A Mask of Joy - City of Smile, Bacolod!

in #weekend2 years ago

MASSKARA FESTIVAL.png

Image edited in canva

Bacolod is a city of smiles, a place of joy, and a festival you won't soon forget.

The Masskara Festival is among the most well-known holidays we observe in the Philippines. The happiness that the Bacolod people experience during the Masskara festival is well-known. There are a ton of happy masks all over the place throughout the event.

IMG20221020164247 - Edited.png

The festival is known for its colorful smiling masks, which can be seen hanging from every house or in various businesses as well as being worn by many attendees.

It is my first time experiencing this kind of festival in my country even though I'm staying almost 3 years in Negros Occidental. It is also the first time that the festival is being celebrated after 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, so everyone is excited to feel again the spirit of Masskara festival.

IMG20221020164512 - Edited.png

Many tourists came to Bacolod this year, they are all eager to see the highlights of the festival which is being held on the final day of the celebration.

IMG20221020164243 - Edited.png

When I arrive at the plaza, which is the center of the festival, this is what I saw first. A lot of mask vendors are aligned on the street. They sell different styles, shapes, and colors of smiling masks. I wasn't able to buy one though because I was busy taking photos of the place, I am like a child at that time because it was my first time and it was one of the things on my bucket list.



IMG20221020165931 - Edited.png

St. Sebastian Parish

While walking, I saw this beautiful church, The St. Sebastian Parish. I walk in and I was amazed by the beauty of the inside of the church.

IMG20221020164721 - Edited.png

IMG20221020164830 - Edited.png

Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm not a Catholic anymore, I'm a Christian but I still respect and appreciate my religion in the past.



IMG20221020164452 - Edited.png


When I go out of the church, I saw these vendors who sell Bibingka. Bibingka is a delicious food that is commonly sold every Christmas season so I was lucky to find and eat some even though it's not already December.

IMG20221020170148 - Edited_clipdrop-enhance.png

IMG20221020164452 - Edited - Edited (4).png



IMG20221020170148 - Edited (1).png


After eating, I go to different markets that offers many Masskara Festival themed products. There's a lot of souvenir to choose from.

IMG20221020172437 - Edited.png

I spend the rest of the day just strolling and taking photos of the plaza.

IMG20221020172427 - Edited.png

IMG20221020172429 - Edited.png

IMG20221020173031 - Edited.png

IMG20221020173102 - Edited.png

IMG20221020171824 - Edited.png

Suddenly I got hungry because of the street foods. There's so many barbeque stalls in the street that will make you crave.

IMG20221020171826 - Edited.png

IMG20221020171822 - Edited.png

It was truly a nice and joyful day to experience. Sadly, that day is only the third day of the festival and there are only a few activities to see on that day. The most awaited day of the festival is the final day and the day before that. I wasn't able to go to the final day because I was at work. Hopefully, I will be there next year and see all of the activities, including their Amazing Street Dance Parade, I only saw photos of the parade this year, next year I will be the one who is taking photos in person and I will share again my experience here in Hive!


That's all for today, Hive. It is my first post here in this beautiful community. Thank you for reading and have a good day!

Sort:  

It looks like a nice and colorful festival. What exactly is Bibingka?

It's a rice cake wrapped in Banana leaves. 😊

Thank you. It must be delicious 😋

Exactly @ayane-chan, it is really delicious. You must try some @coquicoin when you visit our country 💙

Let's hope I can visit your country and try them :)

Awwwe, Masskara Festival. We were supposed to attend this year but something came up and our trip got cancelled. Sayang, hope I can experience it next year.

Aww, sayang talaga. Well, there's always next time, the festival gets better and better every year, so see you next year!💙

Welcome on hive my dear friend Yung mga pinsan ko tga Bacolod mama nila so I've got the chance to learned their language like kaon-means kain po. I missed eating bibingka

Thank you for welcoming me💙 actually yan din yung una Kong nalaman na word😂 kaon haha