My Masskara 2O11 Experience

After years of indifference, I decided to attend the 2011 Masskara Festival.  I have experienced only 2 Masskara festivities since this started in the 80's...the first time in the mid-80's when I was taking my MBA and classmates convinced me to join the fun in the Bacolod Plaza (at that time, that was the only venue) and last year, when my son dragged me for help with a project to Lacson St.  where it was raining on and off the whole evening. This year, I joined my fellow Negros Bloggers in attending some of the events we were invited to. First stop was the Electric Masskara which is now on it's 5th year.  My friends, and I braved the crowd and pushed our way in to get a good look at the floats. I have no idea which barangay is which but it was great to see the dancers and their beautiful costumes up close.

There were still several floats to see but as the crowd was moving, we had no choice but to move along and eventually found ourselves in front of the Merci Pasalubong Treats photobooth where their Marketing Officer Ria Akamatsu gave us Merci twistable mini fans to counter the heat. We then went to cool off in L'Fisher Hotel and then had this ice cream soda across the street before finally going home but not before walking several blocks to where I parked my car.

The next day, October 15, the Negros Bloggers had VIP access courtesy of Globe Tattoo to the OPUS Black Party with DJ's Bigboy, Santi Santos, Mars Miranda, Scarmixxed and Ace Ramos.  It's been so long since I got into the party scene that I surprised myself by staying till the wee hours in the morning.  It was fun partying with a purpose...hahaha.

So would I do it again next year?  Yes, with the right company.  All these events were fun because the people I was with made it worthwhile. The Masskara Festival has evolved from it's simple beginnings to something quite different from what it was originally conceived for.  Many critics have wondered what exactly is the purpose of the present-day Masskara Festival?  Well, my Masskara 2011 experience tells me that it is not just about the merry making, parties, street dancing, parades, carnivals, etc...but more importantly it also brings people together and that this atmosphere of camaraderie can actually create lasting and meaningful friendships.