Masskara!

Bacolod city is famous in the Philippines for it's annual Masskara festival. It's a month long event that attracts tourists and Filipino's from everywhere! I've seen more white people here this past week then I have for the entire time we've lived here (11 months now)!!
I've been told that the word Masskara has been taken from two different words; 1. Mass-meaning large crowds of people (duh!)and 2. cara (spanish word used for 'face')-which is the total theme of the festival. Beautiful, big, bright masks on all the faces!! It's actually themed by a smiling mask because of the "Negrenese" people's happy, smiling spirits even through the ups and down of the sugar industry on the Island. The festival started in 1980 to help celebrate Bacolod's Charter Day which is on October 19th.
On the activity schedule is a little carnival that is scheduled the entire festival (Oct 1-22), parades, street dancing, a Masquerade Ball, drum beating competition, and costume shows. Sounds like a good time!!