BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia here said the just-concluded 38th MassKara Festival has become even more unique and more historic with the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte for the second year in a row.
The President was the guest of honor during the festival highlights at the Bacolod public plaza Sunday night, and very impressed with the winning performance of Barangay 18 in the street and dance competition.
Barangay 18 was the eventual champion, depicting at its best the festival theme, “Bacolod: City of Southeast Asia” to coincide with the Philippines’ hosting of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Leonardia said there could be no other festival in the country that the President has attended two years in a row aside from his hometown festival, “Kadayawan,” of Davao City.
On October 2 last year, the Chief Executive also came to Bacolod to lead the opening rites of the festival’s 37th edition.
“This has made Bacolod City the second home of the president,” the mayor said. “So for all these efforts, the city has found the gold mine and the number one promoter of MassKara Festival in the President,” he said.
“Sir, we are very thrilled and flattered. For the past many days we were celebrating, it was always raining but now that you’re here, you brought sunshine back to Bacolod,” the mayor told the President while giving a message before a crowd of thousands.
“This celebration is a reflection of Bacolodnons’ resiliency, determination to succeed, and never ending spirit of optimism,” the mayor added, reiterating that MassKara Festival is not just a festival, but an icon of Bacolod.
National officials from Negros Occidental attended the festival, including Interior Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo Jr., Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, and Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Jesus Clint Aranas, who assisted Bacolod in inviting the President to the festival.
Among others who joined the President on stage were Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Michael Lloyd Dino; Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya, Davao City First District Representative Karlo Nograles, Kabayan party-list Representative Harry Roque, as well as Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.(PNA)
