The MassKara Festival has become an icon for Bacolod as the City of Smiles. It has become the symbol of how Negrenses triumphed over difficult times. The MassKara Festival was conceived in a time when the Province of Negros Occidental was reeling from the effects of the sugar crisis. Having depended largely on the sugar industry for so long, the looming crisis had devastating effects to thousands whose livelihood depended on it.
Then in 1980, a group of city officials, artists and civic leaders conceived MassKara Festival to liven up the Charter Day Celebration of Bacolod City. The term MassKara was coined by the late president of the Arts Association of Bacolod (AAB), Ely Santiago, from the English word “Mass” meaning “many or multitude of people” and the Spanish word “Kara” meaning “face”. It was how MassKara came mean “face of the masses or a multitude of smiling faces”. From then on MassKara Festival is held every third week of October for the celebration of Bacolod City’s Charter Day.
MassKara Festival’s highlight is the Street Dance Competition where dancers perform to Latin-inspired music wearing colorful smiling masks and costumes which showcase the artistic talent of the Negrenses. Through the years MassKara has evolved and has adopted to the changing times. More activities are being introduced every year, which makes evey MassKara Festival more colorful and livelier than the previous ones.
Indeed, MassKara Festival has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings. Today, it is one of the most sought after festivals in the Philippines. The MassKara Dancers had already performed in different inernational locations, bringing with them the infectious smile and the distinct charm of the Negrenses.
Photo Credit: Bacolodcity.gov.ph
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