MASSKARA FESTIVAL

WHAT IS
MASSKARA
FESTIVAL?
The term originated from the
words ‘mass’ which translates to
crowd and ‘kara’ which translates
to face. Hence, MassKara means
masks for many faces or the
crowd.
The event features people
wearing smiling masks,
spectacularly colorful
costumes, and special
accessories. Through all of
these, the event conveys a
message about being happy
despite facing many
challenges in life.
 ELY SANTIAGO

The name of the festival is credited to Ely

Santiago, the president of the Arts Association
of Bacolod. The festival began in 1980. It was
created in the context of a series of difficulties
and hardship in the island of Negros and the city
of Bacolod in particular under administration of
Ferdinand Marcos.
 WHERE AND WHEN DOES
MASSKARA FESTIVAL
CELEBRATED?

The MassKara Festival (Hiligaynon: Pista

sang MassKara, Filipino: Pista ng
MassKara) is an annual festival with
highlights held every 4th Sunday of
October[1][2] in Bacolod, Philippines. The
festival sites include the Bacolod Public
Plaza, the Lacson Tourism Strip and the
Bacolod City Government Center.
WHY DO WE CELEBRATED MASSKARA FESTIVAL?

To lift the spirits of the locals and bring back the smiles on their faces, the
MassKara Festival was created. The smiling masks were a declaration of the
people of Bacolod City that they will pull through and survive the challenges and
tragedies that they are facing. This festival gives people the chance to get away
from a civic-military parade. It also meant that the masks can hide the tears and
sorrows caused by the MV Don Juan sea mishap and the sugar crisis.
THANK YOU