Arroyo expected to open Bacolod’s Masskara festival

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo is expected to be in Bacolod City on Oct. 1 to open its 29th MassKara festival, a Visayas-based online news site has reported. An article on Visayan Daily Star cited Bacolod mayor Evelio Leonardia as saying that Malacañang has accepted his invitation for Arroyo to open the festival at the city’s public plaza. "It is an honor to have the President herself open the festival," Leonardia said, adding this is a first in the 29 years of MassKara. Preparations for the festivity were on high gears over the weekend after Leonardia had gotten confirmation for Arroyo's attendance. The report said Arroyo is expected to deliver a speech before she formally declares the festival open. The 2008 MassKara would highlight the 70th charter anniversary of Bacolod. This year's theme is "Bacolod, City of the World," to emphasize its membership in the global community of nations. "We will focus on the things that make us an attractive city in the world, such as our food, art and culture; our investment-friendly environment and our world-class labor force," festival director Eli Tajanlangit said. Also on October 1, the food and beer kiosks around the city’s plaza and the festival sites at SM City will be opened. Efforts are being made to reposition the plaza as a family-oriented place. Other activities lined up for the festival are the street dancing competition on Oct. 16 to 18; the Electric MassKara along Lacson Street Oct. 17 to 19, with the countdown on Oct. 18 to be held at Araneta and Lacson streets. A major change this year is the reformatting of the “Search for MassKara Queen," which will be spread throughout the month and capped by the coronation night at the open-air venue at Lacson Street on Oct. 18. After her coronation, the new MassKara Queen would be immediately taken to the Bacolod City Hall to join the countdown to charter-day party. - GMANews.TV