The MassKara appeal

Yesterday was quite an exciting day for Bacolod City. Aside from the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy, and, thereby, the final identification of the people who are seeking elective positions, both in the city and in the province, it was also the official opening of the MassKara festival that will last for 19 days. And so those who have thrown their proverbial hats in the political ring, can be distracted from the tensions and problems the coming days will bring, and can also meet more prospective voters among those joining the revelry.

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It was also quite interesting to watch, on TV, that is, what was happening in Metro Manila and other places in the country where filing of CoCs was also taking place. In Manila, for instance, one can look at the faces of those filing for the right to run as senators, and not fail to note that most of them look familiar, like somebody else, and those are the graduating senators or congressmen who are their relatives. I counted at least 13 of the senate bets whose fathers, mothers, brothers, husbands, uncles or parents-in-law, were also senators or congressmen. And the dynasties go on.

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Meanwhile, MassKara organizers are on their toes, anticipating the rush of visitors expected to come and join the celebration. I am sure we will see many visitors, especially balikbayans from the United States. The last time I was there in July, I met many Negrenses and Bacoleños who said they were already preparing to come, and bringing some friends with them. And I was also elated to hear that among the things that had enticed them and their friends, who are not Negrenses, was the excellent showing of the MassKara in the TV contest of ABS-CBN, “It’s Showtime” where the MassKara won first prize. I was also amused to hear that some of them got sentimental as they watched that contest, and cried in front of their TV sets!

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In New York, the Pinoys said they were also bemused when they saw the Independence Day parade where Bacolod’s MassKara also won first place. Oh, I bragged to them, don’t you know that MassKara also won in Shanghai where it competed with such internationally-known festival as the U.S. Tournament of Roses and entries from Europe and other countries in Asia? And also in Japan where it competed in another similar contest? Indeed, our festival has gone and conquered places.

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On Saturday, my sister Perla and I and our sister-in-law, Elsa, travelled to Sagay City to join our dear friend Loreto Lopez Gonzaga who was celebrating her birthday at her Hacienda Vicenta home that doubles as a museum as well as a zoo and arbor. Although it was q uite a long trip, we wanted to share the day which was also some kind of thanksgiving for the celebrator who has just recovered from a very serious ailment that had kept her in intensive care for weeks. Thank God, she is now fully recovered, and that is why her friends and relatives did their best to be with her on this event.

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As for me, I have always tried my best to be present whenever Loreto celebrates, because of our memories of student days at La Consolacion College when we were involved in so many capers that exasperated both her late mother, Tia Caroling, and the LCC sisters. Even when she was sent off to study at the Holy Ghost (now Holy Spirit) College in Manila, we always kept in touch, and somehow, after we all finished our studies, she and our mutual friends from LCC always got together during our birthdays and other special occasions. Among those who came over for this birthday was her close friend and our mutual relative, Tita Eloy (Eloisa) Villanueva Benedicto, until recently a resident of Torrance, California who, herself also lately underwent a bypass operation. So it was a thanksgiving gathering for both.

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Later, that night, it was time for another family gathering, this time of the children of the late Eduardo and Evalina Segovia, who gathered at the St. Mary’s Hall of the Redemptorist Church to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of Tia Evang. Unfortunately their two daughters, Mildred and Astrid, who live in the United States, could not make it, but the remaining sons – Donald, Allan, Eduardo Jr., and Dennis, and Fr. Norman, now retired from his parish in California, were there. In fact, it was Fr. Norman who had spearheaded the celebration that was attended by all the daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

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My siblings and I were the special guests, because Tia Evang and our mother were what you would call today “BFF,” or Best Friends Forever. So we tried to be there, and in fact, noted that there were only five Segovia brother present, but six of us Leonardias – Perla and myself, Nene, Dan, Andy and Bing, were there. It was a wonderful party, with all the talented Segovias rendering musical numbers, all talented singers and dancers. Missed, aside from their parents, were brothers Nelson and Hernan, who have also passed away. But how happy their loving parents would have been to see them in such thoughtfulness, love and unity.*

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