Duterte invited to grace 40th Masskara Festival

THE City Government of Bacolod will invite President Rodrigo Duterte to grace the 40th Masskara Festival celebration in October.

This was confirmed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday that they will invite again the President to attend the festival celebration.

“We will invite him, but of course we cannot preempt his decision. As a matter of honor and tradition, we will for sure invite him,” Leonardia said.

President Duterte has graced the Masskara Festival since he was elected in 2016.

Leonardia said it’s three years straight that President Duterte has graced the Masskara Festival.

“Its three years straight and anything beyond that is a bonus,” he said.

In 2018, the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-carpio also witnessed some of the highlights of the festival.

Festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit earlier said that this year’s festival, will be a Ruby Masskara Festival celebration and they’re going to level up the festival.

He said on September 8, they will unveil the major art’s installation that will be something like a memorial to the festival.

“We will also unveil the logo. The logo will capture the 40 years of the Masskara. The first logo that was done by Ely Santiago, of the Art Association of Bacolod, will be integrated to Yuhom,” he added.

This year’s Masskara Festival celebration themed “Bacolod City of Smiles” will start on October 8 to 27.

Tajanlangit earlier assigned Councilor Israel Salanga as director of this year’s festival sites.

Salanga, chairperson of the City Council committee on tourism, said he already held a meeting with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and

discussed the security preparations in the festival sties at the Bacolod public plaza, Bacolod Government Center and Lacson Street.

“It’s our primary concern to ensure the peace and order of the Masskara Festival celebration,” he said.

Salanga disclosed it’s expected that the tourist arrival will also increase on this year celebration.*