Masskara Festival

One of the most celebrated festivals in the Philippines is the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City held every October. This marks the Charter Day celebration of the city which highlights the culture, products and the best of Bacolod City – from food, fashion to urban living. Hailed as one of the “Most Livable City” in the Philippines, Bacolod may not be as progressive as Manila and Cebu but it offers locals and tourist as well the best of dining at a cheaper price, low crime rates and a peaceful urban living.

Masskara Festival starts October 1 and ends on the 19th with its closing salvo held usually the closest Sunday to the 19th. This showcases the best of both local and national artists with successive shows and fireworks display usually every night when all the locals are done with their daily activities and ends up with the crowning of the Masskara Queen and the final dance and mask competition.

Masskara Festival is similar to the Mardi Gras of New Orleans and Rio de Janiero, Brazil. What makes Masskara unique is that this is one if not the only festival in the Philippines that is celebrated not in honor of a saint but purely merry-making as reflected by the smiles in each mask.

Masskara Festival was conceptualized to conceal the Negrenses suffering and recessing economy due to the fall of the sugar industry – which is the major product of the province – in the 70s. The effort was good enough for the celebration generated revenue needed by the government and also gave alternative jobs to locals.

Today, the Masskara Festival in its grandest is one of the major tourist attractions in the Philippines every October and the city is celebrating its 30th year.