My Color Is Blue. What's Yours? : April 2020

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Masskara Festival

The Festival of Many Smiling Faces

( ctto)

Street parties, endless food and drinks, colorful costumes, lively dance music and smiles all around. This is what Masskara Festival of Bacolod City one can expect to experience and enjoy.

Masskara 2008

The term Masskara was coined from the words "mass" meaning many , and the Spanish word " cara" meaning face. Thus, many faces or many smiling faces. This festival is adorned with smiling faces, giving Bacolod City the name City of Smiles.

Massskara 2009

Masskara 2009

The festival began in 1980, at a time when there was an economic crisis. The sugar industry was down. On that same year, a sea tragedy happened where an inter-island vessel named MV Don Juan on way to Bacolod from Manila collided with a tanker ship and sank. A lot of Negrenses have perished in this sea tragedy.

masskara 2012

And so, in order for the people to forget the sadness brought about by this crisis and tragedy, the local government decided to hold a festival that would uplift the spirits of the Negrenses. They wanted to show that no matter how bad and tough the times are, they can lift up, survive and emerge triumphant in the end.

masskara 2011

Since then, the festival has evolved to one of the most anticipated annual tourism attractions in the Philippines. Held every third week of October, it is known for its energetic street dances, colorful costumes, awesome mask headdress ( some weighs up to five kilos), and lively music.

masskara 2015

The highlight of the festivity is the street dancing participated by different schools and barangays. Masskara dancers of each competing groups dance to the lively beats of Latin music from Araneta Street all the way to the Bacolod City Plaza under the heat of the sun in the afternoon. Some dancers would literally faint due to heat and exhaustion.

masskara 2016

masskar 2015

The merrymaking then continues in the evening as Lacson Street is dotted with roadside bars and food kiosks, souvenir shop stands, band stages, car shows and a lot more.

If you haven't had much fun of the street dancing at Araneta Street, here is another street dance but with an added attraction. The LED-lit costumes and decorative props. Plus, floats adorned with LED light and decorations also joins the merrymaking. This is called Electric Masskara. A parade of lights and floats.

electric masskara 2015

Then, people from different walks of life party all night long.

If you have not been to this much awaited, one of the grandest festival in the country, then you should come to experience this unique festival for the following reasons :

1. It is one of the biggest and grandest festivals in the Philippines.

2. The festive mood is remarkable.

3. The colorful smiling masks are a sight to behold.

5. Despite of being known nationwide and overseas, it continues to evolve every year. Believe me. I've seen it.

6. Bacolod City is the gateway to adventures at nearby attractions like The Ruins, Mambukal Mountain Resort and Campuestohan Highland Resort.

Masskara festival really never fails to wow its audience by its spectacular street dance parade, bright masks and costumes and jolly street parties. Afterall, it is a festival of happiness over adversity.

So if it is your first time to witness this spectacular festival, I advice to let your camera capture all the fun. And look forward to come back next year.

( ctto)

THINGS TO DO IN BACOLOD CITY :

1. Take a selfie at the Bacolod City Plaza's bandstand. It is an iconic landmark in the city.

2. Visit San Sebastian Cathedral, just across the Bacolod City Plaza.

3. Visit the Negros Museum for historical and cultural items that tell the rich cultural heritage of Bacolod.

4. Shop for souvenirs at Negros Showroom. or you may opt to go to Bacolod Central Public Market for great bargain buys.

4. Take a stroll at the Captitol's Lagoon and Park in the afternoon .

5. Climb the Pope John Paul II Tower before twilight.

6. Catch the sunset at Reclamation Area , or at Palmas del Mar Resort.

7. Try the sweetest cakes of Calea, Felicia's, Pendy's, Anne Co Cakes, C's by L'Fisher, Bob's and many other pastry shops.

8. Take a taste of the original chicken inasal at Bacolod's Manokan Country.

9. Taste the delicious Kansi - Bacolod's version of bulalo. A bone marrow soup with a local ingredient called batuan, that gives its sour taste.

10. Head to 18th Street Pala-Pala, Diotay's and Hyksos, for fresh seafoods and let them cook the way you want it.

11. Have fun at Campuestohan Highland Resort for a different type of adventure.

12. Swim at Sta.Fe Resort in Barangay Estefania, Carribean in Goldenfield Complex, or at Forest Park in Barangay Taculing.

