MassKara Festival: Ultimate Guide for First-Timers

“Kari sa Bacolod, Dala sang Maskara! (Come to Bacolod, Bring a Mask!)”

MassKara Festival is an annual festival in Bacolod City with highlights every fourth Sunday of October with street dancers in colorful costumes, masks and headdresses. Bacolod City invites you to the “happiest and most colorful festival in the Philippines” which will be a month-long celebration  with concerts, food fests, street parties, and a lot of activities will draw thousands of visitors to the City of Smiles.

What’s the meaning of MassKara?

The term MassKara was coined from the English word “mass” meaning “many or multitude of people” and the Spanish word “cara” meaning “face” by the late president of the Arts Association of Bacolod (AAB), Ely Santiago. It was how MassKara came to mean “face of the masses or a multitude of smiling faces”.

If it’s your first time to attend MassKara Festival, things can be overwhelming not knowing what to do. I prepared this guide for first-timers because I have been in your shoes. You can read about my MassKara festival experience and you will be very excited to visit the MassKara Festival every yea. I hope this guide will help you.

Ruby MassKara Festival

MassKara Festival 2019 is an important milestone in the history of MassKara because it is the 40th celebrations thus this year is the Ruby MassKara Festival so you can expect a lot of exciting activities. The 2019 theme is “Bacolod, City of Smiles.”

Fireworks, light shows and colorful dance performances will highlight the opening of the Ruby MassKara. It will feature Electric MassKara Float, a MassKara mob dance, the MassKara Queen candidates, and international solo mask performers from Cambodia and Indonesia. The 14 entries from the Barangay category will also give short performances during the opening.

MassKara Festival 2020 Schedule of Activities

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order (EO) 62 on September 20, 2020, suspending the public celebration of the MassKara Festival and all revelries/activities in October 2020 to observe and comply with the health and safety protocols against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The main event of MassKara Festival is the street dancing competition where dancers don colorful costumes and masks and move to the rhythm of Latin music.

In addition to the MassKara street dancing competition, Electric MassKara is another most awaited event. This is also a street dancing competition but dancers wore masks with colorful lights and this is done at night.

Other major events are the MassKara Queen beauty pageant, carnivals, drum and bugle corps competitions, food festivals, sports events, musical concerts, agriculture-trade fairs, garden shows, and other special events organized every year.

Major roads during the MassKara Festival highlights are closed to facilitate the flow of participants and visitors. The public and motorists are advised to take note of the traffic and road closures to avoid confusion.

MassKara Festival Travel Guide and Tips

How to get to Bacolod City

Bacolod City is only 50 minutes by plane form Metro Manila and there are also flights to and from Cebu City, Davao City, and Clark (Pampanga).

From Bacolod-Silay Airport, you can take a shuttle (P150 per head), taxi or Grab Car/Taxi to your hotel.

Bacolod is also accessible by sea and RORO vessels.

Travel Tip: If direct flights to Bacolod are no longer available, or if they are already too expensive, consider taking the flight to Iloilo City. You can get to Bacolod from Iloilo in one hour through a fast craft or RORO. (Fastcat RORO Iloilo-Bacolod).

Where to stay in Bacolod during MassKara

There are a lot of options for accommodations in Bacolod City, from budget hotels to three-star rating accommodation.

Travel Tip: Hotels and Pension Houses are usually booked months before October so if you are looking for alternative accommodations, you can try at hotels, pension houses and resorts in nearby cities of Talisay, Silay, and Bago cities. There also listings available on Airbnb.

Below are some of our recommended hotels and resorts in Bacolod and nearby cities.

