MassKara Festival - (a combination of the English word “mass” and the Spanish “kara,” meaning “face”), is a whole month celebration started in the 1980s when Negros Occidental's sugar economy was on a crisis and the unfateful sinking of M/S Don Juan of Negros Navigation (NN) carrying at least 1,000 passengers.
To hide everyone's mourning faces, thus, MassKara Festival started. As Bacolod City is already known as the 'City of Smiles' before the tragedy, that moment has been tagged as "The Day the City of Smiles Wept".
You might wonder why I seem to know the history of it so well. As much as I wanted to do a detailed post about it, I'd rather share what Bacolod's MassKara has become now after more than 30 years. Yes, I am a proud Bacolodnon.
It was supposed to be a solo trip but 2 of my closest office friends wanted to try what my hometown has to offer. The festival is celebrated every October, and highlights of the event is on the 3rd weekend.
It was a non-stop transfer, from one mode of transportation to another before reaching the first destination of this trip, the Mambucal Resort.
Mambucal Resort is known for its 7 breathtaking waterfalls. To see them, you have to trek for almost 2-3 hours to visit all, up to the 7th falls. It is situated at 1,200 ft above sea level and covers 23.6 hectares of pure bliss and a sanctuary for nature lovers.
With the cold temperature in the resort, it's best to dip and relax in their free-flowing sulfuric-water hot spring.
What's nice about the resort is that, they are trying to develop the place without destroying its natural beauty. Trees and rivers are well taken care of.
Since we were already there, we almost tried every activity the resort has to offer. One of them is the Zipline crossing the lagoon area. This activity is only for P50 per person which lasted for 30 seconds of thrill.
After the zipline experience, you will pass by the Ishiwata Bathhouse. It's a Greek and Roman inspired bathhouse where sulfur water flows into 5 cubicles, with division to provide some privacy to guests.
An overnight stay at the resort was not enough. We're not able to visit even just one falls due to the lack of time. We really need to head back to the city for the Masskara Festival. Upon checking in at the hotel, our gastronomic intuition suggested that a good lunch at Manokan Country will suffice the hours we spent in the bus. It's very accessible since it's located adjacent to SM City Bacolod.
Bacolod has a lot of arrays and choices when it comes to restaurants. Some of them we're able to try and visit.
After taking some rest, it's time to witness the Electric Masskara at night. Unfortunately, we're not able to witness it as we were informed it will be in the New Government Center. Sad that when we went back to Lacson Streets, the performance was already finished.
I guess we stayed too long enjoying our meal, especially my Molten Chocolate Lava from Cookies and Crumbs.
Cookies and Crumbs
New Bacolod Government Center, Circumferential Rd
If your palate is looking for western dishes, this is the place. As their tagline goes, 'more than just cookies'.
As we arrived with disappointments in Lacson Streets without the Electric Masskara, we chose to load ourselves with sugar for some energy. Calea is always on top of the list for cakes and desserts when visiting Bacolod.It is lLocated at 15th Lacson St. I was not able to take photos of the store 'coz my phone ran out of batteries.
This trip will never be complete without seeing some old folks; the people who misses my antics and corny jokes. The people I used to share my dreams and aspirations. My friends for no reason at all, who's making me come back to my hometown.
The day has come the we needed to bid farewell. But we still have the whole day to add more to our Bacolod experience. We woke up late so we decided to have brunch in Pepe's.
Pepe's Restaurant and Bar
Piazza Sorrento, Lacson Street, 6100 Bacolod City
If you're into Mediterranean and healthy eating, Pepe's is the best choice for you. Huge and affordable servings.
21 Restaurant
21 Lacson St,Bacolod City
Craving for Negrense delicacies, you'll never go wrong with 21 Restaurant. I was saddened that my choice of Batchoy (the bone-marrow) is not available.
After binge-eating, we headed to our last destination before the airport; The Ruins in Talisay City. It's just in the borders of Bacolod which you can pass by going to the airport. We're able to haggle the taxi for P500 to bring us to The Ruins and en route to the airport afterwards.
I'll never get tired coming back to the city that has taught a lot of things to me. It may not be as urbanized as Manila, but it will always be home to me.
Budget: P7,000
Round trip Airfare: P1,200
1 Night Mambucal Accommodation: P1,100
2 Nights Bacolod Check Inn Accommodation - P1, 900
Pocket Money: 3,000
*Pocket money includes transportation, food, entrances and other stuff not mentioned.
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