I CAN’T believe it. We are already in the second half of October. Soon, it will be Christmas. In the Philippines, we often start the celebration of Christmas in September and it would end until the 2nd week of January. However, it is very sad to note that this year, Christmas is like coming late. One could not feel the air of Christmas unlike in the past years. This is because we put other things (13th and 14th month pay, bonuses, gifts, and other material goods) over the celebrant. If we look forward to the birth of Christ on Christmas day, then we could see the essence of Christmas.
This brings me to the point of the celebration of Masskara in Bacolod. This year, Masskara is not felt like in the other years. Is this because of the change in the date of the Bacolod Charter? Is it because it has lost its meaning or relevance? Is it because Bacolodnons or Negranons are now poorer? What are the reasons? Although, I know that the organizers did well in the preparations. Congratulations to all for your efforts. I do not know what keeps Bacolodnons and Negrenses busy these days?
Forty years ago, Bacolod faced a great challenge. The spirit of the people was down. Poverty and all its tentacles were at its glory days. The “Don Juan” sea tragedy was very fresh in the minds of the people from all walks of life. The trial of the three clergy and six laymen (Negros 9) tore the relationship of people.
The negative depiction of Negros with the “Batang Negros” picture (a famished boy eating a small food) was seen around the world. The scorching drought, which destroyed the sugar industry plus the decreasing price of sugar, brought more burdens to the people. The interdiction of new methods of farming made many planters bankrupt and many farmers lost their jobs. And of course, the abuses of the Marcos cronies and dogs which made life hard and harsh. These were the events that have brought down the morale of every Bacolodnon and Negrense.
That time Bacolodnons and Negrenses needed to have something to forget the miseries of their lives. Bacolod spearheaded a celebration that would bring hope for the land. So, Masskara was conceptualized by a team with Mayor Evelio Leonardia, then Tourism officer. It was an event that would make Bacolodnons forget the miseries of life and have a day or two of rejoicing and merrymaking. A simple dance parade and some agro-trade fair would do the job complemented with a search for the beautiful lass of Bacolod that would depict the resiliency of the Bacolodnons. The mask became the symbol of despite the hardships in life, we still saw the joyful and joyous nature of the Bacolodnons.
To make it more memorable and relevant, the date of the celebration was then placed within the week of the Charter day, which was then October 19. So, the celebration went on for decades and made Bacolod and Masskara synonymous. The smiling mask went global and became the icon of the City. People from all over the globe come to see the famous Masskara. Now Masskara is being brought to the four corners of the world.
Today, however, it seems that Masskara is losing its very essence. The mask can no longer cover the realities and miseries of life. The old folks no longer look forward to the celebration for I guess the thrill had come to pass. The middle-aged folks are angered by the traffic jams it caused. The young people have their cellphones to be busy with. Only those who seek adventure and fanfare are happy and merry.
Masskara should be seen in its context. If it no longer serves its purpose, it will soon lose its appeal and becomes a useless tradition.
So, have a merry Christmas and a peaceful Masskara.
Cardinal St. Newman, pray for us.