MassKara Festival 2012

Photo credit to The MassKara Festival official website

MassKara Festival actually has a "sad" history. Bacolod in 1980's went through a double crisis. First, the primary agricultural crop ofthe province, sugar cane was at its lowest in profit when sugar products from the USA arrived the country. Second, April of that same year an inter-island vessel carrying a lot of Negrenses collided with a tanker from Tacloban City that took several hundreds of lives. But the people of Bacolod was strong and determined that according to Wikipedia-

"In the midst of these tragic events, the city's artists, local government and civic groups decided to hold a festival of smiles, because the city at that time was also known as the City of Smiles. They reasoned that a festival was also a good opportunity to pull the residents out of the pervasive gloomy atmosphere. The initial festival was therefore, a declaration by the people of the city that no matter how tough and bad the times were, Bacolod City is going to pull through, survive, and in the end, triumph."

Wow, what an inspiring history of bravery to everyone. That no matter how life seems uncontrollable, we should always have the heart to keep going and not letting ourselves trapped by old and painful memories. Masscara Festival is held every third week of October. It is one of the most colorful festivals the country has and a major tourist attraction of Bacolod. Just to give you a background of its word origination MassKara is coined from two words: Mass, which means “many, or multitude,” and Kara, a Spanish word for “face”. 

It is a pity I will visit Bacolod, a city known for its great food, warm smiles, and happy people a few days before the MassKara Festival 2012 is going to happen. I hope to see a bit of it when I go there. To those who are planning or surely going to see the MassKara Festival 2012, you may visit the official website here

MassKara Festival 2012 schedule


SEP 24
Mon 6:00 pm
Screening for GMA DanssKara: The MassKara Dance Showdown @ SM City Events Centre

OCT 1
Mon 1
 Opening of the Festival sites @ Bacolod Public Plaza (all-day)
2 Opening of Carnival sites @ SM City (all-day)
4:00 pm
DepEd Annual Division Athletic and Cultural Meet @ Bacolod Public Plaza
7:00 pm
Opening of 2012 MassKara Festival (with fireworks after) @ Bacolod Public Plaza
8:00 pm
GMA DanssKara: The MassKara Dance Showdown (Eliminations) @ Bacolod Public Plaza @ Bacolod Public Plaza

OCT 5
Fri
MassKara Art Weekend (all-day)
7:00 pm
Unveiling: Majika MassKara 9: Ang Bukid Kag Baybay sa Bacolod @ Bacolod Public Plaza

OCT 6
Sat
MassKara Art Weekend (all-day)
5:00 pm
Opening: LCC Giant MassKara Puppets Replica Exhibits @ Ground Floor, LCC Rizal Main Gate
6:00 pm
MassKara Queen Talent Night @ SM City Events Centre
6:00 pm
Opening: 9D – A Visual Arts Exhibit by the MassKara 9 @ Orange Gallery, Art District

OCT 7
Sun
MassKara Art Weekend (all-day)
6:00 pm
Installation: Majika MassKara floats in host venues

OCT 12
Fri
12:00 pm
i-Witness DocuFest wth GMA News and Public Affairs personalities @ SM City Event Centre
4:00 pm
MassKara Queen Ramp Modeling & Interview @ SM City Events Centre

OCT 13
Sat
4:00 pm
MassKara Queen Fantasy Make-up @ Robinsons Place fountain area
5:00 pm
Little Miss MassKara (pageant night) @ SM City Events Centre

OCT 14
Sun
Dog Show @ 888 Chinatown Square mall (all-day)
7:30 am
DepEd Cultural Contest @ BAYS Center
5:00 pm
MassKara Preview: A Fashion Show of MassKara Streetdancing Costumes @ Bacolod Public Plaza

OCT 18
Thu
7:00 pm
MassKara Queen Coronation Night @ University of Saint La Salle coliseum

OCT 19
Fri
6:00 pm
Electric MassKara Day 1: Lights Up, Music On @ Tourism Strip
7:00 pm
“Pagkilita-ay, Pakita-ay” parade kicks off from various parts of Bacolod
9:00 pm
Floats converge @ Tourism Strip, Lacson Street

OCT 20
Sat
2:00 pm
2012 National Dog Agility Competition (K9 Obedience Club of Negros) @ Tay Tung Gym
3:00 pm
Streetdance – Schools Category From Libertad Araneta to Bacolod Public Plaza @ Bacolod Public Plaza
4:00 pm
Kapuso Mall Show @ SM City Event Centre
4:00 pm
MassKara Arena Competitions (Schools) @ Bacolod Public Plaza
6:00 pm
Electric MassKara Day 2: Lights Up, Music On @ Tourism Strip
8:00 pm
Electric MassKara Performing Float Competitions Kick off at SM Rizal
9:00 pm
Electric MassKara Floats converge @ Tourism Strip, Lacson Street
10:30 pm
Cosplay on the Glow: The ABS-CBN/ MOR 101.5 Electric Cosplay competition @ Tourism Strip, Lacson Street

OCT 21
Sun
3:00 pm
Streetdance – Barangay Category From Libertad Araneta to Bacolod Public Plaza @ Bacolod Public Plaza
4:00 pm
MassKara Arena Competitions (Barangays) @ Bacolod Public Plaza
6:00 pm
Electric MassKara Day 3 @ Tourism Strip
7:00 pm
Winners’ Showdown Electric MassKara float competition
9:00 pm
Luminous Theatre: The GMA Electric DanssKara
OCT 22
Mon
7:00 pm
MassKara Festival Closing Ceremonies/DanssKara Grand Finals/Kapuso Night