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MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday called on the Filipino people to go to Bacolod City and join its famous MassKara Festival this year.
Marcos hopes the festival will “resonate ever so deeply and find even greater meaning in its joyful observance” and uplift the Filipino people amid the country’s many challenges.
“I welcome all the programs prepared by the organizers and invite people from across the country to join in, explore unique places in the city, and meet new people along the way, as they may fill the great and urgent need to uplift our dispositions at this crucial time,” he said in a statement.
“May the vivid colors and smiles so common and abundant during the festivities serve as declarations of resilience, even as we tackle our deepest concerns and overcome our greatest hurdles, especially now that we are steadily gaining ground on the difficult task of nation-building,” Marcos added.
The President further wished that the festival would “bind” the Filipino people “for a renewed sense of purpose” and “reignite the spirit of community and deepen the appreciation for our timeless cultures and traditions.”
“I wish everyone a meaningful and truly encouraging MassKara festival,” Marcos said.
The President invites all Filipinos to join in honoring the occasion as he wishes "that this year's festival will bring out the best in each of us and bind us together for a renewed sense of purpose." pic.twitter.com/CNXgK0St9T
— Office of the President (@opgovph) October 21, 2022
The MassKara Festival kicked off on October 1 and will run until Oct. 23.
The annual festival held in Bacolod City culminates on the fourth Sunday of October.
It started in 1980 when the prices of sugar, the primary livelihood source, were at an all-time low and the MassKara Festival was held to lift the spirit of the locals.