This is the first Masskara Festival ever used. Imagine 29 years ago, the masks then were made of papier mache, costumes were more simpler but colourful. Choreography wasn’t as complicated as today’s.
Sine time immemorial, I have been seeing newspapers, magazines and even TV shows describing Masskara as a festival where locals garbed in colourful costumes dance to the Latin beat.
But who was the first ever person to describe Masskara with Latin beat music? It was so wrong.
When the festival started, they have used this music several times until they replaced it sometime in the 80’s
This music is a Harry Belafonte medley featuring the popular Jamaican folk song “The Banana Boat Song” more popularly known as “Day-O”. It also includes other songs like Jamaica Farewell.
The medley doesn’t have the upbeat tempo more common in Latin music. This Masskara music is actually a calypso.
Aside from the Trini Lopez medley which was used in 1988, I guess this is one of the best Masskara Music ever used.
Donj and I were having conversation last weekend as to when this music was actually used.
My estimate was Masskara 1981. That time (October 1981), my mom was already pregnant to my younger sister who was born January 1982. At that time GSIS, a government where both my parents used to work, joined the open category. During those early years, boom boxes lined up at the streets were not yet common. What they do is have a float were the music would be played. And that was the very music used in 1981. I was 2 years old then.
Donj, confirmed in his blog that the music has been repeatedly used since the festival started.
Now I have eight Masskara Music in my possession. I just hope that the Masskara Foundation has a copy of the 21 other songs.
I would love to have this music complied in a CD in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Masskara Festival next year.