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Mass/Kara
The MassKara (a combination of the English word “mass” and the Spanish “kara,” meaning “face”) is a festival that started in the early 1980s, when world prices for sugar plummeted; and Bacolod City, the country’s sugar capital, was hit by a major crisis. Held every third weekend of October or on the closest weekend to October 19, it dramatizes the steadfast character of the Negrenses and symbolizes what the people of the City of Smiles do best: putting on a happy face when confronted with challenges.

51 years ago the Art Association of Bacolod was founded.The year 1975 was a monumental year for the art movement in Baco...
04/07/2026

51 years ago the Art Association of Bacolod was founded.

The year 1975 was a monumental year for the art movement in Bacolod City for it was in that year that the Art Association of Bacolod was organized.

Jess Ayco, one of Negros Occidental’s and the country’s pioneers in modern-art, decided to hold a painting competition at La Consolacion College with the theme “Holy Week in the Philippines.” It was a gathering of Bacolod's finest artists to showcase their talents on canvas. There were 55 artists and 105 of their artworks were exhibited. Through this, Bacolod City became known as a cradle for visual art.

With a thriving art scene in the city, Edgardo “Budot” Lizares saw the opportunity of organizing an association of artists. Meeting with the province’s finest artists, Jess Ayco, Rafael Paderna, Rodney Martinez and Benildez Familiaran, Budot Lizares and the group endeavored to hold a series of workshops for local artists. With friends in the art circle like Dean Jose Joya of the UP Fine Arts College and sculptress Virginia Flor-Agbayani, the efforts of the association were enhanced.

It was on July 4, 1975 that the Art Association of Bacolod was formally organized. The first set of officers then were: Edgardo Lizares as president; Elsa Valenzuela, secretary; Susan Soberano, assistant secretary; and Rafael Paderna, Amador Capiral, Ramiro Esteban, Benildez Familiaran, and Rodney Martinez as directors. Dean Jose Joya of UP was an honorary member who came regularly to Bacolod.

Five years after, the AAB Articles of Incorporation was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Joining the original formators were Larry Tronco, Anita Feria, Juan Hagad, Ely Santiago, James Bilbao, and Jess Ayco.

The AAB over the years held numerous shows not only in Bacolod but in Manila as well. Many local artists have achieved prominence in prestigious art competitions in the country and in other parts of Asia.

AAB and the Masskara Festival

The history of the now famous Masskara Festival of Bacolod is very much intertwined with the AAB.

During a time of deep crisis in Bacolod City in 1980 when the price of sugar was down and when tragedy struck with the sinking of the M/S Don Juan, the AAB played a part in having to cheer the city out of its gloom. The idea of a Masskara Festival was born over a gathering of AAB artists led by Ely Santiago at Tita’s Restaurant, which was next door to the gallery of the Art Association of Bacolod at was known then as the Seawall fronting the public plaza. There, Ely Santiago, introduced the idea of a festival of painted masks made of paper mache.

AAB artists Maowi Palacios, Lor Sumagaysay, Orville Visitacion, George Macainan, Marcial Buelba, Rodney Martinez, Rafael Paderna, Jecky Alano, Fred Juson, Belding Familiaran, Fred Escaran, Roy Aguilar, Joemar Sanchez, and Nunelucio Alvarado gave lessons in mask-making to the different barangays for them to create as a seasonal source of income which also became entries in the Masskara Festival.

Beyond the merry making, the festival has brought artists together and constantly stokes the fire of a vibrant art scene in the city.

The Joey Benin Project is a collective of musicians led by Joey Benin, united by a shared love for creativity, improvisa...
30/04/2026

The Joey Benin Project is a collective of musicians led by Joey Benin, united by a shared love for creativity, improvisation, and the simple joy of making music together. Rooted in a jazz sensibility and guided by a hopeful, expressive spirit, the group crafts performances that uplift, connect, and draw listeners fully into the moment.

Experience The Joey Benin Project live on May 2, at La Proa 1 & 2, L’Fisher Hotel, at 7:00 PM, as part of the 15th Bacolod Jazzfest.

Joey Benin is a Filipino bassist, singer, producer, and musical arranger. He first gained prominence as a member of the band Side A and is the songwriter behind enduring hits such as “Forevermore” and “Eva Marie.”

The Bacolod Jazz Fest is the longest running Filipino Jazz Festival outside of Metro Manila.

March 6 is the birthday of Bro. Felix Masson, FSC, one of the founders of La Salle Bacolod.The history of Catholic educa...
06/03/2026

March 6 is the birthday of Bro. Felix Masson, FSC, one of the founders of La Salle Bacolod.

The history of Catholic education in the Philippines is often told through the lens of grand institutional milestones, yet its true foundation lies in the quiet, tireless devotion of individuals like Brother Felix Masson, FSC. As one of the pioneering De La Salle Brothers who established what is now University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City, Masson’s life is a testament to the "Faith and Zeal" that characterizes the Lasallian mission.

To understand Brother Felix is to understand the post-war landscape of Negros Occidental—a region defined by its vast sugar plantations, deep-seated socio-economic disparities, and a growing hunger for modern, values-based education.

*Early Life and the Call to Mission*

Born in an era where the Lasallian Brothers were expanding their reach across the globe, Felix Masson’s journey began far from the tropical humidity of the Visayas. Like many of his contemporaries, his formation was rooted in the rigorous spiritual and pedagogical traditions established by St. John Baptist de La Salle in 17th-century France.

