If one were to fully enjoy Masskara, here are seven things one could do:
1. Attend the Electric Masskara. Bacolod’s main street is closed on Friday and Saturday nights to witness a float parade participated in by the different barangays in the city. Shake your hips with dancers whose faces are masked and bodies are adorned with lights. The long street also accommodates concert stages sponsored by major establishments situated at strategic places, with outdoor resto tables set up in between. It will probably be the largest street party you would ever attend.
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| photo from: www.tawidtayo.com |
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Photo from: www.tworistas.com
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2. Eat chicken inasal, of course. Bacolod is the home of this exotic food (at least exotic to my Korean students). So if you are an alien in the land of the Bacolodnons, then missing this staple would be a mortal sin. Rows and rows of tents, tables, and chairs line the streets to cater to the hungry people walking and celebrating the feast.
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| photo from: bacolodphilippines.blogspot |
3. If you are into artsy things, or just fond of taking pictures, there are various venues sponsoring mask-making and costume contests. Go visit the exhibits and be amazed—either at how masks can be designed without two of them ever being alike, or how judges decide which the winner is since they actually all look alike.
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| photo from: giagarcia bacolodphilippines.blogspot.com |
4. A week before the main celebrations starts, Bacolod readies itself to a festive mood by opening carnivals or perya. You can ride roller coasters, cable cars, octopus, caterpillar, and similar vomit-inducing rides to take you to a literal physical high. If you are a scaredy cat, or don’t trust the machines, then get ready with your coins to test your dexterity in some fun games.
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| Waiting till the sun sets |
5. Watch the Masskara Queen Pageant. No festival in the Philippines forego holding a beauty pageant, and the Masskara Queen is one of them. The ladies representing the different barangays in the city try to outwalk and outclass their competitors to win the title of the most beautiful girl in the city.
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| 2010 Masskara Queen
Photo from: thehappytrip.com
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6. See your favorite anime characters at the Bacolod Cosplay Convention at 888 Event Center. Manga enthusiasts meet and are treated with games, skits, and free photo opportunities with those who dare to wear Japanese costumes.
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| Sometimes you wonder if you are in Bacolod or Osaka |
7. Be in the middle of the crowd when the Street Dance Competition is held at 4 pm at the Plaza. Watch different public schools (Saturday) and barangays (Sunday) compete by dancing to the beat of percussion and the Masskara theme song, all wearing clorful costumes, and of course, masks.
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| photo from: http://philippinestouristdestination.blogspot.com/2010/10/city-of-smile-masskara-festival-in.html |
As my previous post said, I was only able do #6. (What a loser, I know!) But for those who have the energy to walk, drink, and party the night away, then those are some of the ways to burn those extra energy.
Kari na sa Masskara!!!
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