Melo Villareal
Masskara Festival 2018 Schedule and Highlights
Bacolod City, Philippines – The annual Masskara Festival livens and always bring faces to the people of Bacolod and tourists who come to witness it. If you like to be thrilled with colorful costumes, beauty pageants, street dances and of course, street foods then you must witness this festival held every October!
About Masskara Festival
The word Masskara comes from the words ‘mass’ (people) and the Spanish word ‘cara’ which means face. The late artist Ely Santiago combined the two words to form Masskara. The festival originated in 1980 when about 750 lives (many of whom were Negrenses) were taken due to a tragedy at the sea. It was at that sorrowful event that the then mayor of Bacolod initiated the festival to put back the smiles in his people’s faces. Hence, the Masskara Festival was born.
Masskara Festival is a colorful and loud yearly event that brings people from the province and tourists together to enjoy a happy celebration.
Masskara Festival 2018 Schedule and Highlights
- October 8 – Opening Event of the Festival
- October 26 – Competition for the Electric MassKara Performing Floats
- October 27 – School Category for Dance and Arena Competitions Electric Masskara Performing Floats Competition Street
- October 28 – Barangay Category for Electric MassKara Street Dance and Arena Competitions
2018 Official MassKara Festival Schedule of Events
Festival Highlights
The highlights of the festival will be held on October 28 which is the last Sunday of the month of October. It’s where everyone can see the much-awaited Masskara wearing Negrenses from the local barangays.
How to Get to Bacolod City
The easiest way to get to Bacolod is by plane with about 1 ½ travel time. PAL and Cebu Pacific have daily flights from Manila to Bacolod. RO-RO bus ride is another way to go to Bacolod from Manila although this can take too much time.
Things to do in Bacolod
Bacolod is a touristy place and with that, it means that there are plenty of things to do. Some of the places to visit are Negros Museum, San Sebastian Cathedral lagoon, Bandstand, Panaad Park and Stadium and Pope John Paul II Tower.
Eating Mang Inasal in Bacolod is a must but there are other local delicacies to be tried too. Health conscious tourists can go to Organic Farm Tours. For some heritage tour, going to Balay Negrense, Cinco de Noviembre Marker, and San Diego Pro-Cathedral can prove to be educational and a worthwhile experience.
Also Read:
- The Negros Museum in Bacolod City
- Church of the Angry Christ in Victorias City, Negros Occidental
- Balay Negrense Museum in Silay City
- Authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal at Manokan Country
- The Bernardino Jalandoni Museum
Where to Stay in Bacolod City
Some of the accommodations that tourists can choose from are The Inns Bacolod by The Oriental, Avenue Suites and Palmas del Mar Conference Resort Hotel.
- Avenue Suites Bacolod City Review
- Top 5 Hotels in Bacolod City
- List of affordable hotels and resorts in Bacolod via Agoda
Also Read:
- Tacloban City Travel Guide
- Camiguin Travel Guide
- Siquijor Travel Guide
- Top 10 Festivals to Look Out For In the Philippines
