BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental (CGSNNOC) has started drawing up security measures for the MassKara Festival here this October.
The coastguard is anticipating more tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental, particularly in Bacolod City, said CGSNNOC commander Joe Luviz Mercurio.
The deployment of security forces to secure MassKara revelers and events, however, will be a multi-agency operation, stressed Mercurio.
He expected the city government to convene law enforcement agencies in the coming weeks.
As part of coastguard’s mandate, Mercurio said, they will tighten maritime security.
The 44th edition of the MassKara Festival will kick off on Oct. 7. Festivities will run until Oct. 22.
Mayor Alfredo Benitez said the 15-day festivity would be launched with a countdown on Oct. 6, and this year’s version will have “more spectacular” street and arena dances.
MassKara was born out of the darkest days of the city of Bacolod and the province of Negros Occidental. Prior to the 1980s, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City had a booming economy, thanks to the sugar industry. However, world market prices for sugar came crashing down; the city and the province’s livelihood were affected.
The ultimate blow to the sad state of the city and province came on April 22, 1980 when the vessel M/S Don Juan of the defunct Negros Navigation was rammed by M/T Tacloban City of the Philippine National Oil Company between Tablas and Maestre de Campo Island, causing the Bacolod-bound passenger vessel to sink.
Eighteen people lost their lives in the tragedy, while 115 were reported missing.
Most of the victims were well-known in Negros such as the owners of vast sugarcane farms in the province and families of politicians.
Then-Bacolod City mayor Jose “Digoy” Montalvo suggested having a “mask” festival. He pointed out that it would be an alternative source of income for the people and a showcase of their resilience. He also pointed out the importance of bringing back the smiles of the locals.
Thus, the very first MassKara Festival was held on Oct. 19, 1980. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
