MassKara Festival of the Philippines

    A mask is said to be a mechanism for concealing genuine feelings. On the other hand, a mask represents joy and celebrations in Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. The MassKara festival, which takes place every October in Bacolod, attracts residents, indigenous, and visitors alike.

    The word “MassKara” is formed from two words in Spanish: “mass,” which means “crowd,” and “cara,” which means “face.” MassKara has two meanings: “mask” and “many faces.” In 1980, Ely Santiago, a cultural artist, painter, and cartoonist, coined the word.

    Bacolod MassKara festival

    Bacolod, a city on the northwest coast of Negros Island in the Philippines celebrates a festival in the month of October called the MassKara festival. It is held on the fourth Sunday of October every year as a tribute to happiness. MassKara meaning a multitude of people is a celebration among the locals as well as the visitors to the ‘City of Smiles’ to celebrate happiness with smiling faces. There is a sheer joy that one might find in the air in the city around this time of the year and that is the reason it is the best time of the year to visit Bacolod. It is a weeklong festival and you will find a huge crowd everywhere around and a lot of drinking can easily be witnessed around the place during this time. Though this is held on the fourth Sunday of October, the festivities begin around the first week of October and it is 20 days fest of drinking beer, street dancing, street musicians playing amazing unique pieces, and a lot of dancing with and around the people of Bacolod and the visitors. This festival is considered to be the most vibrant festival in the country and is a month-long party that attracts thousands of visitors.

    MassKara Festival was first celebrated in the year 1980 to remember the hardships of the people of Negros Province. They wore masks to hide their tears and gathered around with brightly colored costumes and uncommon accessories while parading around to pass the message of happiness. Year after year this festival was celebrated and embraced by many and each year more people joined in to celebrate happiness. It is now known worldwide and Bacolod witnesses the visit of many people around this time of the year who happily joins this celebration.

    On the 22nd of April, 1980, an inter-state vessel called the M/S Don Juan that used to carry Negros Navigation (NN) that included people going or coming from vacation, students returning after graduation, people of the wealthy class who traveled with cargo filled with expensive cars and other things, was on its way from the Manila North Harbor to Bacolod City. However, somewhere between Tablas and Maestre de Campo Island, while most of the passengers were asleep, an oil tanker of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) collided with M/S Don Juan. The passengers in a panic state jumped into the sea even without life jackets but then as the unfortunate incident unfolded more of its fury it did not take long for the massive vessel to be swallowed by the sea. In just 15-20 minutes the whole vessel submerged underwater and the incident resulted in the death of 18 and the disappearance case of 118. This came to be known as the tragedy of Don Juan. And the carnival of smiles was held to bring the folks of the province out of the gloomy state that the Don Juan tragedy had cast on them. Masskara festival place of origin and the date of Origin is Bacolod and on October 19, 1980.

    MassKara festival description

    Because of the custom of the participants wearing masks with grins to express the message of happiness, the MassKara Festival is also known as the “festival of smiles.” The MassKara festival date of celebration continues to signify a time of year when people may “throw away” their grief or any other pain, just as they did when it first began all those years ago.

    Aside from the dancing competition, the MassKara month of celebration is well known for its street parties. The events are open to the public, and a countdown begins in the afternoon, with different colored powders being tossed into the air and showered on the partygoers. There are various other entertainment events such as concerts, garden displays, sports, and drum contests to participate in.

    MassKara festival date

    The festival runs for almost a month, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on October 1st and ending at 10:00 p.m. on October 31st every year.

    Best places to get views of the festival

    Typically, on the 4th Sunday of October, the centerpiece of the Bacolod MassKara festival event goes on display. The festival takes place at the Bacolod Public Plaza. However, Lacson Street is where the major parties, crazy dancing, drinking, and other activities occur.

