Thousands gathered on the first weekend of Bacolod City’s grandest MassKara Festival yet.
An estimated 45,000 individuals gathered to witness the MassKara Grand Countdown Salubong despite the drizzling Friday night, Oct. 11, at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC).
The celebration featured various colorful dance performances, games, local bands, and the presentation of the 15 Miss Bacolod MassKara candidates.
Popular pop-rock band December Avenue serenaded the jam-packed crowd with their hits Dahan, Eroplanong Papel, Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw, Sa Ngalan ng Pag-Ibig, setting the tone for the annual celebration.
Mayor Albee Benitez led the opening of the 45th MassKara Festival with dazzling performances from MassKara dancers and Elektroika divas.
“Let’s enjoy the MassKara Festival. We have many activities lined up for this year’s celebration,” he said.
BCPO director Colonel Joeresty Coronica cited that this year’s festival had a bigger crowd due to the expanded festival site, to include the newly-opened carnival at the BCGC area.
No untoward incident was reported.
“We hope this month-long event will end peacefully and successfully. We are asking people to cooperate and be vigilant while enjoying the festival,” he added.
Biggest crowd yet
An estimated crowd of 100,000 spectators gathered to witness TJ Monterde’s performance, marking a record-breaking event during the ongoing MassKara Music Festival at the BGC on Oct. 12.
Coronica, who was onsite to oversee security, revealed that the crowd surpassed the numbers seen during the festival’s grand opening countdown.
The night became even more memorable when a couple took the spotlight during TJ Monterde’s performance of “Palagi”, with a heartwarming proposal that touched the audience.
The festival continues with highly anticipated performances from SB19, Piolo Pascual, TJ with KZ Tandingan, Flow G, and Skusta Clee, among others.
MassKara events makeover
Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF) also teased on improvements on these year’s festival highlight events.
The sapphire Miss Bacolod MassKara will be crowned on Oct. 19 at St. La Salle Coliseum with pre-pageant competitions leading to the coronation.
Local and international chefs are set to battle it out in the 2nd MassKaNamit from Oct. 15-17 at SMX Convention Center.
Also part of the MassKaNamit attraction is the food crawl offered all over Bacolod City in its four festival sites, partner restaurants, and food centers.
The MassKarade Ball will be held at Roy’s Hotel Convention Center on Oct. 25.
The streets of Megaworld’s The Upper East going to BGC will once again light up as the MassKara Elekroika Diva candidates punctuate the colorful floats Electric MassKara on Oct. 26.
The thoroughfares of Bacolod will be filled with colors and lively music on the last day of the festival on Oct. 27 for the street and arena dance competition.
Throughout the 17 days of festivities, the Bacolod City government, organizers, and partners have prepared activities that will surely entice locals, visitors, and tourists alike to join in the merriment. | BYF photos
