MassKara Festival

 MassKara Festival in the Philippines

    One of the largest celebrations in the Philippines is the MassKara Festival held in Bacolod City. Unbelievably, for more than 30 years, the festival has allowed both domestic and foreign guests to enjoy themselves, enjoy a drink, and party on Bacolod's streets.

The MassKara Festival was formed out of a crisis and dates back to the 1980s. This was the period when alternatives entered the market and drove the price of sugar, the province's primary source of income, to an all-time low. This led to one of the greatest famines in the nation's history, which is estimated to have affected a million people. It was also the period of a catastrophic ferry disaster that largely included residents of the province, including members of well-known Bacolod families.

The MassKara Festival was established with the intention of cheering up the community and restoring smiles to the faces of its residents. The residents of Bacolod City made a statement with their happy masks: they will overcome the difficulties and tragedies they are suffering. Under the direction of Rodney Martinez, the Arts Association of Bacolod-Negros held workshops in the Negros area where they taught the locals how to create masks out of paper mâché and coconut husks.

These masks weren't initially intended for a festival that they had not yet conceived; rather, they were made just to sell to tourists and make money. The vibrant masks made by the locals were allegedly intended to draw attention from international tourists and serve as a trademark memento of the area.

The Unique and Captivating Masked Designs

At MassKara Festival, masks are more than simply accessories—they are an art form, and this is a distinguishing feature. You'll be astounded by the inventiveness on exhibit as each mask narrates a tale.

Masks fashioned of various materials, including paper mache, coconut husks, beads, feathers, and sequins, are on display throughout the celebration. There was even a mannequin in the hotel where I was staying, decked out in a colorful mask and headpiece.

The smiling faces adorning the masks represent the hope and resiliency of the Bacolod people, who have persevered through several hardships and tragedies in the past.

Costumes Made

An elaborate and colorful costume worn at the annual MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, Philippines, is known as a masskara festival costume. A headpiece, mask, and full-body suit are usually included in the costume, all of which are embellished with beads, sequins, and other materials.

The event's bright atmosphere and ability to draw visitors from both domestic and foreign countries are greatly enhanced by the costumes worn during the Masskara festival. They have come to symbolize the perseverance and joy of the Filipino people and have come to symbolize Bacolod. The event was first established in the 1980s in an effort to improve people's spirits following a string of catastrophic disasters.