Masquerade and revelry

MASSKARA FESTIVAL AND INASAL FESTIVAL
BACOLOD CITY’S CULTURAL PILLARS

(published in itravel Philippines July-August 2009 issue, www.itravelphilippines.com.ph)

Being known as the Philippines’ “city of smiles,” Bacolod City remains steadfast to invigorate its flourishing tourism industry by preserving its past and embracing the visions for tomorrow.

As part of Negros Occidental province once known as the cradle of sugar industry in the early 19th century, Bacoloders conceptualised and created MassKara Festival in 1980 when the sugar industry weakened. Wearing multicoloured masks, beaded and colourfully designed costumes dancing to the lively Latin music—graceful Bacoloders dancers paraded the streets to celebrate life and abundance, and spread revelry throughout the city every third week of October. Such a grandiose festival came to fruition when the people and the government officials decided to create an annual event to uplift the hope of many due to the depression caused by the decline of sugar industry in the province. Since then, MassKara Festival has become a cultural tradition, a reminder of hope and inspiration amidst the social challenges that Bacolod City or the province of Negros Occidental has been struggling to overcome for the past almost three decades.

“MassKara” is a portmanteau of “mass” (people) and “kara” (mask)—which has close resemblance to the Mardi Gras of Brazil and other South American festivals. The famous festival has gone through notable progression and reinvention to intensify its concept of capturing the cultural passion of the Bacoloders and preserve its love for music, carousing, and celebrations. Participated every year by contesting groups coming from different barangays and private companies that deliver a kaleidoscopic display of grace, colours, and breathtaking performances, the festival has already made significant legacies and memoirs reflecting the flamboyant character of the people of Bacolod.
Preserving and harnessing the inclination of the Bacoloders in culinary arts, the government of Bacolod City spearheaded by its visionary leader, mayor Evelio Leonardia and past Bacolod mayor Jose Montalvo conceptualised the staging of the first Chicken Inasal Festival from 15 to 20 May this year. The weeklong festival highlighted the effort of the city government to make the Manokan Country as an emerging tourism destination where more than twenty chicken inasal stalls are located. During the opening ceremonies, Negros Occidental governor Isidro Zayco was the guest the speaker and honoured the laudable effort of dynamic personalities who catapulted Bacolod chicken inasal’s popularity.
Another captivating objective of the festival is to be included in the Guinness Book of World Record by staging the “largest barbeque grill in the world” held at SM City Bacolod North Wing vacant lot. The newly established festival targeted one whole chicken per foot or an estimated 18,000 chicken with 800 to 1,000 sacks of charcoal and 72,000 barbecue sticks facilitated by 20, 000 volunteers. The larger-than-life chicken grill event happened on 19 May which was attended by thousands of spectators both local and foreign tourists wanting to taste the world famous flavour of Bacolod chicken inasal that has captured the palate of the Filipinos throughout the country.
Time already proved how far the people of Bacolod have put their city in the map as one of the best tourism destinations in the Philippines. I guess their charm and luck lie in character to wear eternal smiles.