BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 1 (PNA) – The 35th MassKara Festival officially opened Wednesday in rites held at the city’s public plaza led by Mayor Monico Puentevella and Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya.
“This will be a new MassKara,” Puentevella said as he enjoined Bacolodnons to join hands and support the festival with the theme, “One Rhythm, One City, A Million Smiles.”
Bikers, runners, skaters and onlookers converged at the center of the plaza to witness the official opening of the festival.
The first day of the 19-day celebration also includes the opening program of the Elderly Week, On-the-Spot Mask Making Contest, MassKara PAGCOR Night, MassKara Queen 2014: Day with Recovered Treasures at the Kalipay Foundation, and the GMA Dansskara Elimination Round.
The festival sites are located at the Public Plaza, Lacson Tourism Strip,the Bacolod People’s House (Government Center), and “Barangay San Miguel” along SM City Bacolod at the Reclamation Area.
Puentevella thanked the festival organizer, Kasadya Bacolod Foundation Inc., along with the volunteer workers and city residents who comprise the workforce of the festival.
The mayor said a number of investors are coming to Bacolod not only to take part in the celebration, but also to look at potential of the city as their next business prospect.
For his part, Gasataya expressed his support to the pursuit of the Puentevella administration for a unified Bacolod.
“MassKara is for all of us,” the vice mayor said.
The highlights for this year’s MassKara include the MassKara Queen Coronation Night on October 10; opening of the MassKara by the Sea on October 12; Streetdance School Category, October 17; Streetdance Barangay Category, October 18; and the Kaadlawan sang Bacolod and the opening of the MassKara Float Parade, October 19.
The MasskaraLand will be unveiled on October 17.(PNA)