Masskara has come a long way. From its simple beginnings to what is now known as one of the country’s most colorful fiestas, the festival has always been a favorite among the tourists and photographers.
Some thirty years ago, the world sugar prices dropped to its record low. And because of this, the monocrop sugarcane industry of Negros Occidental was badly hit.
In 1979 Negros Navigation’s MV Don Juan collided with another ship and sank. During its time there were no flights to Bacolod yet, and the only way to travel to the country’s capital is via Negros Navigation’s ships.
A lot of the society’s who’s who became part of that death toll statistics. Hundreds perished in the sinking of the ship.
The Sugar crisis and the sinking of the MV Don Juan were so tragic that has left a lot of people hopeless and has drawn sad marks on their faces.
But the artists in Bacolod were unfazed at this grim reality. They thought of wearing smiling masks and dance around the city. In a way, to hide their sad faces, but also at the same time, to inspire others to move on. It was their way of saying that their is still sunshine for the Bacoleños.
Dancing on the street with smiling masks became a hit. Thus, Masskara Festival was born.
Masskara is a combination of two words “Mass” meaning many, and from the Spanish word “Cara” meaning faces. MassKara literally means “Multitude of Faces”, smiling faces that its.
It has indeed come a long long way. Back then, masks were only made of papier mache, costumes were very simple. But thirty years later, masks are now 2 and a half kilos heavier, made of fiberglass, embedded with beads, sequins, and fine laces. Costumes are more colorful, designs are very intricate, and more durable. From a simple one-day streetdancing affair, Masskara has now evolved into a three day streetdancing competition and the organizers have also introduced the Electric Masskara, the night version of the city’s popular fiesta.
After sharing sweet smiles to the people of Bacolod and to the tourists, Masskara has also shared it sweet smiles by performing in other cities like Manila, Cebu, Tacloban, Isabela, Iloilo and to as far as Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Japan, and Korea.
This year is a landmark year for Masskara as it celebrates her 30th year. Thousands were expected to troop the City of Smiles. A lot of Bacoleños were also expected to return home for the fiesta celebration. This year’s Masskara Festival was slated October 1-19, 2009
And so it happened. The 30th year of Masskara Festival has been a success. I could only hope that the smiles would continue to be sweet if not sweeter.
Check out the Photo slideshow I did featuring the Music of the Masskara 1998
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