A Masskara Adventure
Congressman John Orola displays the
masskara..
Bacolod's Masskara fever came to its full height last October 17-19, 2008. Across the stage where the Masskara queen was to be proclaimed was a street party that surpassed last year's celebration. It was a party that didn't need invitations or a dress code, nor was there an age limit for the guests; and the venue spanned 15 or so blocks along Lacson Street and the Bacolod City Public Plaza. It was a party I wanted to attend, not knowing it would be an adventure as well.
The Public Plaza was filled with people walking around, hanging out, eating, drinking, and checking out merchandise sold in every nook and cranny of the sidewalks. Gone were the loud monotone voices coming out from videoke bars, which was a better atmosphere compared to last year. The cops made sure they were visible, and so far, no untoward incident yet. The container-turned-lock-up-cell is still empty. That's a good sign.
Louie Martin, Rosendo and Pia Lopez,
Jay Jalandoni, Gerry Ledesma and
friends...
I checked out Lacson Street, starting at 20th Street. The street had become the sidewalk, as people were traversing in the middle of the road, while the restaurants moved out onto the sidewalk. Every so often you could see smoke and the smell of inasal or pork barbeque on a grill. Nobody was going to be thirsty here as drinks (soft or hard) were on sale every meter or so. I heard my name mentioned, so I stopped by at 21 Restaurant where Jack Gamboa had a table with his name on it on the resto's canopied sidewalk. He and wife, Mylene, were enjoying their drinks with Board Member Guding Lacson and wife, Sara. Inside the restaurant, the mood was as festive, even if the people were quite a distance from the concerts and the goings-on in the streets. I decided to continue my walk, stopping once in a while to say hello to friends who were watching from the sidelines, or to chat with friends who were walking up, down, left, or right. The festive fever must have caught on because everyone was smiling, and offering me something to eat or drink. There was no host for this party and yet, everyone felt welcomed.
Colorful dancer.
Right where the stage for the Masskara Queen was set, the street narrowed to make way for the stage and chairs for the audience of the pageant. The walking pace became slower, and people began to cram on one side of the street, trying to walk their way out. I was slowly inching my way to get to my destination, stuck in a sea of people, standing there shoulder to shoulder, and slowly feeling the evening heat creep up. Suddenly, someone calls me and I see a familiar face, and we start chatting and laughing away. The scenario was similar to being packed in a sardine can, and yet, the situation didn't dampen our festive mood. Nobody pushed or shoved, and everyone patiently waited in line until there was room to move even just an inch. Before I knew it, the crowd had loosened, the pace had gone faster, and we were out of the packed crowd across PNB. I had reached my destination at McDonalds and 5th Street. I had never walked this length of Lacson Street before, and realized it wasn't that long a walk after all. I even walked back to check out Kaisei's driveway, where they had a buffet spread. After my appetizer, I then jumped to my main course at the patio of the Bank of Commerce building, where the chefs of Sugarland Hotel were carving their roast beef.
I waited for the Electric Parade over at Café Uma/ Trattoria Uma. The parade was bigger and better this year, and the crowd seemed to swoop down on them to get a glimpse of their extraordinary costumes. Everyone was having a blast at the parade and the concerts. Spotted "enjoying" the night was a newborn baby wrapped and snuggled in her mother's arms. I did mention there was no age limit here, right?
Inside Trattoria Uma, the Capitolville Walking Group was celebrating Ricky Gonzaga's birthday. They were also deciding whether they should join the 5k Fun Run the next day or not. Makes you wonder how they can manage to wake up at 5AM for this event because they seemed to be enjoying the party and staying up later than usual. Rosendo Lopez and his lovely wife Pia were enjoying the concert of Michelle Gallaga, which had the crowd dancing till way past midnight.
Everyone was celebrating good times with smiles on their faces. I will never be able to count how many called me from their tables to invite me to their group, or share a drink, or eat, or talk. I cannot also count how many have smiled at me, even if I didn't know them. I saw friends whom I haven't seen for ages. The best part was that I met new friends. If the Masskara organizers were giving congeniality awards that night, it would be given to everybody! So my adventure ends with a realization that this "mood" wasn't because of the Masskara fever. It's simply our nature. It's just the way we are.