The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City is “one of the 12 best things in the Philippines” according to international news channel Cable News Network (CNN).

In its CNN iReport: Eye on the Philippines posted on its website www.edition.cnn.com recently, the MassKara Festival was listed eighth among the 12 best things in the country.

The list also includes La Paz sand dunes (Ilocos Norte), Anilao Diving Spot (near Manila), the corals of Verde Island, halo-halo, Mount Pulag, Cocofest (San Pablo City), Aliwan Festival in Manila, people's smiles, Santo Niño fiesta in Isabela, Sagada hanging coffins, and white snails.

CNN describes: “The MassKara Festival is held every October in Bacolod City, featuring a masked streetdance competition, a beauty pageant, concerts, food fairs, and trade shows.”

iReporter Giuseppe Diangco Pascual who contributed the photo of the Bacolod festival, says his MassKara photo “captures the essence of the festival—that Filipinos know how to be happy no matter what.”

“This photo exemplifies how Filipinos are fun and loving. Whatever situation we are in, we'll still find a way to be happy,” wrote CNN iReport producer Alexis Lai.

iReport is CNN’s citizen journalism initiative that allows people from around the globe to contribute pictures and video of breaking news stories from their own towns and neighborhood.

Out of the thousands contributed, CNN iReport editors choose which ones to feature.

This year’s MassKara Festival will be on Oct. 1-22.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in his message posted on the website www.themasskarafestival.com, said that MassKara Festival is “that time of the year when Bacolod goes out to the streets and dances to music and drum beats in one colorful and dramatic collective declaration of hope and unity; hope, that despite all odds and whatever adversity, we shall prevail, triumph, and claim for our city the best and brightest possible future.”*

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