Second Semester, AY 2009-2010
Hi, folks, please download the zipped folder of stories for our class here, thanks!
Day: September 29, 2009
What to do in Bacolod during Masskara 2009: A handy guide to first time visitors in Bacolod City
In two days time, Bacolod City will officially open the Masskara Festival 2009. The fiesta celebration is held month-long with various activities held daily. Here’s a handy guide for the first timers to survive the Masskara 2009:
1. Book your Hotel rooms NOW – If you already got your plane ticket, well and good. But how about hotel room? Hotels and all other accommodations in Bacolod are fully booked during the Masskara Festival season. Finding room during the highlights is like finding a needle in a haystack. You may check the list of Bacolod Hotels here. Better contact them in advance. I am not sure if the rates are still updated since the post is dated 2007.
2. Bring light clothing – The masskara Festival highlight normally starts at 1:30 in the afternoon. Streetdancers garbed in colorful costumes and elaborate masks are dancing under the scorching heat of the sun. Tshirt and shorts are OK. Apply sunblock!
3. Dont forget to rehydrate! – Bring bottled water, enough to keep you hydrated all day long.
4. Which event should you attend? A lot of activities are lined up leading to the highlights week. Be sure which event you should attend and know where its going to be held. A Schedule of Masskara 2009 can be found here. For first timers, what shouldn’t be missed are the Electric Masskara along Lacson Street, The Barangay and Open Categories of the Masskara Streetdance Contest, and the Oct18 Countdown to Charter Street party.
5. Where to watch the streetdance? This depends on your purpose. If you’re just watching the event, I suggest you position anywhere between Araneta-Libertad Street up to the Bacolod City Hall. This area is partly shaded so you wont get much sunburn. Just come to the street early.
If you are going to take photos, go to the assembly area AN HOUR ahead of the streetdance schedule. this can give you ample time to take portrait shots and you can also get to see some dancers while they’re still not stressed and some are not yet wearing their colorful masks. You can also see some last minute preparations here.
If you wish to take an action shot, you may position in front of Rizal Elementary School in Araneta-Libertad Street. Another good spot is in front of Lopue’s San Sebastian along Araneta-San Sebastian Street. And lastly, in front of the City Hall. These areas are normally designated as judging areas so expect a high powered performance in this area.
For the ultimate experience, you may want to try your luck right inside the final judging area inside the Public Plaza. Media ID is required though. ID requests can be coursed through the Masskara Organizing committee. Their office is located at the BAY Center.
6. Bacolod is all about Food, food, and more FOOD! Visiting Bacolod will never be complete without enjoying its gastronomic delights! From the sweet kakanin of Quan, pastries and cakes of Calea and Felicia’s. Mouth-watering Inasal. Aromatic blend of Kuppa Coffee and so much more. Check out my old list of Where to Eat in Bacolod here
7. Massakra is only in the afternoon, Go somewhere else in the morning! – This is what I did last year. Tour my friends in The Ruins and Silay City in the morning before heading out in the streets for the masskara Streetdance. There are a lot of options. You may take brunch in Palmas del Mar. Breakfast in Silay, among others. We did this to maximize our stay in Bacolod. You can check out my list here on What to do in Bacolod
8. Leave all your valuables at home. Bacolod will be very crowded during its final week. lots of locals going out + foreign toursts + visitors from Manila + people from nearby Iloilo crossing the Guimaras Strait. the number of people is just so crazy. So leave those glitzy earrings and necklaces at home. Don’t bring them to Bacolod. The City of Smiles is a peaceful place, but we just can’t be complacent and we just cant be so trusting to anybody. Take care of your wallets. don’t bring large amount of cash with you all the time.
9. Take a side trip! an extra day or two in Bacolod can bring more adventure to you! A day trip to Iloilo or an overnight stay in Guimaras is possible. Or one could take an overnight stay in Mambukal for some quiet moments at the foot of Mount Kanlaon. The beaches in Southern Negros especially in Sipalay is just superbly stunning.
A few years back I did an overnight stay in Guimaras as a side trip. This year my side trip will be a daytrip to Iloilo and overnight stay Dumaguete.
10. Before you say bye bye to the City of Smiles, get some Pasalubong! Here’s a handy guide on where to get your Pasalubong in Bacolod
Lastly, Enjoy enjoy enjoy! Masskara, after all is a fiesta. It’s a time for celebration. And a time to smile and leave all worries behind.
You like reading this blog post? You might also be interested in BYAHILO's other adventures at Sugarloaded!
What to do in Bacolod during Masskara 2009: A handy guide to first time visitors in Bacolod City
Arroyo’s latest gimmick: packs her bags, turns Malacañang into refugee and relief center
Gloria Arroyo’s statement:
Arroyo
As my own small contribution to the common effort, I have ordered Malacanang Palace to be opened to the general public, effective immediately, as a center for relief and rescue operations, the receipt and distribution of charitable donations and the temporary relocation of families who were displaced or made homeless by the storm.
Relocated families will be sheltered in all available premises within the Palace grounds. Government employees will be asked to make room for our guests, and I myself will move across the river to temporary quarters at bahay pangarap in the PSG compound.
Malacanang has always been the People’s Palace and so it should be especially at this time of crisis when our people should be pulling together and helping each other…
compound. Malacanan has always been the People’s Palace and so it should be especially at this time of crisis when our people should be pulling together and helping each other.
I am confident that the right example will be set by all our government leaders, whatever their party preference or political coloring, as we are challenged once again to show the world that the Filipino nation does not lack in the qualities that can make heroes out of us all.
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