MassKara Festival 2010 of Bacolod: Revelry as Negrenses Enjoy it

It was my first MassKara festival in five years. The last time I went to Bacolod City in the province of Negros Occidental to witness the said celebration was during its silver anniversary—2004! By that time, I was already at the streets, witnessing how Bacolodnons do their revelry about life and resilience. After all, this is Bacolod’s way of celebrating history and commemorating what history has brought to the lives of every Negrense, and a reflection of their culture.

I arrived on Sunday, October 17th, the highlight day for MassKara Festival of Bacolod City. I didn’t make it to the schools category street dance competition and the recently added Electric MassKara the night before I arrived. Anyway, Bacolodnons and tourists anticipate the yearly street dancing competition of the barangay category—because historically, this is where the champions of the past came to be.

Bacolod’s MassKara festival is derived from the words “mass” which means “many” and “kara” which means “faces.” It was coined by Ely Santiago, a Negrense artist. Technically, “MassKara” means festival of “many faces” of Bacolodnons and Negrenses. However, it is obvious that the smiling masks are the trademark of the feast. Either if it is a “festival of masks” or “festival of many faces,” it is still a celebration born out of tragedy and manifested resilience.

I don’t talk radio drama here, yet MassKara was born out of the tragic fall of the Negrense people from the heavens of luxury and the life of “ang kwarta guinapiko guinapala,” as sugar industry fell rock bottom due to surplus and falling prices. The once opulent lifestyle of the rich suddenly became stones and the poor became desperately hungrier—and more rebellious. The famed image in an international magazine of a malnourished child became the face of Negros—the so-called “Batang Negros.”

It wasn’t the end of unfortunate events for the Negrenses. In 1980, M/V Don Juan sank off-coast of Mindoro, which killed hundreds. It was bound for Bacolod when it was hit by another ship. Indeed, it was a tragic loss for the Negrenses who lost love ones in the said catastrophe.

With all of these tragedies that stuck the Negrense psyche, the local government looked for ways to divert the people out of misery. Together with some local artists, hence the MassKara was born. From a festival to divert the people out of misery, it has become the prime tourist drawer of Bacolod within the next years to come. As the Negrenses recovered, MassKara became a vessel of its own prosperity and became a way of celebrating life and abundance that they receive.

Come to think of it, MassKara isn’t religious in nature. It is secular and always near or during the week of Bacolod City’s Charter Day celebrations.

While most of the people think that this is a celebration of life’s bounties and the Negrense resiliency, critics however see it otherwise. An article at Bulatlat.com states that it harbours escapism and hypocrisy. They claim that it is like hiding poverty with the pomp and opulence—hiding behind the smiling faces the anguish of the poor Negrenses.

Anyway, going back to the recent MassKara that I’ve went—the music was a breakthrough, in my opinion. It has at least gone back to the samba rhythms of the past. Most of the Bacolod residents that I have talked to said that most of MassKara’s theme music in the past are “buki” or “pop music with no sense of taste or direction.” I agree. The MassKara theme is the music used by the continents for their performances at the street and at the plaza. For some, the looping of the music is irritating. Others would like to suggest going on live music and hiring the La Carlota drum beaters instead. However, tradition still persisted.

I have noticed some things that need to be improved by the organizers.
• The invasion of those who weren’t issued photographer’s pass to areas where people with the pass are only allowed.
• The organizers have moved the feast as late as 4PM. It was a heavy challenge for photographers especially that Bacolod’s Araneta Street is not as bright as that in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival! I hope although I understand the logic behind the said movement, but I hope they should put multitudes of flood lights in the streets to make it more “celebratory” and easier to take photos during twilight or night. Otherwise, let them dance during the morning (like Sinulog or Dinagyang) or set it in a much earlier time (back to 2PM perhaps?).
• Crowd control. As the contingent comes closer to the plaza, so is the density of the people. Sometimes, they are very invasive.

Despite the said imperfections, I still have enjoyed my MassKara experience—even if I haven’t slept decently for more than 48 hours.
With the culminating activity at the City Plaza, the contingents show off their talents in choreography, pomp and colour. However, these have risen as the winner for this year’s MassKara festival for the barangay category:
• Champion: Barangay Mandalagan
• 1st Runner-Up: Barangay 17
• 2nd Runner-Up: Barangay Alangilan

They say, life is short and you have to enjoy it. For the Bacolodnons, MassKara is just one way of enjoying life to the fullest. It may have been born out of anguish and pain but it doesn’t mean that we have to deprive ourselves with the goodness in life. Face the future with a smile on it—a real smile of resilience and with dignity. A celebration of smiles and life.