Hotel/Resort	Users Average Rating
SEDA CAPITOL CENTRAL Lacson corner North Capitol Road, Bacolod City Stop at Seda Capitol Central to discover the wonders of Bacolod (Negros Occidental). Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the property's facilities and services. Service-minded staff will welcome and guide you at Seda Capitol Central. All rooms are designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, and some rooms come with flat screen television, complimentary instant coffee, complimentary tea, mirror, slippers. Take a break from a long day and make use of the fitness center. No matter what your reasons are for visiting Bacolod (Negros Occidental), Seda Capitol Central will make you feel instantly at home.	8.9
L'FISHER HOTEL, 14th Lacson Street, Bacolod City Located along Lacson St., L'Fisher Hotel is a perfect starting point from which to explore Bacolod (Negros Occidental). Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all you need for a good night's sleep. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, gift/souvenir shop. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. Recuperate from a full day of sightseeing in the comfort of your room or take advantage of the hotel's recreational facilities, including fitness center, sauna, outdoor pool, spa, massage. For reliable service and professional staff, L'Fisher Hotel caters to your needs.	7.9
L'FISHER CHALET, 15 Aguinaldo Street, Bacolod City Located near Lacson St.,, L'Fisher Chalet is a perfect starting point from which to explore Bacolod (Negros Occidental). Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all you need for a good night's sleep. Service-minded staff will welcome and guide you at the L'Fisher Chalet. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and some offering convenient amenities like internet access – wireless (complimentary), air conditioning, television, satellite/cable TV, refrigerator. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. L'Fisher Chalet is an excellent choice from which to explore Bacolod (Negros Occidental) or to simply relax and rejuvenate.	8.2
PLANTA CENTRO BACOLOD HOTEL & RESIDENCES, Corner of Araneta & Roxas Streets, Bacolod City Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel & Residences is a popular choice amongst travelers in Bacolod (Negros Occidental), whether exploring or just passing through. Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, fax machine, 24-hour front desk are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. Enjoy the hotel's recreational facilities, including fitness center, outdoor pool, massage, pool (kids), garden, before retiring to your room for a well-deserved rest. For reliable service and professional staff, Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel & Residences caters to your needs.	7.6
GT HOTEL BACOLOD, |Corner Galo and Locsin Street, Bacolod City Corner Galo and Locsin Street GT Hotel Bacolod is a popular choice amongst travelers in Bacolod (Negros Occidental), whether exploring or just passing through. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, photocopying, printer are just some of the facilities on offer. Comfortable guestrooms ensure a good night's sleep with some rooms featuring facilities such as television LCD/plasma screen, internet access, non smoking rooms, air conditioning. Take a break from a long day and make use of massage. Friendly staff, great facilities and close proximity to all that Bacolod (Negros Occidental) has to offer are three great reasons you should stay at GT Hotel Bacolod.	8.4
O HOTEL, 52 San Sebastian Street, Bacolod City The 3-star O Hotel offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Bacolod (Negros Occidental). The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and some offering convenient amenities like closet, towels, television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms. To enhance guests' stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as massage. No matter what your reasons are for visiting Bacolod (Negros Occidental), O Hotel will make you feel instantly at home.	7.7
AVENUE SUITES, Corner 12th-Lacson Street, Bacolod City Avenue Suites is conveniently located in the popular Bacolod Downtown area. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Facilities like 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, facilities for disabled guests, express check-in/check-out, Wi-Fi in public areas are readily available for you to enjoy. All rooms are designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, and some rooms come with television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning. Enjoy the hotel's recreational facilities, including sauna, spa, massage, garden, steamroom, before retiring to your room for a well-deserved rest. Convenience and comfort makes Avenue Suites the perfect choice for your stay in Bacolod (Negros Occidental).	7.7
THE SUGARLAND HOTEL, Araneta St., Singcang, Bacolod City The 3-star The Sugarland Hotel offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Bacolod (Negros Occidental). The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park. Comfortable guestrooms ensure a good night's sleep with some rooms featuring facilities such as television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning. Take a break from a long day and make use of outdoor pool, massage. The Sugarland Hotel combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Bacolod (Negros Occidental) unforgettable.	7.6
CIRCLE INN HOTEL & SUITES, Lopez Jaena-Malaspina Streets, Bacolod City Circle Inn - Hotel & Suites is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Bacolod (Negros Occidental). Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning, wake-up service, desk can be found in selected guestrooms. Entertain the hotel's recreational facilities, including outdoor pool, massage, garden. Circle Inn - Hotel & Suites is an excellent choice from which to explore Bacolod (Negros Occidental) or to simply relax and rejuvenate.	7.6
GO HOTELS BACOLOD, Lacson St., Bacolod City Lacson Street Go Hotels Bacolod is a popular choice amongst travelers in Bacolod (Negros Occidental), whether exploring or just passing through. The hotel offers a wide range of amenities and perks to ensure you have a great time. Take advantage of the hotel's free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, wheelchair accessible, 24-hour front desk, facilities for disabled guests. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and some offering convenient amenities like television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning, heating. Access to the hotel's spa, massage, garden will further enhance your satisfying stay. For reliable service and professional staff, Go Hotels Bacolod caters to your needs.	7.6
