Have you ever been as far to Southeast Asia as the Philippines? If not, the month of October is a good a month to visit as any – because it’s when one of the most colorful local festivals is held: the MassKara Festival.
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In fact, huge festivals are celebrated almost year-round in this tropical archipelago. For the month of January, the Ati-Atihan Festival is held in the town of Kalibo, Aklan. The Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals are held in other parts of the Philippines are held in the same month.
Every February, the people at the country’s “Summer Capital” hold the annual Panagbenga Festival which is similar to the rose or flower parades in the US. The Moriones Festival is held in the island of Marinduque during Holy Week – and there’s also the Flores de Mayo, Santacruzan, Carabao Festival, Pahiyas, Lanzones, Higantes and a flurry of other festivals for the succeeding months.
However, let us focus our attention to the MassKara Festival held in Bacolod City. From Manila, you can travel to what is known as the “City of Smiles” with a 50-minute flight. Bacolod is the capital of Negros Occidental province, and it is one of the most culturally interesting places to visit in the Philippines.
First held in 1980, the name MassKara was coined from the words “mass” meaning a crowd of people – and the Spanish term ‘cara’ which means face. So when you get to join the festivities, you can delight in having a glimpse of a sea of smiling faces as people don their colorful, grinning masks.
When you decide to experience the MassKara Festival, you’ll be happy to know that the festivities last for an entire week. Book your flight early because even the locals from Manila and neighboring provinces flock to Bacolod City during the weekend which is nearest October 19. This date is Bacolod City’s charter anniversary.
If it’s your first time visiting the Philippines, you can sample what the local cuisine has to offer because there’s also a food festival and the ever-present street food that you can indulge in. Finally, the highlight of the entire celebration is the MassKara parade where participants vie for the grand prize for having the most colorful costumes and elaborately-painted smiling masks.
The nickname “City of Smiles” is definitely a well-earned moniker for the people of Bacolod. And there’s no better way to experience the warmth of the people and the colorful culture that they have than by participating in the week-long, fun-filled celebration at the MassKara Festival.
Negative RT-PCR test taken within 3 days prior to departure. For nasal swab test, it must be taken from ANY accredited laboratory. For Saliva Test, only those taken from Philippine Red Cross are accepted.
Round Trip ticket / travel details.
Confirmed booking at an accredited accommodation in Bacolod City.
Travel itinerary for the duration of stay in Bacolod.
BaCTrac Identification Card. To get a BaCTrac ID, sign up here: bactrac.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Online Health Declaration Form. Fill up the form here: tinyurl.com/bcdinbound
Returning Residents / Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIS)
Get a Notice of Coordination from the Office of Councilor Cindy Rojas. To make a request, email the following documents to spmcindyrojas@yahoo.com with the subject: LSI in (Address)
Negative RT-PCR Test from any accredited laboratory OR Saliva Test from Philippine Red Cross, taken within 3 days prior to departure.
BaCTrac Identification Card. To get a BaCTrac ID, sign up here: bactrac.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Online Health Declaration Form. Fill up the form here: tinyurl.com/bcdinbound
Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF)
Get a Notice of Acceptance from the Office of Councilor Israel Salanga. To send a request, submit the following requirements to israelsalanga.bcd@gmail.com.
Confirmed flight details to Bacolod.
Negative RT-PCR Test from any accredited laboratory OR Saliva Test from Philippine Red Cross, taken within 3 days prior to departure.
Passport with stamp upon arrival in the Philippines.
BaCTrac Identification Card. To get a BaCTrac ID, sign up here: bactrac.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Contact number and Address in Bacolod City.
For clarifications and other inquiries, you may call (034) 435-3604 or 09301337332 or 09616551745
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| MassKara Festival +2021 |
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What are the 5 MassKara Festival activities you must experience?
In fact, huge festivals are celebrated almost year-round in this tropical archipelago. For the month of January, the Ati-Atihan Festival is held in the town of Kalibo, Aklan. The Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals are held in other parts of the Philippines are held in the same month.
