It’s all systems go for the 44th MassKara Festival that will officially open at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds with lots of entertainment and a Grand Salubong Countdown Friday night, October 6.
The send off of law enforcers to secure the festival that will run until October 22 was held at the Bacolod City Police Office headquarters Thursday afternoon, October 5.
The 2,949 festival security force will be composed of 941 policemen from the Bacolod City Police Office and 1,041 from the Police Regional Office 6, along with 567 peacekeepers from other agencies and 400 force multipliers, Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the city officials will lead the Friday night opening that will feature entertaining performances and a fireworks display at midnight to cap the Grand Salubong Countdown, followed by DJ Bien for the after-party celebration.
“It’s all systems go with all preparations in place to make this year’s festival even more exciting, bigger, bolder and brighter”, Jojie Dingcong, festival chairperson, said.
“We are bringing in the popular pop-rock band, The Juans, as our main attraction for the opening salvo. There will also be other performances by local bands, as well as three of the top winners in last year’s Arena Dance Competition,” Dingcong said.
Rodney Ascalon, director of the Salubong event, said the stage will be ready to showcase performances by 5 p.m. for the pre-show entertainment as well as games from platinum sponsors that promises big prizes for those who will join the countdown.
The 15 candidates vying for the Miss Bacolod MassKara title and some Electric Diva contestants will also be performing in the main show that will display snippets of what people can expect to happen in this year’s MassKara Festival, Ascalon added.
Also expected at the event are Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and guests from all over the province, organizers said.
Bacolod Yuhum Foundation president Katherine Matiling said all preparations, particularly for security, are in place as the festival kicks-off.
The Bacolod police director warned those who plan on committing illegal activities during the festival that they will end up in jail.
The police will ensure that the festival that is intended for everyone to have fun will be safe, peaceful and orderly, Aliño said.*