BACOLOD CITY, (PNA) — The 34th MassKara Festival kicks off Tuesday, October 1 with Mayor Monico Puentevella leading the opening rites in the morning at the Bacolod plaza.
The 20-day festival, organized by the Kasadya Bacolod Foundation Inc., will be opened with the traditional “diana” and mass at the public plaza.
“Rain or shine, we are ready, everything is ready and all under control,” Puentevella said.
Before the mass, a fun run, walk and bike will take off from different starting points. The participants will converge at the Bacolod plaza.
During the program at 8 a.m., Puentevella will declare this year’s festival open.
Thousands of policemen, soldiers, and force multipliers will secure this year’s festival themed “MassKara 2013: Rediscover and Celebrate Bacolod.”
Festival director Rhoderick Samonte said the MassKara 2013 offers “20 days of non-stop fun in the Philippines only happening in the City of Smiles.”
Bacolod will also mark its 75th Charter Anniversary on Oct. 19.
Activities for each day during the 20-day celebration will be organized by various sectors.
Oct. 1 is Government Officials and Employees’ Day; Oct. 2, Military, Police, Fire, Safety, Security Workers’ Day; Oct. 3, Barangay Officials’ Day; Oct. 4, Children, Youth and Students’ Day; Oct. 5, World Teachers’ Day; Oct. 6, Judges and Lawyers’ Day; Oct. 7, Senior Citizens’ Day; Oct. 8, Drivers’ Day; Oct. 9, Fisherfolk and Construction Workers’ Day; Oct. 10, Arts and Media;
Oct. 11, BPO and IT Workers’ Day; Oct. 12, Civil Society Day and Day of Volunteerism; Oct. 13, Persons With Disability and Inter-Religious Harmony Day; Oct. 14, Bankers, Businessman and Traders’ Day; Oct. 15, Farmers and Market Vendors’ Day; Oct. 16, Doctors, Nurses and Health Workers’ Day; Oct. 17, International People’s Day; Oct. 18, Sangguniang Panlungsod Day; Oct. 19, Adlaw Sang Bacolod: 75th Charter Anniversary; and Oct. 20, Kasadya Bacolod Day, highlighted by the MassKara Street Dancing Competition Barangay Category.
Puentevella said 2013 is a “special year” for the city, not only because it is celebrating its Diamond Year but also because of the innovations and changes set in place by the new festival organizer.
For the first time, all 61 barangays of the city will set up kiosks at the Reclamation Area to showcase their respective products.