Marcos Jr, Duterte coming for MassKara fest

By Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte are expected to attend MassKara Festival in October 2022.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez told reporters here Friday that both officials confirmed their attendance though it is not definite yet whether it will be on the opening of the festival or what event they will be gracing.

Benitez also said that Vice President Duterte reminded him that she will be coming to the festival.

The mayor said the festival will be launched Oct 1, adding that it will be a grander event compared to editions held in the past.

He also said that another foundation will be created for the MassKara festival and will be headed by Pinky Mirano Ocampo.

The foundation will be accredited first by the Sanggunian Panlungsod.

The mayor also revealed that there is only about P2 million left in the budget for the festival and they don’t know yet whether this will be given to the foundation or as assistance to the barangays which will participate in the MassKara dance contest.

Benitez said he is tapping his friends in the corporate world on the matter.

He added that the festival will cost tens of millions of pesos as it could be one of the most expensive MassKara festivals ever.

Benitez also said that they will always consider the pandemic as he reiterated that everyone should learn to live with COVID.

“We want to make sure that everybody is prepared.”