Unveiling the Smiles of Bacolod: A Guide to the Masskara Festival
Nestled in the heart of the Visayan Islands, Bacolod City in the Philippines comes alive every fourth Sunday of October with a vibrant explosion of color, music, and revelry known as the MassKara Festival. This annual spectacle, touted as the "City of Smiles'" crown jewel, is more than just a party; it's a testament to the city's resilience, artistry, and unwavering zest for life.
A Festival Born from Resilience
The MassKara Festival's origins trace back to a hardship in the 1980s. The sugar industry, the lifeblood of Negros Occidental, where Bacolod is situated, experienced a crippling downturn. Coupled with the tragic sinking of the MV Don Juan ferry, the city grappled with immense economic and emotional despair.
In the face of adversity, Bacolod's creative spirit shone throug...