Bacolod seeks lower airfares for MassKara Festival

Bacolod City officials are now working with flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to offer lower airfares for visitors to its annual MassKara Festival held every October. City officials have had initial meetings with PAL officials on the possibility of offering reduced air fares during the MassKara festival, according to a report of the Visayan Daily Star. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said an advantage of having the MassKara in October was that the month was not a peak season for tourists in the airline industry. Leonardia said lower the plane fares will help make the MassKara festival more attractive because it will make travel to Bacolod more affordable. Leonardia noted that the other popular tourism events in the country — such as the Dinagyang, Sinulog, and Ati-Atihan — fall in January. Leonardia noted that since October was not a peak season, chances are good that air fares will be lower, according to the Visayan Daily Star report. He noted the October date is also meaningful because it takes place during the charter anniversary of the city. Leonardia said he considers the MassKara Festival with all its color, pageantry and popularity, as a reunion time for Bacolod residents. He noted that unlike in the past where there was an impression of a divide between rich and poor and young and old, "whenever we hold the MassKara Festival, we come together as one." According to the website philippinecountry.com, "the term Masskara is created from two words: mass, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word cara, for face; thus the double meaning for mask and many faces." "It was coined by Ely Santiago, a painter, cartoonist, and cultural artist, who devoted show in his art works the many faces of Negrenses overwhelmed with various crises," the website said. The website also said Masskara is held every October 1 to 20 and that "local and foreign visitors get a chance to enjoy 20 days of merry making, beer drinking, dining and street dancing." The biggest party is held on the weekend nearest to October 19, the website added. - VVP, GMA News