BACOLOD's ELECTRIC MASSKARA FLOAT PARADE 2024 (with results of winners)

It was a Saturday with clear blue sky. Bacolod was still celebrating MassKara Festival and there was a stark contrast compared to the past few rainy days, when Typhoon Kristine, brought havoc in the city's merriment. There were reports that the organizers will move the parades and street competition to a later schedule because another typhoon (LPA) is at PAGASA's sight and the festivities will be marred with bad weather again.

VIDEO OF THE ELECTRIC MASSKARA FLOAT PARADE

SUNSHINY DAY
However, that Saturday was different. It was blessed with a sunny disposition and there was excitement in the air once more. The festival's Electric MassKara Float Parade and Elelectroika Diva did continue to spread magic to street merrymakers.

People flocked to Megaworld The Upper East and Lopue's East area to witness another historic and grand parade of creativity. Parents with their little kids were already eagerly waiting at Mcdonald's East.


READY, LIGHTS ON
At exactly 6 p.m., as the sunset turns into a bluer hue, the first float arrived. People were surprise to see floats sponsors like Jollibee, Cebu Pacific, Bingo Plus and more. The second phase where the beautifully crafted Baranggay floats that are entries for the Best Float contest and atop of th em are the Eletroika Divas (dance competitors). 

However, from among the many amazing works, three stood out with the so-called a Wow Factor.

BAMBOO ROCKS BACOLOD MASSKARA FESTIVAL DESPITE TYPHOON

The MassKara week is almost over but then Typhoon Kristine started to wreak havoc and an LPA, possibly, another Typhoon (to be named Leo) threatens the rest of MassKara weekend. But despite all of these, most people didn't worry and still wanted to enjoy the festivities and one proof is Bamboo's concert at the Bacolod City Government Center last rainy Thursday (see video below)

RIVERMAYA NOSTALGIA
Belting out songs from his Rivermaya years like Elesi, Mabuhay!, Hinahap-hanap Kita, Bamboo is so glad to see people braivng the rain just to see their The Voice  coach idol. 
However, rain did affect some eating stalls beside the area but still you can feel the Filipino resiliency still unstoppable. Many kiosk are ready for the rain. With smiles on their faces, they do run to protect their food as if it depends on their lives. 

Concertgoers at Bamboo Night 

MORE ARTISTS FROM MANILA
The Thursday act was challenging compared to the sunny and non-rainyday concerts sponsored by PureGold and BingoPlus the next day. SB19 was the highlight artists of PureGold's MassKaravan wherein a record of 150,000 flocked to Bacolod City Government Center. Kz Tandingan and TJ Monteverde and Piolo Pascual, meanwhile, serenaded concertgoers during the Bingo Plus Night Concert. 

Kym's Grill

RESILIENCY DESPITE THE RAIN
The typhoon maybe be harsh to revelers and the peope who do business during MassKara. But actually, through a historical flashback, the origins of the Bacolod MassKara Festival was actually sadder and harsher. It can be traced back to the 1980s when Negros Occidental, considered the sugar bowl of the Philippines, suffered a terrible crisis when its sugar was priced at an all-time low because of alternatives introduced in the market resulting in one of the infamous famines in the country’s history. 

SMILE COVERS THE SAD HISTORY 

Added to it was the sinking Negros Navigation's MV Don Juan, a tragic ferry accident carrying mostly Negrosanons including those prominent families of Bacolod and most of them are fresh graduates from Manila's universities excited to go home to celebrate. These events overshadowed the usual life of Negrosanons. 

Local artists with LGU, in the spirit of resiliency, created MassKara  Festival out of these heartbreaking origins. The idea of covering one's face with a smiling mask gave birth to an annual competition that celebrates life despite the hardships.

MassKara Festival and Moonlight

BALIK YUHUM 

Another sad event, Covid Pandemic, also inspired the BALIK YUHUM MassKara anthem and bigger celebrations during Mayor Albee Benitez's term. Indeed, it's nice to look at the fireworks every salubong night of the MassKara, a symbol of hope and happiness despite the odds.

Let's enjoy at the Lacson St. this Masskara!