By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez encouraged the public to enjoy and support the MassKara Festival 2024, assuring them that “the best is yet to come.”
Benitez, along with city councilors, Bacolod Yuhum Foundation officials, and MassKara Festival Chairman Jojie Dingcong, joined members of the media and vloggers in a tour of the 2GO MV Masigla on Wednesday as part of the festivities.
“We are just getting started; we still have two weeks left to celebrate our MassKara Festival. The best is yet to come,” he said in an ambush interview before disembarking from the vessel.
Joining Benitez were Councilors Celia Flor, Em Ang, Cindy Rojas, Simple Distrito, Jason Villarosa, Bacolod Yuhum Foundation President Katherine Matiling, and directors Kuster Cadagat and Jericho Redil.
“We still have our Electric MassKara, the Arena MassKara, and our parade, and we expect more visitors to come,” the mayor added.
He noted that during the opening festivities, there was a large crowd, and they are expecting another packed weekend of activities.
“So far, so good,” Benitez remarked.
Although this will be his last MassKara Festival as city mayor, after filing his Certificate of Candidacy for district representative in Congress, Benitez said they will continue to improve the festival each year.
“Our vision for the MassKara Festival is to make it a world-class event, so it’s not just people from Manila or other provinces who come but also visitors from other countries,” he said.
“If we achieve that, it will be our dream for the MassKara Festival.”
Benitez also expressed his admiration for the amenities aboard the MV 2GO Masigla and mentioned plans to hold meetings or gatherings for city officials and barangay captains on the vessel.
“When you go to Manila, don’t take the plane anymore—just take 2GO vessels,” he joked to reporters.
