Masskara 2014

So the verdict on my first ever Masskara festival experience? 10 out of 10 points! I must admit, I wasn’t expecting much. Not that I didn’t think Bacolod was awesome (I’ve heard plenty of great things about it actually), but I was a bit exhausted from all the work and traveling prior to this trip that my mind just wasn’t capable of forming any judgement whatsoever. At the very least, I knew I was going to have fun. I was with my SMART family after all and it’s always a good time whenever we’re together. I just didn’t know I’d have THIS MUCH FUN.

For those who don’t know, Masskara is a festival held every third week of October in Bacolod. It started in the early 1980s when Bacolod was under a major crisis. In an effort to lift people’s spirits, the city’s artists, local government and civic groups decided to hold a festival of smiles. People would wear colorful masks and costumes as they danced on the streets. Street dance competitions, pageants and music festivals/concerts liven up the entire city for 3 days. Of course, we participated in all of these. We joined the parades, ate the yummiest food (Calea cakes and chicken inasal are mandatory) and partied the night away at Love Dance, Masskara Invasion and Masskaraland. I don’t have any photos from the parties though but I did manage to take a few snaps of the sights and the parade so check those out below. I must say, the pparade is a visual feast and the people of Bacolod is as colorful as their costumes! No wonder this city is called the City of Smiles.

Thank you SMART for bringing me to Bacolod! And thank you Bacolod for showing me such an amazing time!

32 Responses to “Masskara 2014”
  1. Yza

    It’s nice to know that you enjoyed Bacolod. Thank you for blogging about ur Masskara experience, it made me more proud to be a Bacolena. I’m a huge fan of yours but I wasn’t able to see you personally. Sayang. Take care my fave blogger. :)) Hope to see you next time.

    Reply
  2. Katrin Tuano

    Lovely photos! Everything’s so colorful! And I love the vibe, it looks so much fun and it can uplift your mood with their happy faces! Oh how I wish I can experience Masskara next year and the Bacolod culture. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Bacolod since our kasambahay is from there. I shall start saving up for next year’s festivities! Lol :D

    Reply
  3. Reena

    Oh you went to Silay??? hehehe… na try mo ba ung Guapple pie ng El Ideal? :) I saw your Calea photos on IG! yay! I hope you got to try their chocolate cake. That’s my favorite!

    Balay Negrense is such a beautiful house… took lots of pictures there but i got little scared na baka may scary photobomber. hahaha

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      I did!!! Super sarap ng cake. I didn’t get the Guapple pie though. That’s for next time. I’ll list that down :) We went to Balay Negrense though but it was closed. Sayang!

      Reply
  4. Neecee

    Proud Bacolodnon here! I’ve been waiting for your Masskara 2014 post actually =) These photos are indeed proofs it’s really fun here in Bacolod! Yet I was not able to meet you gorgeous Camille! There’s always a next time though! Stay pretty & classy! =)

    Reply
  5. Ericka Garcia

    I just love the color of the photos! So lively and full of vibe! :)

    Love,
    Ericka Garcia

    Reply
  6. Kirsten Encluna

    Hello! (avid reader here)
    I’ve been curious about the festival. I bet it’s really fun.
    I’m from Cebu btw. Hope you could come here in Sinulog. :)

    P.S. You’re so gorgeous. :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      I’ve been to 2 Sinulogs! Lots of fun as well! You should try Masskara! :)

      Reply
  7. Yveth Medenilla

    I’m a fan Ms. Camille :) Sobrang ganda ng mga photos mo :)
    Napareact talaga ko kasi kagagaling ko lang ng Bacolod last Nov 11 :)
    And gusto ko na ulit bumalik, hahaha.
    Sobrang sarap ng pagkain nila, lalo na mga cakes :)
    My favorite flavor ka na sa Calea? :)

    Reply
  8. dyanbg

    Wow po ate camille. Love na love nu po talga mgtravel. Sna mkpnta rn po kayo dito sa baguio city. Sa feb po, panagbenga po, para mkita ko nrn po kayo :) God bless po :)

    Reply
  9. dyanbg

    Wow ate camille. Ang ganda nu po talaga! Sna punta rin po kayo dito sa baguio pag panagbenga :) lovelots po. God bless

    Reply
  10. Yana

    So colorful!!!!!! Love how vibrant the colors are in each picture haha!! And the festival looked like a ton of fun!

    Reply
  11. Clariss

    Love all your outfits! And seeing your big smile ate cams makes me smile too :) hope that I can attend that FUN festival too!

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Thanks Clariss! :) You should try it! When you’re not busy with school :)

      Reply
  12. Anne

    You sure looked like you had loads of fun Cams! The last time I was in Bacolod it was a month before Masskara. Eeek wrong timing. LOL. By the way, did you have enough time to visit the famed Mambukal Falls? I know you’ve gone to Calea with all the Instagram photos though. Hihi. And did you try eating the Napoleones at Pendy’s too?

    -Anne’s Scribbles and Doodles-

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Oh no I didn’t! I’ll visit more tourist spots when I get the chance to go back :) I bought Napoleones home though!

      Reply
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