dance competitions, to celebrity variety shows, food festivals, and beauty pageants.
Performing at the competition, barangay (village) level.
Streetdancing at its best!
If you’re observing this year’s festival, here are some things you can do to enjoy the event more.
With travel blogger and Couchsurfing friends.
After the festival, there’s no need for you to go home immediately. There are several things you can do in and around Bacolod City that can make your extra days of stay there worthwhile. Here are some of my suggestions: things to do in (and near) Bacolod City.
Enjoy the Masskara!
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Drum and bugle competition, concerts, sports events, food festivals, trade fairs, and garden shows are other festival highlights.
@ Mary: I didn’t know you were Negrense. I’m sure you will love the Masskara; you will surely take a lot of wonderful photos!
I may have told you before that I was born and spent part of my childhood in Negros where Bacolod is. I always enjoy seeing Masskara Festival photos. It looks so fun and I love all those colors and creativity. One day I’ll make it back to the motherland and hopefully attend this. In the meantime, love all these photos.
@ Marisol: I had a lot more photos. Unfortunately, most of them were blurred. LOL Too bad!
HI Aleah, lovely post. I enjoyed all the photos; you seemed to captured the vibrancy of the festival. I’d love to make it to Maskara festival someday. And I’ll certainly keep all you tips in mind.
@ Photo Cache: Yep, they prepare for it months in advance!
that is a major event. i’m sure the participants don’t take time off in prepping for this event.