This Week in Bacolod (October 14 to 20, 2018)

Continuous downpours will set the mood for the whole second week of Masskara Festival. After having a great weather last week during the festival kick-off, thunderstorms are also in the forecast this week [1]. Good thing most of the events this week will happen indoors, so you can still enjoy the festivities. In preparation for rain showers and flash floods, always keep your gadgets and important documents in a waterproof bags and casings. Motorists are advised as well to slow down because accidents might happen because of slippery roads.

As kiosks started to give life to Bacolod Public Plaza, the streets surrounding the area will be closed to avoid traffic jams. Routes passing the area is rerouted affecting the Bata, Banago, Mandalagan, Eroreco and Shopping La Salle jeepneys [2]. Commuters who have transactions at establishments like Plaza Mart, SM City Bacolod and some parts in downtown area will have to walk as well to reach their destination. For the new jeepney stops, it is recommended to ask for assistance from the police to avoid confusion.

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) organized a free concert as the Masskara Festival kicks off at the Bacolod Government Center. PAL will also join the Electric Masskara parade on October 26 to 27. They are now preparing for the float and is excited to be actively part of this year’s staging of Masskara Festival celebration. Their aim for joining the events is that they want to promote the festival not just in the Philippines, but all over the world, Jose Perez de Tagle, vice president for Corporate Communications of PAL said [3].

The Masskara Festival committee announced the whole schedule for this year’s festival. On October 14, there will be a mass and procession in the morning as a celebration to the Holy Rosary Month. On October 15, there will be a job fair for job seekers. While on October 16 and 17, A Night of Mardi Gras is expected to be crowded with tourists. On October 18 and 19, there will be a golf competition alongside the Masskara Queen pre-pageant activities and coronation night. On October 20, a table tennis championship will happen in the morning and Ginoong Bacolod will happen at night. Check out the full schedule at Masskara Festival official Facebook page [4].

Signal jamming and gun ban is eyed to be implemented in this year’s festival. The Bacolod City Police Office is still waiting for the approval of the gun ban within Bacolod and the signal jamming at the festival sites during the highlights. The approval of the gun ban will come from PNP Camp Crame, while for the signal jamming it will be from the National Telecommunications Commission [5]. Heads up for visitors who will be contacting their friends during the festival highlights, it will be best if you’ve made an agreement on where to meet to avoid miscommunication because of signal jam.