13. Dip in the Hot springs of Mambukal Resort for a therapeutic bath.

14. Head to The Ruins in Talisay City for that picture-perfect IG shot.

15. Take a selfie at the replicas of steam locomotives used in azucareras or sugar mills. The nearest that you can find is at Panaad Park in Barangay Alijis.

16. And don't forget to bring home a box of the sweet piaya. You can choose from Merzi's, Bongbongs, Margie's, Virgie's, etc.

Finally, tell your friends and families back home of your great time in Bacolod City.

Sweet Surprises of Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental.

More than a decade ago, I first set foot in this island of Negros in Western Visayas for a new work assignment. I was in Cagayan de Oro then, trying to establish a new carreer path after having a mere but good training in Metropolitan Manila for about five months. I was just starting to discover and familiarize the beauty of Cagayan de Oro at that time ( I will tell more of this wonderful place some other time), yet due to sudden twist of fate I was brought to Bacolod City here in Negros Occidental.

The morning of August 10, 2007 was fine, as I embark from the 2GO vessel ( t'was named Super Ferry at that time). And this was the start of my decade long adventure in this laid-back yet vibrant province called Negros.

The island of Negros is divided into two provinces. Negros Occidental on the western side and Negros Oriental on the eastern side. This is one amusing thing to note : the people in Occidental speaks Ilonggo Hiligaynon, while the people in the Oriental side speaks Visaya or Cebuano. If one is living within the boundaries of these two provinces, chances are they could speak both languages depending on whom they are speaking into.

If you are an outsider ( meaning, one that is not a native of a certain place), and its your first time to come in Negros ; you might be amused by their melodious tone of speaking. This is particulary distinct to the Bacolodnons.

It only took me three months to start speaking their native tounge. I did the extra effort to break that language barrier.

The people of Negros are generally called Negrenses or Negrosanons. Long time ago, one's social status can be identified by the way they affirm themselves. The elite, ( comprising of the wealthy sugar barons or hacienderos) are referred to as Negrenses while the obreros ( workers) and less priviledged are called Negrosanons. The social class was so distinct at that time. At present, such is no longer noticeable as much of the workers or obreros already have professionals in their family. They were able to send their children for higher education. Some have their own business now, while some are working overseas.

(CTTO)

Luckily, I was able to blend with them.

Negrenses are proud people. They take pride of their rich cultural history. They never fall short of things to tell how wonderful their place is, their native delicacies, artistic talents and skills, and their achievements.

Whenever a co-employee from Manila would come for a work-related visit, I make sure to take them to the best nearby places here so that they would have a wonderful time.

There is so much to love about this place. The drive from the airport in Silay City has scenic views of sugar plantations. Then as you come to its commercial center, you will be awed by the majestic century old houses and buildings. A reminder of the province's rich past. Silay City is a living museum as others would say. Though most of the places in this province are developing fast, life here is still laid back. So you definitely have time to sit, relax and take it all in.

( CTTO)

When we talk of Negros, we are not only referring to the usual vast sugar plantations. Pristine white sand beaches abound, like Lakawon Island in Cadiz City, Sipaway Island in San Carlos City, Jomabo Island in Escalante City, or the Carbin Reef in Sagay City and Sugar Beach in Sipalay City. There are amazing waterfalls, like the Kipot Twin Falls in Bago City, Mag-Aso Falls in Kabankalan City, Guintubdan Falls in La Carlota City and so on. Lush mountains in Patag and Tinagong Dagat in Silay City for the hikers or mountaineers. Cryptic caves in Calatrava. Therapeutic hot and cold springs of Mambukal in Murcia. Marine sanctuaries like Danjugan Island in Sipalay City.

Gastronomic foods and delicacies - not the usual chicken inasal or piaya. The steam locomotives in sugar refineries in Victorias, La Carlota and Sagay Cities. Ancestral houses buildings and ruins in Talisay and Silay Cities.

These are only some of the many tourist attractions that Negros Occidental has to offer. Interestingly, I have been to most of those places.

