What is masskara festival?
The MassKara Festival is an annual festival held in Bacolod, Philippines, every October. It's a festival of smiles, celebrated with vibrant masks, elaborate costumes, street dancing, and music.
- Origin and Meaning: The name "MassKara" is a portmanteau of "mass" (meaning "many" or "multitude") and "kara" (meaning "face"), thus "many faces." The festival began in the 1980s during a period of economic hardship and tragedy in Negros Occidental. The festival was conceived as a way to uplift the spirits of the people and bring smiles to their faces amid adversity. The name is also a play on the word "mask," a prominent feature of the festival.
- Highlights: The festival's highlights include a street dance competition where participants wear colorful and smiling masks while dancing to the rhythm of Latin and local music. There are also various events such as beauty pageants, drum and bugle corps competitions, food festivals, and agricultural trade fairs.
- Masks: The masks are the most iconic symbol of the MassKara Festival. They are adorned with feathers, beads, sequins, and paint, and are always smiling. The smiling masks are meant to represent the resilience and optimism of the people of Bacolod.
- Significance: The MassKara Festival has become a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world. It's a celebration of the city's culture, history, and the unwavering spirit of its people.
- Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.