Filipinos celebrate festivals all year-round. The MassKara Festival, which happens every October in Bacolod City, stands out with a meaningful history behind it. This was what I discovered when I visited the city for the popular festival.
When I arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, I knew I was in the City of Smiles with the warm welcome I received from the locals. Staff at the information desk assisted me to where the vans were parked. I opted to ride a van since it's cheaper than the taxis. You will however share the van with 10 to 12 other passengers. Van fare is Php 150 per person while the taxi fare is Php 400-500 (they charge a fixed rate). The taxi ride is only advisable when you're in a group of four or more.
The ride from the airport to Bacolod City took about 45 minutes. For a first-timer, it's essential to visit the tourism office, the gatekeeper of every place's treasures.
After leaving my things in the Check Inn Pension in Luzuriaga St., I went to the Bacolod City Tourism Office in San Juan St., which is just about 50 meters away.
The staff of the Silver MassKara Festival Organization introduced me to festival director Eli Tajanlangit and learned why the MassKara is a unique Philippine festival.
MassKara is a fusion of two words: Mass (which means multitude or many) and Kara (a Spanish word for "face"). Hence, MassKara means a mass or multitude of smiling faces. And why the smiling masks?
"As a people, we have this fantastic ability to hide our feelings. We can smile through adversity," said Tajanlangit.
Unlike other Philippine festivals, the MassKara festival is celebrated not because of religion or legend. Tajanlangit related that the festival was born because of a depression that befell the sugar industry in the 1980s.
"Looking back at how it started, we celebrate (the festival) as a collective declaration of hope against all odds. MassKara is very Bacolod because for no reason, we celebrate, we party. That's us as a people. Whatever happens, we will survive as a people," said Tajanlangit, who has organized the yearly festival since 2004.
True enough, Lacson Street, also known as the Tourism Strip, was transformed into one big party place at night.
But besides the party, the street dances along Araneta Avenue in downtown Bacolod were the best. I've seen the colorful masks in pictures but seeing it for real was a splendid experience.
Bacoleños moved to the beat with pride and joy wearing their intricately designed masks and costumes. It's amazing to see how they carried themselves amid the crowd, weather, and heavy costumes.
Indeed, the meaning of the MassKara Festival ran deep in their veins. It's smiling through adversity and being proud as a people.
Things you shouldn't miss in Negros Occidental
1. Eating authentic inasal (chicken barbecue) at Manokan Country in Rizal St near SM Bacolod City.
2. Tasting the sweetness of Negros at Calea's Cakes, 14th Street adjacent to L'Fisher Hotel along Lacson Street. Must-try: Choco Semi Freido (ice cream cake).
3. Getting a glimpse of the province's history at the Negros Museum at Gatuslao Street.
4. Hearing mass at the San Sebastian Cathedral, which was built in 1876.
5. Jogging in the Provincial Lagoon Park, which is in front of the Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental bldg,
6. Capturing the beauty of The Ruins at Talisay City (20 minutes away from Bacolod City) with your camera. Visit it in the afternoon when the sun is about to set and you'll be amazed by the magic that it exudes.
7. Traveling back in time by visiting the heritage houses (Balay Negrense, Hofilena House, Jalandoni House) in Silay City, which is 40 minutes away from Bacolod City.
8. Taking home with you the sweet delicacies of Bacolod (Napoleones, Barquillos, Piaya). Where to buy: Bong-Bong's, Merci's, Pendy's.
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