MassKara Festival 2012 Schedule
Posted by on February 15, 2012
Planning to go to Bacolod this MassKara Festival 2012? This year Bacolod City Philippines will be celebrating the 33rd edition of the world famous festival of the smiling masks.
Every year, Bacolod celebrates the annual MassKara Festival where hundreds of dancers dressed in colorful costumes, wear smiling masks and dance in the street with live drum beats. Since last year, MassKara music has already been changed from taped music blazing through large sound boxes to live drum beats, which made the street dancing even more inviting.
The Festival started in the early 80′s when the price for sugar dropped in the world market. Negros Occidental, being a the largest producer of sugar in the Philippines was greatly affected. Add to that a ship of Negros Navigation MV Don Juan sank killing hundreds of Bacolenos.
Local artists thought of ways to hide the sad look in the faces of the locals and to give them motivation to go on and continue with their lives despite the crisis and tragedy that hit the province. The artists thought of wearing smiling masks and would danced in the street. Thirty three years later it has now become the world famous MassKara Festival.
This year, the Festival will be celebrated October1-21. The three week xtravaganza would peak on October 20-21 during the streetdancing competition where locals would dance along the Araneta Street wearing glittering costumes and colorful masks.
October 20 – Streetdancing Competition Schools Category
October 21 – Streetdancing Competition Barangay Category
Book for your cheap fares now, or make your hotel reservations now and experience the happiest festival in the Philippines! You can check the list of Hotels in Bacolod here
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE! Thsi page will be updated with detailed schedule once it is available.
Check out the video performance of Brgy 17, Masskara Festival 2011 Best in Choreography, overall First Runner-up and the Photographers’ Choice Winner.
Hi! anu/sino po yung source nio nung dates ng street dancing? (oct 20-21) I really want to see the festival and i want to avail airfare promos hehe tnx very much
its confirmed dates, from the festival organizers.
Hi, Enrico! I am one of your subscribers. It’s always fun experiencing the various Philippine tourist spots and food destinations through your posts.
This year, I want to tick off Bacolod Masskara Fest from my bucket list. Knowing that many tourists also wish to witness this event, I plan to arrange my trip this early. Hence, my question: How reliable is the information about October 20-21 being the schedule for the streetdancing competitions? The webpage of Edsa Shangri-La [http://www.shangri-la.com/en/manila/edsashangrila/about/local-guide/events-calendar] lists October 14 as the festival date. I wouldn’t want to miss out on all the fun. Please advise whether it’s a good idea to start booking for your posted dates. Thanks! =)