Masskara Festival at Bacolod city

Bacolod, Negros Occidental

Bacolod is derived from the word bakolod "the old Hiligaynon or Old Ilonggo" word for "hill, mound, rise, hillock, down any small eminence or elevation. Known as "City of Smiles" because of their attitude of being a frienldly city. Bacolod it is a capital city of province of Negros Occidental. 

They are known also celebrating MassKara festival  held during the 3rd week of October. The city is declared by Department of Science and Technology as "center of Excellence" for information technology and business management operations.

Bacolod city Government center

Image source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacolod

Tourist spot

The tourist destination and attractions  in bacolod starts first at the city plaza where you can see the San Sebastian Cathedral the old church built 1876. The coral stone is from  Guimaras and the hardwood is from Palawan. 

The Historical building Palacio Episcopal [bishop's Palace]built 1890 during the Spanish colonizers.

 The Fountain of Justice in the front of the old city hall where the spanish colonizers surrendered to the Filipinos in the year 1898. 

 Stunning Diocesan Shrine of St. Thaddeus known for "Floating"Risen Christ at the Altar and it's painted ceiling. 

 Sta. Clara Chapel 

is seem modest but it has a mosaic mural made from mother of Pearl  and 95,000 pieces of shell.

 "Ruins"

 it is a famous also tourist destination because of the concept of "stabilized ruins" it is common in United Kingdom as the way of preserving and interpreting the old building like churches and palace. The building was a lavish early 20th century concrete fantasy a residence built by local sugar baron. Located at Talisay City, Bacolod

Source:http://myphilippinelife.com/ 

 Masskara Festival 

 it is a traditonal event festival of the Ilonggo was originally and ironically            masks reflected the peoples grief over the loss of their loved ones when 1979  Negros Navigation's luxury liner MS Don Juan crashed with tanker . 5 years  before, there was a big drop in sugar production. People of Negros suffered from  excess of Sugar in world market caused by the Caribbean sugar crisis and  introduction of sugar substitute like the high fructose corn syrup in United  States. All these happen and led a tradition of Masskara festival first celebrate it  in the year 1980 .

                  

Source:  mynegrosislandguide.com                                       sallylyngestrella.blogspot.com