MASSKARA Street Dance Highlight (with video and results of winners)

 Sunday was an exciting day for Bacolod. Foreign and local tourists came in droves to witness the ever-colorful and  energy-filled Bacolod MassKara Festival. The 2024 edition was almost marred by Typhoon Kristine and another Typhoon named Leo. But somehow, luck was with the organizers on this fateful day. So, even me, with camera on hand, went to witness a historic parade in the downtown area of the City of Smiles.

Video of the Dance Parade along Araneta St. Bacolod City. 

FAMILY AFFAIR
Of course, it was crowded. Parents were happy to bring their little ones as a bonding, a scene that is symbolic and as old as MassKara Festival itself. In the 80s, when the festival was born. Many flocked to the same area and parents with their little ones were in tow. Many were piggybacking so they can see clearly the parade. For sure, little kids who witnessed the festival in the 80s are now grandparents or parents themselves and they continue the legacy by sharing the fun with their children.

SAD HISTORY-TURNED TOURIST ATTRACTION
Foreigners were also enjoying the day full of fun and sun. I saw some foreigners dancing together with the MassKara performers. It means, they feel the cultural heritage and the meaning of the event which actually was created because of the sugar industry crisis and the sinking of M/V Don Juan in the 80s. 

FUTURE OF THE SUPER CITY
However, perfumers and organizers look forward to the future as they wanted Bacolod to reach the Super City status as the city. Thus, their theme and concept for their dance portray the positive side and what the government had achieved. Like right now, the city is experiencing a massive development in infrastructure and business opportunities, a reality that was impossible to think of in the past.  

USUAL STANCE

As usual the performers have to compete along the  street before moving to Paglaum Stadium for the Grand Arena competition. Supporters, sponsors and dancers have to walk along Araneta Ave. through thousands of crowds filling up the sidewalks and cheering for their favorite entry.

DIGITAL COVERAGE

The competition, which was broadcast live via social media, ended with a spectacular drone light show and fireworks.  

Brgy. Granada was declared the CHAMPION and this year it's another glandslam for the group. The win marked a second three-peat for Granada after taking the titles in 2022 and 2023 as well as in 2014, 2015, and 2016 which is equivalent for two grandslams.

BACON POP 2024: COSPLAYERS INVADE THE MALLtiverse

With a mission to bring Pop culture enthusiasts, and local talents & artists together under one roof, BaCon Pop brings fun to mallgoers. Ayala Malls capitol Central became full of kids and parents who wandered around the booths filled with Pop culture stuff and merchandise. Around the mallgoers were local Cosplayers who are equally stunned in seeing others in costume play. 

Kids were amazed with BayMax Cosplayer

Pop Culture Extravaganza! You might misinterpret the brand BaCon Pop as a food event at first glance. Well, actually, it's an acronym for Bacolod Convention on Pop Culture, it's an annual event usually held during Bacolod MassKara Festival weeks in October. It's designed by  pop culture enthusiasts for Pop Culture fans (the fandom includes but not limited to Anime/Manga, Superhero flicks, Hollywood iconic characters, Music,  Gaming, Iconic Memes).

Phenomena And when you speak about pop culture in general, you need to note how wide is this phenomena spreading in the island of Negros, considering how fast media spreads information and data nowadays and there are a lot of genres and fandom to choose from. 

VIDEO of BaCon Pop 2024

Asian and Western Influences
First and foremost, it's not only focused on Japanese animes and manga culture. There are also a lot of American comic and cinematic universes intertwining as pop culture fans' taste are so diverse these days. 

Day of the Cosplay That's why, walking along the mall,  there are a barrage of  superheroes characters meeting horror movie characters. And yes, they get along. It seems to be an unlikely scene but you will know how massive is the influence BaCon Pop have created among Negrenses. 

Asian Dr. Strange in the MALLtiverse

Merch, Anyone? The presence of cosplayers are equally important as the merch booths at the event center of Ayala Malls Capitol Central. The men and women in costume are so entertaining that are cool to look at. They really get the attention of families.

Larger-than-life Baymax
You'll find lots of sci-fi characters and gaming console icons taking to each other. Seeing a larger-than-life Baymax is a sight to behold and kids and Big hero 6 fans are going crazy over the all white white "mascot". You'll just be curious on how the cosplayer behind it can breathe inside of it. 

Cosplayers are enthralled with each other's costumes

Dr. Strange is no Stranger The Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Strange is even a hit to many as the cosplayer personifying him looks and moves like Benedict Cumberbatch's acting in MCU movies. 

Real-Life Gaming
BaConPop has exciting events like Fightsaber, Asian Pop Quiz, Random Play Dance, FanClub Fanchant Clash,  Bee for Superfans, Cosplay Parade, Pro Cosplay Showdown, Meet and Greet and more.

TANDUAY RUM FESTIVAL (FOOD PARK WALKING TOUR and MORE)

Go eat! Go drink! Go Drunk! Go Enjoy! But don't sin! The Tanduay Bacolod Rum Festival is a merriment that targets not only rum aficionados but also the entire family who want to take a respite and break from life's monotony away from home. 

BCGC TURNS INTO A BAR
Despite the event's title, the Rum Festival actually is a merriment that also targets everyone. The food park Bacolod City Government Center is the hub of the festivity where drinking alcohol isn't a problem.
During this time, different street food kiosks are lined up to tame everyone's gastronomic and alcoholic demands. 

FUN AT THE FOOD PARK
Name it and you have the famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal leading the array of grilled cuisines. With hotdogs to isaw to pork bbq and more, unli rice is up for grabs as well as free soup to complement them. While  those who love talaba (oysters) so much, won't be disappointed as kiosks have those fresh ones, too. Right there and then, after you choose what you desire, it's up for waiting and grilling time before the eating begiins. Well, as the song goes, smoke gets in your eyes, literally.

INSTAGRAMMABLE 
Two giant balloon replicas of Tanduay bottles were installed and  lighted up at the BCGC park grounds while barrels of the famous rum maker adorned the Bacolod letters icon. At the entrance of the food park, there's an Instagrammable wall that greets everyone. The wall is painted with a visual story about Filipino and Bacolod culture, focusing on bayanihan, blue collar job employees seemingly preparing and sharing food and, well, drinking a beverage (which we assume is Tanduay).

POP UP TENTS
Meanwhile, walking around the food park, you get to meet some pretty Tanduay promo models in their red and white dress, duo musicians who plays pop and classic music, friendly security people, and ukay ukay sellers. Of course, as the name suggests, you get to see bartenders inviting you to taste their mixes of alcohol drinks (not for free).

THE FESTIVAL AS A WHOLE
The Bacolod Rum Festival started in 2019 and returned after the pandemic in 2022. Usual activities include, Rum Barrel Painting contest, Flairtending & Mixology Competition, Rum Education Day (Field Trips to Tanduay plant in bacolod), Culinaria Competition, Parade and Street Dance Competition, Motorcade of Tanduay's Ambassadors and Special Guests, Food Park, Music Festival and it usually culminates with a free concert at the BCGC grounds like Ely Buendia of Eraserheads who performed on August 19, 2023. For year 2023, Juan Karlos and Allmost Music will sing their hearts out LIVE at the BCGC where the Rum Festival food park is located.