It’s this time of the year once again when my city is alive with colors, songs, and other attractions. Yes, October is MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, the capital of the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.
But what is it all about and how did it all start? Read my post Behind MassKara’s Smile for a bit of history. When I went back to Bacolod, I had a taste of the festivities (The colors of #MassKaraFestival2014) for the first time after years, or probably two decades, of being away from home.
This year, what is in store for those who want to join in the revelry of MassKara 2018?
Festivals celebrate the most significant events and developments in a community’s life. This year, the biggest event in Bacolod was the 80th year of the city’s founding, 80 years of highs and lows. That our people pulled through together speaks of our maturity. That is what we celebrate about in this year’s MassKara.
THE 2018 MASSKARA LOGO
The logo of the 39th MassKara Festival celebrating the 80th birthday of Bacolod has been released. They were presented to the public for the first time yesterday by MassKara Festival action officer Councilor Em Ang at the Rotary Club of Bacolod North meeting. Digital artist Mark Lester Jarmin, who specializes in character logos to international clientele, did the present logo. He also designed last year’s. For the first time, a MassKara logo has the theme of the festival in bigger fonts than the words “MassKara Festival.” This is to emphasize that this year’s MassKara celebrates a milestone bigger than the festival—the 80th birthday of the city, festival director Eli Tajanlangit said.
The logo shows a MassKara dancer peeking through the first letter “O” in the word “Bacolod.” Jarmin said the dancer is wearing a mask with eight colorful feathers representing eight decades of the city; silhouettes of a human figure representing the people of Bacolod behind the masks, a black and white checkered pattern representing one of Bacolod’s landmarks—the public plaza’s checkered steps; and a smiling face on the second letter “O.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
So exciting! See you in Bacolod.
I wish they should publish this schedule several months in advance so we can plan our visit to experience this festival. I have been to Bacolod before, but it was right after Masskara already.
I’ve been in Bacolod like around 3 times already, but never been during Maskara Festival. Next time, I’ll make sure it’ll be during the festival. This post is a help for those people who are planning to visit Bacolod during the Mascara Festival.
LaiAriel
It’s always been my dream to visit the city of smiles. I hope i can celebrate maskara festival asap!! It looks fun.
I have been to Bacolod but have never been able to witness Masskara festival. Probably because it is celebrated the same as Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete. Would love to, though. Hopefully next year.
I always want to see the Masskara live. It’s so festive, colorful and happy.
I’ve attended Masskara Festival back in 2012 with friends and it was one heck of an amazing experience!!! I wish to go back there… it’s been 4 years!!! I wanna go back with my hubby and baby this time but maybe we’ll let our baby grow up a bit older first coz it can get really chaotic in there… but fun!!! I miss it! Hopefully next year. 🙂
Omg!!! This is so gorgeous and colorful… Reminds me of Brazil Carnival!!! And its an entire month long.. Whoa!!! How I wish I could be there…
If only I have enough spare time to visit Negros Occidental once more for this year, I would be going to Bacolod during the masskara festival to celebrate with the people. It’s just that I am quite having problems in balancing my work and studies so nope for now. However, I am still looking forward to be able to join the festival one day.
Oh, Philippines has great places! I love this place, looks so fan!