The MassKara Festival

As I see it through thjoining the revelry with such abandon, fun an camaraderie. wich

gives rise to the use of giant siling masks of vaie dhues, colors and brilliance whichthe

gaily costumed dancers waras they stomp, swing, pulsatead gyrate in the major

streets of the city in a stunning display of stamina an coordination. The colorful

pageantry is equaled in intensity by eeryone’se years

MassKara was an idea borne from a series of afternoon delights over cups of coffee and creative juices
half inebriated by a few bottle of beer by some members of the Art Associatin of Bacold le byits resident
and cartoonist, the late Ely Santiago. Sometimes they were joined y the then city councilor incharge of
tourism, sports and education, Councilor Romeo Geocadin.

Sometimes as a substitute for my boss Atty. Evelio R. Leonardia who was then the head of the
Department of Tourism, Bacolod Fild Office, I would join the group, less the beer and more of coffeeI
would join the group

The word MasKara was coined to mean Mass from mass or crowd and the Sanish word Kara whichin
Eglish is face. I was emphasized that the M and the K should be capitalized to show the two-word
combination, to become mass of facesand these faces have to be smiling to project Bacolod already
known by then in the late 70’s as the City of Smies.

MassKara also means in the dialect “mascara” for the English word “mask” which

gives rise to theuse of giant smiling masks of vaied hues, colos and bris a cottage

industry, with barangays producing their own masks for the street dancing.

Mask Making was introduced alliance which the galy costumed dancers wear as they

stompl,swing, pulsate and grate in the major streets of the city in a stunning display

o stamina an coordination. The colorful pageantry is equaled inintensity by eyone’s

joining the revelry with such abandon fun and camaraderie.

The use of the big,smiling paper mache masks inunimaginable bright colors came into

the picture. The designs of the first mask were patterned fro the faces of the city

councilors and other big or top rank city and national officials.

Another equally important reason for the use of the masks ws the need for an

altenative livelihood program because of an impending crisis in the sugar industry.

 Mask making was introduced as a cottageidustry, with barangays producing their own

masks for the street dancing. The Art Associatin of Bacolod trained the peo;le in mask

making while the city provided the resources. Souvenir masks wee then sold to tourists and guests.

October l980, the first MassKara Fstivl became the highlight of the Bacolod City Charter

Anniversary. The city pulstates with various activities involing all sectors of the

community. The sound of the MassKara music fills he air enticing everyone to oin the

fiesta mood of the festival. The participants – public school students and barangay

residents. The msic – Latin beat the like of Rio de Janeiro, blaring stop eeps and carts.

Everyone is caught up in the exuberant gaiety of this explosion of colors, spectacular

revelry and fabulous costume. The Philippine version of the Mardi Gras was born.

MassKara’s popularity grew not only I the country but internationally as well. The

festival has indeed come full circle, with its original dance parade restored to the

public plaza wher it first showed its masks of big smiling faces.