The world-renowned Masskara Festival kicks off today, October 1. Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella led the opening salvo at the city’s public plaza earlier this morning. Puentevella said “This year’s MassKara is one of the best since we have the cooperation of everybody.”


The festival is a 19-day affair organized by the Kasadya Bacolod Foundation Inc. It started with a “Fun MassKa-Run, Jog, Walk, Bike and Skate” which was held in four different starting points—Old Airport (Run), Lagoon (PWD & Walk), People’s House (Skate) & Northpoint (Bike), and was followed by ZumbassKara.

As the happiest festival in the Philippines, this year’s theme is "One Rhythm. One Bacolod. A Million Smiles” which speaks of the unity of the people of Bacolod, not just promoting Bacolod as a tourist attraction.  

Among the highlights of the festival include MassKara Queen Coronation Night (Oct. 10); MassKara by the Sea (Oct. 12); Streetdance School Category (Oct. 17); Streetdance Barangay Category, (Oct. 18); and the Kaadlawan sang Bacolod and the opening of the MassKara Float Parade,(Oct. 19).


There will be numerous sport activities such as volleyball, karatedo, autocross, golf, softball, ultimate Frisbee, wakeboarding, motorcycle drag racing, boxing and basketball. 11 schools will contend for the Streetdance School Category while 20 barangays will participate in the Barangay Category of the Street Dance Competition.



How to Get There

From Manila, you can take a flight going to Bacolod City (costs around Php 2500, round trip). Estimated travel time is around 45 minutes. Upon reaching the Bacolod-Silay Airport, you can take a cab or a shuttle (Php 75-100 per head) that will take you to your destination.