The word “Masskara” is a portmanteau, coined by the late artist Ely Santiago from mass (a multitude of people), and the Spanish word cara (face), thus forming MassKara (a multitude of faces). The word is also a pun on maskara, Filipino for “mask”, since it is a prominent feature of the festival and are always adorned with smiling faces, giving rise to Bacolod being called the “City of Smiles”.

The MassKara Festival started in 1980 during the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. The prices of sugar, the province’s main agricultural crop and livelihood source, were at a record low following the introduction of sugar alternatives into the market. Consequently, two artists came up with the idea of promoting mask making as an alternative source of income for the locals. In the same year, a tragic ferry incident occurred — the MV Don Juan sank, resulting in the deaths of many people from the province. The MassKara Festival was then created to bring back smiles and uplift the locals’ spirits during those difficult times.

The highlight of the MassKara Festival is a dance competition, where participants don colorful costumes and vibrant, smiling masks and dance to Latin music. Besides this, there is Bacolod’s biggest street party, Electric MassKara. As the most awaited festival event, this night parade features LED-lit dancers, bands, and floats. Major activities include the MassKara Queen beauty pageant, carnivals, drum, bugle corps competitions, food festivals, sports events, musical concerts, agriculture-trade fairs, garden shows, and other special events organized every year.

According to nationaltoday.com and Wikipedia.