I went to the Philippine's fantasy festival where people dance while suffering "a mask of smile"

I went to a particularly famous festival / mascara festival in the Philippines that imagines people who are cheerful and full of hospitality.

Hello!World newspaperIt is Akasaka Nobu, a special reporter. I am traveling around the world until recently, in the PhilippinesBacolodI stayed in the town called.


Everybody smiles at Bacolod in the Philippines once a year "Masskara Festival (Mascara Festival)"there is.


The Philippines used to be a colony of Spain and the United States. Mass means "a lot" in English, kara means "face" in Spanish.Evenear"The origin of the festival goes back to 1930. Although Negros Island was famous as the origin of sugar, the collapse of international sugar prices occurred, people's livelihoods were troubled, it began to overcome that suffering Is said to be the "mascara festival." It is said that the thought of those who faced difficulties without forgetting a smile is put in when it is difficult. " As its origin and name, a smiling mask is the biggest feature of this festival. Such a wonderful festival happens to be held during my stay by chance, so I cheered in and participated.

◆ Mask is the most important item
This mascara festival will be held for 3 weeks indeed. This year was held from October 1st to October 19th. It is an impression that he inherited the history of Spanish people who love festivals very much ......

As soon as we enter October, decoration begins in the city. It is called "highlight", and the most exciting time is the last Friday night to Sunday night of the third week.


Suddenly in the town, the mask shop appeared. Various kinds of masks are on sale both in size and pattern.


The restaurant of "Laxson Street" which will be the main street festival will also start to decorate the mask.

Large mask of Chinatown a little away


A Japanese-style mask of a Japanese restaurant


Large scale and excellent quality mask


Inside, even a mask of quality that is difficult to comment a bit ...... I do not get tired of just looking at these masks.


During the festival, masks and costumes contests are held at nearby shopping centers. Everything is luxurious and unique, our eyes are nailed.


◆ The festival is the most exciting "highlight"
When entering the week of highlight, local people and towns are putting restless and putting restless circles. On Friday, a part of the main street "LAXON STREET" - 1 km will be completely pedestrianized and six outdoor stages like clubs will emerge.


Everyone is dancing happily. People in the Philippines are impressed that they love club music of explosion. Outdoor clubs were held in various places every weekend, regardless of the festival, even during the one month I was staying.


Especially, among the explosive tones, the local children were dancing naturally and happily. Looking at such a form, I will also smile with nature.


It was a coincidence, I could get this face for free as well. In Japan, there is no memory that I bought your face when I was small, but when I was covered in this way I felt a festive feeling, and I also felt that my feet would not reach the ground.


A lot of shops are on Luckson Street. It is like Japan's fairy tale. So I often found it in Southeast Asia, in the Philippines,BallotI tried to eat 'boiled eggs that heated duck eggs just before hatching'.


Although the ballot itself can be eaten from everyday, I never ate and ate at the festival momentum. At that time I was drunk and I ate it in the dark, so there was no problem, but I watched the picture a little while ago on the next day (laugh)


Besides, I tried drinking a rare draft beer in the Philippines. Of course, it was delicious without complaint.


For the time being, local people and tourists are impressed that everyone is having fun drinking while having fun, the night before and the night before.


◆ This is the highlight
Well, it is a highlight of lots of pleasure, but finally you can see "Mascara Dance" on your last Saturdays and Sundays. Petit dance shows are held even at regular gas stations.


First of all, a competition will be held at a big sports center. Every year seems to be a problem song, about 20 teams compete for the same song with different costumes, masks, props and performances.


Which teams have their own costumes and what kind of costume's team is next? I just do not get tired of just watching.


Each team, ingenuity and exit method are devised, changes are made depending on what kind of props to use ... ....


Whether it is possible for everyone to arrange, or to group and direct it?


Whether there is story nature, etc., each team had individuality, it was fun to watch.


Many locals have also visited the venue and constantly cheered on. A cheering crowd when a great team of performances came out was one person.


In the heat like summer, she suffered a big mask, wore various costumes, and was dancing with full power. Sometimes I saw a dancer that collapsed right after the song finished. It goes without saying that he remembered impression and youth in his appearance.


Here is the performance of the winning team of 2013.

Masskara Festival 2013 Champion: Barangay 16 - YouTube


◆ Powerful parade
It is a Latin festival love spirit that does not end here. After this, the dancer will walk and dance from the sports center to the center of the city. It's about 1 km away.


In the map, it is such feeling. To be precise, I went through "Arraneta Avenue" on this map.


A dancer who is working hard enough to collapse at the competition stage will walk a further 1 km with full power. This is already worthy of respect.


Even so, there are also people who come and go sometimes.


Actually, this dancer is a lot of people "Lady Boy" for some reason. Ladyboy is a lot of Thai image, but Bacolod saw lots of lady boy in town and restaurant (Manila was not that much that impression). I saw the waiter (waitress?) Who was always waiting for a woman 's work without being destroyed, and it was an exciting day.


It was a festival where you can see the exciting dancing of people with professional spirit. You can see it at a very close distance, even compared with world famous festivals.


Well, it is "Mascara Festival" which is not well known in Japan, but how was it? During the parade, when the ladyboy dancers went beside themselves in a crescure dance, my heart was exciting and it was no use. The excitement of the locals and the appearance of enjoying themselves with excitement made nature and me "smile" over and over. I am able to participate in such a wonderful festival, and now I am full of gratitude.

Sentences · coverage: Akasaka Nobunaga

Supervision: World newspaperSekaishinbun.net