LUXUR PLACE, Magsaysay Avenue, Bacolod City Set in a prime location of Bacolod (Negros Occidental), Luxur Place puts everything the city has to offer just outside your doorstep. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Service-minded staff will welcome and guide you at the Luxur Place. Guestrooms are fitted with all the amenities you need for a good night's sleep. In some of the rooms, guests can find internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning, wake-up service, mini bar. The hotel's peaceful atmosphere extends to its recreational facilities which include outdoor pool, massage, pool (kids), garden. Convenience and comfort makes Luxur Place the perfect choice for your stay in Bacolod (Negros Occidental).	7.5
MO2 WESTOWN HOTEL MANDALAGAN, Lacson Street, Bacolod City MO2 Westown Hotel Mandalagan is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Bacolod (Negros Occidental). The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Take advantage of the hotel's Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, room service, airport transfer, family room. All rooms are designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, and some rooms come with television LCD/plasma screen, non smoking rooms, air conditioning, wake-up service, desk. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. MO2 Westown Hotel Mandalagan combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Bacolod (Negros Occidental) unforgettable.	7.4
MO2 WESTOWN HOTEL, Corner Luzuriaga - San Juan Street, Bacolod City MO2 Westown Hotel San Juan is a popular choice amongst travelers in Bacolod (Negros Occidental), whether exploring or just passing through. Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas are there for guest's enjoyment. Designed for comfort, selected guestrooms offer television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning to ensure a restful night. Take a break from a long day and make use of outdoor pool, pool (kids), karaoke. Discover all Bacolod (Negros Occidental) has to offer by making MO2 Westown Hotel San Juan your base.	7.4
GOLDENFIELD KUNDUTEL, Goldenfield Commercial Complex Goldenfield Kundutel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Bacolod (Negros Occidental). Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. 24-hour front desk, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, room service, airport transfer are there for guest's enjoyment. Guestrooms are fitted with all the amenities you need for a good night's sleep. In some of the rooms, guests can find air conditioning, wake-up service, desk, mini bar, telephone. Recuperate from a full day of sightseeing in the comfort of your room or take advantage of the hotel's recreational facilities, including pool (kids). Friendly staff, great facilities and close proximity to all that Bacolod (Negros Occidental) has to offer are three great reasons you should stay at Goldenfield Kundutel.	7.3
BUSINESS INN, 28 Lacson Street, Bacolod City Business Inn is a popular choice amongst travelers in Bacolod (Negros Occidental), whether exploring or just passing through. Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park are on the list of things guests can enjoy. All rooms are designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, and some rooms come with closet, towels, mirror, internet access – wireless (complimentary), whirlpool bathtub. Access to the hotel's fitness center, massage, garden will further enhance your satisfying stay. Discover all Bacolod (Negros Occidental) has to offer by making Business Inn your base.	7.3
THE BELL HOTEL, 18 San Juan Street, Bacolod City Located in Bacolod Downtown, The Bell Hotel is a perfect starting point from which to explore Bacolod (Negros Occidental). The hotel offers guests a range of services and amenities designed to provide comfort and convenience. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, wheelchair accessible, private check in/check out, taxi service, 24-hour front desk are just some of the facilities on offer. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. The hotel's peaceful atmosphere extends to its recreational facilities which include spa, massage. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service are what you can expect during your stay at The Inns Bacolod Managed by Icon Hotel.	7.9
ROYAL AM REI HOTEL, 13th Lacson Street, Bacolod City Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Bacolod Downtown, Royal Am Rei Hotel promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park. Designed for comfort, selected guestrooms offer air conditioning, desk, telephone, television, satellite/cable TV to ensure a restful night. Take a break from a long day and make use of massage. Friendly staff, great facilities and close proximity to all that Bacolod (Negros Occidental) has to offer are three great reasons you should stay at Royal Am Rei Hotel.	7.4
THE SUITES AT CALLE NUEVA, 15 Corner Nueva - Locsin Street, Bacolod City The Suites at Calle Nueva is conveniently located in the popular Bacolod Downtown area. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, daily housekeeping, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, room service are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning, heating can be found in selected guestrooms. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. The Suites at Calle Nueva is an excellent choice from which to explore Bacolod (Negros Occidental) or to simply relax and rejuvenate.	8.2
HOMETOWN HOTEL BACOLOD, 26th Lacson Street, Bacolod City The 2-star Hometown Hotel Bacolod offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Bacolod (Negros Occidental). The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. To be found at the hotel are free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, convenience store, gift/souvenir shop, 24-hour front desk. Designed for comfort, selected guestrooms offer television LCD/plasma screen, additional bathroom, additional toilet, linens, mirror to ensure a restful night. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service are what you can expect during your stay at Hometown Hotel Bacolod.	8
TAMERA PLAZA INN, 79 Lacson Street, Bacolod City Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Bacolod Downtown, Tamera Plaza Inn promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, room service are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Comfortable guestrooms ensure a good night's sleep with some rooms featuring facilities such as internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning, wake-up service, desk. The hotel's peaceful atmosphere extends to its recreational facilities which include massage. Tamera Plaza Inn combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Bacolod (Negros Occidental) unforgettable.	7.8

