By CESAR JOLITO III

The upcoming 46th MassKara Festival in October will carry a deeper meaning for Bacolodnons this year, as Mayor Greg Gasataya urged the community to draw strength from the city’s tradition of resilience following the fire that razed 216 houses in Barangay 27 on Friday, September 12.

Speaking during the festival’s grand launch on Saturday, September 13, at a hotel in the city, Gasataya recalled that MassKara Festival’s birth was also rooted in tragedy.

“What happened in the 1980s is similar to what we are experiencing now. The people of Barangay 27 will rise from this tragedy because of the support of everyone, not just from the government but also from private sectors and companies,” Gasataya said.

The sinking of the M/V Don Juan in 1980 left at least 176 dead and cast a shadow over the city.

That year, former Bacolod Mayor Jose “Digoy” Montalvo, together with civic and business groups, initiated the “festival of smiles” to uplift the spirit of Bacolodnons.

Gasataya emphasized that this year’s celebration is not just about merrymaking but also about showcasing unity, hope and the indomitable spirit of the Bacolodnons.

The festival officially opens on October 1 and runs until October 19, 2025.

Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon of the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., the festival’s overall organizer, said MassKara 2025 is designed to be “a festival for everyone,” with programs highlighting various sectors — from persons with disabilities to senior citizens, market vendors, tricycle drivers, and grassroots performers.

The launch also featured the unveiling of the official festival theme song, “One Smile, One City, One Heart,” composed by Bacolod First Lady Maih Gasataya and performed by the ZEL Band.

“With just 17 days to go before the official opening, MassKara 2025 stands as a legacy that comes once in a lifetime,” Ascalon said, underscoring the inclusive and people-centered programming this year./CJ, WDJ