tawidtayo|Stirring in a spoonful of life.

After 12 months of living up to her title as MassKara Queen 2007, we tapped Rosario for an in depth look into her life as Bacolod’s Princess and even the Region’s Ms. Tourism for the same year. Join us as we take a wild turn into see Rosario from different angle after the life-changing pageant.

Life with a crown is a bit difficult. From her simple beginnings, she literally had to learn how to put on her face every time she needs to go out for gatherings. Being in the limelight was a huge contrast to her low-profile status before the title. Yes, the pageant opened many opportunities for Rosario and even more exposure as offered by local publishings and TV show appearances.

One incident we remember happened while dinning at one of the fastfood chains in SM one a Saturday afternoon with Rosario. As we finished our meal, an aged woman came to our table to confirm if she is indeed seeing the MQ. Rosario smiled and soon was posing for a picture with the lady along with her grandson and the other members of their family (who claimed to be related to the Sales clan). Of course, many people were staring at the scenario and were whispering to each other “Te, siya gid to ya eh.”

Upon asking Rosario, she cherished the small things that all add up to the whole experience of a year as the MQ. She chuckles remembering how one of her brother’s classmates wrote a composition about her in class as part of his school work. One thing though never changed: Rosan is still as humble as before. Now, she expects a quieter life as the newly crowned MQ takes the center stage but hopes to have touched the lives of Bacolodnons in her own little way.

The weekend celebration started with a bang as street dancers equipped with flashing lights and ecstatic moves. 5 groups danced along Lacson Street but then the crowd squeezed them in making it impossible to move. What was funny in our part was joining the dancers and dodging the “line people” trying to keep spectators out of the way. The street party then after was fun, mixing the upper and lower classes of the city into a huge bash of Bacolodnons simply after plain, clean fun. =) Click photo for more pictures.

The Negros Showroom has been for years a medium of exposure for both local & international markets thirsty for pure Negrense art. In lieu of the Masskara celebration, they have produced beautiful handcrafted masks of different shapes and sizes. The artworks are by Vito in collaboration with the Association of Negros Producers.

Be it in full size or only big enough to cover half of the face, the masks are frosted with vibrant textured paint, colorful beads and laces, sparkling glitters ang even eye-catching feathers. They have done a whole line of the enchanting masks, now up for display at the lobby of the shop. Also featured are the semi-transparent molded masks bejeweled with stones and crystals which screams of the simple elegance feel of the Showroom. All masks are for sale and ideal not only for decorations but also for pasalubongs and authentic Bacolodnon gifts.

Another thing that blew us away in their shop were the balls spread across the masks. They come in different sizes & the patterns embossed inside varied from small flower prints to intricate dried leaves array. But of course, Masskara is about the many faces of Bacolod, party on!

Getting there: Take a north-bound jeepney from the downtown area (Bata-Libertad or Mandalagan-Libertad) and head to Lacson Street. It’s just across PNB Lacson, beside Chicken Deli and the fast food belt. Click photo for more pictures.

Roaming around the malls, we visited two exhibits depicting the resourcefulness and creativity of Bacolodnons in relation with the Masskara Festival. Both were Mask Making Contests but then each with its own catchy twist and theme.

The first one was at Robinson, Abs-Cbn sponsored the 12th Masskara Village at Robinsons Place (beside Bongbongs). It opened just before we arrived so we had a chance to watch the actual taping of MagTV on their mask making episode. The masks displayed each tell a different side of Masskara and Bacolod
itself. Some show the grandeur of life here, some highlight the
pollution affecting the city’s future and others told about vibrance, transparency and diversity.

At the other side of the metro,the LCC Arfiens sponsored another Masskara Exhibit at SM south wing situated outside the movie theaters. The main theme of the mask making contest was to relive the history behind the festival and its real essence. Most entries used mixed media, ranging from sculpted wood to plastics and even sea shells. As we tried to take pictures of each mask, Mr.Jeffrey. Montano explained to us his intricate mask made of old wood with scenes from the sinking of Don Juan ship triggering the start of the city’s fiesta. After a great chat with him, we bumped into Mr. Nune Alvarado, one of the pioneers in Negrense art. It turns out that his children also had entries there. Of course, who could resist? Another snapshot moment must.

So head down to the malls and celebrate Masskara! In the, er, air conditioned type that is - if you are not up for the sun, sweat and spending, this is certainly perfect for you. Click photo for more pictures.

Upon the opening of this year’s grand Masskara festival, we had the chance of surveying the city’s major streets to check up on the prep and on the sights. Of course, the festive banderitas lined the city skyline giving a more traditional Pinoy touch to the ambiance. All major streets such as Lacson, Araneta and even around the City Plaza have been filled with the fiesta feel of the season. The street vendors of handmade masks parade the downtown area handy as souvenirs with the smallest worth P35 and the big detailed one is P750.

Next are the ever-present kioskos bordering the center plaza, a perfect place for affordable merry-making even until the wee hours of the morning. Heed our advise, the party there never stops until 8AM. Tested and proven. From the trademark inasal to lechon to beer or even RTWs or toys, we saw everything a normal Filipino businessman could sell during a fiesta! We even took some shots of the famous ‘kurong’ - a temporary holding place for those who had too much to drink & would start potential riots (but so far we haven’t seen someone actually imprisoned there). The roads are closed to traffic and guarded by policemen so it’s safe. Really.

