The line "Wake me up when September ends" sounds familiar to all of us, right? I think even if you're not fond of rock music you know this famous line and title of the song from Greenday. Originally, it's a song derived from the mournful sorrows of the lead vocalist Billy Joe from the death of his father, yet now, it became the famous meme in the internet which often used to contradict with Josie Marie Chan's meme about celebrating Christmas when September starts.
This might be what others are thinking when they heard that September is ending, but for me, there's a lot of significance about it. One of them is Festival Celebrations. As September ends and October finally starts, that means that Masskara Festival will be held again, at last, after two years of restriction caused by the pandemic.
This is something that we are always looking forward to when October starts. Even now that September doesn't ends yet, the people are now busy building the kiosks in the streets around the area of public plaza where people would crowd during the celebrations. I can also see them setting up a carnival near the port where there is a bigger space for each of the exciting rides where people can enjoy together with their children.
An official theme song for the Masskara Festival this 2022 has been already released this month which is sang by Darren Espanto featuring Sue Ramirez.
Its title is "Balik Yuhom" which means that the City of Smiles will be truly filled with smiles this October as we celebrate the Festival together again. I also like the concept of it but nothing beats the Masskara Festival Street Dance Song of 2013 and 1988 — a remastered mix of Trini Lopez' songs. Such a timeless, classic, and full of festive spirit which anyone can dance with the rythm.
Listen here and be the judge of which between the classic and the modern theme songs of Masskara Festival is good for your ears.
And, here's another version.
Either way, as long as people can dance with it and feel the festive spirit of the celebrations, it would work. The most important thing there is people wouldn't forgotten how did the Festival is created, what happened in the past which brings life into it, and why it is celebrated annually. So, let me tell you a brief history of the Masskara Festival. My history teacher would be crying right now and I might be expelled from college if I don't know this by heart.
During the reign of the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the prices of sugar plummeted due to the inroductions of the new alternatives for sugar. The people in the Negros Island whose livelihood mostly came from planting sugarcanes were the ones who were mostly affected. Then, some people in the place started promoting masks as another source of income in the livelihood. In the same year, a ferry named MV Don Juan sank causing the deaths of a lot of people. In order to uplift and bring back the smiles in every faces of the locals, the Masskara Festival is hereby created.
A reason which once just a cover up and uplifting everybody's souls is now a way to celebrate the city's prosperous economy and attainments every year. Also, it is one of the other ways to showcase the beauty of the city and attract tourists coming from different places to boost the city's income along with the goal of bringing smiles to everyone.
This year's going to be grand and I can imagine it. The change of the administration from the long term reign of the Grupo Progresso to the newly elected Grupo Asenso. The changes are quite visible and they're not taking it slow but big visible steps. It's even rumored that they would held the streetdance competition in Panaad Park and Stadium. It may be a good place since it is spacious enough for everyone and social distancing would be still properly implemented but the place would a little farther from the Public plaza which is the heart of Bacolod. Anyway, people will still swarm wherever the fun is and no matter how secluded the place is. To where we can be safe while enjoying the show, that's okay but I'm still keeping an ear about this for more updates.
Just a week more to go, then we would be seeing different designs of Masks in every shops everywhere and as well as other form of souveiners. I'll be hearing Trini Lopez' songs again, and in fact, I can see different groups practicing here in our covered court every night for the streetdance competition. Just a little more, and I will be hearing drums patroling in the whole neighborhood to wake people up at 4 am to remind us that it's October and Masskara Festival is coming.
It is how the end of September means to me and I include this as an entry to the Week 4 Blogging Contest of Hive PH which has the theme of What does wake me up when September ends means to you?.
THANKS FOR READING!!!