What to do in Bacolod during Masskara 2011: A handy guide to first time visitors in Bacolod City

Three months to go and , Bacolod City will officially open the Masskara Festival 2011. The fiesta celebration is held month-long with various activities held daily. Here’s a handy guide for the first timers to survive the Masskara 2011:

1. Book your Hotel rooms NOW – If you already got your plane ticket, well and good. But how about hotel room? Hotels and all other accommodations in Bacolod are fully booked during the Masskara Festival season. Finding room during the highlights is like finding a needle in a haystack. You may check the list of Bacolod Hotels here. Best to contact them in advance. I

2. Bring light clothing – The Masskara Festival streetdance competition normally starts at 1:30 in the afternoon. Streetdancers garbed in colorful costumes and elaborate masks are dancing under the scorching heat of the sun. Tshirt and shorts are OK. Apply sunblock! Bring a hat! But do not be all to complacent. Check the weather. If unsure, better bring a jacket. Last year’s celebrations were rained, thanks to the typhoon that passed by the Visayas area.

3. Dont forget to rehydrate! – Bring bottled water, enough to keep you hydrated all day long.

4. Which event should you attend? A lot of activities are lined up leading to the highlights week. Be sure which event you should attend and know where its going to be held. A Schedule of Masskara 2011 can be found here. For first timers, what shouldn’t be missed are the Electric Masskara along Lacson Street, The world-famous Masskara Streetdance Contest, and the Oct18 Countdown to Charter Street party.

5. Where to watch the street dance? This depends on your purpose. If you’ll just be watching the event, I suggest you position anywhere between Araneta-Libertad Street up to the Bacolod City Hall. This area is partly shaded so you wont get much sunburn. Just come to the street very early.

If you are going to take photos, go to the assembly area AN HOUR ahead of the street dance schedule. this can give you ample time to take portrait shots and you can also get to see some dancers while they’re still not stressed and some are not yet wearing their colorful masks. You can also see some last minute preparations here.

If you wish to take an action shot, you may position in front of Rizal Elementary School in Araneta-Libertad Street. Another good spot is in front of Lopue’s San Sebastian along Araneta-San Sebastian Street. And lastly, in front of the City Hall. These areas are normally designated as judging areas so expect an adrenaline pumping performance in this area.

For the ultimate experience, you may want to try your luck at the final judging area inside the Public Plaza. Media ID is required though. ID requests can be coursed through the Masskara Organizing committee. Their office is located at the BAY Center. Last year a fee of P500 is collected for each ID request.

7. At night, walk along the Festival Strip. During the Festival season, the stretch of Lacson street  fromthe intersection of 1st street to 21st street is closed to all sorts of transportation.  The whole stretch is converted into a one big party place! At night local foods are sold along the streets. Big name restos also have booths set up along Lacson in order for the revelers to experience the best Ilonggo food, Masskara-style. Large stages are also set up in several intersection where bands play live music. The night version of the Masskara Festival known as the Electric Masskara is also held at the festival Street.

6. Bacolod is all about Food, food, and more FOOD! Visiting Bacolod will never be complete without enjoying its gastronomic delights! From the sweet kakanin of Quan, pastries and cakes of Calea and Felicia’s. Mouth-watering Inasal of manukan Country, Aromatic blend of Kuppa Coffee and so much more. Check out my old list of Where to Eat in Bacolod here

7. Masskara is only in the afternoon, go somewhere else in the morning! – This is what I normally do every October. Tour my friends in The Ruins and Silay City in the morning before heading out in the streets for the Masskara Streetdance in the afternoon. There are a lot of options. You may take brunch in Palmas del Mar Bacolod or in El Ideal Bakery in Silay, among others. We did this to maximize our stay in Bacolod. You can check out my list here on What to do in Bacolod

8. Leave all your valuables at home. Bacolod will be very crowded during its final week. lots of locals going out + foreign tourists + visitors from Manila + people from nearby Iloilo crossing the Guimaras Strait. the number of people is just so crazy. So leave those glitzy jewelries at home. Don’t bring them to Bacolod. The City of Smiles is a peaceful place, but we just can’t be complacent and we just cant be so trusting to anybody. Take care of your wallets. don’t bring large amount of cash with you all the time.

9. Take a side trip! an extra day or two in Bacolod can bring more adventure to you! A day trip to Iloilo or an overnight stay in Guimaras is possible. Or one could take an overnight stay in Mambukal for some quiet moments at the foot of Mount Kanlaon. The beaches in Southern Negros especially in Sipalay is just superbly stunning.

 

10. Before you say bye bye to the City of Smiles, get some Pasalubong! Here’s a handy guide on where to get your Pasalubong in Bacolod

Lastly, Enjoy enjoy enjoy! Masskara, after all it’s is a fiesta! It’s a time for celebration. And a time to smile and leave all worries behind.