By RAYMART ESCOPEL
NEGROS Occidental is considered the “sweetest province” in Western Visayas for its thriving sugar industry. But more than being the region’s Sugar Capital and its delightful gastronomic offerings, the province also boasts of world-class festivities that are being anticipated by both local and foreign tourists.
On May 20, the province and its capital city of Bacolod showcased their famous festivals — Pasalamat and MassKara festivals, respectively — to Ilonggos as part of the weeklong of “Fiestas in the City” celebration at SM City Iloilo.
The Pasalamat Festival Drumbeaters of La Carlota City hyped up the festive mood of shoppers at the mall as they played lively tunes.
The reverberating sound they created was accompanied by the Pasalamat Festival Dancers, who staged a performance, like in a dancing competition, interpreting the culture and history of La Carlota.
Meanwhile, Bacolod, the “City of Smiles,” also brought to the City of Love its world-renowned MassKara Festival. With their colorful costumes, well-designed masks and energetic performance, the MassKara dancers did not fail to amaze the audience.
“Fiestas in the City,” held by SM City Iloilo every May, celebrates different festivities across Iloilo province.
This year, however, the event has gotten bigger and now includes festivals across Western Visayas. It adopts the Theme, “Choose Western Visayas First,” in support to the program of the Department of Tourism Region 6./PN
