٠٠:٠٢:٠٧Thousands of people attended the 45th MassKara Festival in the Philippines' city of Bacolod on Sunday, to mark the victory of unwavering joy over adversity.
Footage shows street performers parading across the city centre, adorned in intricately designed costumes and masks decorated with glitter, feathers and bright ribbons, filling spectators with joy through their energetic dancing.
It is believed that Bacolod gained its name as the 'City of Smiles' due to the smiling, colourful masks used at the festival, which itself was named due to the countless happy faces that can be seen there. The name - 'MassKara' - was derived from the word 'mass', meaning a multitude of people, and 'cara', the Spanish word for face.
Despite its vibrant atmosphere, the festival emerged during dark days for the Negros Island Region where Bacolod is located. The decline in sugar prices, the region's main crop, ushered in a period of economic crisis in 1980. In addition, the vessel 'MV Don Juan' carrying many residents of the island tragically sank, claiming hundreds of lives.
On October 19, 1980, Bacolod's Mayor Jose 'Digoy' Montalvo decided to arrange a festival to help liven up spirits in the tragedy-stricken city.
Since the first festival was held more than four decades ago, MassKara has grown to become the country’s grandest festival. It is considered a symbol of Bacolod’s resilience and optimism, despite the hardship its people face.
The festival is traditionally celebrated annually on the 4th Sunday of October.
Thousands gather for joyous celebration of MassKara festival in Bacolod, the 'City of Smiles' of the Philippines
Thousands of people attended the 45th MassKara Festival in the Philippines' city of Bacolod on Sunday, to mark the victory of unwavering joy over adversity.
Footage shows street performers parading across the city centre, adorned in intricately designed costumes and masks decorated with glitter, feathers and bright ribbons, filling spectators with joy through their energetic dancing.
It is believed that Bacolod gained its name as the 'City of Smiles' due to the smiling, colourful masks used at the festival, which itself was named due to the countless happy faces that can be seen there. The name - 'MassKara' - was derived from the word 'mass', meaning a multitude of people, and 'cara', the Spanish word for face.
Despite its vibrant atmosphere, the festival emerged during dark days for the Negros Island Region where Bacolod is located. The decline in sugar prices, the region's main crop, ushered in a period of economic crisis in 1980. In addition, the vessel 'MV Don Juan' carrying many residents of the island tragically sank, claiming hundreds of lives.
On October 19, 1980, Bacolod's Mayor Jose 'Digoy' Montalvo decided to arrange a festival to help liven up spirits in the tragedy-stricken city.
Since the first festival was held more than four decades ago, MassKara has grown to become the country’s grandest festival. It is considered a symbol of Bacolod’s resilience and optimism, despite the hardship its people face.
The festival is traditionally celebrated annually on the 4th Sunday of October.
Thousands of people attended the 45th MassKara Festival in the Philippines' city of Bacolod on Sunday, to mark the victory of unwavering joy over adversity.
Footage shows street performers parading across the city centre, adorned in intricately designed costumes and masks decorated with glitter, feathers and bright ribbons, filling spectators with joy through their energetic dancing.
It is believed that Bacolod gained its name as the 'City of Smiles' due to the smiling, colourful masks used at the festival, which itself was named due to the countless happy faces that can be seen there. The name - 'MassKara' - was derived from the word 'mass', meaning a multitude of people, and 'cara', the Spanish word for face.
Despite its vibrant atmosphere, the festival emerged during dark days for the Negros Island Region where Bacolod is located. The decline in sugar prices, the region's main crop, ushered in a period of economic crisis in 1980. In addition, the vessel 'MV Don Juan' carrying many residents of the island tragically sank, claiming hundreds of lives.
On October 19, 1980, Bacolod's Mayor Jose 'Digoy' Montalvo decided to arrange a festival to help liven up spirits in the tragedy-stricken city.
Since the first festival was held more than four decades ago, MassKara has grown to become the country’s grandest festival. It is considered a symbol of Bacolod’s resilience and optimism, despite the hardship its people face.
The festival is traditionally celebrated annually on the 4th Sunday of October.