Every February, the people at the country’s “Summer Capital” hold the annual Panagbenga Festival which is similar to the rose or flower parades in the US. The Moriones Festival is held in the island of Marinduque during Holy Week – and there’s also the Flores de Mayo, Santacruzan, Carabao Festival, Pahiyas, Lanzones, Higantes and a flurry of other festivals for the succeeding months.
Quick Facts about the MassKara Festival
However, let us focus our attention to the MassKara Festival held in Bacolod City. From Manila, you can travel to what is known as the “City of Smiles” with a 50-minute flight. Bacolod is the capital of Negros Occidental province, and it is one of the most culturally interesting places to visit in the Philippines.
Why is it called MassKara Festival?
First held in 1980, the name MassKara was coined from the words “mass” meaning a crowd of people – and the Spanish term ‘cara’ which means face. So when you get to join the festivities, you can delight in having a glimpse of a sea of smiling faces as people don their colorful, grinning masks.
Week-Long Festivities at the MassKara Festival
When you decide to experience the MassKara Festival, you’ll be happy to know that the festivities last for an entire week. Book your flight early because even the locals from Manila and neighboring provinces flock to Bacolod City during the weekend which is nearest October 19. This date is Bacolod City’s charter anniversary.
Who invented MassKara Festival?
If you think that you will merely see a parade of people in smiling masks during the festival, there’s actually more to it than that. One of the most fun features of the MassKara Festival is the street dance competition. For this, people from all walks of life flock to the streets to dance along Latin music.
During the street dancing competition, disco kings and queens are proclaimed. There are also fun contests like pig catching, coconut milk drinking, pole climbing and the MassKara Queen beauty pageant.
During the street dancing competition, disco kings and queens are proclaimed. There are also fun contests like pig catching, coconut milk drinking, pole climbing and the MassKara Queen beauty pageant.
Why do we celebrate MassKara Festival?
The nickname “City of Smiles” is definitely a well-earned moniker for the people of Bacolod. And there’s no better way to experience the warmth of the people and the colorful culture that they have than by participating in the week-long, fun-filled celebration at the MassKara Festival.
Bacolod Tourism Guidelines 2021 | COVID-19 Updates
As of writing, Bacolod has reopened its doors to domestic tourists who are traveling for leisure purposes. But like other provinces in the Philippines, they have set certain guidelines for those who are entering the province.45 BC {alertSuccess}Tourists / Leisure Travelers
Negative RT-PCR test taken within 3 days prior to departure. For nasal swab test, it must be taken from ANY accredited laboratory. For Saliva Test, only those taken from Philippine Red Cross are accepted.
Round Trip ticket / travel details.
Confirmed booking at an accredited accommodation in Bacolod City.
Travel itinerary for the duration of stay in Bacolod.
BaCTrac Identification Card. To get a BaCTrac ID, sign up here: bactrac.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Online Health Declaration Form. Fill up the form here: tinyurl.com/bcdinbound
Returning Residents / Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIS)
Get a Notice of Coordination from the Office of Councilor Cindy Rojas. To make a request, email the following documents to spmcindyrojas@yahoo.com with the subject: LSI in (Address)
Negative RT-PCR Test from any accredited laboratory OR Saliva Test from Philippine Red Cross, taken within 3 days prior to departure.
BaCTrac Identification Card. To get a BaCTrac ID, sign up here: bactrac.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Online Health Declaration Form. Fill up the form here: tinyurl.com/bcdinbound
Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF)
Get a Notice of Acceptance from the Office of Councilor Israel Salanga. To send a request, submit the following requirements to israelsalanga.bcd@gmail.com.
Confirmed flight details to Bacolod.
Negative RT-PCR Test from any accredited laboratory OR Saliva Test from Philippine Red Cross, taken within 3 days prior to departure.
Passport with stamp upon arrival in the Philippines.
BaCTrac Identification Card. To get a BaCTrac ID, sign up here: bactrac.bacolodcity.gov.ph
Contact number and Address in Bacolod City.
For clarifications and other inquiries, you may call (034) 435-3604 or 09301337332 or 09616551745