Nearing four decades of revelry, the MassKara Festival of Bacolod City has become an attraction on the tourism map. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists will be in town to have fun and laugh with locals. Meanwhile, security is in place to ensure safety within festival premises, along with other parts of the city. 

Kiosks serving food and beer are lined up around the Bacolod Public Plaza, along with local landmarks offering culinary specials; including chicken inasal at Manokan Country, La Paz batchoy and crablets at 21 Restaurant, the hamburger at Bob’s, cakes from Felicia’s and Calea, napoleons from Bongbong’s and Merzci, and Bailon’s Piaya.

Corporate sponsors are also taking advantage of the event, with telecommunications and beverage companies giving out goodies and promotional trinkets.

Unfortunately, Coca-Cola will be missing from this year’s festivities, which is a surprise to many.

Many travelers have asked why Coca-Cola has been banned, wondering if it is akin to banning ciagrettes.

As noted in a “WatchMe” column published earlier this week, “City lawmakers [passed] a resolution banning the said company’s products.

What sin has Coke committed? It is said their products use high fructose corn syrup as an alternative to local sugar. Despite the company putting up a giant billboard showing they use 100 percent local refined sugar from the Victorias Milling Company, people still question, why are they banned?”

Festival organizers have the right to ban specific products from their event – one that has been supportive of the said occasion for 37 years is another matter.

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This column greets Joemari Moriente, Jane Javellana, Herbert Vego, Erwin Vergara, Francis Redil Villanueva, Boy Montalbo, Mayette Yao, Monet Kilayko, Leon Moya, Lito Aves, and Mikey Benedicto./WDJ