BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez yesterday hailed the recognition received by the MassKara Festival that was adjudged as Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer and Best Festival Practices and Performances for year 2022, in the Aliw Awards 2022 held at the Manila Hotel on December 5.
Masskara Festival is a celebration of the strength and resilience of Bacolodnons in times of crisis and tragedy, Benitez said.
And this has never been truer than this year’s celebration – Masskara Festival 2022 was testament to the Bacolodnon’s enduring spirit as our city rises and recovers from the impact of the pandemic, he added
Masskara Festival has brought back the smile in the faces of Bacolodnons, Benitez stressed, as he lauded the men and women behind the success of festival: its organizers, sponsors, volunteers and vendors, the neophyte mayor said.
“I dedicate this Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer Award to the people of Bacolod,” Benitez said.
The world-renowned festival of “many of faces,” which returned for its 43rd edition on October, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bested two other nominees, the Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Lubang Island Mindoro and the Fiestang Caragan of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
Accompanied by Executive Assistant IV Carmelli Bantug- Zayco, Councilor Jason Villarosa, chair of the City Council’s committee on tourism, represented Benitez during the awards night.
This year’s festivity, themed “Balik Yuhum” (Bring Back the Smile), was held from October 1 to 23 and culminated with the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the arena dance competition at the Paglaum Sports Complex.
Almost 200,000 visitors came to celebrate the Masskara during various events held in seven festival sites across the city.* with PNA reports
