Philippines ready to return to normal, Marcos says at MassKara Festival

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday said that the conduct of the MassKara Festival this year has signified the return of pre-pandemic activities in the country, which would be necessary for economic growth.

Marcos graced the culmination activity of the month-long celebration of the festival at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City, accompanied by Senator Francis Tolentino and Ilocos Representative Sandro Marcos.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and some Bacolod local officials were also in attendance.

In his speech, Marcos said the festival is a manifestation that the country is starting to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

“Napakaganda ang nangyari dito sa Masskara Festival. Ramdam na ramdam naming lahat, hindi lang ng mga taga-Bacolod kundi lahat, na talaga handang-handa na ang mga kababayan nating Pilipino na bumalik na sa normal na buhay at ipagpatuloy ang ating mga ginagawa para pagandahin natin ang buhay ng isa’t isa, para pagandahin natin ang Pilipinas,” he said.

“Ngayon na nararamdaman natin na ang pandemya ay nababawasan na, at tayo ay alam na natin kung papaano i-manage ang COVID ay nakakatuwa naman na nandito tayo at nagkataon na magsama ulit at ngayon hindi lamang para sa political cycle at para sa kampanya kundi para mag-celebrate, para sumayaw, making ng magandang music at mag-enjoy tayo sa mga performance ng ating mga napaka-talented na mga taga-City of Smiles,” he added.

“So, I congratulate Bacolod City for holding possibly and I think, I’m correct here, when I say the most successful Masskara festival in the history of Bacolod City,” Marcos said.

The President also said that the country is “now ready to hold other huge festivals,” adding that the MassKara Festival once again showed Filipinos' resilience and resourcefulness.

“Kaya’t ipinakita ninyo dito sa pag-celebrate ng Masskara Festival, ngayon at nakaraang linggo, sa buong Pilipinas at sa buong mundo na tayo dito sa Pilipinas ay nakabalik na, tayo ay handa na bumalik sa trabaho, tayo ay bumalik na sa mga eskwelahan ang ating mga kabataan, at tayo ay babalik na sa dati nating ginagawa na pagandahin at palakasin ekonomiya ng pilipinas para mas maging maginhawa ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

“Sa ganyang, paraan ang mga taga-Bacolod ang magiging halimbawa para sa Pilipinas. Pag-alis ko dito, sasabihin ko sa lahat, kung kaya nilang gawin ang MassKara Festival sa Bacolod dapat tayong lahat din ay ganyan din, na bumangon na tayo at dahil ang aking pangako sa inyo ay tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagbangon,” he added.

With its theme, “Balik Yuhum!” which means smile again, the MassKara Festival is back for its 43rd-year celebration after two years of being suspended due to the pandemic.

The MassKara Festival began in 1980 following a series of sugar crisis suffered by Bacolodnons and Negrenses.

Specifically, the crisis was caused by the oversupply of sugar in the international market which caused world sugar prices to drop.

The Office of the Press Secretary earlier said Marcos’ attendance at the festival “is a testament to his commitment to promoting local tourism to revive the country’s tourism industry amid the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Marcos also thanked the Bacolod City government for launching its comprehensive health program and its projects for senior citizens.

“I commend you that you have launched the Bacolod Comprehensive Program na nagbibigay ng hospitalization services. Mga annual consultation at pati na mga gamot. And also a particular note is the launch of the social pension fund for senior citizens. Malaking maitutulong para sa ating mga senior citizens dahil sa kanilang basic na pangangailangan at gamot,” he said.

“Itong mga ganitong klaseng initiative na inuuna ang kabuhayan ng ating mga mamamayan ay nakatitiyak tayo ang ating lipunan ay magiging napakaganda,” he continued. — BM, GMA News