THE DRUMS thunder, the lyres ring out, and rows of young performers move in unison to the infectious rhythm filling the streets.
Amid the colorful costumes, synchronized movements and cheering crowds of the MassKara Festival, every beat tells a story — one of joy, resilience and a city determined to keep smiling through life’s challenges.
But behind the spectacle is a demanding process of rehearsals, discipline and dedication, guided by mentors who transform young musicians into the living soundtrack of Bacolod’s most celebrated festival.
For Dexter Ian Acuna, a longtime drum and lyre trainer, choreographer and band director, MassKara performances are more than displays of musical precision and synchronized movements. They are expressions of the city’s identity, carrying the warmth and optimism that have earned Bacolod its reputation as the City of Smiles.
“MassKara Festival performances are different from other competitions because they go beyond perfect notes and synchronization of steps. They carry a deep story for us to unfold and tell to the audience,” Acuna said.
“It radiates warmth, joy and unique energy, as every performer believes that they represent the City of Smiles, where warmth and love radiate.”
Acuna’s journey in band training began during his high school years and has since spanned nearly three decades. A bandmaster specializing in pop and brass bands, he also serves as non-teaching personnel at Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) and directs the UNO-R Recoletos Wind and Percussion Band.
Through years of training young musicians, he has witnessed how MassKara’s drum and lyre competitions have evolved, with increasingly elaborate musical arrangements, choreography and visual presentations.
Preparations have become more intensive, while performances have incorporated artistic elements designed to make each presentation more meaningful and engaging.
“The biggest changes I’ve seen so far are that the preparation is more thorough and performances have become more artistic and meaningful,” he said.
The integration of MassKara-inspired music and costumes has added another dimension to the competition. However, these creative elements also raise the demands on trainers and performers, particularly elementary school pupils who must coordinate complex movements with lively musical arrangements.
For Acuna, the challenge is not simply teaching children to play their instruments correctly or execute every dance step. It is helping them understand the rhythm, work as a team and convey the energy that audiences have come to associate with the festival.
Behind every beat
The exhilarating performances that captivate MassKara audiences are the culmination of countless hours of practice, repeated instructions and the determination to perfect every detail.
For the young performers, preparing for competition means balancing rehearsals with schoolwork and other academic responsibilities. Even when time is allotted for training, lessons and assignments remain part of their daily routine.
Some pupils begin rehearsals after classes, while others struggle with overlapping schedules, fatigue and occasional illnesses as competition day approaches.
“Honestly, the journey isn’t easy,” Acuna said, describing the difficulties his young performers face as they juggle long hours of practice with mounting schoolwork.
The demands can be physically and mentally exhausting. Repeating musical passages, refining formations and perfecting choreography require patience, concentration and perseverance from both trainers and pupils.
Yet these challenges also teach lessons that reach far beyond the competition floor.
Through rehearsals, children learn discipline, cooperation and accountability. They discover that a successful performance does not depend on a single outstanding musician or dancer but on every member fulfilling a role.
One missed beat or mistimed movement can disrupt an entire formation, making trust and coordination essential to the group’s success.
Acuna believes that mentoring young performers means teaching them that improvement takes time and that achieving a common goal requires everyone to work together.
More than music
For Acuna, drum and lyre performances occupy a special place in the MassKara Festival, extending beyond entertainment and the pursuit of trophies.
“Drum and bugle competitions and performances are more than just entertainment; they are the heartbeat of Bacolod’s MassKara Festival,” he said.
The powerful rhythm of the drums, the bright melodies of the lyres and the cheers of spectators transform streets and public spaces into stages for collective celebration.
Together, they create a distinctive sound that reflects the character of a city determined to find joy even in difficult times.
Acuna believes the festival embodies an enduring Filipino trait: the ability to face adversity while remaining hopeful, optimistic and connected to others.
As he recalled the message shared by his band major, MassKara reflects how Filipinos continue to move forward through good times and bad, finding reasons to celebrate despite life’s uncertainties.
That spirit is carried by every young performer who steps into formation, every musician who keeps the beat and every spectator who responds with a cheer.
In this way, the drum and lyre competition becomes more than a showcase of musical talent. It brings together children, families, schools and communities through a shared appreciation of music, discipline and celebration.
A city that keeps smiling
The sound of MassKara is not produced by drums and lyres alone. It is shaped by the people who teach, learn, practice and perform — and by a community that continues to find meaning in coming together.
Behind every polished routine are mentors who patiently guide their students, parents who support their children’s participation and schools that provide opportunities for young people to develop their talents.
Their contributions may not always be visible amid the festival’s grand spectacle, but they help sustain the tradition year after year.
For Acuna, the festival’s message remains clear: being the City of Smiles means choosing happiness, embracing unity and holding on to optimism, whatever circumstances may arise.
It is a message reflected in the smiling faces of young performers who continue playing despite exhaustion, in the determination of mentors who devote hours to training and in the enthusiasm of spectators who gather to celebrate their city’s culture./PN
