Bacolod City—A month before MassKara turns 40, the City of Bacolod kicked off the countdown to the Ruby anniversary of the world-renowned festival poised to appeal to the younger generation of revelers.
On Sunday afternoon, the launch was led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit, who announced the major events of this year’s festivities, themed “Bacolod, City of Smiles” from October 8 to 27.
“This is a MassKara like no other even if we just simply think in terms of its being 40 years. This is a milestone, no doubt about that. (We have) seen MassKara metamorphose to what it is today. We’re looking forward to a MassKara like no other,” Leonardia said.
Explaining the thought behind the 40th year theme, the mayor said: “This is probably the best time to also relaunch our image as the ‘City of Smiles.’”
“Some people would tell me our smile is just different…Let’s take advantage of this,” Leonardia added.
In the Ruby MassKara logo created by digital artist Mark Lester Jarmin, that smile is emphasized through Yuhom, the MassKara icon dressed up as a festival dancer.
“Yuhom” is the Hiligaynon word for smile.
This year’s logo incorporates elements from the first festival logo designed by Ely Santiago, including the red elements and the text “MassKara.”
Also, Yuhom can be seen wearing a mask with 40 colorful feathers, symbolizing the 40 years of the festival and a crown with ruby gem, and eight diamond studs for the eight decades of Bacolod. He is shown jumping as an expression of excitement for the upcoming festival.
During the launch, Leonardia and Tajanlangit were joined by a young creative team tasked to present a different kind of MassKara in its 40th year.
“That the creative team is composed of very young people is an acknowledgment of the fact that MassKara Festival has to move on, on the blood of our new generation,” Tajanlangit said.
The team included Ryan Saez, director of Electric MassKara; Sonny Cabahug, pageant director of the Search for the Ruby MassKara Queen; digital artist Mark Lester Jarmin, who created the 2019 festival logo; artist-photographer RJ Lacson, who is putting together the Ruby MassKara art installation; and filmmaker Claudia Diaz-Cojuangco, who is doing a documentary on the MassKara dancers.
Part of the launch was the “Countdown to the Ruby MassKara,” wherein city and festival officials switched on the countdown clock towards the festival opening on October 8, 6 p.m., at the Bacolod Public Plaza bandstand.
Among the main events of the 40th MassKara Festival are the MassKara Street and Arena Dance Competition, Electric MassKara, Search for MassKara Queen, MassKara Choreographers’ Showdown, MassKara Children’s Party, MassKara Fashion Show, Nights of Mardi Gras, and Sadya ang MassKara fireworks competition.