MassKara fun

"LIFE’S good in Bacolod." This is the theme of the 33rd Masskara Festival on October 1 to 22. The organizers would want to highlight not just what is in the festival. The Bacolodnons would want to delight visitors with their lifestyle, products, cultural wares, food, hospitality and charming personality.

Any Bacolodnon could point out what is in Bacolod now. Economy is crisp. The officials are on a race to make the sidewalk attractive, or shall we say asphalt what is concrete. I am referring to the beefing up of the tourist strip. Restaurants are coming out with what is new and in. The chefs simply want to prove that Bacolod is not just grilled chicken.

The festive MassKara street dance has produced several scions... the electric MassKara, art MassKara, pageant MassKara, Majica MassKara, danssKara. It's no wonder if on the week-long celebration, a visitor would stumble into fish ballKara, siomaiKara, shakeKara, putoKara, trisiKara, busKara, taxiKara and more from the MassKara franchise will be baptized.

MassKara Festival is not just for Bacolodnons. Negrosanons from the other cities and municipalities will swarm Bacolod for the fun. MassKara is fun actually. You put on a mask and amuse people. You remove your mask and amuse yourself. There is no difference. You can be funny in either way. Candidates will be hopping like grasshoppers. They could be on top of the float to show their curves. They could be in street parties making a toast for their future careers, or that could be a eulogy toast; just in case they are despised by the voters. The tourism strip could be a display window for brand-new cars. The groups of Negros elite would be there to meet Manila friends in a loud reunion by wine, beer and angel wings.

The plaza area and the carnival ground will again attract most of the barangay residents. Beer would be bottomless, endless and tasty but it would always depend on how much money you have in your pocket. Souvenir items, delicacies, and fruits would be always available. It's good to bring the entire family to the rides and amusement park. The neighboring business establishments will have bargain sale left and right. Our hotels, pension houses, motels and lodging houses would be having wonderful share for full time and short time visitors.

Giant TV networks, community TV stations and radio companies will be out there to host game shows and may even bring Manila talents to amuse the local audience. Masks of different sizes and faces would be sellable. Politicians would not wear masks. They have to unmask so that the people would know the real color of their faces. Let's appreciate the entertainment shown to us by politicians. They have also talents and skills. They add rainbow to the celebration. Perfect!

The fun is there. Funny and not-so-funny people are there. Is there anything more for the MassKara Fun? Oh, yes...there is. We need clean comfort rooms. We don't want to give the image that Bacolod Plaza is the biggest beer garden and also the biggest urinal. That plaza is historical. The bandstand is the mark of culture.

Pickpockets and snatchers will be part of the funny crowd. It's either they make fun of you or you go home without your wallet, camera and cellphone. Beware, ladies. Don't insist to stay in a congested area. Your curves are not safe there. Beware, business men. Fake money might be in circulation again. Be watchful policemen. Deadly weapons may be on the loose. Sirs and Ma'ams, bodol-bodol gangs strike without notice. Gang members have all the styles and follow the state - of - the – art swindling.

And, again...media men from all networks will document our garbage, our congested traffic, our fish and vegetable market in the middle of the road, our trisikad striking in all directions, our mutating commercial sex workers, and our street children.

MassKara is both fun and funny. It depends on what side you enjoy. Bacolodnons, Negrosanons...let us unite. While we prepare for the fun, let's have preparation to anticipate what could be funny. We love Bacolod!