A Celebration of Dance - The Masskara Festival

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/8, 1/600, ISO200

Celebrated every 2nd or 3rd week of October in Bacolod, the highlight for the 2011 month-long festival fell on the 15th and 16th.  The street dance competition is the apex of this festival when representatives from the various schools and barangay categories strut their moves to the beat of the drums and most important, don their most colorful smiling masks and costumes that gives life to what is widely known as the Masskara Festival.  

Having arrived a few days before the Saturday and Sunday street-dance competition, gave me enough time witness some of the activities prior to the weekend event.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/8, 1/30, ISO800

There was the final judging of the Masskara Headress-Costume contest held in one of the malls. 

One gets to see the various headdresses and costumes that will be worn during the competition.  One striking fact when you examine the headdresses was that most if not all are made from indigenous materials.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/5, 1/30, ISO800

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/5, 1/30, ISO800

One can also marvels at the artistry that went into the intricate design and composition of the head gears and costumes.

Part of Lacson St., known as the Tourism Strip, was closed for the Electric Masskara and Giant Puppet parade.  The side-streets were also lined with food-joints. Various bands were playing set in small stages placed at various parts of the street as the parade was ongoing.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/5, 1/30, ISO800

 

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/5, 1/30, ISO800

The photographers pass allowed me to go up close and personal with the participants as 
they performed. 

The Camera Club of Negros has been designated by the Silver Masskara Festival Org. Inc., as the official organizing group for the visiting and local photographers and videographers who would be documenting the festival.

The length of Araneta St. starting at the intersection of Lizares St., was reserved exclusively for those issued with the Photographers and Videographers Pass. 

Saturday was the first day of the Street Dance Competition for the Schools Category.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/9, 1/500, ISO400

Its hard to believe that most of the participants for the day's competition were elementary and high school students. Their execution were almost flawless and were almost in perfect unison.  Their months of practice did pay.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/4.5, 1/1000, ISO200

The following Sunday was the Barangay Category of the Street Dance Competition.  The crowd present was almost double than the previous day.  

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/9, 1/800, ISO200

Each participant teamed for sponsorship from the various private business entities in the city.  Thus, it came out obvious from the costumes donned by the participants and the props they had with them.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/8, 1/800, ISO200

Schedules and other activities during the festival can be found on the masskara official website, http://www.themasskarafestival.com.

For 2012, the street dance competition will fall on the 20th and 21st of October.

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/5.6, 1/650, ISO400

The festival has become a renowned event.  Both local and foreign visitors come to Bacolod to witness the event.  

As soon as you get to know the exact week the Masskara will take place, have your reservations already.  Accommodations ran out months prior to October. For the 2012 festival, I had my accommodations paid up as early as June.  See you there ...

Canon 40D, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/6.3, 1/1250, ISO400