Of course, let us not forget, the province has various festivals ( one or two in each city or municipality). For example, Bacolod City has the world renowned Masskara Festival in October, Bacolodiat Festival ( Bacolod's version of Chinese New Year) celebrated either January or February depending on when the Lunar New Year falls, and the Panaad sa Negros Festival every April. Other famous festivals in the province are : Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City, Bailes de Luces of La Castellana City, Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City, etc. Negrenses definitely love to have fun and celebrate.

Moreover, Negros always have a favorable climate. It is rarely visited by typhoons. Perfect for business or investments. Perhaps, a contributing factor for the economic progress of the whole province.

All I can say, is Negros has a little of everything. No wonder, it is a livable place. A perfect retirement destination. My ten years of stay here in this place have been wondrously remarkable.

The Path Less Travelled

The Bewitching Beauty of Siquijor

Salagdoong Beach in Maria, Siquijor

If there is one thing about Siquijor that makes it enchanting, is its reputation of witchcraft and sorcery that has kept most people away from this mystical island. True, this small island is famous for its magic potions, healers and sorcerers ( locally called mambabarang or mangkukulam).

Located at the Central Visayas region, Siquijor is the third smallest island province in the country, consisting only of six towns : Siquijor, Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan and Enrique Villanueva.

The place is also fondly called Isla del Fuego or Island of Fire because of its myriad of fireflies that come out every night and gather on molave trees. They form an eerie glow from afar, like that of fire. Thus the place was called as such.

Siquijor can rarely be found on most travellers' adventure list. Often skipped because of its reputation for being a haven for sorcerers, yet those who dared and took a leap of faith to come to this island were rewarded by its bewitching beauty that remains untouched.

I was one of those bold travellers who have visited Siquijor on one hot summer. Upon embarking from the fastcraft at the Port of Siquijor, I have noticed that the province really has protected its natural resources from commercialism despite of influx of tourist recently. The waters at the port is so clear that you can see the white sand bed below. There were also a lot of small fishes swimming around.

Having been able to talked with a local ( a habal-habal driver who assisted and brought us to Salagdoong in Maria for a minimum fare), they say that their place is often misunderstood. If you are looking for broomsticks, boiling cauldrons or that witch oil, you will never find it here. What they have here are healers, who use ancient traditions of folk medicine using herbs and roots. This is also common in other parts of the country anyway. I have learned that during Lenten Season, these folk healers from other parts of the country mostly from Visayas and Mindanao; would come here in Siquijor (particularly in San Antonio) with their herbs and roots to concoct their healing oils. They are locally called mananambal. And this is where the wrong notion of this island came about. The reputation of being a haven for witches, sorcerers and occult practitioners.

You see, those who practice this dark ways are called mambabarang. Which is also true as I have learned. If you want to cast a curse on someone like your enemy, or if you are so obsessed with someone you loved, and you want a love potion, then this is the place for you.. But the price for this is quite costly.

Nevertheless, as one of those who had the daring decision to visit Siquijor, I have found that the people here are actually friendly and religious. This is evident by the presence of century old Catholic churches like the St. Francis of Assisi Church at the capital town proper and the San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent in Lazi.

Now if you are looking for a real escape from the urban life, or for pristine white sand beaches comparable to that of Boracay or Palawan, you'll have it here in Siquijor.

The best way to go around the island is by habal-habal or motorbike. One can tour the entire island within a day with a breathtaking view.

The town of San Juan has a number of resorts and dive sites like :

1. Coco Grove Beach Resort
2. Coral Cay Beach Resort
3. Tagot Shoal Sunken Island
4. Tubod Sanctuary
5. Maite Dive Site

Plus, this is where most visitors stay overnight because of the reason that it is facing the west, and so you will have a fantastic view of the sunset.

Salagdoong Beach in Maria is also another tourist favorite. (This is were I stayed.) Though not as equally beautiful than those beaches in San Juan, it has a cliff jump that adds to the fun of tourists. Personally, I love the local friendliness here. The resort crew are accomodating.

If you like a beach paradise atmosphere, then you'll like it here. Its crystal clear blue waters, white sand, and the laid back lifestyle is truly bewitching. It's hard not to fall in love with a place like this.

I just hope that the people of Siquijor will continue to protect and preserve their enchanting place so that it will always be a bewitching paradise for its visitors.