Going Around Bacolod City

Going around Bacolod City is easy since there are various jeepney routes plying around Bacolod with minimum fare of P8 per person. There are also tricycles and pedicabs for short distances with P10 per fare per head. If you are going to rent, then you have to pay for the total seats usually P20 for the pedicab and P100 for the tricycle depending on your destination.

Travel Tip: There are also a lot of taxi cabs in Bacolod but avoid the ones that do not use the meter. Grab Car/Taxi are also available in Bacolod.

Some main roads like Araneta Street and Lacson Street may be closed to vehicle during MassKara Festival so be prepared to take some walk by wearing comfortable shoes. Take this also as an opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds around the main streets of Bacolod. Araneta and Lacson streets are very much alive with concerts and events for the MassKara Festival.

Tips for First-Timers

1. Read on the different aspects of life in Bacolod – the food, culture and history as well as the must-visit sites. Choosing the right places to visit saves you a lot of time. Don’t be a tourist, be one with the locals and familiarize with the local culture so you get to enjoy Bacolod in all its different facets.

2. Prepare for any weather. It would help to check for the weather outlook for Bacolod. But with climate change, be prepared for a scorching hot day or a rainy day. Bring a folding umbrella and a hat which will come in handy for any weather. Don’t forget to apply sunblock and bring ample drinking water.

3. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. There will be a lot walking so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. My personal choice is Skechers. They are very comfortable and fashionable too.

4. Get the best view of the street dancing competition. The best area to watch the performances is at the Bacolod Public Plaza where the dance arena is held. If you’re a blogger or affiliated with a media outlet and want to get closer to the dancers and get on the streets where the action is, I suggest you get a photographer’s ID. With a photographer’s ID, you can enter all major activity areas and you can also enter your photos for the contest.

5. Get on the street at least an hour before the start of the streetdancing which is usually at 2PM. Whether you have a photographer’s ID or not, there are a lot of spots where you can get a good photo opportunities with the dancers. Good spots are the Araneta-Libertad Street (near Bacolod Chicken Haus), in front of Rizal Elementary School and in front of Lopue’s Araneta and Lopue’s San Sebastian.

6. Don’t go to sleep, at least not until you get to party along Lacson Street. As the Tourism Strip of Bacolod, Lacson Street is where most parties and concerts will be held during MassKara Festival. Don’t worry about food because you’ll never go hungry in Lacson Street because it’s lined with local restaurants and international fastfood chains.

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Bacolod

It’s more fun to visit Bacolod during MassKara Festival but there’s more to Bacolod  Negros Occidental has a lot of tourist attractions waiting to be discovered. We have listed down 101 Things to enjoy in Bacolod but below are Top 10 Reasons to Visit Bacolod other than MassKara Festival, in no particular order.

1. The Ruins. There are many ancestral houses in Negros Occidental but none of them has a story as interesting and romantic as the Ruins of Mariano Lacson’s mansion… and none of them has an equally interesting and engaging guide named Roger.

