J. Albert Gamboa l October 18, 2022 l Manila Bulletin
In yet another signal that the pandemic is almost over in the Philippines, the world-famous MassKara Festival of Bacolod City is back after a two-year absence. This year’s theme is “Balik Yuhum” which is the Hiligaynon term for “smile again.” Bacolod is known as the “City of Smiles” mainly due to the smiling masks worn during the MassKara – a colorful festival of dance, music, cuisine, tourism, and life in the capital of the country’s sugar industry.
Founded in October 1980 by the late Bacolod City Mayor Jose “Digoy” Montalvo Jr., the MassKara Festival was created as a diversion from two major tragedies that befell Negrenses that year: the sinking of the Negros Navigation ship MV Don Juan and the collapse of sugar prices in the international market. Montalvo’s wife, two daughters, and mother-in-law perished in that maritime accident along with hundreds of Bacolod residents.
According to Montalvo’s eldest child Marissa Corral, a sympathy visit by a group of artists from the Art Association of Bacolod (AAB) to then mayor’s house sparked the idea for the MassKara. Among its co-founders were former Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, who was then the city’s tourism officer; then Vice Mayor Roger Las Piñas; and AAB Director Ely Santiago, a cultural artist who coined the term MassKara to mean “many faces.”
The 2022 edition kicked off last September 30 with the “Grand MassKara Countdown” at the iconic Bacolod City Government Center led by newly-elected Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and his designated MassKara Festival Director, lawyer Pinky Mirano-Ocampo. The event featured singer and songwriter Rico Blanco of the legendary Rivermaya rock band prior to the fireworks display at midnight.
A unique “festival within a festival” happened last week at the Panaad Park and Stadium billed as the “1st MassKara sa Panaad” from October 10-16, 2022. It was spearheaded by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson and the provincial government of the so-called “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines.” All 32 local government units consisting of 13 cities and 19 municipalities showcased their products and festival dances at their respective pavilions. Like the MassKara, Negros Occidental’s Panaad Festival was also suspended for two years because of the pandemic.
Expected to draw 200,000 participants, the three-week MassKara Festival will be highlighted this weekend by the Electric MassKara Parade along the Lacson Tourism Strip; the 1st MassKara 80s Festival at The Upper East township of Megaworld Corp., which was the former sugar mill site of the Bacolod-Murcia Milling Co.; and the street dance/arena competition with a closing concert at the Paglaum Stadium.
NEGRENSE FOOD FAIR IN MAKATI
For those in Metro Manila who were not able to join this year’s MassKara, the first-ever Namit Namit Food Festival (NNFF) will be staged on November 4-6, 2022 at the Rockwell Plaza Drive in Poblacion, Makati City.
Eleven great Negrense food brands will be available at the al fresco area of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center Makati, including Café Bob’s, Roli’s Bakeshop, and JT’s Manukan. The inaugural NNFF is being organized by the University of St. La Salle Alumni Association-Manila Chapter in partnership with Rockwell Land Corp.
*** J. Albert Gamboa is a Life Member of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX). He is the Chairman of the FINEX Media Affairs Committee and the Editor-in-Chief of FINEX Digest. The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and the Manila Bulletin. #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph