2008 Calendar of Events
October 1-18, 2008 - MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Bacolod City never seems to lose its luster, especially when MassKara celebration comes.
     The annual MassKara Festival held every October, is a celebration, which has earned Bacolod the title "City of Smiles".
     It was conceived in October 1980 by a group of government personalities, civic figures and artists with full support from the city government in the midst of the sugar-producing provinces severe economic crisis - resulting to the ailing of sugar industry.
     This could have been traumatic to anybody but not to the people of Bacolod who made something good and creative out of it.
     MassKara is a festival for local and international tourism. It is intended to provide a venue for the activities and cultural expression.
     The word MassKara was coined from two terms: 'Mass" meaning people and "Kara" means the face... thus MassKara means the "face of the Masses". Considered to be the festival's highlights are sports competitions, cultural shows, trade fairs, beauty pageants and the famous MassKara Dance Parade where masked dancers display their gracefulness to the lively rhythm of the musical beat with cooperation, coordination, mastery and stamina. During this celebration people from all walks of life dances around the city's major thoroughfares.
     The colorful masks and costumes of the dancers with so much attractiveness gives a lot of intensity to the  dance parade. With full of fun, freedom and camaraderie, everyone is caught up in the streets swaying and dancing with so much excitement and momentum.

For More Information:
Call (034) 433-7362 - Silver MassKara Org., Inc Office or

Email: tourismofficer@bacolodcity.gov.ph; gene_kanaan@yahoo.com.ph

February 7-11, 2008 - BACOLAODIAT FESTIVAL

     Bacolaodiat, the celebration of the Spring Festival which the Tsinoy community of Bacolod turned into a showcase of Chinese culture and history. It included, among others, a feature on the Chinese culinary arts, which drew thousands of locals to the Bacolod Plaza. BacoLaodiat is derived from the words Bacolod and laodiat, a Fookien word for the Ilonggo sinadya, meaning big celebration.

 Schedule of Activities

April  2008 - PANAAD SA NEGROS FESTIVAL

"Mother of all Festivals"
     The biggest festival of them all in Negros Occidental, the PANAAD FESTIVAL, started in 1993 as a thanksgiving celebration and a fulfillment of a promise and vow to the Divine Providence in exchange of good life.
    It features 32 festivals that brings together 13 cities and 19 towns of Negros Occidental. In theme booths that showcase their history, culture, trade, agriculture, tourism and other industries.
     The annual PANAAD sa NEGROS FESTIVAL held at the Panaad Park and Stadium, Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
April  2008 - EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

     With Earth Day slated on the 22nd of April, every environment-conscious organizations and individuals are doing their share in Nature’s conservation. 
     

June 12, 2008 - INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

     Eight years and a century ago, from his balcony in Kawit Cavite, the great General Emilio Aguinaldo lowered the American flag and raised the symbol of a new and independent nation called the Republic of the Philippines.
     Since then Bacolod City celebrates that  important day  as Filipinos. Between that fateful day and now, a lot has transpired many battles have been fought and won; many conflicts have been resolved in order to preserved that freedom which our heroes, like Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Marcelo Del Pilar, Emilio Aguinaldo and the rest, fought for, in their own respective ways.
     Bacolod City commemorates Independence Day Program, floral offering at the tomb of the unknown soldier who symbolizes the many nameless faces who braved the volley of fires of World War II and a Civic Military  Parade in the afternoon.

October 19, 2008 - BACOLOD CITY CHARTER DAY CELEBRATION

     The Municipality of Bacolod was made into a City effective October 19, 1938 by virtue of Commonwealth Act. No. 326. The event was spectacular considering the fact that no less than Hon. Manuel L. Quizon, President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines himself graced the occasion when Hon. Alfredo M. Montelibano, Sr. took his Oath of Office as the first City Mayor.
     The Celebration kicks off with a mass, Charter Day Program in the morning and a Charter Day Parade in the afternoon.

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