By the mid-20th century, the District of the Philippines was in a state of rebirth. Following the tragic loss of many Brothers during the Japanese occupation—most notably the massacre at De La Salle College on Taft Avenue in 1945—the Institute was determined to not only rebuild but to expand. Brother Felix was part of that courageous "second wave" of missionaries who saw the Philippines not just as a recovery project, but as a fertile ground for the Lasallian charism.

*The Foundation of La Salle Bacolod (1952)*

In the early 1950s, the political and civic leaders of Negros Occidental, led by prominent families and Bishop Manuel Yap, petitioned the Brothers to establish a school in Bacolod. They sought an institution that could provide the sons of the province with a top-tier education without requiring them to move to Manila.

Brother Felix Masson was among the small, hand-picked group of Brothers—including Brother Hyacinth Gabriel Connon and Brother Denis of Mary—tasked with turning this vision into reality. When they arrived in 1952, the "campus" was little more than a muddy plot of land and a dream.

The early years were defined by "frontier" conditions. Brother Felix and his companions had to navigate the local culture, the intricacies of the sugar industry’s influence, and the sheer physical labor of setting up a school from scratch. Under his guidance and that of the founding team, La Salle College-Bacolod opened its doors in July 1952 to 225 male students.

*The Pedagogical Architect*

While some Brothers were known for their administration and others for their public presence, Brother Felix Masson was often revered for his pastoral approach to education. He embodied the Lasallian principle of "touching hearts."

Looking back at his tenure, several key contributions stand out:

Academic Rigor with Soul: Masson was instrumental in ensuring that the curriculum was not merely a carbon copy of Western models. He helped adapt the Lasallian method to the Negrense context, emphasizing science and commerce—fields vital to the local economy—while maintaining a heavy emphasis on religious instruction and ethics.

The "Brother" to the Students: In the 1950s and 60s, the role of a Brother was all-encompassing. He was a teacher, a coach, a counselor, and a spiritual father. Brother Felix was known for his accessibility. He walked the corridors, knew the names of his students, and understood the pressures of the young men who would one day inherit the leadership of the island.

Community Integration: He recognized that for the school to survive, it had to be a part of Bacolod, not an island within it. He fostered relationships with local educators and families, cementing the school’s reputation as the premier educational hub in Western Visayas.

*Witness to Change: The 1970s and 80s*

The middle years of Brother Felix’s service coincided with some of the most turbulent times in Philippine history. The decline of the sugar industry and the onset of Martial Law created a climate of immense social unrest in Negros.

During this period, the Lasallian mission shifted. It was no longer just about educating the elite; it was about social justice. Brother Felix stayed the course as the institution transitioned. He witnessed the school becoming co-educational in 1966 and eventually achieving university status. Through every transition, his presence provided a sense of continuity—a living link to the founding spirit of 1952.

*Legacy and the "Masson Spirit"*

Brother Felix Masson did not just build a school; he helped cultivate a culture. In Bacolod, "La Salle" is more than an institution; it is an identity. This identity is characterized by a specific brand of excellence tempered by a commitment to the poor—a balance that Masson personally championed.

His later years were spent in the quiet service that defines the elder Brothers. He became a figure of wisdom for younger Filipino Brothers, passing on the oral history of the mission's beginnings. He saw the school grow from a few wooden buildings into a sprawling university that serves thousands of students across various socio-economic backgrounds.

"To be a Lasallian is to be a person of faith, a person of service, and a person of community." — A sentiment often reflected in the life of Bro. Felix.

-with La Salle Bacolod AlumniRelations

27/02/2026

Sa cada familia sa Negros, may ara gid Agueda.

20/02/2026

A celebration of color, culture, and connection 🌍

MassKara Festival dancers from Barangay Tangub represented the Philippines at the 2026 Chinese New Year Night Parade in Hong Kong, bringing Bacolod’s signature energy to the global festivities welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse.

Supported by both local government and event organizers, the delegation showcases elaborate costumes, rhythmic choreography, and the iconic smiling masks that define the festival. Their performance highlights not only artistic excellence but also the cultural pride and community spirit that MassKara has come to symbolize, reinforcing Bacolod’s identity on the world stage.

Bacolod’s cultural heartbeat continues to resonate worldwide.For the second time, MassKara dancers are part of Hong Kong...
20/02/2026

Bacolod’s cultural heartbeat continues to resonate worldwide.

For the second time, MassKara dancers are part of Hong Kong’s renowned Chinese New Year Night Parade, with a 40-member delegation from Barangay Tangub stepping into the spotlight. The performance builds on the success of Barangay Granada’s participation in 2024 and underscores the festival’s growing recognition as a global cultural attraction.

Against a backdrop of lantern-lit streets and international performances, the dancers’ colorful masks and lively choreography serve as a moving tribute to Bacolod’s story: one of joy, resilience, and unity, shared with audiences far beyond home. 🎭✨

Smiles without borders! 🎭The Barangay 29 MassKara dancers from Bacolod bring the MassKara spirit to the global stage in ...
20/02/2026

Smiles without borders! 🎭

The Barangay 29 MassKara dancers from Bacolod bring the MassKara spirit to the global stage in Macau, showcasing Filipino artistry and heritage with pride. 🌍

Photo credit: Benjie Torre

19/02/2026

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