BACOLOD City officials headed by Mayor Greg Gasataya (second from right) led the grand opening of the 46th MassKara Festival at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Wednesday, Oct. 1. (Glazyl Masculino)
BACOLOD CITY – The 46th MassKara Festival simultaneously kicked off at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) and Bacolod public plaza on Wednesday, Oct. 1, amid the aftermath of the earthquake in Cebu province.
The festival with the theme “One Smile, One Heart, One City” will be held from Oct. 1 to 19.
Mayor Greg Gasataya and city councilors led the event at the BCGC grounds followed by a fireworks display.
Around 50,000 people joined the celebration at the BCGC while 1,500 gathered at the public plaza, Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, said.
Gasataya offered prayers to victims of the Cebu earthquake and said this year’s festival celebrates the resilience of Bacolodnons amid the trying times.
“We offer this festival to the people of Bacolod because this is the essence of the celebration. We are celebrating the resilience of the Bacolodnons and we’re returning the love to each Bacolodnons,” the mayor said.
Elias J. TV Band, Silent Sanctuary, and celebrities Ara Mina and Paul Salas performed at the BCGC grounds while Repakol performed at the public plaza.