After an hour of roaming around, we bumped into our friends at www.skyscrapercity.com who were hanging out at Sylvia Manor. We met with suv111, anniemay, poster girl and gunbladespecialist which led us to go up the hotel’s roof top and catch a glimpse of Bacolod’s view from the top. After a lot of laughs, conversations about the forum and a looooot of camera clicks, we headed down the street to get more pictures. Sea Breeze Hotel even offered a great view of the carnival near SM and a beautiful array of masks from the actual Street Dancing Competition every year. A few more street shots and talikod-genic shots, as Suv would call them, we parted ways but all excited to post each one’s best frames of the day.

And to think that all of that was simply in one afternoon. We had so much fun walking around the streets and taking in the Masskara feeling. We sure hope that our photos give you the festive ambiance we also experienced first hand. Kari na kag magsinadya kita!

Getting there: Right now, they are doing a massive re-routing since they have closed the Plaza Circle so prepare to walk a little bit to reach the main kiosks area. If you plan to bring your car, better park at SM for safety purposes and to avoid the traffic.Click photo for more pictures.

Here’s what we came up as to the endless queries about this year’s festivities. Round up your gang and head on to the biggest party Bacolod has ever seen! We’ll see you there and maybe even grab a couple of shots, camera shots that is. *wink*

October 1

Opening of MassKara Festival –Public Plaza
AAB “Cover Up” MassKara Exhibit –SM, Cinema Lobby
(until Oct 15)

October 2

An Ilonggo translation of Rosencrantz and
Guilderstern are Dead by
Tom Stoppard–Gallaga Theater,USLS

October 3

“Putik” Art Exhibit by Joe Geraldo–Negros Museum
(until Oct 20)

October 5
MassKara Queen Candidates press
presentation–SM Event Center

October 8
Opening-Majica MassKara –Gallery Orange
(until Oct 19)

October 9
Majica MassKara –Gallery Orange
PALumba sa MassKara 2008 –SM City North Wing
Opening with Car Exhibit

October 10

PALumba sa MassKara 2008
Opening with Car Exhibit–Bacolod PAL Airport
Trabajo Para Sa Tajo –Fountain Area Robinsons Place
MassKara Queen Swimsuit Competition

October 11
PALumba sa MassKara 2008 Elimination –Bacolod PAL Airport
Trabajo Para Sa Tajo–Fountain Area Robinsons Place

October 12
PALumba sa MassKara 2008
Finals and Awarding–Bacolod PAL Airport
MassKara Dancers Around the Mall –SM North1 and South 1
MassKara Queen Talent Competition–Entrance SM Event Center

October 13
SMB Night sa Manokan–Manokan Country

October 14
SMB Night sa Manokan–Manokan Country
Motor Show –BAY Center

October 16
Street Dance Competition- School Category–Araneta st. To Plaza

October 17
Street Dance Competition-Barangay Category–Araneta st. To Plaza
MassKara Queen Festival Costume Parade
MassKara Foodfest/Pop Rock Night –SM N3 CarPark
(until Oct 19)
Electric MassKara Street Dance Competition –Lacson Street
Electric MassKara Street Party Concerts–Lacson Street

Ocotober 18
Street Dance Competition-Open Category–Araneta st-plaza
Mask of the World Giant
MaskMaking Contest –SM Event Centre
MassKara Foodfest/ Latino Night –SM N3 Carpark
Electric MassKara St party/MassKara Queen
final judging and coronation night –PNB stage, Lacson St.
Countdown to Charter day- Concert:–Araneta San Sebastian-Gonzaga St.

October 19
5 Kilometer MassKara Run –Bacolod Capitol Lagoon
Charter Day –Government center
Sigaboom 2008,
The World Beat Challenge
Drumbeating Competition –SM N3 Carpark
Electric Float Parade Street Dancing –Lacson St. To Plaza
Electric MassKara St. Party –Lacson St.

(sources:bacolod city tourism)

A photo essay is a set of scenes intended to tell a story or elicit a specific emotion from the viewer. Join us as we try to uncover a different side of the carnival with this photographic treat.
Click on the cover and wait for the photos to load. Enjoy!

While walking in the streets of Talisay, we stumbled upon an old house that reminded us very much of a place we are very fond of. “Daw Ruins lang ba…” was all that we could utter until we had a better look and found out it was even more than that. It was a 125-year old ancestral house situated in the heart of the city.

While celebrating its anniversary, the building was closed for renovations. According to hearsay, the owners are planning to convert the first floor into a coffee shop and the second floor remains to be a museum-like display of what life was back in the Spanish era. Sounds like the Ruins, right?

Complete with furnitures and antiques, the house of Tana Dicang is certainly not another replica of the Ruins. We are definitely looking forward into seeing more of what is inside this fascinating feature of history. Click photo for more pictures.

Getting there: By the Talisay high way, turn left at Rizal street (it is the one after the First Farmers Building). Go straight nearby the cell site and the old house will be at your left side.