2. Heritage Houses and Delicacies of Silay City. This city has the most number of NHI registered ancestral houses in the Philippines and three of which were turned into museums. Silay City is also home to famous delicacies of Negros Occidental and home to the oldest bakeshop in the province, El Ideal.

3. Museums and Art Galleries– Negros museums are time capsules of the lifestyles of Negrenses. Know more about the history of the province and sugar as its lifeblood by visiting the Negros Museum and the Museum Negrense de La Salle. Are Nunelucio Alvarado and Charlie Co sounds familiar to you? Well, they’re some of the country’s top artists and they’re from Bacolod City. You can find their works and of other local artists in various Bacolod Art Galleries such as Italia Restaurant and Gallery Orange.

4. Organic Food and Agriculture– Negros Island is the Organic Agriculture capital of the Philippines so if you want to learn more about Organic Agriculture, or simply want to taste Organic Food, then Bacolod is the best place for you. Visit the  Peñalosa Farms, AID Foundation and May’s Organic Garden and Restaurant if you want to be inspired to try the organic lifestyle.

5. Local Food and Drinks – Negrense/Ilonggo foods are among the tastiest in the country. Think of Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Batchoy, Bas-uy, Cansi –  I’m sure you’re already salivating.  You can have all these and more in Bacolod. Did I mention drinks? Yes, we have locally produced Federico’s Wine, Bogsbrew Beer and Don Papa Rum. And after you’ve had all the intoxicating drinks, sober up with our local coffee brews from Fresh Start Organics, Bob’s Café and Kuppa.

6. Cakes and Pastries – In Bacolod, you can have all the cakes you want and eat them too. We aren’t the “sugar bowl” of the Philippines for nothing. We have the best pastries and delicacies in the country such as napoleons and piaya and cakes and pastries from Calea, Bob’s, Bascon and Felicia’s.

7. Mambukal Resort – When it comes to eco-destinations, Mambukal Resort is one of the top destinations in Negros and one which is very accessible from Bacolod City. Only 45 minutes from Bacolod and you’ll be able to enjoy the seven-tiered waterfalls, visit the butterfly garden, watch the fruit bats, take a dip in the warm spring pool, or be treated to a relaxing spa.

8. Campuestohan Highland Resort – Just minutes away and within the boundaries of Bacolod and Talisay Cities is Campuestohan Highland Resort, a family destination offering various amenities with a picturesque view of the mountains. At 800-meter above sea level, Campuestohan enjoys a relatively cooler climate than Bacolod and Talisay Cities and it even gets colder when fog engulfs the place.

9. Churches – In addition to colonial churches, Negros Occidental has some of the most interesting churches in the country. Colonial churches such as the San Sebastian Cathedral of Bacolod, Mary Magdalene of Hinigaran, San Diego Pro Cathedral of Silay are just some of the province’s colonial churches. Churches such as the St. Joseph the Worker in Victorias (Church or Angry Christ), Chapel of the Cartwheels in Manapla and the Virgen Sang Barangay Chapel in Bacolod are churches to visit for spiritual and cultural enrichment.

10. Negros Products. Don’t leave Bacolod without bringing home products handcrafted by Negrense hands. The Negros Showroom by the Association of Negros Producers houses the best products in Negros Island. Most of the producers are small enterprises and a majority of them managed by women.

In addition to these wonderful reasons to visit Bacolod, every visitor gets a bonus, the infectious smile of the locals.

MassKara Festival Logo

The original MassKara Festival logo was designed by Ely Santiago. Today, the logo changes every year based on the theme.

MassKara Festival 2019 Logo 

Every year, the MassKara Festival logo changes depending on interpretation of the artist on the theme for the year.

The logo of the 2019 MassKara Festival celebrating its ruby year was created by artist Mark Lester Jarmin, this year’s logo incorporates elements from the first festival logo designed by Ely Santiago.

The logo features Yuhom, the MassKara icon introduced three years ago, dressed up as a MassKara dancer, wearing a mask with 40 colorful feathers—symbolizing the 40 years of the festival and a crown with ruby gem and eight diamond studs for the eight decades of Bacolod City.

The 2019 theme is “Bacolod, City of Smiles.” and “Yuhom” is a Hiligaynon word that means smile.

It also features the red elements from the first logo as well as the text ‘MassKara’.

