The Philippines is a country with diverse cultures and traditions, and one of the most vibrant and colorful festivals that showcase its beauty is the MassKara Festival. The MassKara Festival is an annual festival that takes place every fourth Sunday of October in Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental province. The festival is known as one of the biggest and most festive events in the country, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world. The festival features street parades, dance competitions, musical performances, cultural shows, food fairs, and other activities that celebrate the culture and spirit of Bacolod City.

The word “MassKara” is a combination of two words: “mass”, which means a multitude of people, and “kara”, which means face in Spanish. The word also sounds like “maskara”, which means mask in Filipino. The festival is named MassKara because it showcases the many smiling faces of the people of Bacolod, who are also known as the “City of Smiles”. The festival also reflects the history and identity of Bacolod City, which has overcome many challenges and tragedies in the past.

The origin of the festival can be traced back to 1980, when Bacolod City was facing a crisis due to the decline of the sugar industry, which was the main source of income for the province. The low price of sugar caused economic hardship and poverty for many people. To make matters worse, a tragic ferry accident happened in April 1980, which killed hundreds of Negrenses, including some prominent families of Bacolod. To lift the morale and spirit of the people, the local government and civic groups decided to organize a festival that would showcase the resilience and optimism of Bacolodnons. They invited local artists to create masks and costumes that would depict happy and smiling faces. They also organized street dances and parties that would bring joy and fun to the city. Thus, the MassKara Festival was born.

The festival has evolved over the years, becoming more elaborate and creative. The highlight of the festival is the grand street parade or Sadsad, where thousands of participants from different barangays or districts compete for prizes and honors. The participants wear colorful costumes and masks that are inspired by various themes, such as native culture, history, fantasy, or current events. They dance to the rhythm of drums and music, while chanting “Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!” (Go on! No pain!), which expresses their enthusiasm and energy. The parade also features floats decorated with flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other local products. The parade is accompanied by a procession of the image of Santo Niño or Holy Child Jesus, who is revered as the patron saint of Bacolod City.

The festival is not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the taste buds. Visitors can enjoy various delicacies that are unique to Bacolod City, such as chicken inasal (grilled chicken), piaya (flatbread with muscovado filling), napoleones (puff pastry with custard filling), barquillos (rolled wafers), and pinasugbo (banana chips coated with caramel). They can also buy souvenirs made from wood, silver, beads, or kiping (leaf-shaped wafer).

The MassKara Festival is not only a celebration of smiles and colors, but also a celebration of life and culture. It is a way of preserving and promoting the traditions and values of Bacolod City and its people. It is also a way of showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Philippines.