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BEST GUEST. President Rodrigo Duterte (standing, left) is welcomed by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia during the 39th MassKara Festival highlights at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Saturday night (October 28, 2018). Also in photo are Presidential Adviser for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino (seated left) and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)
BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the just-concluded 39th MassKara Festival has been the best celebration so far in terms of crowd attendance and noteworthy guests.
“That was a MassKara for the books. In terms of crowd, the biggest crowd we ever had. In terms of MassKara dance parade, it was incomparable. In terms of the fireworks, it was the most spectacular ever in Bacolod,” the mayor said in a post-event press conference on Monday afternoon.
He also said the festival, which ran for 21 days from Oct. 8 to 28, hosted “high-caliber” personalities, led by President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte.
“To top it all, the President again came for the third consecutive time. As it is now, we call it a grand slam or a hall of fame. It is perfect attendance,” the mayor said of the Chief Executive’s presence anew on Saturday night.
“I was there when he arrived. The President said, ‘I’m happy to be back.’ When the performance started, I was seated beside him, he also said, “Guwapo gyud”. (It’s really beautiful),” Leonardia said.
“Apparently, he also enjoys the festival aside from the other reasons that he came. He has personal friends here,” he added.
The mayor revealed that days before the festival, they were informed by Malacañang that the President could not make it to Bacolod during the festival highlights because of his tight schedule.
Leonardia said he then called Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas, who hails from Bacolod, to try inviting the Chief Executive again.
“I said ‘let’s not give up.’ Apparently, he succeeded,” the mayor said.
Aranas also facilitated the invitation for the President’s previous visits during the MassKara Festival in 2016 and 2017.
On Saturday night, the President said in his message before the crowd at the Bacolod Public Plaza that the MassKara Festival is really beautiful and enjoyable.
He watched the performance of Mandalagan National High School, which was later declared champion in the street and arena dance competition schools category.
“This event is truly a showcase of a unique cultural heritage and rich history of your hometown, the City of Smiles,” the President said, adding that MassKara tells an inspiring story of the Filipino resilience.
Also on Sunday, the final day of the MassKara Festival, which featured the much-awaited street and arena dance competition for the barangay contingents, Google joined the celebration by featuring the MassKara with a special doodle.
The search engine’s letters came with “colorful and festive-looking masks as they dance happily to the beat of the occasion,” donning “bright smiles on their faces to pay homage to Bacolod, the City of Smile,” it said. (PNA)
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