BACOLOD City — Residents and visitors can now experience Bacolod’s culture and heritage through a new augmented reality (AR) mural launched by the city government in partnership with La Consolacion College Bacolod (LCCB).
The Bacolod AR Mural was formally unveiled on September 14, at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds. It combines hand-painted artwork featuring iconic city landmarks with digital technology that allows viewers to see animated MassKara dancers come to life through their mobile phones.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, together with project proponents Councilors Em Ang and Israel Salanga, city officials, and LCCB representatives, led the unveiling of the quick response (QR) signage that activates the AR experience.
Visitors only need to scan the QR code, position the mural within their phone’s screen, and view the digital animation superimposed on the artwork.
The installation also provides historical information about the MassKara Festival, giving tourists and residents an opportunity to learn more about one of Bacolod’s most recognized cultural traditions.
For LCCB student Epifany Faith Ababao, one of the first to experience the attraction, the technology gives the city’s festival identity a new dimension.
“If you are a tourist, even if it’s not MassKara time, it feels like anytime is MassKara because of this project,” Ababao said.
The project was led by LCCB through Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Baniline Jone Abantao-Portal, with various academic units contributing to its development.
The School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Interior Design handled the mural artwork, while the School of Business and Information Technology developed the AR visuals and video production. The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management contributed to the tourism concept.
The City Tourism Office, headed by Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, supported the project, with technical assistance from the Management Information Technology and Computer Services and internet connectivity support from the Department of Information and Communication Technology.
Manalili said the project demonstrates how technology can create new ways for people to experience Bacolod’s culture and heritage.
Abantao-Portal described the initiative as a milestone in the partnership between the academe and local government, saying it reflects a shared commitment to cultural preservation and innovative development.
Gasataya thanked LCCB and the project’s partners for contributing to the city’s tourism and innovation efforts.
He said the AR mural forms part of the city’s continuing efforts to use digital innovation to promote local arts, culture, and heritage while strengthening Bacolod’s tourism appeal.
With the new attraction, Bacolod’s cultural story goes beyond the artwork on the mural, allowing visitors to experience it through an interactive digital platform./PN
