Bacolod Masskara Festival
2019 BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The highlights (street and arena dance) of the annual Bacolod Masskara Festival is set on 26-27 October 2019. 2019 is the 40th year of the celebration dubbed as, Ruby Masskara. So, If you are planning to witness this event, mark your calendar now.
Official Masskara Festival Schedule
ABOUT BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL
The Bacolod Masskara Festival is being celebrated every fourth Sunday of October. The word Masskara means a multitude of smiling faces which is the highlight of the festival, specifically featuring smiling faces of masks for the city is well-known as the city of smiles.
This was originally started in the year 1980 and is still being celebrated up to this present time. It emerged during a time of crisis. The locals rely on sugar cane as their primary source of living in the aspect of agriculture. Because of the trend of newly released high fructose corn syrup from the USA, the local business of the people became difficult so much so that they do not anymore earn their basic earnings just like before. Aside from that, it is also a tragic beginning since on the 22nd of April that same year, the inter-island vessel MV Don Juan with a lot of Negrenses passengers and the well-known families of Bacolod City collided with the tanker of the Tacloban City. Due to this, the MV Don Juan sank in Mindoro on its way to Bacolod coming from Manila. This tragic and unfortunate event took 750 lives in total. To uplift the spirit of the citizens and to once again create a lively spirit in town after the tragic events, the City Mayor Jose Montalvo proposed the beginning of the “Festival of Smiles” or commonly known nowadays as the Masskara festival.
The highlight of the Bacolod Masskara Festival is the street dance competitions. Locals per Barangay are free to form their respective groups and participate in the said competition. They will have to, of course, prepare for the majestic costumes and props, practice for a stunning choreography, and do all other effects to make their presentation exceptional.
Other activities also include the Masskara Queen, whereas locals will open a pageant competition. Women will vie for the crown, and the one who exhibits true Bacolodnon beauty and she will be hailed as the queen of the festival. Similarly, other small competitions are also simultaneously happening in all parts of the city. These are the agriculture-trade fairs, bugle corps tournament, carnivals, drums, food festivals, garden shows, musical concerts, and sports events.
Throughout the week of the celebration, people gather to the place to enjoy the non-stop activities which will surely make anyone dance and sing with joy! But if you are more of an observer than of a participant, you may opt to watch the other simple yet really enjoyable games prepared by the locals. Indeed, the Bacolod Masskara Festival is filled with a lot of enjoyable and entertaining activities which may be enjoyed by the visitors, both locals and foreigners. This is a world-class celebration prepared by people of Bacolod City. Make sure that as you go here, do not forget to bring your camera with you and be ready to capture the one of a kind smiles of the locals, living to its legacy as the City of Smiles!
HOW TO GET TO BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL
Please visit this page to know the various ways to get to Bacolod City. This link has detailed schedules of fast crafts and detailed bus schedules. Transportation Guide to Bacolod City
WHERE TO STAY DURING THE BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL
if you are planning to witness the Bacolod Masskara Festival, it would be best to book your hotel as early as you can. Hotels rooms may not be available anymore during the highlight week.
BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM HERE TO AVAIL THE BEST DEAL
Click here for the detailed list of Bacolod Hotels
WHERE TO EAT IN BACOLOD CITY
Food is one thing which the city is proud of. Numerous restaurants offer various cuisines are found all over the place.
Click here for the list of Bacolod City Restaurants
OTHER THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL VISIT ENJOYABLE, CLICK THE LINKS BELOW
Things to Do When Visiting Bacolod City and Negros Occidental
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Bacolod Masskara Festival
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Hi Masskara Festival,
Good day! I’m Jen Obenita from Hallohallo Entertainment/MNL48.
I’m under Ms. Paula Bringas formerly from Viva Records.
I would just like to inquire regarding your Masskara Festival this year. I’m just hoping if you are open to have an artist guesting.
The artists I’m handling now Ma’am is called MNL48. A franchise of Japan’s AKB48,
co-managed by AbsCbn/Showtime. We’re currently promoting their album(just released
this November).
After the success of their debut album, we recently launched
their newest album “Pag-ibig Fortune Cookie” on Showtime last Nov 30,2018.
Just last year ma’am we had a couple shows in smaller malls and we’re
surprised to have sold 128,176, 200 and 371 CDs. Their fans are looking for more and
we’re hoping to bring them to bigger mall venues.
The fan base that they have right now are the anime lovers, japan culture enthusiasts,
and also fans of AKB48—usually underground groups.
I’m really hoping you’ll be open to have a guest like our artist.
I also attached the profile of our artist and their recent music videos under
AbsCbn Starmusic for your reference.
Thanks Masskara Festival!
lacson st in Mandalagan bacolod city in front of L” Fisher Hotel meron din silang sariling street festival and masaya din, try niyo po masaya talaga doon, kasi po taga doon ako sa lugar na yan mismo.
Sna kmapagcompet yng masskara festival sa aliwan ,festival pra masya parati kmi nagdadasal na sna ma invite cla at pra masilayan man lng namin,kc naman iba tlaga pag andito cla,kmi at lhat ng tga maynila na bka sakali man lng silay masilayan d2,
drumbeat kasi yung aliwan… hindi bagay sa masskara festival ang drum beat para sayawan, music talaga ginagamit ng masskara… sinubukan dati ang drumbeat pero hindi maganda at masayang panoorin
please paki post ng highlights ng masskara festival 4th wekend ng october para makapag book na kami apat papuntang bacolod gusto namin ma witness ang masskara dance festival wala pa kasi ang sched sana meron na
MAY MASK MAKING SIR?
Hello! when are you going to publish 2017 masskara schedule?
And how to contact the organizer of this event?
usually the final schedule will be released every September
Is this a true schedule of masskara festival activities?
I doubt it, Friday Oct 21 tapos na? Wala event sa 22 and/or 23? Whatta Weekend!
Roi, the highlights will be on the 4th weekend of October. The details of the schedule is yet to be released.Please read the red text.
2017 detailed schedule is yet to be released.please read the red text.
hi sir jojo vito is there a masskara making contest for this year event?
Hi, Shiela, I don’t know yet….that will be announced just in case by September.
Wow those are amazing masks! Looks like a fun festival.
Masskara festival is one of the most-awaited events in the Philippines. I wish I could go there with the whole family to explore and to attend such events in Bacolod. Thanks for the heads up!
Omg now this looks like one awesome festival!!! I would love to attend!!!
This looks like such a festive festival! With so much happening and the obvious fun to be had, it’s definitely something to put on the calendar!
I never been in Bacolod and sounds a beautiful place to visit. I would love to go there and see the Masskara festival in live
I never been in Bacolod. But I want to go there if I have a chance and looks a fun Masskara festival.
So many awesome masks, very creatively done! I love how they styled and presented each one as well. It would be awesome to go here and just enjoy the show!
Oh wow what an amazing sounding and looking festival – I love the colours, I bet it is such a wonderful atmosphere when you are there. x
Bacolod’s Masskara Festival is always draws in a big crowd. Knowing that the current administration has huge plans for it this year excites me. It’s just too bad that I already have a trip planned the same time as this, but next year should be okay. I have always wanted to experience how we Pinoys do our festivals.