MassKara Festival 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order (EO) 62 last September 20, 2020, suspending the public celebration of the MassKara Festival 2020 and all activities in October 2020 to observe and comply with the health and safety protocols against coronavirus disease (Covid-19). This year should have been the 41st MassKara Festival and this is the first time that the most awaited festival in Bacolod was cancelled.
A Celebration of Resilience
MassKara Festival was rooted in the resilience of the Negrenses and amidst this pandemic, we can draw inspiration from the history of MassKara Festival.
The 1980s was particularly one of the most challenging times for Negros Occidental. The province was reeling from the effects of the sugar crisis. With a mono-crop economy and having been largely dependent on the sugar industry for so long, the crisis had devastating effects to thousands whose livelihood depended on it. There was widespread insurgency and thousands of malnourished children in the province. The image of an emaciated “Batang Negros” caught global attention and became the face of the sugar crisis in Negros Occidental.
As if the economic crisis was not hard enough, one of the most devastating maritime accidents in the Philippines happened in 1980 involving the loss of hundreds of Negrense lives. On April 22, 1980, the inter-island vessel M/S Don Juan carrying around a thousand Negrenses from Manila to Bacolod collided with the M/T Tacloban City and sank off Tablas Strait. An estimated 700 lives were lost in the Don Juan tragedy which was probably one of the darkest times in the history of Bacolod City.
It was in those trying times in 1980 that a group of city officials led by Mayor Jose Montalvo Jr., artists and civic leaders conceived MassKara Festival to liven up the Charter Day Celebration of Bacolod City. Mayor Montalvo lost his wife, two daughters, and mother-in-law in the Don Juan tragedy. He was leading the Bacolodnons in facing their loss with great courage.
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 to mean “face of the masses or a multitude of smiling faces”. Let us look forward to a brighter tomorrow with a smile on our faces.
Bacolod, padayon kita!
We may be wearing a different mask this year but there are still a lot of reasons to smile. There may be no MassKara Festival 2020 but let us keep the spirit and remember the lessons of MassKara Festival. In spite of the challenges we face today, let us support and help each other to overcome this pandemic with dignity.
Padayon is perhaps one of the most beautiful Visayan words. It has the same meaning in different Visayan languages. It means to continue, keep on, keep going, persist, to move forward. We usually end a speech in Hiligaynon with “padayon” as an encouragement.
While most Philippine festivals are celebrations of good harvest, MassKara Festival celebrates the Filipino spirit that is more powerful than any disaster. MassKara festival is a reminder to Bacolodnons and Negrenses of how they triumphed over adversity. More than anything else, MassKara Festival is a symbol of the resilience of the people of Negros Occidental.
Relive your most memorable MassKara Festival
Let us support and inspire each other. Relive your best MassKara moments and join our BACOLOD, PADAYON KITA! Photo Contest! The winner will receive iconic MassKara Festival souvenirs such as Azatri shirt and Jojo Vito’s MassKara planter.
Mechanics
1. OPEN TO ALL PHILIPPINE RESIDENTS.
2. Post a picture of you during a MassKara Festival you joined in the past.
3. Tell us why it’s very memorable to you. Include a message of encouragement to the people of Bacolod during this pandemic.
4. Make your post public. Tag ExperienceNegros FB page and use the hashtags #MassKara2020 #BacolodPadayon #ExperienceNegros
5. SHARE TO YOUR FRIENDS AND SPREAD HAPPINESS
Criteria
1. HAPPINESS SCORE – (To be scored by our judges) – 50%
2. POST ENGAGEMENT (Reactions &Share) – 50%
3. Contest Period: October 16-31, 2020
4. The winner will be announced on November 5, 2020