    MassKara festival activities

    The commemoration has progressed in great ways since the time it was initially celebrated and today it is able to bring in a lot of revenue when it comes to tourism. The carnival that began to forget a tragedy due to failed and disheartening revenue and the loss of the lives of the people is now able to bring in a really good deal of revenue for the big companies and the locals there. A number of events take place during the festival and they include Electric MassKara, a parade with live music, floats, and glows from lights. There’s a street dance competition which is the division into two categories the school division, and the barangay division (smallest administration division) which is considered to be the highlight of the event. There’s a beauty pageant completion called MassKara Festival Queen and many such events being held at the festival.

    Activities at MassKara festival

    MassKara festival activities people must experience are as follows:

    1. MassKara Street Dance and Arena Competition

    The MassKara Festival dance competition is the event’s primary attraction, with contestants donning brightly colored costumes and smiling masks while dancing to Latin music.

    2. Electric MassKara (Bacolod’s biggest street party)

    The most anticipated event of the MassKara month of celebration event is the Electric MassKara. The night parade is a must-see, with LED-lit dancers, bands, and floats. The greatest energy, vivid costumes, and residents and visitors going all out to celebrate can be felt by everybody.

    3. MassKara Queen Pageant

    The quest for the MassKara Queen should not be overlooked when visiting in the month of celebration of MassKara Festival. The pageant contestants don the brightest and most festive outfits and the brightest grins.

    4. Food Fair

    The food fair is another interesting MassKara Festival activity. This is ideal for foodies who wish to sample more than just Bacolod’s famed Chicken Inasal (Grilled Chicken). People may also purchase the cheapest delicacies here as a gift.

    5. Float Parade

    Even the automobiles and enormous floats in Bacolod are decked out in the most stunning, bright, and smiling masks! The float parade on the MassKara festival date of celebration is a must-see, using flowers and occasionally recycled materials.

    MassKara Festival Mask and Costume

    The masks and costumes used during the month of celebration of MassKara festival are among the most spectacular in the Philippines. Rodney Martinez, president of the Arts Association of Bacolod-Negros, held workshops in Negros, teaching villagers how to build masks out of coconut husks and paper mâché. Today’s competition masks are constructed of fiberglass, with bright and ornate decorations made of various materials. 

    Originally, these masks were made to sell to tourists and earn money, rather than celebrating a celebration. The bright masks made by locals were allegedly intended to attract international visitors. Fortunately, the concept was well-received, and travelers began to purchase the light and portable. They can also be worn while visiting tourist attractions in Bacolod.

    The festival outfits have developed as well. Street dancers used to wear tangas on the MassKara festival date, but as more male dancers have joined, most costumes now consist of jeans.

    Every year, the MassKara festival date celebrated by a mask-making competition that is conducted and accessible to the general public. Visitors may see the Bacolodnons’ colorful mask designs at the MassKara Village display, which serves as a place to showcase their talent.

    MassKara Festival Music

    Music evolves in tandem with the MassKara Festival. From Trini Lopez medleys to folk tunes, Latin beats to electro and house mixes, the MassKara Festival’s music has evolved diversely and often controversial. Regardless of the MassKara Festival when music is chosen by the organizers each year, Bacolodnons continue to celebrate life by dancing in the streets.

    MassKara Festival Logo

    Each year, the yearly festival has a new logo design, but the pride and essence of the prior and original designs remain the same. The MassKara festival theme of 2022 will surely influence this year’s logo design. These emblems may be found on the backs of t-shirts, on giant banners with their organization or tribal name, or on event advertising banners.

    Bacolod province and the neighboring ones gather in the City to celebrate the event and a large crowd is seen parading around the city, a contribution of both the administration group and private group. This festival is to remind the folks of the Filipino spirit which is resilience and the spirit to remember to remain happy even amidst tough times.

    The MassKara Festival is a lovely, symbolic display of Bacolod’s perseverance. This is the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. It’s been described as a breathtaking sight to see and one that everyone should strive to witness at least once throughout their lives. It’s also known as the world’s longest festival, lasting a month and including various events, parties, and gatherings centered around the MassKara festival theme.



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