Massskara Festival opens today
The Masskara festival has represented the country in some major festivals in Asia
The Masskara Festival logo.
The 29th Masskara Festival will be declared open today by no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
This is the first time in the festival's history that the President of the Republic will grace the opening of the festival.
The 2008 Masskara Festival will revolve around its theme "Bacolod, City of the World", which will celebrate the rise of Bacolod in the global map during its 70 years as a chartered city.
The now world-renowned Masskara Festival of Bacolod City started as "just another activity" to spice up an otherwise routine civic-military parade, awarding ceremonies and literary-musical program in the celebration of the city's charter anniversary, according to Bacolod City Tourism Officer Imogene S Kana-an.
A colorful revelry is Masskara Festival's
trademark.
It was also said that the Masskara Festival was instituted to promote a time of happiness to a down trodden people of Negros Occidental.
The Masskara festival has represented the country in some major festivals in Asia, notably in Chinggay Festival in Singapore in 1996, the Lunar Festival of Hongkong in 2001, in the International Tourism Festival of Shamghai in 2004, in the Midosuji Festival Parade of Osaka, Japan, and in the Andong International Folk Art and Mask Dance Festival 2008 held Sept. 26, at Andong City, South Korea.
During the 8th National Association of Tourism Officers Convention in Camarines Sur last year, Masskara Festival was awarded second best tourism event in the Philippines in the Chartered City Category.
A display of agility.
This year's Masskara festival would have a different set-up from previous years because the city will be celebrating a milestone 70th Charter Annivery which will be a big event.
Mayor Evelio R Leonardia said further that it will be a very rare celebration as it may be the first time that the Masskara festival will culminate in the celebration of the Charter Anniversary on October 19 which falls on a Sunday.