Italian embassy approves Masskara dancers’ visas

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY—The Italian Embassy has approved the visas for the 12 Masskara Dancers who will perform in Milan during the Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 29-30, 2024.

Atty. Caesar Distrito, spokesman for Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, said on Friday that the Masskara Dancers’ visa applications were initially denied by the embassy “due to lack of required documentation or unclear personal situations.”

He also said that Councilor Jason Villarosa, chairperson of the SP Committee on Tourism and International Relations, issued an apology letter to the Italian Embassy “due to some misunderstanding and miscommunication that resulted from the denial of their visas.”

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, who is personally sponsoring all the expenses for the dancers and the delegation, extended his appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Embassy for assisting with the application and the eventual approval of the Masskara Dancers’ visas.

The Bacolod Masskara Dancers will perform in Milan as guest performers invited by the Philippine Consulate Office on the occasion of the Philippine Independence Day celebration, which will be witnessed by the Filipino community and the Italians.

With the approval of their visas, the Bacolod Masskara Dancers are set to leave for Italy at the soonest possible time, Distrito said.