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So, you know about the Rio Carnival and the Venice Carnival, right? But imagine them amalgamated into one. All you see is a blur bright, bold and neon colours left, right and centre. In any direction you look there are outrageously feathered headdresses, sparkling costumes and many smiling faces - literally. You hear music and laughter as if you're right beside the surround sound speakers and everything is amplified by 100 and then some. But then comes that feeling of joy that wraps itself around you and clouds you with the same jollity as everyone else - then you remember why you're there in the first place.
As much of a celebration and party the MassKara Festival may be as it is known in this generation, it initially began as a way to uplift the spirits of the Negrenses and Bacoleños.
Slowly during the 70s, sugar alternatives were being developed meant the demand for real sugar began to decline. Prior to this, sugarcane was Philippines' significant export product. The fall of the cost of sugar hit rock bottom in 1980, heavily impacting Bacolod's economy as they were a large producer of sugarcane at the time. Many farmers and villagers were at a loss for a source income.
The depression of the people continues on April 22, 1980. The ship MV Don Juan, which was known for its record cruising speed of cutting a trip from Manila to Bacolod 4 - 5 times shorter, met its untimely demise when M/T Tacloban City of the Philippine National Oil Company crashed into the vessel. Many travellers were trapped in their cabins as the ship slowly descended deeper into the Tablas Strait. At least 700 citizens were known to have been died that day.
To make any means for money, artists began teaching the people how to make papier mache masks that they could sell to tourists. Eventually the people found solace in the faces of the masks which eventually led to the creation of the MassKara festival.
The first and original MassKara festival was considered not as extravagant and the masks were not necessarily smiling, yet it was still a slow successful coping mechanism for the citizens to get over the tragedy of the city. The government quickly saw the potential of the festival to bring back the joy of the people and the city, and since the 80s has led the festival to be the largest attractions in the Philippines for 39 years - celebrating its 40th year this month! And this year the festival runs from October 8th to October 27th.
Want to know more about the MassKara festival? Check out the official MassKara Festival site here.
Hope you enjoyed this blog on the origins of the MassKara festival! We have more posts coming up this month but if you have any suggestions and submissions, you are most welcome to share them with us. And make sure to follow us on IG @malyaritribe