Below are some of the colorful designs over the years to show you the evolution of the MassKara Festival logo.

MassKara Festival Mask & Costume

MassKara Festival masks and costumes are some of the most extravagant in the Philippines.  The masks used to be simply smiling faces made from papier-mâché . Today, masks used during the competition are made from fiberglass with colorful and extravagant designs made from a mix of materials. The festival mask can be as heavy as two kilograms. Just imagine the stamina of the dancers who endure four hours of street-dancing wearing their heavy masks. For MassKara masks souvenirs, visit Jojo Vito Designs Gallery.

The festival costumes have also evolved. MassKara Festival streetdancers used to wear tanga but since more male dancers now join, most costumes are now consisting of pants.

The addition of the Electric MassKara in the festival in 2007 adds more color to the festival. The street dancing competition for the Electric MassKara is done at night and the masks and costumes of the dancers are adorned with LED lights.

Every year, the ABS-CBN holds a MassKara Festival mask making contest which is open to the public. This event provides a venue to showcase the creativity of the Bacolodnons where visitors can look at their colorful designs of masks at the MassKara Village exhibit.

MassKara Festival Music

As the MassKara Festival evolves, so does the music. From the medley of Trini Lopez to folk songs, from Latin beat to electric and house mix, the MassKara Festival music also has a colorful evolution, and sometimes controversial. But no matter what music the organizers choose each year, Bacolodnons continue to dance in the streets to celebrate life.

MassKara Festial 2019 Music

For MassKara Festival 2019, the Silver MassKara Festival Organization, Inc.  will provide uniform music for the Street Dance and official entries will provide originally-composed or remixed music for the arena competition.

The MassKara Festival streetdance music was composed, arranged and produced by Roberto “Bob” Aves, a leading proponent of Philippine jazz. The music is divided into three parts. The introduction, Part 1, is an “inter-cultural dialog,” a mix of ethnic sounds from Filipino indigenous culture: Tongatong (bamboo instruments) of Kalinga, voice ad libs called “Tata” by Panay Bukidnon, Palawan bamboo and gong counter rhythm, Babandir gongs of Maguindanao, and big Taiko drum accents from Japan (Asian).

Part 2 or the “street dancing” features the evolution “from tradition to global transformation” with the use of Electronic Dance Music style, vocal tracks by JoAnn Bernal, Jet Estefani, Tim dela Rama, and Christian Morales, and “Tata” from the Panay Bukidnon.

Part 3 is “ASEAN Integration” featuring various ASEAN musical flavors, hip hop by Christian Morales, Maguindanao Kulintang excerpts, and Negros “Afro-Cuban” beats.

Part 4 is a recap of the main theme for street-dancing.

Listen to the MassKara Festival music below as well as the music from previous MassKara festivals.

MassKara Festival History

MassKara Festival is a celebration of the resilience of the Negrenses.

MassKara Festival has become an icon for Bacolod City as the City of Smiles. It is considered as the happiest and most colorful festival in the Philippines but beyond the colorful mask and lively dance, is a sad story which was a turning point in the history of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

Filipinos are inherently resilient as a people, largely due to the country’s geographic location. Nature placed the Philippines right smack into the path of typhoons and along the Pacific ring of fire so Filipinos really do not have a choice but to adapt. Resilience became part of the national psyche of the Filipinos. There’s no place in the world where you can see people smiling even if they lost their homes during a typhoon.

Negros Sugar Crisis

Aside from natural disasters, Filipinos also have its own share of human induced disasters. The 1980s was particularly one of the most challenging times for Negros Occidental. The province was reeling from the effects of the sugar crisis and it was taking its toll on the Negrenses. With a mono-crop economy and 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.

Don Juan Tragedy

For an archipelago of 7,641 islands, sea travel is one of the widely used means of transportation and the Philippines has its own share of some of the worst sea mishaps recorded.

One of the most devastating maritime accidents in the Philippines was the Don Juan tragedy. 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. An estimated 700 lives were lost in the Don Juan tragedy which was probably one of the darkest times in the history of Negros Occidental.

Negrense Resilience

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. But despite his personal grief, he was leading his constituents in Bacolod in facing their loss with great courage and dignity.

While most Philippine festivals celebrate 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 Negrenses.