The 2012 MassKara Festival has successfully drawn decision makers from Manila to take a look at Bacolod’s tourism potential and we have to exploit that by pursuing tourism activities, Festival director Ely Francis Tajanlangit said yesterday.

The impact of the arts on the MassKara 2012 is such that we must also pursue our positioning Bacolod as a city of art, he said.

“It is a positioning that we can very well support with the tremendous artistic talents that we showcased during the festival and should go a long way in bolstering traffic to and from our city and the rest of the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also said the rescheduling of the Charter Day made no dent on the MassKara Festival and sponsorship even increased, which means that it is a very credible festival.

Tajanlangit reported that they had P9.5 million in private funds and P601,000 worth of non-cash sponsorships for the festival, as shown in the final report they presented yesterday.

The rest of the sponsorship funds will be used for art and tourism-related undertakings and the food and drinks still on hand will be turned over to charitable institutions next week.

He recalled that nine years ago, Mayor Evelio Leonardia directed them, through Executive Order No. 8, Series of 2004, to rebuild the MassKara and reengineer it to become a world-class festival, which they believe they have done.

Tajanlangit said the 2012 MassKara was unprecedented in many aspects. It was also the longest MassKara ever – 22 days, with the most number of activities, several additions, and multiple simultaneous events in many days. It also had the most number of partners and collaborations.

Aside from the street dance and the MassKara Queen pageant, that used to be the traditional highlights of the festival, they have added the DanssKara; Tanda! Sing Na, Dance Pa; Nights of Mardi Gras; Cosplay on the Glow;, the Electric MassKara performing float competitions, Pagkilita-ay, Pakita-ay: a themed nighttime float parade, among others.

They have also partnered with the LCC Arfien Department for the giant MassKara puppets; ABS CBN for the MassKara Queen, Nights of Mardi Gras and Cosplay on the Glow; GMA TV for DanssKara, MassKara preview, Diocese of Bacolod for the celebration for the Feast of Our Lady of theHoly Rosary; Magica MassKara artist for public art installations, and Liga ng mga Barangay for Tanda!

Tajanlangit said “We thank Mayor Bing for giving us the trust and confidence, for entrusting us with the MassKara Festival in the last nine years.”

He also advised whoever the next organizers will be to never let go of the artists, since they cannot have the festival without them and also to keep their credibility, because it is the only way they can draw sponsors.

“You can only have a successful MassKara if the local government, especially the mayor, supports you,” he added.*CGS

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