BACOLOD CITY – Twelve MassKara Festival dancers from this city traveled to Milan, Italy on Friday, June 28, to perform in the Sandiwa Fiesta Europa’s 126th Philippine Independence Day event this weekend.
COUNCILOR Jason Villarosa (left), chairperson of the Committee on Tourism of the Bacolod City Council, accompanies MassKara Festival dancers performing in the Sandiwa Fiesta Europa’s 126th Philippine Independence Day in Milan, Italy this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Consulate General in Milan Facebook)
Caesar Distrito, spokesperson of Mayor Albee Benitez here, said the festival dancers were invited by the Philippine Consulate Office for the celebration that will be witnessed by the Filipino community and Italians on June 29 and 30.
Distrito said the mayor shouldered the travel expenses of the delegation.
Earlier, the MassKara dancers’ visa application were denied by the Italian Embassy “due to a lack of required documentation or unclear personal situation” prior to the granting of their visa. But the trip finally pushed through after the Italian Embassy approved their visa.
Benitez thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Italian Embassy for assisting the application and the eventual approval of the MassKara dancers’ visa.
He said that these dancers will represent the “City of Smiles,” showcasing the vibrant and colorful festival of the city.
In a Facebook post, the Philippine Consulate General in Milan said that this is the first time that this city is participating in a cultural event in Europe.